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View Full Version : Fit's in 'e Coorier 'e day



Nwicker60
25-May-11, 13:56
Courier review May 25, 2011

THE paper leads on its front page with the local angle on the air travel consequences of the volcanic dust eruption. The drift of its piece was that dozens of Caithness travellers faced holiday ruin, but of course the situation changed for the better today and things got back to normal. However, you have to play it on the information you have on press day. Caithness didn’t miss out on the power cuts caused by the gales and it’s an ill wind, as they say. Guests at Wick’s Mackays Hotel, dined by candlelight, although it involved an unscheduled menu change for the chef.

INTEREST in starting up a car-sharing club in Thurso, has been slow to take off. But those driving the initiative, remain committed to turning the idea into a reality, the main story on page three, tells us. The fast-escalating cost of running a car, has fuelled an increase in the number of car clubs in the UK which members pay into, to use a vehicle. Only a handful of people attended an exploratory meeting held in Thurso, recently by Pentland Energy Advice. Guest speaker was Chas Ball, the director of Carplus, the charity which the Scottish Government awarded a £200,000 grant in November, to encourage the growth of car clubs. Mr Ball predicated interest in the green-friendly initiative will steadily grow, as the cost of keeping a car on the road, rises. A commitment from about 20 people would be needed, to establish an initial pool of two cars in Thurso.

THERE are no plans for another Wick Harbour Fest, but it was never intended to be a regular attraction. The Harbour Fests were held in 2007 and 2009. Co-ordinator David Richard-Jones said he would not rule out a return of the event should a suitable occasion present itself.

A WICK school is striving towards a greener future by harnessing the power of the wind. South Primary turned on its Highland Council-approved wind turbine, earlier this month when its eldest pupil, Liam Bissett helped head teacher Pat Bowers flick the on-switch. She said it was a great moment when engineers confirmed the spinning turbine was bringing power into the school. She said: “The children and staff were wowed when the huge blades started to turn. What an exciting moment for everyone, as the whole school was out viewing the historical ‘green’ moment.” Pupils and teachers can now view the power produced and energy used, as well as the carbon dioxide reduction, from a display screen in the school reception area.

LOCAL people are being urged to support the organisation charged with regenerating Caithness in the wake of the Dounreay rundown. The Dounreay Stakeholder Group has called for the Far North community to get behind the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership. CNSRP which includes representatives from the Scottish Government, Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, was created in 2007 to regenerate Caithness and North Sutherland, as decommissioning gathers pace. Derrick Milnes of the Thurso and Wick Trade Union Council, said the time had come for local people to show their support for what was an enormous task.

CAITHNESS could have a part to play in the world’s biggest sporting event, it has emerged. The route for the Olympic Torch Relay across the UK, was announced last week. During its tour of Scotland, the lit torch will stop in Inverness on Saturday, June 9,2012, before making its way to Orkney and Shetland the following day. One possible route which has been suggested, includes carrying the flame from Inverness to John O’ Groats and then, by ferry to Orkney. A spokesman for the London 2010 Olympic committee said that full details had yet to be finalised. He said more towns and cities would be added in the coming months and they expected to confirm full details of the torch route by November.

A WICK-based toddlers’ group has been commended for the quality of teaching it provides. Playbox Playgroup received a good report during its recent HMIe inspection. Officials visited the premises in Macleod Road, in February, as part of their integrated inspection programme. Inspectors said the main strengths of the group were the quality of relationships developed by staff, to help nurture and support children’s learning. They also praised staff recognising the need to develop their own knowledge and skills through further training. The report said there had been a positive emphasis in implementing the curriculum for learning.

CAITHNESS Horizons in Thurso recently joined museums all over Scotland by getting into the spirit of Spring with unique children’s art workshops to highlight its Robert dick collection. The Festival of Museums created and supported by Museums Galleries Scotland, celebrated the country’s wealth of culture with day and night-time events, from May 13 to 15. In Caithness, it offered locals and tourists a range of cultural experiences intended to ignite imaginations. Keep it Under Your Hat was a colourful project devised by Dunnet-based artist Joanne Kaar and Caithness Horizons and was designed especially for the Festival of Museums.

And finally...Wick Players are looking for some props for their gala week production. A wicker sofa and chair are needed for their performance of Peter Quilter's Duets. The Players have asked anyone with any suitable pieces, for that matter to contact them.