Nwicker60
16-Dec-11, 16:37
John O’ Groat Journal: review-December 16, 2011
A PLAN to wind up the North Highland Community Health Partnership should be regarded with “extreme concern”. Derrick Milnes, who chairs the Thurso and Wick Trades Union Council expressed his disquiet after it emerged the CHP is set to be axed next year. Following a review, NHS Highland has recommended that the North Highland CHP should cease to exist as from the end of March, along with the Mid CHP, the South East CHP and the Raigmore Hospital Committee, they would be replaced by one organisation which would cover the Highlands. A separate body would be responsible for Argyll and Bute. However, the proposed changes would have to be approved by health secretary Nicola Sturgeon.
THE building of a new high school in Wick, is expected to be delayed by a year, if plans to create a three-to18 campus go ahead. Highland Council is in final discussions regarding joining a primary school to the proposed new secondary facility. During a consultation in September over plans to merge Pulteneytown Academy and South School, it was suggested the new primary could be added to the high school site. The idea was welcomed by most, but it was also said if was to go ahead, it would result in the completion of the high school being delayed. The local authority revealed the opening date would be pushed back by at least nine months if its recommendations were approved.
LOCAL law enforcers have promised a “no-nonsense approach” to knife crime, as the chief legal officer for Scotland bids to completely eliminate the threat to town centres. The Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland QC has announced a zero-tolerance crackdown on knife carrying over the next six weeks in a pilot project targeting Scotland’s town and city centres-with offenders now facing up to four years imprisonment. In Caithness, the Crown and Procurator Fiscal Service is maintaining a united front with Northern Constabulary in upholding the spirit of the crackdown. Chief Inspector Matthew Reiss said that knife crime is not a huge issue in the Far North but he added that it is something that officers deal with “robustly” when it does crop up.
THE life of Caithness musician John Sutherland was celebrated yesterday at a well-attended funeral service at the Ormlie Rest rooms in Thurso. So many people were present, that additional seats had to be placed in the aisles and even then, some people had to stand. Those who were there, heard fitting tributes about Sutherland’s life, his music, his humour, his love of his family and his spirituality. His daughter, Christina, read a heartfelt poem while his son, Isaac, spoke movingly about his father and said he “had a great life and left his mark”. Isaac described his dad as “a passionate man” who had “time for everybody”. He added that Sutherland, who died in hospital in Aberdeen, last Thurso at the age of 67, after suffering a heart attack, fought hard to stay alive but had no fear of death.
THE prospect of future improvements to roads in the the North to help boost the local economy, is looking very positive according to a local business leader. North Highland Initiative chairman, David Whiteford, said that he is confident that the Scottish Government will be placing more emphasis on improved transport links to help with the area’s regeneration. His views come after he held talks with cabinet secretary for infrastructure and capital investment Alex Neil, during his visit to the initiative’s new offices in Wick. It was confirmed that the progressive dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness will go ahead and is estimated to be completed by 2025. Mr Whiteford said any work to improve communications between the most northern part of mainland UK and the rest of the country, is to be welcomed.
CAITHNESS is set for a gust-free weekend now that previously predicted storm-force gales are not expected to hit. The Met Office has confirmed that a weather system which had been thought likely to bring winds to between 70mph and 80 mph has moved south, leaving the Far North unaffected. The news will come as a relief to locals who have endure gale-force winds for the past two weeks. Met Office spokesperson, Dan Williams told the Groat that the region should be able to enjoy a wind-free weekend.
SECONDARY school pupils in Caithness have been given a helping hand to take part in a major event which encourages teenagers to make the right lifestyle choices. Highland Council’s Wick and Landward wards have each given a grant of £1000 from their youth work budgets to High Life Highland, towards the cost of Rock Challenge 2012. The challenge, which was held for the first time in the Highlands this year, but has proved popular with schools across the UK, is a series of performing arts events which promote health life choices. School entering the contest are asked to come up with a short drama piece which is related to the lifestyle theme.
THE campaign for a Dornoch rail crossing has received “a massive boost” following a survey which was conducted by a local pressure group. The Dornoch Rail Link Action Group surveyed more than 500 rail users over the past three months and is delighted with the findings. They show overwhelming support for the crossing which would reduce journey times on the Far North line by 45 minutes. The trip between Wick and Inverness currently take four hours and 26 minutes. DorLAG convener, Mark Norton, told the Groat that 91 per cent of those surveyed backed a direct rail crossing over the Dornoch Firth which would cut 27 miles off the trip. That was seen as a key priority for the route.
A PLAN to wind up the North Highland Community Health Partnership should be regarded with “extreme concern”. Derrick Milnes, who chairs the Thurso and Wick Trades Union Council expressed his disquiet after it emerged the CHP is set to be axed next year. Following a review, NHS Highland has recommended that the North Highland CHP should cease to exist as from the end of March, along with the Mid CHP, the South East CHP and the Raigmore Hospital Committee, they would be replaced by one organisation which would cover the Highlands. A separate body would be responsible for Argyll and Bute. However, the proposed changes would have to be approved by health secretary Nicola Sturgeon.
THE building of a new high school in Wick, is expected to be delayed by a year, if plans to create a three-to18 campus go ahead. Highland Council is in final discussions regarding joining a primary school to the proposed new secondary facility. During a consultation in September over plans to merge Pulteneytown Academy and South School, it was suggested the new primary could be added to the high school site. The idea was welcomed by most, but it was also said if was to go ahead, it would result in the completion of the high school being delayed. The local authority revealed the opening date would be pushed back by at least nine months if its recommendations were approved.
LOCAL law enforcers have promised a “no-nonsense approach” to knife crime, as the chief legal officer for Scotland bids to completely eliminate the threat to town centres. The Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland QC has announced a zero-tolerance crackdown on knife carrying over the next six weeks in a pilot project targeting Scotland’s town and city centres-with offenders now facing up to four years imprisonment. In Caithness, the Crown and Procurator Fiscal Service is maintaining a united front with Northern Constabulary in upholding the spirit of the crackdown. Chief Inspector Matthew Reiss said that knife crime is not a huge issue in the Far North but he added that it is something that officers deal with “robustly” when it does crop up.
THE life of Caithness musician John Sutherland was celebrated yesterday at a well-attended funeral service at the Ormlie Rest rooms in Thurso. So many people were present, that additional seats had to be placed in the aisles and even then, some people had to stand. Those who were there, heard fitting tributes about Sutherland’s life, his music, his humour, his love of his family and his spirituality. His daughter, Christina, read a heartfelt poem while his son, Isaac, spoke movingly about his father and said he “had a great life and left his mark”. Isaac described his dad as “a passionate man” who had “time for everybody”. He added that Sutherland, who died in hospital in Aberdeen, last Thurso at the age of 67, after suffering a heart attack, fought hard to stay alive but had no fear of death.
THE prospect of future improvements to roads in the the North to help boost the local economy, is looking very positive according to a local business leader. North Highland Initiative chairman, David Whiteford, said that he is confident that the Scottish Government will be placing more emphasis on improved transport links to help with the area’s regeneration. His views come after he held talks with cabinet secretary for infrastructure and capital investment Alex Neil, during his visit to the initiative’s new offices in Wick. It was confirmed that the progressive dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness will go ahead and is estimated to be completed by 2025. Mr Whiteford said any work to improve communications between the most northern part of mainland UK and the rest of the country, is to be welcomed.
CAITHNESS is set for a gust-free weekend now that previously predicted storm-force gales are not expected to hit. The Met Office has confirmed that a weather system which had been thought likely to bring winds to between 70mph and 80 mph has moved south, leaving the Far North unaffected. The news will come as a relief to locals who have endure gale-force winds for the past two weeks. Met Office spokesperson, Dan Williams told the Groat that the region should be able to enjoy a wind-free weekend.
SECONDARY school pupils in Caithness have been given a helping hand to take part in a major event which encourages teenagers to make the right lifestyle choices. Highland Council’s Wick and Landward wards have each given a grant of £1000 from their youth work budgets to High Life Highland, towards the cost of Rock Challenge 2012. The challenge, which was held for the first time in the Highlands this year, but has proved popular with schools across the UK, is a series of performing arts events which promote health life choices. School entering the contest are asked to come up with a short drama piece which is related to the lifestyle theme.
THE campaign for a Dornoch rail crossing has received “a massive boost” following a survey which was conducted by a local pressure group. The Dornoch Rail Link Action Group surveyed more than 500 rail users over the past three months and is delighted with the findings. They show overwhelming support for the crossing which would reduce journey times on the Far North line by 45 minutes. The trip between Wick and Inverness currently take four hours and 26 minutes. DorLAG convener, Mark Norton, told the Groat that 91 per cent of those surveyed backed a direct rail crossing over the Dornoch Firth which would cut 27 miles off the trip. That was seen as a key priority for the route.