Nwicker60
30-Mar-12, 12:10
John O’ Groat Journal review: March 30, 2012
THE treatment of an elderly Thurso woman who was discharged from Caithness General Hospital in her nightdress, housecoat and slippers, just before midnight, and sent home in a taxi has been branded a “disgrace” by her daughter. The 80-year-old woman, who did not wish to be named, was admitted with breathing problems. She was monitored and told she did not require to be kept in overnight. The woman was sent home in a taxi which cost £28 but she did not have any money with her and the fare was paid by her daughter. The daughter said: “If I had not been there, I do not know what would have happened”.
PETROL stations in Caithness have reported busier forecourt activity than usual after the Government urged motorists to fill up their tanks in case of strike action. The call was made by energy minister, Ed Davey, who recommended drivers replenish their vehicles when they reached the half-empty mark. It comes as hundreds of tanker drivers could strike, in a row over working conditions and pay, with 90 per cent of UK forecourts being supplied by about 2000 drivers in the Unite union. No strike dates have been set and the union would give seven days notice before any action.
THE Olympic spirit is burning brightly in Castletown - despite pupils not getting the chance to run with the official torch. The youngsters at the village school have taken matters into their own hands and are planning their very own torch relay. All 139 pupils – from nursery to primary seven - will be involved in a 14-mile run from the school to John O’ Groats where pupils will be holding their own mini- Olympics on Friday, June 22. Instead of carrying a burning flame, pupils and parents are being challenged to design their own torch in a special competition. Acting head teacher, Shaun Henderson, said everyone at the school is excited about a flame exchange which is happening at Groats, on Sunday, June 10, and they want to mark the occasion.
AS petrol strikes threaten the UK, a Caithness charity is facing its own fuel shortage. HomeAid Caithness and Sutherland, which runs two of its vans on refined cooking oil – a form of biofuel - ran into difficulties after the tap was opened on a tank containing 6000 litres of cooking oil that was ready for processing. The slick spread across the garden around the tank to the rear of the charity’s Thurso warehouse, at Ormlie. Staff noticed the problem when they arrived for work at the start of the week.
A FIRE chief has admitted it is “almost certain” fire stations in the Highlands will have to shut because they are unsustainable, and warned staff could also quit. Depute fire officer, Mike Holme,. will tell councillors, tomorrow, that the risk of Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service stations closing, is moderate, but the likelihood is almost certain. In a written report to the region’s governing fire board, which meets in Inverness, Mr Holme has stated any stations which caused concern against its recently drawn up criteria, would come under review and communities kept updated about the situation.
WITH a dart in one hand and a fag in the other, a wee grumpy man from fife won the hearts of a nation as he become known as one of Scotland’s most-love sportsmen. Arguable one of the greatest players ever to grace the oche, Jock Wilson died on Saturday night at the age of 62 in his home in Kirkcaldy. Across the country, fans of the two-times world champion have mourned his death. He had endured a two-year fight with chronic pulmonary disease. His passing was equally felt in the Far North where he made several visits during his distinguished career.
A MINI-music festival to be staged in Wick, will get Far North music lovers in the mood for this year’s B-fest. Festival founder and owner of the Blackstairs Lounge, Ryan Cook, is putting on a two-day event in May, at the Wick pub. Wee B will be spread across the bar and beer garden and will feature some of the best known new bands from around Scotland as well as local talent.
AND finally... interviewing nine local girls for the honour of becoming the Wick Diamond Jubilee HarbourFest Queen, organisers have announced that 15-year-old Abigal Jolly, Wick, has been chosen for the role. Her two ladies –in-waiting will be fellow Wick High pupils, Jenny Brass and Katie Mackinnon, both 15, from Watten.
THE treatment of an elderly Thurso woman who was discharged from Caithness General Hospital in her nightdress, housecoat and slippers, just before midnight, and sent home in a taxi has been branded a “disgrace” by her daughter. The 80-year-old woman, who did not wish to be named, was admitted with breathing problems. She was monitored and told she did not require to be kept in overnight. The woman was sent home in a taxi which cost £28 but she did not have any money with her and the fare was paid by her daughter. The daughter said: “If I had not been there, I do not know what would have happened”.
PETROL stations in Caithness have reported busier forecourt activity than usual after the Government urged motorists to fill up their tanks in case of strike action. The call was made by energy minister, Ed Davey, who recommended drivers replenish their vehicles when they reached the half-empty mark. It comes as hundreds of tanker drivers could strike, in a row over working conditions and pay, with 90 per cent of UK forecourts being supplied by about 2000 drivers in the Unite union. No strike dates have been set and the union would give seven days notice before any action.
THE Olympic spirit is burning brightly in Castletown - despite pupils not getting the chance to run with the official torch. The youngsters at the village school have taken matters into their own hands and are planning their very own torch relay. All 139 pupils – from nursery to primary seven - will be involved in a 14-mile run from the school to John O’ Groats where pupils will be holding their own mini- Olympics on Friday, June 22. Instead of carrying a burning flame, pupils and parents are being challenged to design their own torch in a special competition. Acting head teacher, Shaun Henderson, said everyone at the school is excited about a flame exchange which is happening at Groats, on Sunday, June 10, and they want to mark the occasion.
AS petrol strikes threaten the UK, a Caithness charity is facing its own fuel shortage. HomeAid Caithness and Sutherland, which runs two of its vans on refined cooking oil – a form of biofuel - ran into difficulties after the tap was opened on a tank containing 6000 litres of cooking oil that was ready for processing. The slick spread across the garden around the tank to the rear of the charity’s Thurso warehouse, at Ormlie. Staff noticed the problem when they arrived for work at the start of the week.
A FIRE chief has admitted it is “almost certain” fire stations in the Highlands will have to shut because they are unsustainable, and warned staff could also quit. Depute fire officer, Mike Holme,. will tell councillors, tomorrow, that the risk of Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service stations closing, is moderate, but the likelihood is almost certain. In a written report to the region’s governing fire board, which meets in Inverness, Mr Holme has stated any stations which caused concern against its recently drawn up criteria, would come under review and communities kept updated about the situation.
WITH a dart in one hand and a fag in the other, a wee grumpy man from fife won the hearts of a nation as he become known as one of Scotland’s most-love sportsmen. Arguable one of the greatest players ever to grace the oche, Jock Wilson died on Saturday night at the age of 62 in his home in Kirkcaldy. Across the country, fans of the two-times world champion have mourned his death. He had endured a two-year fight with chronic pulmonary disease. His passing was equally felt in the Far North where he made several visits during his distinguished career.
A MINI-music festival to be staged in Wick, will get Far North music lovers in the mood for this year’s B-fest. Festival founder and owner of the Blackstairs Lounge, Ryan Cook, is putting on a two-day event in May, at the Wick pub. Wee B will be spread across the bar and beer garden and will feature some of the best known new bands from around Scotland as well as local talent.
AND finally... interviewing nine local girls for the honour of becoming the Wick Diamond Jubilee HarbourFest Queen, organisers have announced that 15-year-old Abigal Jolly, Wick, has been chosen for the role. Her two ladies –in-waiting will be fellow Wick High pupils, Jenny Brass and Katie Mackinnon, both 15, from Watten.