Nwicker60
11-May-12, 22:50
John O’ Groat Journal review: May 11, 2012
A LOCAL campaigner wants wind turbines removed from school grounds, claiming they pose a real risk to children. Brenda Herrick made the call after it emerged that turbines at six primary schools in Caithness have been switched off, amid fears about the potential danger they pose to pupils. Mrs Herrick had welcomed the move but she now wants to see them taken down. Highland Council has switched off the turbines at Bower, Castletown and Crossroads as well as North Primary, South Primary and Pulteneytown Academy, in Wick, along with 10 others at schools across the Highlands. The decision comes after concerns were raised from a number of Highland councillors and members of the public who expressed fears about the danger the turbines pose, should they break or collapse. The local authority has now commissioned independent organisation Building Research Establishment, to evaluate all wind turbines installations based on, or adjacent to school sites.
THE Wester construction site has had its busiest year to date and is looking to the future with confidence. That was said yesterday by Subsea 7’s site manager, Willie Watt, in an interview with the Groat. He was speaking after the company successfully launched its latest pipeline for Conoco Phillips Jasmine Field in the North Sea, at the weekend. In the autumn, the workforce will be engaged on a contract for Elf Exploration UK at its West Franklin Field in the North Sea. It is expected to employ up to 120 people. Subsea 7 has also secured another BP project for the company’s West Clair Ridge development west of Shetland. That contract will be the first in that location undertaken by staff at Wester.
A GUINNESS world record attempt passing through Caithness on Monday is to be bolstered by local supporters roped in by a Wick woman. Relay GB is a new charity fundraising event with hundreds of runners currently attempting to cover 2,600 miles around Britain in over 100 nonstop marathons to break the world record for distance relay running, all while raising £500,000 in aid of Brain Tumour UK. Lead the charge through Wick town centre on Monday, will be brain tumour charity champion Carolyn Pierpont (33) who has gathered up her old school friends to help break the record. Wick born Carolyn and her partner Mark Toshney (32) who has firsT hand experience of being diagnosed with a brain tumour, will be sharing the 26-mile Castletown to Wick leg.
THE creation of a new ruling administration in Highland Council, comprising the SNP, the Liberal Democrats and Labour is “a kick in the teeth” for the Independents. That was the claim made this week by Landward Caithness independent councillor, Robert Coghill, who argued the set-up would work against rural areas. However, his comments were dismissed as “absolute nonsense” by Wick SNP councillor, Gail Ross.
REBECCA and Lauren Miller make the gruelling 10-hour journey to south-west Scotland every Saturday to attend a dancing school to prepare them for competition. With the help and backing of their family, the girls are now among the best disco dancers in Europe, beating off some of the most talented individuals from the Continent. Thurso High School pupil Rebecca (14) has been crowned European under 16, solo freestyle champion out of 634 competitors at Brean Euro Dance 2012. Her sister Lauren (12) who attends Mount Pleasant Primary School in Thurso, also finished highly in her category when she took seventh in the European under-14 solo freestyle, in a pool of 72 competitors.
A FARMER has had to be airlifted to Aberdeen to receive specialist treatment after being kicked in the chest by a calving cow. Andrew Steven, of Overton Farm at Bilbster was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, on Wednesday night, following the accident. The experienced farmer had been helping the distressed cow when it lashed out. The force cause several of Mr Steven’s ribs to break and he also started developing breathing problems. A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian on Thursday morning, said that after receiving treatment and tests overnight, Mr Steven’s condition had changed from stable to satisfactory.
A LOCAL campaigner wants wind turbines removed from school grounds, claiming they pose a real risk to children. Brenda Herrick made the call after it emerged that turbines at six primary schools in Caithness have been switched off, amid fears about the potential danger they pose to pupils. Mrs Herrick had welcomed the move but she now wants to see them taken down. Highland Council has switched off the turbines at Bower, Castletown and Crossroads as well as North Primary, South Primary and Pulteneytown Academy, in Wick, along with 10 others at schools across the Highlands. The decision comes after concerns were raised from a number of Highland councillors and members of the public who expressed fears about the danger the turbines pose, should they break or collapse. The local authority has now commissioned independent organisation Building Research Establishment, to evaluate all wind turbines installations based on, or adjacent to school sites.
THE Wester construction site has had its busiest year to date and is looking to the future with confidence. That was said yesterday by Subsea 7’s site manager, Willie Watt, in an interview with the Groat. He was speaking after the company successfully launched its latest pipeline for Conoco Phillips Jasmine Field in the North Sea, at the weekend. In the autumn, the workforce will be engaged on a contract for Elf Exploration UK at its West Franklin Field in the North Sea. It is expected to employ up to 120 people. Subsea 7 has also secured another BP project for the company’s West Clair Ridge development west of Shetland. That contract will be the first in that location undertaken by staff at Wester.
A GUINNESS world record attempt passing through Caithness on Monday is to be bolstered by local supporters roped in by a Wick woman. Relay GB is a new charity fundraising event with hundreds of runners currently attempting to cover 2,600 miles around Britain in over 100 nonstop marathons to break the world record for distance relay running, all while raising £500,000 in aid of Brain Tumour UK. Lead the charge through Wick town centre on Monday, will be brain tumour charity champion Carolyn Pierpont (33) who has gathered up her old school friends to help break the record. Wick born Carolyn and her partner Mark Toshney (32) who has firsT hand experience of being diagnosed with a brain tumour, will be sharing the 26-mile Castletown to Wick leg.
THE creation of a new ruling administration in Highland Council, comprising the SNP, the Liberal Democrats and Labour is “a kick in the teeth” for the Independents. That was the claim made this week by Landward Caithness independent councillor, Robert Coghill, who argued the set-up would work against rural areas. However, his comments were dismissed as “absolute nonsense” by Wick SNP councillor, Gail Ross.
REBECCA and Lauren Miller make the gruelling 10-hour journey to south-west Scotland every Saturday to attend a dancing school to prepare them for competition. With the help and backing of their family, the girls are now among the best disco dancers in Europe, beating off some of the most talented individuals from the Continent. Thurso High School pupil Rebecca (14) has been crowned European under 16, solo freestyle champion out of 634 competitors at Brean Euro Dance 2012. Her sister Lauren (12) who attends Mount Pleasant Primary School in Thurso, also finished highly in her category when she took seventh in the European under-14 solo freestyle, in a pool of 72 competitors.
A FARMER has had to be airlifted to Aberdeen to receive specialist treatment after being kicked in the chest by a calving cow. Andrew Steven, of Overton Farm at Bilbster was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, on Wednesday night, following the accident. The experienced farmer had been helping the distressed cow when it lashed out. The force cause several of Mr Steven’s ribs to break and he also started developing breathing problems. A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian on Thursday morning, said that after receiving treatment and tests overnight, Mr Steven’s condition had changed from stable to satisfactory.