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Nwicker60
13-Jun-12, 10:52
Caithness Courier review: June 13, 2012

A WICK bus passenger woke up to a real-life nightmare when she was involved in an accident on the A9 which claimed the lives of two people. The first Zena Sinclair knew about Friday afternoon’s crash was when her head smashed into a metal bar, requiring 23 stitches under her right eye. The 65-year-old from Sinclair Terrace, was travelling from Edinburgh to Inverness when her bus was involved in an accident with a van between the A889 and B9150 junctions at Ralia, southwest of Newtonmore.

Also on the front page...the silver screen could return to Thurso if plans to bring back to life, a derelict cinema are successful. West Lothian businessman, Rob Arthur, is interested in buying the All Star Factory and reopening the two-screen cinema in Ormlie Road. Highlands and Islands Enterprise is hosting a public meeting on Friday, at the Pentland Hotel, at 7pm when Mr Arthur will explain his thoughts on bringing the cinema back into operation.

IT was a once-in-a lifetime event that Caithness might never see the like of again. An estimated 2,500 flocked to the signpost at John O’ Groats to see the arrival of the Olympic flame on Sunday. A party atmosphere developed as 18-year-olds Louis Mackinnon, from Milton and Andrew Sinclair from Wick, proudly held their torches above the iconic signpost to cheers and applause, for the flame exchange. Despite the carnival buzz, however, there were some complaints from members of the crowd that they were unable to see the flame or follow the order of proceedings.

A FAR NORTH group which offers support to those with a chronic condition that vastly reduces sufferers’ quality of life, is in danger of folding. Since 2002, Caithness Lupus Support Group has held a number of fundraising events to help improve the lives of people who suffer from the condition. But now, the future of the group is in danger, as all the office bearers on its committee are planning to retire from their positions. Unless new volunteers can be found to take over the positions of chairman, treasurer and secretary, the group will cease to exist.

A THURSO hotelier is aiming to retire from the industry after 34 years. Michael Mancini has put the Pentland Hotel in Princes Street, on the market for offers over £950,000. The 61-year-old has owned the hotel in partnership with his wife, Elizabeth, for the past 15 years, having previously run the Northern Sands Hotel in Dunnet for 19 years.

A SENIOR policeman has hailed the record crime detection performance by Northern Constabulary in the last year – achieved despite the controversial closure of a raft of stations. The force posted its highest-ever detection rate in the last 12 months up to April, and it was one of the highest achieved in the UK. Officers detected 67 per cent of the 13,556 serious crimes, sexual assaults, drugs offences, dishonesty and vandalism committed in that period. This was an increase of four per cent on the previous year.

VIDEO cameras should be installed at Wick Sheriff Court according to the recommendations of a recent report by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. Brigadier Hugh Monro is behind the report, looking at prisoner transport. Practices and conditions at the Wick court were highlighted as being generally good, but that video-conferencing should be used to reduce the impact of long journeys and CCTV cameras should be installed in the cells of the holding area beneath the primary courtroom.

THE brightest musical talent from across the North wowed the judges at the start of the county’s biggest music competition. The 58th Caithness Music Festival got off to a fantastic start on Monday according to its secretary. Audrey MacKinnon, who is celebrating her 25th year as a member of the committee, said there had been an excellent standard of entries from the schools taking part. Making his debut as an adjudicator is Donal McCrisken from Belfast, who works as a conductor of Cappella Caeciliana, one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting chamber choirs. He said he was thrilled to be part of the festival and was impressed by the amount of musical talent on show.