Nwicker60
20-Jul-12, 18:34
John O’ Groat Journal review: July 20, 2012
THE credibility of Caithness as a place to do business, is being severely undermined as a result of a move to reduce opening hours of Wick Airport, it was claimed yesterday. County civic head, Gail Ross blasted chiefs at Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd after it decided to close the facility for part of Friday morning and all day Saturday. HIAL acted after an experienced Wick-based air traffic controller left and no qualified personnel was available to take his place. It claims that no current flights to Aberdeen and Edinburgh will be affected by the cut in opening hours, but Mrs Ross maintains the wrong message is being sent out to the world about the county.
DISCOUNT store Poundstretcher is poised to take over the former Haldanes supermarket in the centre of Wick. Speculation has been rife on the future of the empty property with a clutch of retailers rumoured to be moving into the Co-operative-owned 14,205 suqare foot building in Macleay Lane, since it was marketed in April. Poundstretcher spokesman, Martin Collinson, yesterday confirmed it has a serious interest in the derelict store.
DELIVERIES of goods to the two biggest supermarkets in Caithness could be made by rail instead of road, after it was announced that talks have taken place to secure a deal. Direct Rail Services confirmed that it has held discussions with Tesco about increasing the amount of goods it delivers by train to the fair north. The company made the announcement at its unveiling of it news multi- million pound purpose-built railhead at Georgemas junction.
A FORMER chairman of Reay Hall Committee has branded a recent annual general meeting during which he was suspended, as “farcial”. Don Forbes also told the Groat he believed the suspension was invalid as there was not enough people present to make such a crucial decision. It was made in his absence, while he was working offshore so he did not have an opportunity to state his case.
STAFF patients and volunteers at North Highland Cancer Information and Support Centre in Thurso are set to receive a prestigious national award next month. The High Street centre which provides confidential, emotional, support and information about treatments and services for anyone affected by cancer in the far north, has been awarded the Macmillan quality environment mark. The award is the first of its kind in the UK and recognises good practice and high standards within the physical environment of a cancer care building.
BEING the only female boxer in the Highlands means Sarah Harper doesn’t often get the chance to spar with athletes of the same sex. In pursuit of developing her career in the ring, the Thurso fighter mostly has to throw punches against male boxers in the gym. But, in two months time, she will be facing the biggest challenge of her career when she takes part in her first-ever competitive bout. The hairdresser, who has lived in Inverness for eight years, will be facing Robyn Swan from Bannockburn in a ladies light-weight 60k, contest at the Inverness Sports Centre on Saturday, September 22.
THE credibility of Caithness as a place to do business, is being severely undermined as a result of a move to reduce opening hours of Wick Airport, it was claimed yesterday. County civic head, Gail Ross blasted chiefs at Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd after it decided to close the facility for part of Friday morning and all day Saturday. HIAL acted after an experienced Wick-based air traffic controller left and no qualified personnel was available to take his place. It claims that no current flights to Aberdeen and Edinburgh will be affected by the cut in opening hours, but Mrs Ross maintains the wrong message is being sent out to the world about the county.
DISCOUNT store Poundstretcher is poised to take over the former Haldanes supermarket in the centre of Wick. Speculation has been rife on the future of the empty property with a clutch of retailers rumoured to be moving into the Co-operative-owned 14,205 suqare foot building in Macleay Lane, since it was marketed in April. Poundstretcher spokesman, Martin Collinson, yesterday confirmed it has a serious interest in the derelict store.
DELIVERIES of goods to the two biggest supermarkets in Caithness could be made by rail instead of road, after it was announced that talks have taken place to secure a deal. Direct Rail Services confirmed that it has held discussions with Tesco about increasing the amount of goods it delivers by train to the fair north. The company made the announcement at its unveiling of it news multi- million pound purpose-built railhead at Georgemas junction.
A FORMER chairman of Reay Hall Committee has branded a recent annual general meeting during which he was suspended, as “farcial”. Don Forbes also told the Groat he believed the suspension was invalid as there was not enough people present to make such a crucial decision. It was made in his absence, while he was working offshore so he did not have an opportunity to state his case.
STAFF patients and volunteers at North Highland Cancer Information and Support Centre in Thurso are set to receive a prestigious national award next month. The High Street centre which provides confidential, emotional, support and information about treatments and services for anyone affected by cancer in the far north, has been awarded the Macmillan quality environment mark. The award is the first of its kind in the UK and recognises good practice and high standards within the physical environment of a cancer care building.
BEING the only female boxer in the Highlands means Sarah Harper doesn’t often get the chance to spar with athletes of the same sex. In pursuit of developing her career in the ring, the Thurso fighter mostly has to throw punches against male boxers in the gym. But, in two months time, she will be facing the biggest challenge of her career when she takes part in her first-ever competitive bout. The hairdresser, who has lived in Inverness for eight years, will be facing Robyn Swan from Bannockburn in a ladies light-weight 60k, contest at the Inverness Sports Centre on Saturday, September 22.