Nwicker60
25-Jul-12, 09:16
Caithness Courier review: July 25, 2012
STAFFING pressures have been blamed for the temporary closure of a Caithness hospital wing, it has emerged. The Harmsworth Unit, based at the Town and County Hospital in Wick, was shut suddenly on Monday. NHS Highland claimed vacancies and sick leave had led to “severe staffing pressures”. It revealed the facility has not been able to function at full capacity for some time and confirmed the suspension of three staff at the unit in March, contributed to the temporary closure of the eight-bed unit for patients with cognitive and memory problems.
A CAITHNESS window firm is alleged to have lost out on work in favour of another company, after a Highland Council U-turn according to leaked correspondence. The local authority has confirmed it has launched an investigation into claims that Halkirk-based Geddes Windows and Doors Ltd was stripped of a job to put in windows at an Inverness primary school, in favour of Stirling-shire based firm NorDan. But, according to documents received anonymously by the Caithness Courier, it appears to have been council officials that made the decision to drop the far north firm.
AN Olympic-themed shop window competition, traditionally held in the lead-up to Wick Gala, was forced to change its focus at the last minute, after organisers discovered they were not allowed to use the games name for legal reason. Instead, it has been changed to a sporting event theme and businesses in the town are being challenged to decorate their windows in a sporting event of their choice.
CAMPAIGNERS who opposed a controversial plan to make pupils from Bower pay almost £100 a month to travel to Thurso High School, have won a partial victory. Highland Council has now agreed that S2 to S6 pupils, who want to go to Thurso rather than Wick High, will be allowed to travel free after the summers holidays but S1 youngsters will have to pay £10 a week.
FROM the ashes of one local learning disabled, skill-building and support group, rises another – thanks to a huge fundraising effort by the Co-op gang. ENABLE Scotland’s Inspire Me project was launched recently in Thurso, building on the work of ENABLE Link which supported young people with learning issues and special needs, for the past eight years. Caithness project co-ordinator Christine Raeburn is part of the UK-wide new project which will help young people overcome the exclusion and prejudice that many people with a learning disability, face.
THE developers of a wind farm in west Caithness, who had an application to add five turbines to their site rejected, have not written off a revised proposal. RES UK and Irelands is disappointed councillors turned down plans to increase the number of turbines at the former US naval base at Forss, from six to 11. At a meeting held at North Highland College UHI, in Thurso, last Thursday, members of Highland Council’s planning review body were unanimous in rejecting the plans, agreeing with the original decision that they would have a detrimental impact on the cultural and visual landscaped and on nearby properties.
HAVING arguably given Wick Academy the toughest draw possible in the first round of the Scottish Cup, Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas wasn’t the most popular Lithuanian with Wickers. He paired the Scorries with an away trip to the capital to face Spartans. Considered one of the best sides in non-league football, the Edinburgh=based club have won the East of Scotland League three times in the last four years, but did lose their crown last season when they finished second to Stirling University.
STAFFING pressures have been blamed for the temporary closure of a Caithness hospital wing, it has emerged. The Harmsworth Unit, based at the Town and County Hospital in Wick, was shut suddenly on Monday. NHS Highland claimed vacancies and sick leave had led to “severe staffing pressures”. It revealed the facility has not been able to function at full capacity for some time and confirmed the suspension of three staff at the unit in March, contributed to the temporary closure of the eight-bed unit for patients with cognitive and memory problems.
A CAITHNESS window firm is alleged to have lost out on work in favour of another company, after a Highland Council U-turn according to leaked correspondence. The local authority has confirmed it has launched an investigation into claims that Halkirk-based Geddes Windows and Doors Ltd was stripped of a job to put in windows at an Inverness primary school, in favour of Stirling-shire based firm NorDan. But, according to documents received anonymously by the Caithness Courier, it appears to have been council officials that made the decision to drop the far north firm.
AN Olympic-themed shop window competition, traditionally held in the lead-up to Wick Gala, was forced to change its focus at the last minute, after organisers discovered they were not allowed to use the games name for legal reason. Instead, it has been changed to a sporting event theme and businesses in the town are being challenged to decorate their windows in a sporting event of their choice.
CAMPAIGNERS who opposed a controversial plan to make pupils from Bower pay almost £100 a month to travel to Thurso High School, have won a partial victory. Highland Council has now agreed that S2 to S6 pupils, who want to go to Thurso rather than Wick High, will be allowed to travel free after the summers holidays but S1 youngsters will have to pay £10 a week.
FROM the ashes of one local learning disabled, skill-building and support group, rises another – thanks to a huge fundraising effort by the Co-op gang. ENABLE Scotland’s Inspire Me project was launched recently in Thurso, building on the work of ENABLE Link which supported young people with learning issues and special needs, for the past eight years. Caithness project co-ordinator Christine Raeburn is part of the UK-wide new project which will help young people overcome the exclusion and prejudice that many people with a learning disability, face.
THE developers of a wind farm in west Caithness, who had an application to add five turbines to their site rejected, have not written off a revised proposal. RES UK and Irelands is disappointed councillors turned down plans to increase the number of turbines at the former US naval base at Forss, from six to 11. At a meeting held at North Highland College UHI, in Thurso, last Thursday, members of Highland Council’s planning review body were unanimous in rejecting the plans, agreeing with the original decision that they would have a detrimental impact on the cultural and visual landscaped and on nearby properties.
HAVING arguably given Wick Academy the toughest draw possible in the first round of the Scottish Cup, Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas wasn’t the most popular Lithuanian with Wickers. He paired the Scorries with an away trip to the capital to face Spartans. Considered one of the best sides in non-league football, the Edinburgh=based club have won the East of Scotland League three times in the last four years, but did lose their crown last season when they finished second to Stirling University.