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View Full Version : Fit's in 'e' Groat 'is week?



Nwicker60
19-Oct-12, 10:26
John O’ Groat Journal headlines:October 19th

A COMMERCIAL peat-cutting business in Caithness could go up in smoke if plans for a large-scale windfarm get the go-ahead. The threat to George and Trisha Sutherland’s enterprise on the Causewaymire, comes as RWEnpower reneables bids to put up 13 turbines on ground which includes the peat workings. Local community councillors have rallied in support of the couple, while a malting company has claimed it will badly suffer, if its peat supply is shut off.

AN investigation is being carried out by the Health and Safety Executive after a Caithness farmer died after falling from a roof. John Jack, 74, was working at his farm at Inkstack, Barrock on Sunday when the accident happened. Mr Jack was taken to Caithness General Hospital in Wick, but medics were unable to save him. His funeral will take place tomorrow and he will be buried in Olrig cemetery.

ONE of the biggest sales of commercial forestry in many years is about to take place in the far north. The forests at Broubster, near Reay and Forsinain, near Forsinard, have been put on the market by their Danish owners, at a combined price of more than £3 million. Together they comprise 3,522 acres. The sale was confirmed this week by Edinburgh-based chartered surveyors, John Clegg and Co. which is handling the deal.

THE air fare between Wick and Edinburgh is “one of the most expensive in Britain” and should be lowered, according to the operators of Ackergill Tower. Andrew Jamieson, the regional general manager for Clarenco, the company which owns and runs the luxury executive retreat, is calling on the operator of the service to cut its prices on the route. He flies to Wick from his Edinburgh base, twice a month and claims the return fare of £360 is “one of the most expensive in Britain”.
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help clean up Thurso beach ahead of the UK Pro Surfing Tour, arriving for the Wave North festival next weekend. Environmental charity Sunday Surfers Against Sewage is hitting the far north and needs helping hands to get the top surfing spot up to scratch. The beach clean and education event is billed as a fun and proactive way of mobilising coastal communities, surfers water sports enthusiasts and environmentalists to tackle marine litter impacting on some of the UK’s most treasured surf spots and beaches.

BUS operator Stagecoach has pledged to work with the disabled community in Caithness and those further afield, to address access problems and general transportation issues. The move to bring the bus company’s service more in line with the needs of Caithness Disabled Access Panel and Alliance of Access Panels members across the Highlands, was made at a meeting in Wick, on Wednesday. Steve Walker, managing director for Stagecoach in the Highlands, urged disabled people across the north, to let the company know of any problems with access, so the best possible options could be looked into.

SANDY Murdoch extended his run of success at Aberdeen and Northern Mart’s annual show and sale of weaned calves at Quoybrae on Monday. His 353-kilogramme Limousin heifer made it five championships on the trot for Mr Murdoch who has now topped the W.D. Cormack & Sons-sponsored show on seven occasions.

BUSINESSES in Caithness and elsewhere in the Highland are being challenged to look at ways of tapping into Scotland’s world-class events and festival programme in the run-up to 2014. In two years time, the country will host the Ryder Cup, Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the year-long Homecoming Scotland celebration. Companies are therefore being urged to take advantage of this business opportunity in a new guide published by Tourism Intelligence Scotland.

GRANT Street Park, Inverness, could be the scene for an historic day for Wick Academy, tomorrow, as they aim to win their first senior trophy in the club’s 112-year history. The North of Scotland cup final showpiece will mark only the second time that the Scorries have been 90 minutes away from winning a manor trophy. Despite a turbulent start to the season, the club is in the top half of the Highland League and in good form, with caretaker manger Richard Hughes currently in charge.