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



Nwicker60
26-Oct-12, 18:03
John O' Groat Journal headlines: October 26, 2012

UP to 100 jobs could be created at Wick Harbour if two large-scale windfarms off the Caithness coast are given the green light. Wick Harbour Authority vice-chairman, Gordon Doull, made the claim as the port prepares to battle for business as a maintenance and service base for the two developments. Mr Doull said the harbour authority was monitoring the planning applications for Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd and Moray Offshore Renewables, both close to Wick and both of which have applications pending with Marine Scotland.

A TOUR operator was "absolutely gobsmacked" to discover a Historic Scotland publication did not list any place of interest in Caithness and Sutherland. Bob Farley, who offers guided tours in Caithness, Sutherland Orkney, was "shocked" to find that Explore Scotland had ignored the far north in its brochure. A spokesman for Historic Scotland said the organisation had around 10 sites in Caithness and Sutherland but they are not mentioned in the guide as they are unmanned and free to access.

THE sale of a Caithness-based pensions firm will result in more quality jobs being created in the county and is a major opportunity to promote it as a vibrant place to do business, according to far north MP John Thurso. He hailed the news that Aon Hewitt has bought the business from the Babcock International Group with the intention of expanding its operation in the county and creating new employment.

STARTING a successful business during an economic recesssion is not impossible if you have the drive and determnination to make it happen. That was the message from Lynsey MacGregor, who iin July last year, started Lark and Lily Designs specialising in making unique hand-made jewellery and head pieces from her home in Upper Dunbar Street, Wick. Fifteen months later she was recognised as having the best young business mind in the far north when she was named as Caithness Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

CAITHNESS is producing "commercial quantities" of crude oil from an onshore site at Lybster. That was confirmed yesterday by the company behind the venture, Caithness Oil Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of London-based Caithness Petrolelum. The company uses an onshore rig to get the the oil which is then piped to its site at Swiney from where it is transported by road tanker to Conco Phillips refinery at Immingham in Humberside. Caithness Oil confirmed that the Lybster field is in production but it was reluctant to provide details about the number of barrels currently being generated.

THE Caithness ecconomy could get up to a half million pound boost with surfing events this year despite losing one of the sport's biggest professional events earlier this year. Organisers of this weekend's Wave North festival, are hoping nearly £450,000 will be plunged into the local economy thanks to the arrival of the UK Pro Surfing Tour this week, as well as an event in April. Festival co-ordinator, Joan Lawrie, said local businesses should expect a boom over the weekend as surfers and those just looking for a weekend of fun arrive from across the country.

FEARS are growing for Argus workers in the far north after the company announced that it planned to shut or relocate 75 stores across the country. The retail chain which has an outlet at the town's retail park, is to downsize its operation from a high street catalogue-led business into an internet retailer. A spokeswoman for the Home Retail Group which owns Argos was unable to comment on whether Wick was on the closure list. She added: "Closures will depend on lease negotiations nearer the time. All we can comment on at this time, is that we are committed to all our stores nationwide."

CHARITY fundraising activities during the recent Caithness and Sutherland monitor farm open day at Westfield Farm, raised £2000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. The event, one of the network farms led by Quality Meat Scotland, attracted around 80 to John Mackenzie's 220-hectare farm. The open day including an open stock judging competition which was divided into two classes of cattle and four classes of sheep.

Sam Mackay is taking nothing for granted when Wick Academy travel the West Highland Way to visit a team which they scored against 11 times in two-league matches last season. Fort William once again find themselves at the bottom of the table which they have become accustomed to in recent seasons. Still smarting from an extra-time defeat to Nairth County in the North Cup, Mackay said that the team is looking for three points this weekend to continue their fine league form.