Caithness Courier review: August 1, 2012

A LONG-ESTABLISHED Thurso medical partnership is about to come to an end following what was described as “an exceptionally difficult period”. The decision was made, mainly due to problems recruiting doctors, according to Dr Gordon Morris, one of three partners in the Riverbank Medical Practice, in Janet Street-the other two, are Dr Stuart Findlay and Dr Craig Loughhead. However, Dr Morris and NHS Highland stressed the practice will continue to operate with locums, until a long-term strategy can be worked out. The main reason for the decision was the inability to recruit professionals to the practice.

PRINCE CHARLES was “absolutely delighted” with the £100,000 restoration of two former flagstone workers cottages in Castletown. The prince unveiled a plaque to officially open the cottages on Monday at the start of his annual holiday in Caithness. He previously paid a private visit to the unoccupied houses in 2009, shortly after they were purchased by the Prince’s Regeneration Trust. The transformation impressed the prince who was shown round the cottages by Ros Kerslake, the trust’s chief executive and project adviser Pauline Megson.

SCRAPPING the “Cinderella curfew” at a Thurso nightclub, is necessary to benefit all licensed premises in the town according to a Caithness councillor. Highland Licensing Board member, Willie Mackay, has welcomed the launch of a consultation into considering scrapping the midnight curfew on entering licensed premises in Inverness, or extending it across the Highlands. If the curfew is axed in Inverness, it is believed it will also be dropped at Skinandi’s which does not allow customers in after midnight.

WICK harbour’s plans for the future were given the royal nod of approval when the Duke of Rothesay visited the former herring capital of Europe, on Monday. As well as hearing about the plans to transform the harbour into a renewable centre, HRH also spoke to members of the Wick lifeboat crew about their recent involvement in the search-and-rescue operation in the Moray Firth after two RAF Tornado jets crashed, killing three airmen.

THE Pentland Firth’s new status as Scotland’s first marine energy park will be a beacon to the world in attracting new investment and creating jobs. Greg Barker, the UK Energy and Climate change minister said the far north and the northern isles will play a vital part in meeting the country’s energy needs, stating the Government is now making a big step towards reinforcing its support to the renewable industry. He was at Scrabster on Monday, to make the official announcement the Pentland Firth has become the second designated area in the country for marine and tidal energy development.

AS heavy rain pummelled Caithness on Saturday, locals turned up with their umbrellas to watch Titanic sail down Wick’s Bridge Street. It wasn’t the only unusual sight making its way along the street as Wick Gala officially got underway. The rain did little to dampen spirits on the opening night of the week-long summer celebration said gala committee chairwoman, Donna Plowman.

AROUND 3000 people attended Halkirk Highland Games on Saturday and generated £9000 in gate takings but that was down about £3500 on last year’s record total. The intermittent heavy showers of rain throughout the afternoon, were blamed by the organisers for the smaller crowd. Treasurer Neen Banks estimate there were around 1000 fewer people at Recreation Park compared to 2011, but, despite the reduction in numbers, he was well pleased with how well the games had gone.

HARMSWORTH PARK saw its biggest crowd in 18 years as Raith Rovers needed two late goals to see off an impressive Wick Academy. A total of 980 people brave the torrential summer downpours as they saw the Scorries come from behind, twice, in an end-to-end second half on Saturday, the final score being 2-4 for the visitors.