Caithness Courier review: August 22, 2012

VETERAN nuclear police officers at Dounreay are in the firing line, as they look like being shoehorned into civilian jobs for turning down a call to arms. A confidential source inside the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, claims that just under 20 long-serving officers based at the nuclear plant, will be forced to join a private security firm and relinquish their status as officers of the law, by the end of the year. It means that between 15 to 20 non-authorised firearms officers –the majority of whom are over 50 and have carried weapons but have now been stopped, due to medical reasons, personal choice of CNC policy – will be moved to manning desk and security gates as unarmed civilian guards. The CNC claims this will allow existing firearms officers to focus on their “defend and protect” role.

A SCRABSTER dog owner has been singing praises of a local canine charity as she waits to see if her new pup survives the next
month. Paula Fisher and her family, recently welcomed spaniel cross collie Dougal into their lives after adopting him from the dog rescue charity KW9 on August 8. However, it was not long before it became clear Dougal was unwell and needed veterinary attention. This was when the local charity’s aftercare made it stand out for Paul. The charity is paying the vets bills of £2000.

HIGHLAND Council’s new £8.5 million office base in Wick is expected to generate work worth around £1.2m for Caithness companies. The contract is expected to get under away in late November or December and firms in the Highlands will get between 80 and 90 per cent of the work.

A CONTROVERSIAL project to slash teaching time in Highland schools by two-and-a-half hours every week, in a bid to save £3.2 million, has been criticised as a “savage” cut by a trade union. The local authority has launched a major public consultation seeking the views of residents, as it sets out to identify the £11.9 million worth of savings needed between 2013 and 2015 to balance its books. A range of possible savings have been published on the council’s website and public meetings will be hosted by finance leader, Dave Fallows, who has also pledged to use social media and the internet in the exercise.

THE Environmental Research Institute in Thurso has participated in the Nuffield Foundation science bursary programme for a number of years and this year was able to offer three students from Thurso High an opportunity to work alongside researchers for four weeks. The Nuffield Foundation offers up to 1000 science bursaries a year across the UK. For pupils who are entering their sixth year at high school and who study science, technology, engineering or maths subjects, these bursaries provide an opportunity to learn more about the scientific world, while getting paid.

THE weather gods smiled on Keiss Gala at the weekend when the emphasis was very much on fun and frolics. Friday night’s launch featured the crowning of gala queen Lucy Miller, a primary seven pupil at the village school. She presided over a range of activities ranging from a baby show and pet show to an “It’s and Knockout” competition, as well as the annual soccer challenge between the current county leagues side and players from yesteryear.

THE decision to close Wick Airport for part of Friday morning and all day Saturday, was slammed as “absolutely pathetic” by a Caithness councillor this week. Thurso Highland Councillor John Rose hit out at the first meeting of the new area committee for Caithness and Sutherland on Monday. He described it as “a serious disadvantage to the area” which should not be allowed to last a minute longer.” Mr Rosie argued that if the Pentland Firth was going to be the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy then it was essential to have the necessary infrastructure.