Fit's in 'e' Groat 'e'day

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John O' Groat Journal review: September 14

THE UK's Olympic 2012 legacy of encouraging children into sport could be lost in Caithness as local youth groups struggle to pay rising charges for using school facilities. In the wake of a memorable summer of sport, the county's youth football honcho is calling on local councillors to lead the way on a re-think of the policy to charge juniors for access to schoo sports faciities such as gym halls and football pitches. It was the council which gave approval to the plan to phase in the charges over three years with the second increase currently in force.

AN aunt has put her heart and soul into raising awarenes of a medical condition which her nephew battle bravely for years. Michael McNeill passed away peacefully in his sleep last December after suffering from syringomyelia and chairli malformation, a rare condition which affects the nervous system. Since his death, Margaret Macleod, 42, has been working hard to give the public a greater insight into the illness and to raise money for research into ways of treating it.

VANDALS who continue to target one of Wick's most prominent, have come under fire from a Highland councillor. Landward Caithness Councillor Willie Mackay said the constant damage being caused to the former Caithness Glass Factory is ruining the image of the town and it has become an all-too-visible eyesore on th busy summer tourist route to John O' Groats. He spoke out after the double-glazed windows at the premises were smashed in the latest outbreak of vandalism. The building at the foot of the industrial estate is regularly burgled and graffiti has been sprayed on its walls.

IN the wake of Andy Murray's maiden Grand Slam victory in the USA, much attention has been made of him being the first Brit to win a tennis major since Fred Perry in 1936. What is not so well known is that a player with strong Caithness connections won the US championship and other major titles after Perry. Don Budge, widely regarded as one of the games all time greats does not qualify as a Brit as he was born in the USA. Budge whose father came from Caithness, won six Grand Slam events and was considered by many, to have the best backhand in the history of the sport.

SILVER medal hopes have been realised by a blooming hard-working Caithness community group. The Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council sub-group returned from Motherwell this week with a medal certificate from Scotland's leading charity for the environment in recognition of its efforts in improving the town, its third such accolade in three years The award was made by Keep Scotland Beautiful at a ceremony on Tuesday.

IT might be an amateur drama group but its performances on stage can never be described as anything but professional. With counciless awards in its trophy cabinet, both locally and nationally, Thurso Players have enthralled audiences over the years with its productions and is prepared to push the boundaries never afraid to experiment. Now it has taken the necxt big step in its long proud history in staging a musical accompanied by a 15-piece orchestra for the first time. Oliver made it premier at Thurso High School last night when the thespians teamed up with some of the county's most talented musicians to tell the classic Charles Dickens story.

A THURSO firm has closed with the loss of four jobs. Architects Pentarq which operated from its offices in Traill Street went into liquidation on Friday. The business presented a petition to be wound up with insolvency practioner Iain Fraser of RSM appointed as the provisional liquidator. The demise of the firm comes just four months after it close its Kirkwall office with the loss of eight jobs. No-one was able to speak on behalf of Pentarq yesterday but it is understood the economic downturn and the difficulty in recruiting staff were the main reasons for the closure.