Caithness Courier headlines for April 24

CASTLETOWN freezer firm, Icetch, has gone into liquidation with the loss of around 70 jobs. That was confirmed yesterday by owners John G Russell which took over the former Norfrost business, in 2005, investing over £8 million. A spokesman for the Glasgow-based transport company, described the loss of the well-established business as “a major blow to Caithness”.

RECRUITING a new Highland council chief executive could cost a whopping £120,000-plus, it has emerged. Independent advisors are set to be hired to help the search for the £140,000-a-year job when present incumbent Alistair Dodds steps down in August. A special meeting of the full council, today, will discuss the proposed recruitment process and decide on the political make-up of the 10-strong appointment panel for Mr Dodds’ successor.

THE most complete school campus anywhere in the Highlands – that is how the replacement Wick High and an adjoining primary were described, as the plans were publicly unveiled earlier this week. Designs for the three-to-18 school complex went on display during a consultation in the town’s Assembly Rooms, on Monday, in advance of the planning application being lodged.

THE school, the shop and the pub are all in danger of closing if the go-ahead is given to build an electricity switching station on the outskirts of a Caithness village. Sinclair Bay Community Council member Andrew Mackay believes the green light for SSE’s plans would turn Keiss into a ghost village. An appeal to mobilise protest led to over 100 people attending a public meeting in the village hall last Thursday. Locals are concerned environmental and health fears about the development would leave the village devastated as residents moved out.

THE lure of four TV celebrities was enough for around 600 people to pitch up, in the middle of the night at John O’ Groats to witness them finish an end-to-end charity drive. The welcoming party lined the end-of-the-road area where the pink Rolls Royce Ghost driven by Christ Evans, Gary Barlow, Brian Cox and James May cruised in 5.30am on Friday just over an hour later than scheduled after the marathon drive from Land’s End.

BUSES are causing parking problems in a Thurso street, a local community councillor has claimed. Don Smith told fellow members at a meeting that the buses were being parked near Miller Academy in Janet Street, while work is carried out at the new £600,000 Stagecoach bus depot. Mr Smith said the buses and other vehicles parking there, “are taking up a fair bit of Janet Street.”

TRADITIONAL Scots and Gaelic choirs from the far north hit the high notes at an international festival in Ireland. Melvich Gaelic Choir Coilich a’Chinn a’ Tuath and Ceol Bho Thuath, came home with a clutch of awards, as well as making as many new friends and followers at the International Pan Celtic festival in County Carlow.

THE home run is in sight with Wick Academy having parked the bus in the garage for another season as the club prepares to complete its Highland League campaign at Harmsworth Park. Saturday’s 3-1 win at Fraserburgh was the Scorries’ ninth on their travels, a club record.