John O' Groat Journal headlines for July 17, 2015

GARDEN displays in the centre of Thurso could become a thing of the past if no volunteers step in to take over council gardener duties which look set to be scrapped. And if they dissapear, it could spell disaster for tourism as Thurso, Wick and far north villages might not have the same appeal to visitors.

THURSO Heritage Society has again gone down memory lane to illustrate their annual charity calendar. The 2016 edition will feature shots taken in the 1960s from the collection of the late William Campbell who was a keen photographer.

A bid to recruit consultants at Caithness General Hospital has gone global. NHS Highland is also using social media to try and fill vacant consultant posts at the Wick hospital.

WITH concerns about youngsters consuming high levels of caffine and sugar in energy drinks, a Wick shop has been recognised for its work to stop under-16s buying them. The One Stop Shop in Wellingston Street has been taking part in the Responsible Retailing of Energy Drinks campaign, a grassroots initiative aimed at every retailer in the UK that sells energy drinks.

DAVID Graham Scott spent two weeks in South Africa filming 74-year-old Guy Wallace from Thrumster, tracking and shooting at Cape bullalo. Scott hopes the documentary will be seen on television at film festivals.

THE full listing of events planned for Lyth Arts Centre's year is safe after a re-application to Creative Scotland was successful. The news means the arts venues's likelihood of being able to offer all it had hoped, to its patrons for the year and allayed concerns about the future.

A HIGHLAND councillor is at the forefront of plans to prevent Scotland's libraries from withering in the digital age. Ken Gowans, who represents Inverness South, has used his inside knowledge of the network to kick-start the country's first national strategy for libraries.

WITH a rocord number of people having to undergo amputations due to diabetes, Caithness residents are getting the chance to find out their risk of developing the disease. A free roadshow will inform them about their chances of getting Type 2 diabetes and provide information on how to reduce and control the condition.

ACADEMY manager Gordon Connelly praised his side's slick defensive resolve as they held off a second-half bombardment from Clyde to win a feisty encounter at Harmsworth Park on Wednesday evening. Wick won 2-1.