Nwicker60
09-Nov-11, 19:02
Caithness Courier review: November 9, 2011
A CAITHNESS charity which helps people with hearing problems is facing “worrying times” because of budget cutbacks and reduced staff hours, the papers front page reveals. But Deidre Aitken, the co-ordinator for Caithness Deaf Care, yesterday said she hopes the present funding difficulties will be overcome in the next few years. She explained that about half of the organisation’s costs – salaries, heating, lighting and rent – are met by Highland Council and NHS Highland. In the past, the remaining funding of between £16,000 and £20,000 has been provided mostly from trusts but they too, are having to make cuts as a result of the current economic downturn.
PARENTS of pupils at Thurso High were warned in a text message about the possibility that youngsters were planning to travel to Wick in a large group at the weekend-sparking fears there could be an outbreak of trouble. It follows a spate of violent incidents reported in Thurso over Halloween weekend when over 100 people-mainly teenagers – arrived in the town on the Wick bus to enjoy the annual celebrations. Officers received reports of six violent incidents, which apparently involved up to as many as a dozen people fighting with each other at the same time, including a serious assault outside the Co-op in Meadow Lane. Last week’s warning to parents came in a group message from Thurso High which was passed on to the Caithness Courier.
UNCERTAINTY over Scotland’s future in the Union, is threatening investment in the Far North renewable sector, according to the local MP. John Thurso is concerned about a report that has warned renewable companies to be wary of investing in the country when independence is on the cards. The publication by a Citigroup Global Markets analyst, warned potential investors the Scottish Government’s two main policies – a referendum on independence and major investment to develop the renewable energy sector – seem incompatible. The Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP is calling for the question of independence to be asked now.
A MARINE energy developer is forging a tie-up with Scrabster Harbour Trust in what is the first formal sign of the port’s involvement in the fledgling industry. The trust is gearing up to service new traffic from both the subsea wave and tidal turbines and the new oil and gas fields opening up west of Shetland. The breakthrough in the marine sector was revealed at the trusts recent AGM by chairman William Calder. He said: “We’ve been asked to sign a confidentiality agreement with a big renewable energy developer.”
THREE talented singers from Wick High School will be lending their voices to support vulnerable children across the UK. Fifth-year pupils Stephanie Harper, Gillian Campbell and Jamie Bacon are to join a huge national choir singing for the BBCs Children in Need Appeal. The trio will form part of a 2500-strong group from across Scotland that will be singing simultaneously, to back youngsters in London who are currently on Gareth Malone’s CBBBC show, The Big Performance.
FAR NORTH football fans were treated to an explosive display on Saturday when Wick Academy rocketed five goals past title challengers Nairn County. After a slow and lacklustre first 20 minutes, both teams turned up the heat as Harmsworth Park became the venue for some sublime football with a seven-minute four goal frenzy to complete Academy’s 5-3 rout of the visitors.
A CAITHNESS charity which helps people with hearing problems is facing “worrying times” because of budget cutbacks and reduced staff hours, the papers front page reveals. But Deidre Aitken, the co-ordinator for Caithness Deaf Care, yesterday said she hopes the present funding difficulties will be overcome in the next few years. She explained that about half of the organisation’s costs – salaries, heating, lighting and rent – are met by Highland Council and NHS Highland. In the past, the remaining funding of between £16,000 and £20,000 has been provided mostly from trusts but they too, are having to make cuts as a result of the current economic downturn.
PARENTS of pupils at Thurso High were warned in a text message about the possibility that youngsters were planning to travel to Wick in a large group at the weekend-sparking fears there could be an outbreak of trouble. It follows a spate of violent incidents reported in Thurso over Halloween weekend when over 100 people-mainly teenagers – arrived in the town on the Wick bus to enjoy the annual celebrations. Officers received reports of six violent incidents, which apparently involved up to as many as a dozen people fighting with each other at the same time, including a serious assault outside the Co-op in Meadow Lane. Last week’s warning to parents came in a group message from Thurso High which was passed on to the Caithness Courier.
UNCERTAINTY over Scotland’s future in the Union, is threatening investment in the Far North renewable sector, according to the local MP. John Thurso is concerned about a report that has warned renewable companies to be wary of investing in the country when independence is on the cards. The publication by a Citigroup Global Markets analyst, warned potential investors the Scottish Government’s two main policies – a referendum on independence and major investment to develop the renewable energy sector – seem incompatible. The Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP is calling for the question of independence to be asked now.
A MARINE energy developer is forging a tie-up with Scrabster Harbour Trust in what is the first formal sign of the port’s involvement in the fledgling industry. The trust is gearing up to service new traffic from both the subsea wave and tidal turbines and the new oil and gas fields opening up west of Shetland. The breakthrough in the marine sector was revealed at the trusts recent AGM by chairman William Calder. He said: “We’ve been asked to sign a confidentiality agreement with a big renewable energy developer.”
THREE talented singers from Wick High School will be lending their voices to support vulnerable children across the UK. Fifth-year pupils Stephanie Harper, Gillian Campbell and Jamie Bacon are to join a huge national choir singing for the BBCs Children in Need Appeal. The trio will form part of a 2500-strong group from across Scotland that will be singing simultaneously, to back youngsters in London who are currently on Gareth Malone’s CBBBC show, The Big Performance.
FAR NORTH football fans were treated to an explosive display on Saturday when Wick Academy rocketed five goals past title challengers Nairn County. After a slow and lacklustre first 20 minutes, both teams turned up the heat as Harmsworth Park became the venue for some sublime football with a seven-minute four goal frenzy to complete Academy’s 5-3 rout of the visitors.