A public meeting takes place next month to look at setting up a “Friends of Camoran” voluntary group to champion the cause of young people looked after and accommodated by the OIC.

The group will be responsible for some fundraising activities, contributing to the planned new facility and raising public awareness of the issues affecting the youngsters.

Sheila Graham, Camoran team manager, said: “The ‘Friends of Camoran’ group would be the link between the facility and the community.  They would help to reduce the stigma for children and young people in care and work to ensure that they are provided with the same opportunities that are available to their peers.

“We would welcome members from all walks of life, who would have an interest in promoting the aims of the group and participating in its activities.”

The meeting is on February 23, in the St Magnus Centre, between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.  Anyone interested, but who can’t attend the meeting, can contact Nicole Sturla by e-mail, nicole.sturla@orkney.gov.uk, or by phone, 873135.

Orkney Fisheries Association celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

The association was established in 1972 by a number of fishermen, merchants and processors and this year’s AGM takes place on Saturday, February 11, at 2pm in the Ayre Hotel.

OFA Secretary Fiona Matheson said it was an ideal time for those in the industry to come together and discuss the issues of the day. She also put out an appeal for former members of the organisation, as well as those interested in joining to come along, adding that the AGM was a public meeting and open to anyone.

A Kirkwall man appeared from custody at Kirkwall Sheriff Court today, Friday, and admitted breaching bail conditions set in December.

Bruce Malissa, 41, had previously denied behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards a woman at an address in Dounby, however, he changed his plea at court to guilty, where he also admitted breaching the conditions, set at that time, by being in contact with the complainer.

Sentence was deferred until February 16 for the purpose of obtaining a social work inquiry report and community payback order, with a supervision element.

Bail was continued.

Following press reports that courts across Scotland were at risk of closure, Orkney MSP Liam McArthur sought assurances from the justice secretary regarding the future of Kirkwall Sheriff Court.

Mr McArthur has now received a response from the Scottish Court Service.

He said: “I am pleased to hear that the Scottish Court Service sees the closure of Kirkwall Sheriff Court as neither ‘desirable’ nor ‘practical’ and that such an option will not form any part of the Scottish Court Services future plans. What does concern me though, is that they go on to question whether there is a need for jury trials to be held in Orkney.

“With the march towards centralisation already underway in the form of plans for a single, national Police Service and Fire and Rescue Service, any downgrading of Kirkwall Sheriff Court will raise alarm bells in the islands.  Providing fair, local access to justice cannot be compromised and any erosion of that through creeping centralisation will be fiercely resisted.

“Given the SNP government’s majority at Holyrood, assurances that no changes will be made without the agreement of MSPs will provide little comfort to people in Orkney.  What is needed is a firm commitment from the Justice Secretary that access to justice will not be made more difficult for islands residents and there will be no downgrading of Kirkwall Sheriff Court.”

Three local projects have been granted support from the latest round of LEADER funding.

They include support for the community development officers on Flotta, Hoy, North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray who are producing island development plans, the creation of a public area at Palace Village in Birsay, and support for the digitisation of Westray Heritage Trust’s archive of photographic material and its link to a genealogical database.

Orkney Islands Council convener, Councillor Stephen Hagan, said: “The latest round of projects has shown once again that commitment, creativity and innovation are abundant within our local community groups and organisations.

“Many of the projects that received funding in the early stages of LEADER are now nearing completion and it is a joy to see the positive effect that they have had on our communities, both for local people and for visitors.”

A Kirkwall resident has been remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to assaulting a police officer at Kirkwall Police Station on Tuesday.

Leslie Darren Norquoy, 39, of Holm Road, appeared from custody at Kirkwall Sheriff Court yesterday.

Norquoy also denied behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by challenging a police officer to a fight and uttering threats of violence towards him, and resisting, obstructing, molesting and hindering two police officers by struggling violently with them at an address in Kirkwall.

A trial date has been set for March 1.

A man has appeared in private at Kirkwall Sheriff Court in connection with an alleged robbery last Sunday night.

Yesterday afternoon, William Dennis Mills, 21, of Tankerness, was remanded in custody and committed for further examination after making no plea or declaration.