Minor injuries as car leaves road in Stromness

Two people suffered minor injuries on Wednesday night after their vehicle left the road in Stromness parish.

The Vauxhall Astra car was left damaged after leaving the road and striking a fence near Quholmsley around 11pm.

Fisheries leaders condemn moves to lower ASP toxin ban levels

Fishing leaders have condemned a move by the Food Standards Agency to lower the level at which whole scallops are classed as unfit for human consumption because of the Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) toxin.

Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief executive Hamish Morrison has written the FSA claiming the proposal to lower the trigger level for shellfish toxins “would effectively wipe out Scotland’s scallop fishing industry.” He also questions what evidence had been used to suggest a change in the testing procedure.

Mr Morrison has also written to Fisheries Minister, Rhona Brankin, urging her to hold an early meeting to discuss ways to avoid or mitigate the effect of the FSA proposal.

The sentence handed down to the killer of Thomas Miller has come under fire from the victim’s brother.

Earlier this week Paul Bullen was jailed for life for murder – with a recommendation he serve a minimum of nine years – after Thomas “Tommy” Miller (47) died following a drunken attack at 22 Bignold Park Road in May.

Now his brother David Miller, of Reid Crescent, Kirkwall, has expressed his “utter disappointment, if not disgust” at what he described as the leniency of the sentence.

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Kirkwall solicitor firms to merge

The merger of two firms of Kirkwall solicitors was announced on Wednesday.

Lows Orkney at 5, Broad Street and Helen M Nicolson, 6 Bridge Street Wynd are joining forces on March 1, 2002.

The firm of Helen M Nicolson is run by Eddie Nicolson, following the retiral of Helen from the practice earlier this year. He will continue to deal with his clients at Bridge Street Wynd and the merged firm will trade as 'Lows Orkney' and 'Nicolsons' at the separate addresses.

Vehicle taken from Kirkwall address

A report is being submitted to the procurator fiscal after a vehicle was "unlawfully removed" from an address in Kirkwall on Tuesday night.

The vehicle was removed from Berstane Road and was later found two miles north of Stromness.

Council grant proposed for road safety group

A volunteer Orkney road safety group looks set to be financially shored up with an annual grant from the council.

Set up in 1999, the Road Safety Promotion Group have received some cash from the council in the past to help towards the cost of materials, but speaking this week, OIC education director Mr Leslie Manson said he would be putting a report to the next finance and general purposes committee proposing an annual grant.

The council used to employ a road safety officer but the post was axed as a result of cutbacks.

P&O management buyout should be resolved this month

NorthLink are due to take over ferry services from October next year, but are not interested in taking on some of P&O's shore-based services such a haulage.

A management buyout by the staff was due to be finalised by the end of last month, but Mr Cairns said although it had been delayed, this was due to negotiations taking longer than expected, rather than problems.

Extra security on Flotta in wake of US terrorist attacks

Extra precautions have been taken at the Flotta oil terminal following the terrorist attacks in America last month.

With more than 100,000 tonnes of oil regularly passing through the terminal each week, a spokesman from operators Talisman confirmed this week that extra measures had been taken.

"We have taken appropriate steps in consultation with Orkney Islands Council. We have put measures in place. People have to recognise the world situation."

Council delegation in Brussels for seminar

The proposed Scapa Flow container hub was high on the agenda at a major international seminar in Brussels yesterday focusing on development in remote areas.

A delegation from Orkney Islands Council left for Brussels on Wednesday to take part in the seminar, which forms part of Scotland Week - an event organised by the Highlands and Islands European Partnership.

Joining Mr Jeremy Baster, director of development and protective services, is Councillor Jim Foubister, Councillor Robert Cormack and OIC development officer Phyllis Harvey.

New minister for St Olaf's Kirk

The Scottish Episcopal Church in Orkney have selected a new minister for the St Olaf’s church in Kirkwall.

Reverend Alison Duff succeeds the Reverend John Morson, who left the county last year. She is presently priest-in-charge at St Peter’s and St Andrew at Broadstairs in Kent.

She will be installed to the charge of St Olaf’s in Kirkwall and St Mary’s in Stromness in January next year.

Conference to address way ahead after foot-and-mouth

Three leading figures in the Scottish beef industry are to speak at a conference in Orkney later this month, giving their perspective on the way ahead for agriculture in the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Marketing, economic and nutritional aspects of beef farming will be addressed by the guest speakers Mr John Ross, a former president of the Scottish NFU; Mr Brian Pack, chief executive of Aberdeen and Northern Marts Group Ltd and Mr Peter Kenyon, the technical director of Harbro Farm Sales Ltd.

The conference which will be held at Orkney Auction Mart on Tuesday October 30 starting at 6.30pm has been arranged by local agricultural suppliers, J & W Tait Ltd, in conjunction with Harbro Farm Sales.

Minimum nine years ordered for Kirkwall bedsit murderer

A youth who kicked a former oil worker to death in Orkney inflicted a total of 47 fractures, a judge in Edinburgh’s High Court heard on Monday.

Paul Stephen Bullen (21) was jailed for life – with a recommendation he serve at least nine years before he can be considered for release on licence by temporary judge Roderick Macdonald QC.

Bullen left only one rib unbroken during the drunken attack on Mr Thomas Miller (47), of 22 Bignold Park Road, Kirkwall on May 29. He made allegations to the police afterwards that the victim had tried to “feel up” his girlfriend, adding: “I must have kicked him harder than I thought.”

Full story:Victim’s family ‘disgusted’ by lenient murder sentence
Archive story: Bullen pleads guilty to Kirkwall bedsit murder

Stromness pair lift International Pairs 2001 golf trophy

Angus and Kathleen Sutherland being presented with their trophy by former world number one Trish Johnson (centre).

Two Orkney golfers have won the Scottish champions title in the biggest competition for club golfers in the world.

Angus and Kathleen Sutherland from Stromness beat off the challenge of almost 60,000 players to lift an International Pairs trophy at Mount Wolseley in Ireland.

Speaking on Sunday Angus said “We had an excellent time but it was all a bit nerve-wracking. We travelled across to Ireland after winning our club competition and hoped we might make it through to the final."

“We played well at our semi-final so travelled to Mount Wolseley for the final. I think we had to make it as we had travelled so far”.

Gold and silver for Highland Park

Orkney’s Highland Park Single Malt whisky has picked another two awards at an international festival in Stockholm.

At the whisky competition at the Stockholm Beer and Whisky Festival, Highland Park 12-year-old won the silver medal in its category while the 25-year-old took the gold medal for the malt over 22 years.

Sandwick man celebrates 100th birthday

The first of two Orcadians to reach the grand old age of 100 this week, celebrated his birthday on Monday..

Born on October 15, 1901, Mr Alfie Merriman of Newgarth, Sandwick, enjoyed his 100th birthday with family and friends at a party in the Merkister Hotel last night.

Alfie is followed by Mr Willie Scott, Pickletillum, Deerness, who is 100 on Saturday.

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Night of vandalism in Kirkwall

Police are seeking information following a spate of vandalisms across Kirkwall on Friday night.

A number of incidents took place in the town overnight, ranging from broken windows to vehicle damage and theft. One of the buildings hit was the Orkney Museum in Kirkwall, which had a window smashed.

Police inquiries are continuing and anyone with information is asked to contact Kirkwall police on 872241.

Royal Oak survivor's medals presented to Lyness museum

Able Seaman Stanley Cole (Picture: Orkney Library Picture Archives

To coincide with the HMS Royal Oak memorial service on Sunday, the medals of one survivor are being presented to the Lyness Museum this weekend.

HMS Royal Oak was sunk by a German U-boat on October 14, 1939, with the loss of 833 lives. Able Seaman Stanley Cole was one of the survivors and his medals were presented to the museum by Admiral Derek Anthony MBE.

The ashes of another survivor, the late Commander Joe Instance, were laid on the wreck on Sunday.

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Orkney film screened as part of Lumière Film Festival

A film set in Orkney is to be screened at The Lumière Film Festival at the Royal Museum in Edinburgh next Sunday.

Blue Black Permanent was made by Margaret Tait and, set in Orkney, tells of a woman's attempts to come to terms with her mother's death through childhood memories.

The film, which lasts 90 minutes will be screened at 4.30pm, has been selected for showing by Edinburgh based Independent Wine Merchants Peter Green and Co.

Division One opponents for Orkney Firsts

Orkney's First XV played their latest game in the BT Cellnet Cup in Edinburgh on Saturday.

The Orkney squad took on National Division One team Corstorphine but were beaten 64-13. Orkney had the better of the second half, with two interception tries by Costorphine said to have "flattered the score somewhat".

Tightened security sees HMS Pembroke closed to public

The Royal Navy vessel HMS Pembroke did not open to the public on Sunday because of tighter security measures in the wake of the terrorist attacks in America on September 11.

The mine counter measures vessel was in Orkney to take part in the annual HMS Royal Oak memorial service on Sunday.

She was due to be open to the public at Kirkwall pier between 2pm and 4pm on Sunday, but a Navy spokesman said that the chance to see around the ship was having to be withdrawn.

Licensing board allow early opening for Ferry Inn

The Ferry Inn in Stromness has been granted an extension to its opening hours after a two hour debate by the Orkney Islands Area Licensing Board.

The extension will see the Ferry Inn opening at 9am, Monday to Saturday, and 9.30am on Sunday. The licence holders cited local demand, ferry traffic and tourism as their reason for the extension.

The board granted the extension, initially for a six month trial period, voting 5-2 in favour.