Firth pupils begin new term in new school

The newly opened Firth school

The children of Firth School began the new term on Friday, the first day in their new £1.6 million school.

The new school for the 83 pupils has four dedicated classrooms, a nursery, hall and other rooms which can be used for music and drama.

Meanwhile the future of the old school has not been finalised by the council. OIC assistant chief executive Mr Malcolm Burr said there were no specific plans at present, but any proposals would go before the education committee.

Major NATO military exercise under way

As anyone who has witnessed the fighter planes and helicopters over the past few days has probably guessed, a major military exercise began around Scotland on Friday.

Involving eight NATO countries, the "Joint Maritime Course", involves ships, aircraft, submarines and other units. They are taking part in a hypothetical conflict between two countries – the aim being to provide as realistic a simulation of being in action as it is possible to achieve.

The exercise is due to run until November 12.

'Hope ferry service suspended over winter

The short-sea ferry service between St Margaret’s Hope and Gills Bay is to be suspended next month, so improvements can be made at the Caithness harbour.

The service, started up earlier this year by South Ronaldsay businessman, Andrew Banks, is expected to be mothballed for around three months.

Mr Banks said on Thursday: “We are planning to restart with a full service during March 2002, after the Pentalina B comes out of dry dock from her annual survey."

He is confident that he will be able to win back customers from P&O to the short-sea route, when it resumes next spring.

Second "celebration of storytelling" in Orkney

Orkney's second annual storytelling festival - Tall Tales for Short Nights - kicked off in Kirkwall on Thursday night.

Organised by the Orcadian Storytelling Trust, the four day event began in the Ayre Hotel and was followed by events across the county.

Among those joining local storytellers Tom Muir, Marita Luck and Len Wilson will be the Wrigley Sisters, David Campbell and Shetland's Laurence Tulloch.

Full details

Work under way to replace Burgar Hill wind turbine generator

Work to replace the generator of one of the wind-turbines on Burgar Hill is progressing this week, with the turbine expected to be in operation again within a few weeks.

The turbine had to be shut down after a fault that required the replacement of the 2,000 kW alternator.

A spokesman explained that alternator problems are not uncommon in all types of power plant, adding :"The biggest challenge we have in this case is that the work must be carried out at a height of 64 metres above the ground."

Early days for Town Centre Partnership

It is early days in terms of a partnership to be set up to determine how Kirkwall’s town centre will look in the next 20 years.

Issues were discussed and ideas were bandied back and fore at a public meeting of the Kirkwall Town Centre Partnership on Wednesday night, but no firm strategies were put in place.

Invited representatives and members of the public present agreed that nominations should be submitted by folk interested in joining a number of working groups to further the project.

We will still be criminals say cannabis users

Two pro-cannabis campaigners in Orkney – who are waiting to see if they will be charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act – say they will still be regarded as criminals under the moves to ease UK laws on cannabis.

However, the Multiple Sclerosis sufferers – who are outspoken in their use of the drug and free supply to fellow sufferers – have cautiously welcomed the proposals.

Full story

For Sale - one remote Orkney island with £110,000 asking price

A remote island – complete with prehistoric sites and a loch – is up for grabs in Orkney. With an asking price of £110,000, the 62-acre Holm of Huip which lies off Stronsay could be yours.

The privately-owned island was spotted on the website of Vladi Private Islands, who have offices in Germany and Canada selling islands worldwide.

Full story

Chilling message for seal rescue man

Orkney Seal Rescue man Ross Flett made a chilling discovery on Wednesday, finding that the head of his seal-shaped house sign had been cut off, with the letters “U NXT”, thought to represent "You Next", written on the body.

He has reported the matter to Kirkwall police and CID officers were due to visit him on Wednesday afternoon.

This is the third time Mr Flett has had to replace the metal sign, which has been shot at twice over the past few years.

Earlier this week Mr Flett claimed that local creel fishermen had caused the deaths of the ten seals found at the weekend.

Sea conditions hit fund-raising swim again

Westray resident Chris Bradley was forced to call off his fundraising Westray to Papay swim again on Wednesday.

He was informed on Wednesday morning that the waves in the middle of the journey were about a foot high, and would get higher as the day went on.

“It’s really just a case of watch this space.” he said, “I’m just waiting to see when the weather conditions are going to be good enough, so I can try it again.”

See also: Waves and current sees Westray-Papay
swim attempt abandoned half-way

Farmers get reprieve from tractor working restrictions

Farmers facing the prospect of being limited to a few hours a day on their tractors have been given a reprieve by the European Parliament. But they now have to wait for more negotiations before the issue is finally resolved.

Tuesday's vote on the Physical Agents (Vibrations) Directive, exempts agriculture and forestry workers from the restrictive exposure limits proposed in the Directive for five years.

John Kinnard, vice-president of NFU Scotland said: “I am pleased that MEPs have realised how daft the proposal put in front of them actually was."

Charity director praises Orcadian generosity

The people of Orkney were thanked this week for raising more than £43,000 towards finding a cure for an agonising skin condition which affects a young Orkney boy.

According to Scottish director, Mr Robin Hood, if that sum was matched by people in the rest of Scotland, the researchers at DEBRA would have enough money to find an effective treatment for epidermolysis bullosa.

He was in Orkney this week to say thank you to the people of Orkney and in particular fund-raiser Mrs Linda Stanger, whose grandson, Andrew Clouston, suffers from the condition.

An x-ray of one of the dead seals found in South Ronaldsay at the weekend has turned up evidence that could indicate the animals were shot after all.

A police investigation on Monday concluded there had been no foul play, but according to Ross Flett of Orkney Seal Rescue, the x-ray revealed traces of metal "consistent with deposits left by a bullet".

He added: "The conclusion from our vet was that this seal had been shot with a bullet that had fragmented on impact with the seal's skull."

MEPs pledge support for Scapa Flow hub proposal

Two members of the European Parliament have pledged their support for a Scapa Flow container trans-shipment hub and are to ask the Commission what action they are taking to develop the idea further.

Scottish MEPs, Professor Neil MacCormick and Mr Ian Hudghton, have highlighted the constraints of expanding existing container ports and feel that Scapa Flow would be the most appropriate location.

Speaking this week during a debate at the Parliament's Islands Intergroup committee, Ian Hudghton said: "The SNP team in the European Parliament pledge their full support to the partnership who are promoting this ambitious project at Scapa Flow."

Men face drugs charges

Two men appeared in private at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Tuesday morning in relation to drugs offences in Stromness in March.

No plea or declaration was made and the men were released on bail.

Elderly passengers unhurt after day hospital bus accident

An ambulance was called to Tankerness on Monday afternoon after a day hospital minibus carrying two elderly patients came off the road.

A spokesman from the Scottish Ambulance Service said one of their accident and emergency ambulances attended the scene and reported that there were no serious injuries.

"The two elderly elderly patients who were obviously shaken were taken home by us," he said.

Trade Fair nets £200,000 order for Ortak

Orkney jewellery manufacturers, Ortak, have won a valuable order from the United States on the second day of the Highlands and Islands Trade Fair in Aviemore.

The order worth £200,000 is for 15,000 pieces from Ortak’s existing range of Celtic and Scottish jewellery, which the customer wants to be delivered early next year.

Ortak managing director, Mr Alistair Gray said this week that he is delighted with the overseas order, which will keep the workforce busy after the Christmas period.

Season's tourism figures encouraging

The news is outlined in Orkney Tourist Board's October newsletter by their research and data management officer Inga Sandison.

She reports that many facilities reported an upturn in visitors in the last few months.

"Visitor attractions have experienced a somewhat varied season with huge dips in the first part of the season due to closures but many recovering well after foot and mouth disease," she said.

Westray company shortlisted for award

Westray-based company Hume Sweet Hume have been shortlisted in the finals of the Scottish Gift of the Year awards 2002.

Lizza and Jenna Hume are one of six shortlisted for their Argyll range of cushions, throws and bags which are manufactured from soft mohair yarns in a contemporary design.

The winner will be announced at Scotland's International Trade Fair in Glasgow in January next year.

Shellfish poisoning ban announced

A ban on fishing for queen scallops in waters around the North Isles was announced on Monday by the Food Standards Agency.

The ban is due to a build-up of naturally occurring Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxins. The agency's testing programme has shown the the level of toxin has reached a level at which there is a risk to consumers.

The ban affects waters around southern Eday, extending down to Shapinsay and out the east of Rousay, across to Eday, Stronsay and off the southern coasts of Sanday and Westray.

No evidence South Ronaldsay seals were shot say police

The bodies of two of the dead seals being examined on Monday (Picture: Craig Taylor)

A police investigation into the death of ten Grey Seals in South Ronaldsay at the weekend has found no evidence that the animals were shot.

The bodies of ten adult animals - including a number of pregnant females - were washed up at Burwick, and it was originally suggested they had been shot.

But speaking yesterday, Acting Inspector Colin Gunn said: "There is nothing to show that they have been shot and it does not appear they died at the same time. Basically there were no bullets found and the injuries could be explained in other ways."

However, Ross Flett of Orkney Seal Rescue remains adamant that the seals were shot and that it was local creel fishermen who carried out the attack.

Waves and current sees Westray-Papay swim attempt abandoned half-way

The planned fund raising swim between Westray and Papay got under way on Monday but had to be abandoned half way.

Westray resident Chris Bradley had to abandon his attempt because the waves were too high and the current too strong. He is expected to try again today.

Chris is undertaking the three-mile swim to raise extra money for the Westray youth football club and primary swim club travelling expenses. The swim was originally scheduled for Saturday but was postponed because of the weather.

Outside company brought in to manage Kirkwall Airport

An increase in the number of facilities at Kirkwall Airport’s new terminal building has seen an outside company brought into manage the services.

Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd has confirmed that Chesterton Workplace Management have been awarded a two-year contract. They will, among other things, manage the terminal, the new information desk, mechanical and engineering, cleaning, maintenance, the grounds and monitor the standard of the retail, catering and car hire concessionaries.

Man hospitalised after Kirkwall assault

A man was taken to Balfour Hospital following a disturbance, in which he sustained facial injuries, at the weekend.The assault is believed to have taken place inside or outside the Albert Hotel around 12.30am on Sunday.

An hour later, police say that there was a second disturbance outside Busters Diner in Junction Road when a man was arrested and taken into police custody. He was later released and a report is being submitted to the procurator fiscal.

Excellence award for Corrigall Farm Museum

Corrigall Farm Museum in Harray has come runner-up for rural design excellence in a competition organised by the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland (APRS).

To celebrate the association’s 75th anniversary and 25th year of the rural design awards, the APRS reviewed all their previous winners and judged the converted farm steading at Corrigall Farm Museum to be worthy of a runner-up place.

Orkney museums officer, Bryce Wilson, is in Edinburgh to receive a framed certificate for Corrigall Farm’s design award.

One win, one defeat for Orkney Rugby Club

Saturday was a day of mixed fortunes for Orkney Rugby Club with a victory for the Firsts against Garioch but a loss for the Seconds in the Shetland Times Cup.

The First XV, playing Garioch away in their latest North Division Five fixture, won 36-14 but back in Orkney, Shetland made it four in a row, beating the Orkney Seconds 20-14.

Island ambulance back in service by end of month

Islanders in Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre should have their ambulance back by the end of the month.

The vehicle was bought second-hand in 1997 by islanders but withdrawn from service three months ago when a door was damaged.

Chief executive of NHS Orkney, Mrs Judi Wellden this week apologised for the lengthy delay in getting the ambulance back on the road.

She said: “Clearly it is not acceptable that the people of Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre should have been without their ambulance for so long and I have sought assurance that the repair is now being done with some urgency.”

Company could face legal action over Myre Bay cages

A fish farm company could face legal action for putting salmon cages on the proposed site of a fish farm in Hoy without full permission.

Aquascot were granted a works licence by the council’s transportation committee for a site at Myre Bay in South Walls, on condition that they vacated their existing fish farm at Longhope.

But an appeal against the granting of the licence was sent direct to the Scottish Executive by local resident, Mrs Mavis Strudwick and is still being considered by the Executive. Until a ruling has been given on the appeal, work should not commence on site.

But it is understood that Aquascot placed a number of cages in Myre Bay earlier this month in anticipation that the works licence would be issued shortly.

Twenty-three Orkney firms to attend Highland Trade Fair

More than 20 Orkney firms will attend the Highlands and Islands Trade Fair in Aviemore this week. Attracting buyers from across the globe, the event is one of the most important annual trade events in the country.

Eight local craft firms are taking advantage of the free transport and space in OIC's display area offered to new businesses for a two year period. Four of these companies are attending for the first time, with four on their second visit.