A report is being submitted to the procurator fiscal after a car hit a wall on the Ayre Road in Kirkwall on Thursday night.

The male driver of the Vauxhall Calibre was uninjured although the car was extensively damaged.

A police spokesman said: “The accident was reported to us at 2.30 am. The vehicle went through a wall opposite the junction with Grainshore Road.

A new post – the first of its kind in the UK – has been created to support Orkney’s GPs.

Jointly funded by the Remote and Rural Areas Resource Initiative and NHS Orkney, the new consultant post for remote and rural medicine, has been filled by Dr Roderick Harvey.

Dr Harvey is to set up a managed clinical network between the Orkney GPs, who provide medical cover in Kirkwall’s Balfour Hospital, and consultant physicians at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

A new date has been set for the launch of the Orkney Drugs, Alcohol Smoking Action Team strategy.

The launch will now take place on Friday, January 25, in the OIC council chamber with guest speaker Orkney MSP, Mr Jim Wallace.

“I’ve saved the best until last”, that was according to Northern Constabulary’s new chief constable, Mr Ian J. Latimer, on his first visit to Orkney on Thursday.

The former assistant chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, ended his tour of the force area at Kirkwall and Stromness Police Stations.

He commented: “The main thing is to meet the staff so they can see me and talk to me. The Highlands and Islands are the safest place in the UK to live and, within the force area, Orkney is the safest place. But there is also room for improvement so I am not complacent and the commanders here at not complacent.”

Building firm debts total over £500,000

A Kirkwall building firm that went bust last month has left debts totalling more than £500,000, creditors heard this week.

Around 20 local businesses held an informal meeting on Monday to discuss the provisional liquidation of Andrew Tait and Son, and agreed to set up a fighting fund to investigate legal and other options.

The firm called in the liquidators in early November, while working on the second phase of Orkney Housing Association’s Kiln Corner development.

Full story >

Sanday Junior High School have met all targets set by schools inspectors it was confirmed this week.

An inspection in November - which followed a glowing report two years ago - found that the school and local authority had acted on the small number of recommendations made at the time.

The three recommendations were for more religious education and PE in the timetable, address the impact of bad weather on teaching provided by itinerant teachers, and improve resources for primary problem solving.

Horror as freight rates set to rise by up to 600 per cent

Freight rates out of Orkney could rise by a staggering 600 per cent in extreme cases under ferry company NorthLink, it was claimed this week, leading to fears that the local businesses could be in jeopardy.

The company are due to take over ferry services to the Northern Isles from October 2002 and their commercial rates have sparked off serious concerns about the impact on the Orkney economy, which relies on transport links to the Scottish mainland.

One shocked local haulier said the rates would force him out of business, with his customers having no option but to move to Streamline or Pentland Ferries....

Full story >

Management buy-out secures P&O jobs

Up to 70 jobs in Orkney, Shetland and Aberdeen have been secured following the announcement that the P&O Scottish Ferries management buy-out team have been successful in acquiring the haulage and groupage operations from P&O.

A message has been sent out to all P&O staff with news of the buy-out, which will, subject to completion of contract negotiations, transfer on January 1 next year.

Mr Neil Leslie, P&O Shetland base supervisor, said it will secure around 60-70 staff, with the biggest part of their base between Aberdeen and Shetland.

Faroese discovery raises hopes for Flotta

The discovery of what could be a major oil and gas field off the Faroes has raised hopes of a boost for business at the Flotta oil terminal.

If the field proves to be commercially viable, the Faroese oil ministry confirmed this week that Flotta, along with the Sullom Voe terminal in Shetland, would be considered as possible landing bases.

A spokeswoman from the Faroese Ministry of Petroleum told The Orcadian: "The preliminary result shows that the well contains significant volumes of hydrocarbons, both light oil and gas."

She said it was too early to speculate on whether the well was of any commercial value until the results were processed.

Over 600 Orkney books, old and new, were under the hammer at Orkney Auction Mart in a sale which concluded on Thursday morning.

Collections include a map of the chief harbours in Orkney, published by Grenville Collins in 1688, and a number of first editions, such as a 1806 publication of Orkney and Shetland, by Patrick Neill, and An Account of the Conduct and Proceeding of the Pirate Gow – Limited, by Daniel Defoe from 1890.

The sale began at Orkney Auction Mart on Wednesday night with book numbers one to 250, and continued on Thursday with the remaining lots, 251 to 617.

Torvhaug trial delayed until February 2002

The trial against four Orkney men who deny any part in bursting into the Kirkwall's Torvhaug Inn with broken pool cues and assaulting a man last November has been further delayed.

The trial against Ian Spence (37), David Sutherland (22), Jonathan Iain Gatt (21) and Tony Steeple was due to take place yesterday at Kirkwall Sheriff Court. However, the weather conditions on Monday had led to problems for south defence agents trying to travel north.

A new trial date has been set for February 27 next year.

Picky centre management offer to meet with disgruntled teenagers

Pickaquoy Centre management have offered to meet Orkney’s young people to discuss the leisure needs of teenagers in the county.

The move is in response to criticism levelled at the centre during the recent Citizens Day debate at Kirkwall Grammar School, as reported in The Orcadian last week. During the debate a number of senior pupils said they felt the facility did not cater for teenagers.

Pickaquoy Centre manager, Mr Kieran Henderson, said they would be holding a Youth Meeting in the New Year, with the aim of identifying how to best cater for Orkney's young people, as well as establishing a regularly meeting Youth Forum.

Viking legacy confirmed by genetic survey

It shows that Orkney and Shetland, as well as an area around Durness in Sutherland, have the strongest Viking ancestry in Britain, with at least 60 per cent of the men in these areas having Norwegian gene markers. In comparison, about 30 per cent of the population of the the Outer Hebrides shows traces of Viking blood.

The full results of the survey were revealed in the final episode of Blood of the Vikings on BBC2 last night.

Six months for Sanday drink-driver

A man was jailed for six months yesterday and banned from driving for the next ten years, for drink driving while disqualified.

Kirkwall Sheriff Court heard that earlier this year Wilhelmus Johannus Albertus Taylor (40), of South Mire in Sanday, had been sent to prison for 28 days and disqualified from driving for five years at a court in Aberdeen.

Sheriff J. Craig C. McSherry commented: “Six months later you are driving again and driving while over the limit.”

Gale damage closes St Catherine's Place

St Catherine's Place in Kirkwall was closed for a time yesterday morning after a property was seriously damaged by last night's strong winds.

The gales, which also disrupted transport in the county on Monday afternoon, damaged the roof of a St Catherine's Place property, which resulted in the road being closed while the debris was cleared.

Orkney schools maintained their exam results track record this year, by performing above the national average.

The Scottish Executive figures published this week, show that more than 75 per cent of Scottish pupils failed to obtain three or more Higher grades and these poor statistics were echoed in Orkney, albeit to a lesser extent.

But 90 per cent of pupils in Orkney attained five or more Standard grades at level four or more by the end of S4 - above the national figure of 77 per cent.

Commenting on the results, Orkney Islands Council education director, Mr Leslie Manson said they illustrated the commitment of pupils and staff and the resources that had been put into education in Orkney.

Honours to Gorn for second year running

Shapinsay farmer George Muir of Gorn took top honours for the second year in a row at Monday morning’s Christmas Prime Stock Show and Sale at Orkney Auction Mart.

His 20-month-old Limousin stirk was chosen by judges Eddie and Thorfinn Craigie, beating off stiff competition from reserve champion - also a Limousin stirk - shown by A J Laird, Mossbank, Burray, and a Limousin heifer shown by fellow Shapinsay farmer, T & J Leslie of Quoymorhouse, which took Best Opposite Sex to Champion.

Champion sheep was a Texel shown by D & D J Eunson of Halley in Deerness whilst R W Flaws of Nisthouse in Evie took reserve.

Sullom Voe work delays new Kirkwall police station

A £30 million pound renovation project at Shetland's Sullom Voe oil terminal is delaying the construction of Kirkwall's new police station.

Plans for the new station have fallen four weeks behind because work is still going on at the Lerwick police station.

Estate manager, Mr Angus MacLeod, who is based at Inverness Police Headquarters, explained that the Sullom Voe construction project meant that there was not enough building material, labour or plant in Shetland to meet the demand.

He said: "Nobody was really interested in our £1.25 million project. All of a sudden it became very small fry."

Cursiter painting goes under the hammer to reach almost £13,000

Stanley Cursiter's "Surf, Orkney" which sold for almost £13,000 last month

Five paintings by two Orkney artists were sold for over £47,000 at a major auction in Edinburgh recently.

Art dealers Christie’s auctioned the paintings, which came from the Fleming collection, last month.

A painting by Stanley Cursiter entitled “Surf, Orkney” went for £12,925, and four still life paintings by Dounby artist Peter McLaren, three of which came from New York and one from Luxembourg, were auctioned for a total of £34,662.

Crantit named Dairy Company of 2001

Crantit Dairy owner Denis Bichan (left) receives his award from Maitland Mackie, a fellow ice cream maker, and Chairman of the Scottish Agricultural College.

Orkney's Crantit Dairy has been named Scottish Dairy Company of the Year at a major dinner in Edinburgh last week.

The development of the St Ola creamery's range of ice cream particularly impressed the judges of the Scottish Dairy Industry Awards 2001.

According to the organisers: "Their ice cream operation is profitable. Despite their geographical remoteness and small scale, through sound strategy, creative marketing and entrepreneurial drive Crantit have established a profitable niche in the market."

Two hospitalised after Hatston accident

Two people were taken to Kirkwall’s Balfour Hospital on Saturday night after their car slid on a patch of slush near Hatston Industrial Estate.

The female driver and male passenger were discharged from hospital on Sunday morning, according to Kirkwall police, who said the accident occurred following a heavy hail shower at 7pm.

Fire Brigade staff assisted police in freeing the passengers who were trapped in the Ford Escort Estate which had overturned into a field.

Orkney visit for new chief constable

Northern Constabulary’s new chief constable, Mr Ian J. Latimer MA, is due to visit Orkney on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

Mr Latimer, who was previously assistant chief constable (operations) of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, is carrying out a tour of the force area to get an understanding of each region.

In a low scoring game in atrocious weather in Kirkwall on Saturday, Orkney Rugby club beat RAF Lossiemouth 8-0 in their latest Division Five North national league feature.

RAF Lossiemouth dominated much of the first half, but with the half-time score 0-0, Orkney came back in the second half to take control of the game.

The points came from a try and a penalty.

No award for Kirkwall couple's youth work

Orkney couple David and Margo MacPherson - who opened the doors of their Kirkwall home to bored youngsters - have been unsuccessful in winning a voluntary award.

The couple set up the voluntary youth group in their home 18 months ago, feeling there was nothing for youngsters in Kirkwall. The group has expanded and now boasts more than 20 members between the ages of 10 and 16.

They meet every Tuesday night, either in David and Margo’s home or at the Kirkwall Grammar School games hall, which is paid for out of the couple’s own pocket.

Ferry Inn extra hours go down well

Orcadians seem to be enjoying a tipple with their breakfast at the Ferry Inn, Stromness.

For the first time ever, last month the bar opened two hours earlier than usual following a groundbreaking decision by the Orkney Licensing Board. This meant the hotel can sell alcohol and breakfasts from 9am every day except Sundays.

Partner in the business, Mr Adrian Harray, said: “It is going well. We are definitely selling extra breakfasts. People pop in and have a bacon roll and a pint, especially at weekends.”

He added that the bar has been benefiting from the Sunday St Sunniva sailing to Shetland and that there had been no additional trouble as a result of the longer drinking hours.

Archive story: Licensing board allow early opening for Ferry Inn

Focus on the rugby field marks World AIDS Day

Visiting players and male spectators at the Division Five North rugby game at Kirkwall Grammar School on Saturday were offered health checks – in an attempt to raise awareness of sexual health and HIV.

As part of World AIDS Day, the RAF Lossiemouth rugby team, who played the Orkney First XV today, were among several male groups being targeted.

Local folk out on the town on Saturday night could also pick up a free ‘goody bag,’ containing condoms among other things from Matchmakers nightclub in Kirkwall.

OIC has not broken EC rules says Baster

Orkney Islands Council may have to prove they have not breached European State Aid regulations by buying up fishing quota and leasing it back to local vessels.

A question about the validity of the scheme has been raised by a Member of the European Parliament.

OIC development director, Mr Jeremy Baster, explained that the scheme dated back some years and that the council had applied for State Aid approval at the time. Because there had been no adverse comment, they had assumed “deemed consent” had been given and the transaction had gone ahead.

Mr Baster believes that the OIC has not broken EC rules, as the quota was bought outright and leased back at a commercial level, so no concessionary grants or loans were given to individuals. This, he said, would form part of the council’s defence if questioned further by the European Commission.