HIE welcome broadband cable funding

Highlands and Islands Enterprise have welcomed the announcement that £1.5 million of European funding has been secured to provide Orkney and Shetland with reliable broadband communications.

Over 600 miles of fibre-optic cable will connect Orkney and Shetland to the Scottish mainland with fast, reliable computer connections.

HIE chief executive Sandy Cumming said that it is vital that the isles have a comprehensive broadband infrastructure to take advantage of fast, "always on" Internet links.

"For too long the Northern Isles have been disadvanted with unreliable telecoms links, hampering business and community development," he said.

Five areas recognised for water quality

Five areas around Orkney have been recognised for their water quality and suitability for shellfish growth.

Deer Sound and Inganess Bay in the East Mainland; the Bay of Ireland; Sandside Bay in Graemsay and St Catherine’s Bay in Stronsay have received protection under the European Shellfish Waters Directive. The designation affords protection for shellfish which grow there and the plants and other wildlife that rely on the water environment.

The Bay of Firth was previously designated under the EC’s Shellfish Waters Directive in February, 2000.

Royal appointment for award winner Claire

Claire Morgan (21) from Dounby, received a Duke of Edinburgh Awards gold certificate at a ceremony in Edinburgh on Friday, which the Duke of Edinburgh himself attended.

Claire, who is currently in Edinburgh studying Occupational Therapy, received her certificate from Christopher Garnett, chief executive of GNER.

She will be presented with her gold brooch by OIC assistant director of education, Alan Clouston, when she next returns to Orkney.

Councillors put off East Mainland care home decision

A decision on where to site the proposed East Mainland care home will be, has been put off by councillors.

After nearly an hour-long discussion, members of the Orkney Islands Council social work and housing committee decided that they did not have enough information on costed options and requested more information.

Slight rise in unemployment

Local unemployment has risen very slightly in the past month.

The number of people out of work and claiming benefit in Orkney at the middle of February was 275, just two more than the previous month.

The current rate of unemployment in Orkney still stands at 2.5 per cent of the possible workforce.

FWAG grant supported by councillors

A £6,000 grant for Orkney Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) was supported by Orkney Islands councillors this week.

Members at the economic development committee were told the money, taken from the OIC's reserve fund, would help towards the costs of employing an adviser for the group for the coming year.

The group, which has been in place for 15 years, encourages farmers to work in an environmentally sensitive way.

New minister for island kirks

The congregations on Sanday and North Ronaldsay will have a new minister this summer, after an 18-month search for a replacement for Rev Danny Gibb.

Rev John McNab, who currently works in Shetland, is due to take up his new post on June 7.

The spotlight was on local and international sports this week as Orkney hosted a meeting of the International Island Games committee.

Twelve members of the International Island Games Executive Committee are in Orkney, from as far afield as Gotland in Sweden, Saaremaa in Estonia, and the Baltic Sea islands of Aland, for a meeting to discuss future plans for the island sporting event.

The two-day meeting was followed by a civic reception at Kirkwall Town Hall.

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Orkney Islands council are to receive £450,000 out of a multi-million lottery-funded sports programme which has been launched this week by the New Opportunities Fund to transform sporting opportunities for schools and communities in every part of Scotland.

The £87 million initiative will revamp existing sports and PE facilities, build new amenities and encourage greater involvement in sport among school pupils and wider communities.

Funding will be available for a range of projects, which could include renovating or building changing rooms, new synthetic or natural turf pitches or multi - games halls. Sporting and cultural activities will also be funded, in outdoor education, adventure, dance and other pursuits.

Radio Orkney may move to comply with new legislation

Radio Orkney are contemplating a change of premises, so their offices will comply with new disability legislation.

According to senior producer, Mr John Fergusson, the current premises on Kirkwall's Castle Street do not offer adequate wheelchair access - a matter which must be rectified by the time the new Disability Discrimination Act comes into force at the end of next year.

Mr Fergusson told The Orcadian: “We are currently looking at our options.”

Feed mill accident investigation under way

An investigation is under way after a Deerness man was airlifted to hospital in Aberdeen following an accident at his work on Monday.

Alan Bruce (20) of Greentoft in Deerness broke his arm at North Eastern Farmer's premises in Kirkwall, after his sleeve was caught in a feed augur while he was trying to unblock it.

North Eastern Farmers said the incident is under investigation and it is understood that Health and Safety inspectors have visited the Hatston premises.

Tree-planters sought to fuel new Kirkwall housing scheme

Local farmers interested in diversifying into tree planting are being sought to help fuel a new environmentally friendly housing scheme in Kirkwall.

Speaking during a visit to Orkney, Social Justice Minister, Mr Iain Gray, said the new development would feature a “green” heating system which would use untreated scrap wood and willow coppice to heat the scheme's homes.

The £2.6 million housing scheme off Lynn Road - which is being built by Orkney Housing Association Ltd - is the largest single project ever approved by the agency in the Highlands and Islands.

Alistair Carmichael (left) and Tavish Scott with the petition outside Downing Street.

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, and Shetland MSP, Tavish Scott presented a petition to 10 Downing Street on Monday.

The petition calls on the government to intervene to stop the planned deregulation of letter post delivery.

After delivering the 5,000 signature petition, Alistair Carmichael said they were delighted with the local response.

The petition is still available for signature at local shops and post offices as the consultation period has been extended to April 12.

Replacement turbine approved, despite fears for local birdlife

Councillors decided on Tuesday that the economic good of Orkney is more important than a breeding risk to rare birds.

Members of Orkney Islands Council's planning committee were considering an application to replace one of the wind turbines on Burgar Hill in Evie with a larger structure.

Despite requests from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), that work should not take place during the breeding season of the nearby red-throated divers, councillors agreed that the replacement turbine should be erected as soon as possible.

Archaeological Trust face cash shortfall

Orkney Archaeological Trust face an £8,000 shortfall in funds this year, but hope to make up the money, either with help from the council or other sources.

Orkney Islands Council have already agreed to hand over £20,000 for the year but due to their changing policy, Flotta Terminal operators, Talisman, will no longer provide an £8,000 grant.

The council are now investigating possible sources of additional money, while Trust chairman Mrs Daphne Lorimer added that the trust were also exploring other avenues of funding.

Orkney Islands' councillors rubber-stamped planning permission for a monastery and associated buildings on Papa Stronsay yesterday.

The application had been submitted by the community of Transalpine Redepemptorist monks who have lived on the island since July 1999. Their plan is to build 40 cells as well as a church capable of seating 50 people, a library and cloister.

The OIC’s planning committee were told that a building warrant has already been issued for the construction work to start.

Cash boost for Kirkwall skatepark

Plans by local enthusiasts to build a skatepark in Kirkwall received a boost on Monday after Orkney Islands' councillors recommended providing a £10,000 grant towards the costs of the project.

Orkney Skatepark Group want to set up a park for rollerblading, BMX cycling and skateboarding.

The total cost of the project is estimated at £40,000 and the group are hoping to raise the rest of the cash through other grants and their own fundraising activities.

Local cinema and music stalwart dies

Orkney businessman, musician and photographer Dougie Shearer has died at the age of 89.

Mr Shearer was born at 43 Albert Street in Kirkwall, where he lived until his death on Saturday.

Mr Shearer taught music at Kirkwall Grammar School and played a role in the opening of the original Phoenix Cinema.

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Fisheries association agree to meet breakaway group

The Orkney Fisheries Association are to meet the newly-formed breakaway group - the Orkney Creel Fishermen's Organisation - to discuss joint projects to conserve and enhance inshore fishing.

Funding applications have been made to continue both projects and the result of those should be known within six weeks.

Depending on the outcome, members of the new creel fishing group will be asked to contribute to the cost of running the two schemes.

Triumphant rugby squad back home with league trophy

Orkney Rugby Club's First XV arrived back in the county on Sunday, proudly bearing the prized national league trophy.

Team captain Rodney Spence holds up the prized trophy as the St Ola arrives in Stromness. (Pic: Orkney Photographic)

As Division Five (North) champions, Orkney will play the winners of Division Five (Midlands) away for a place in National League Division Four.

Medal-winning performances from Rosie

Orcadian athlete Rosie Cursiter has been picking up more medals at the weekend, at a national athletics event in Glasgow.

Competing in the W40 age group at the UK Veterans' Championships at the Kelvin Hall, Rosie took silvers in the 60 and 400 metres and a bronze in the 200 metres.

Interior of the East Kirk

Kirkwall's East Church closed its doors as a place of worship for the final time on Sunday.

The 153-year-old church will now be refitted and used by Orkney Islands Council for their One Stop Shop project.

From Sunday the congregation will meet in the Town Hall in Broad Street, Kirkwall, until the end of the summer, when renovation work on the new premises - the King Street Halls - is due to be completed.