Fort Rae Indians display their skills in Stromness museum

Native Indians from the Dogrib First Nations community in Canada were demonstrating their ancient lore and traditions in Stromness on Saaturday afternoon.

Charlie Tailbone and Madeline Chocolate spent the afternoon at the Stromness Museum, telling stories about trapping and hunting, and among other things plants are used for healing and traditional beadwork.

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Fire Brigade attend Deerness harvester fire

Kirkwall Fire Brigade were called out on Friday afternoon to attend a combine harvester fire in Deerness.

Two units attended the fire at Howes in Deerness just after 4pm.

Bravery awards for Stromness lifeboat crew

The crew of the Stromness lifeboat are to receive bravery awards after a dramatic rescue in April.

Coxwain John Banks is to receive the RNLI's Thanks of the Institution on Vellum award following the 14-hour rescue of the fishing boat Faith Ann, 50 miles off Orkney.

The lifeboat's crew are to receive Vellum Service Certificates.

Archive story: Lengthy rescue for Stromness Lifeboat

Orkney wages are second lowest in Scotland

Orkney workers earn the second lowest average wage in Scotland, according to new figures from the GMB Scotland trade union.

The New Earnings Survey shows that the average weekly wage for a full-time worker in Orkney stands at £345 – almost £100 less than the official UK national average wage of £442.

However, it seems Shetlanders are fairing much better, being one of only three places in Scotland to top the national average – with a weekly wage of £443.

Manager had no authority to shut day centre

OIC community social services director Harry Garland admitted on Thursday afternoon that manager Alan Taylor had shut the Kirkwall centre, which provides support for people with physical disabilities, without permission from senior management.

Mr Garland said: “The fact that it has closed down without authority from management is totally unacceptable. I am very, very sorry it has happened, it should not have happened.”

OHA tenants aim high with improvement suggestions

Residents of Orkney Housing Association homes are aiming high when it comes to suggestions for improvements to their neighbourhoods – with parks, swimming pools and even golf courses on their wish list.

They may have seemed unrealistic targets, but Douglas Robertson, a lecturer at Stirling University, and guest speaker at the association’s AGM on Wednesday night, was trying to ascertain what residents want to see happening within the wider community when housing association homes are built.

A spokesman from the Scottish Executive on behalf of the Crown Office confirmed that the appeal had been refused and that Casey’s defence were not re-appealing.

Full story

Mistra owner will shut shop unless buyer can be found

A rural shop in Orkney is set to close its doors after nearly 40 year's service to the local community – unless someone is willing to take it over.

The Mistra Shop in Evie is due to close at the end of November, with its owner Linda Cadman-Hope calling it a day after eight years running the premises.

Speaking this week, Mrs Cadman-Hope said she had found it more and more difficult to run the business, and she called upon people to either use their local shops or lose them.

Jolly's reassure P&O staff they will be offered jobs at NorthLink switch

Kirkwall shipbrokers and stevedores, John Jolly, on Wednesday reassured P&O staff that they will be offered a job for the changeover to NorthLink.

Jolly’s had earlier said they had a “fantastic response” to their advert for staff to handle the new NorthLink Ferries when they come into service from October 1.

Speaking today, John Jolly’s managing director, Captain Bill Spence, said: “All P&O staff in post will be offered work with us. We have a number of additional jobs for people not employed by P&O.”

Orkney will not escape fire brigade strikes if action gets the go-ahead

Orkney may be affected by fire service strikes this winter if industrial action gets enough support.

From September 27, the Fire Brigades Union are balloting members for strikes in support of a £30,000 pay claim by professional firefighters and emergency fire control staff. The result will be announced on October 18.

According to FBU representative, Highlands and Islands Brigade secretary, John Urquhart, most fireworkers at Kirkwall and Stromness – including senior officers – are members of the union, and will be expected to take part in strike action if the national vote is, as expected, in favour of industrial action.

Police seek witnesses to car accident

Police are seeking witnesses to a one-vehicle road accident on the Dounby to Birsay road on Tuesday.

A Renault Clio car left the road near Dounby at around 10.30am, severely damaging the vehicle. The male driver escaped with cuts.

A report is to be submitted to the procurator fiscal and witnesses to the accident are asked to call the police on 872241.

Weekend accident highlights importance of seat-belts say police

Three people in a two-vehicle road accident in Orkney at the weekend were saved from serious injury thanks to their seatbelts, according to police.

Two Vauxhall Corsa cars were extensively damaged in the accident, which saw the Old Finstown Road closed for a time, but the three occupants of both vehicles escaped with minor injuries.

Sergeant Colin Gunn said: “It highlighted how important the use of seatbelts is because they worked very well on this occasion. Had seatbelts not been in use we would have expected serious injuries.”

MP calls for rethink on Stromness lighthouse depot closure proposals

Mr Carmichael said the NLB had apparently been told by the Department of Transport that each of the three lighthouse authorities only needed one depot.

"That has got to be questionable thinking in itself," he said. "Trinity House, the English board have five such depots so it will be interesting to see how many they close."

Moderator reopens Westray kirk

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland was in Westray on Tuesday , for the re-opening of the refurbished Westray Church.

The opening ceremony followed the Rt Rev Dr Finlay Macdonald's visit to Papay earlier in the day.

Grant will improve childcare quality

Mrs Sandra Leslie of the partnership said there will now be a consultation to decide how the cash will be used.

Norwegian strike brings tankers to Scapa Flow

Tankers were diverted to Orkney waters because of an official strike at Stat Oil’s Mongstad refinery near Bergen.

A spokesman for Orkney Island Council’s Harbours department explained that Scapa Flow was being used by the Norwegian oil company to keep oil flowing to their US customers.

Business Forum flyer aims to attract visitors to Stromness

The single-page tourist leaflet lists a number of Stromness’ attractions on one side, with a map on the other.

The Business Forum plan to circulate the leaflets throughout Caithness, Sutherland, Ross-shire and Inverness to encourage visitors passing through the area to try Stromness as a holiday destination.

Hjaltland sails into Orkney waters

The Hjaltland in Kirkwall Bay on Monday afternoon. Click the image for a larger version. (www.orkneyphotographic.co.uk)

The first of the new NorthLink ferries to visit Orkney arrived on Monday afternoon.

The Hjaltland, which will serve on the Kirkwall - Aberdeen - Lerwick run, arrived just after 4pm.

The ferry successfully carried out berthing trials at Kirkwall Pier's linkspan and sailed again for Aberdeen around 10.30pm.

King Street Halls opening postponed until restoration fully finished

The formal opening of the refurbished King Street Halls has been postponed until the new organ is installed.

It had been hoped that the first service in the hall would be this Sunday but the congregation have decided to wait until the building is completely finished before moving in.

The congregation are using Kirkwall Town Hall for their services and other activities meantime.

Archive story: Kirk closes doors after century and a half

OIC appoint new community council liaison officer

Orkney Islands Council's new community council liaison officer started work on Monday.

Following an internal advertisement, Maureen Spence from Evie has swapped jobs with Anthea King, who had been in the post for just over a year.

Mrs Spence previously worked with Orkney Quality Food and Drink Ltd and the Orkney Fish Farmers' Association. Anthea King now becomes clerk to the council committees dealing with transportation and social work and housing.

Archive story: Community council office up to full strength

Jolly's will have no problem filling shore staff jobs

Kirkwall shipbrokers and stevedores, John Jolly, have had a “fantastic response” to their advert for staff to handle NorthLink Ferries when they come into service from October 1.

At the close of applications on Friday, John Jolly’s Captain Bill Spence said that although the company would need almost double the number of staff that P&O Scottish Ferries currently employ, they would have no problem filling the jobs “twice over” due to the number of applicants.

NHS Orkney field calls as Scapa Dental Centre ditch 500 patients

NHS Orkney is having to deal with numerous queries from people who have discovered they are no longer registered with an NHS dentist.

Scapa Dental Centre in Kirkwall is not taking any new NHS patients and just over 500 patients are in the process of being informed they are now without an NHS dentist.

NHS Orkney are assuring patients that they can provide emergency treatment in Kirkwall or Stromness, but stress that the former patients will not be eligible for routine dental work.

Moderator arrives for ten day visit

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland arrived in Orkney on Saturday for a ten day visit.

Among other things, the Rt Rev Dr Finlay Macdonald will officially open the renovated Firth Church at the celebration of its centenary.

Rt Rev Bruce Cameron, Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, head of the Episcopal Church in Scotland, was also in Orkney at the weekend.

Sanday runner to attempt treadmill world record

Orkney’s Sanday-based international ultra distance runner, William Sichel, is planning his first attempt at breaking a world record for the greatest distance run in 24 hours – on a treadmill.

William is hoping organise the attempt in November or December this year, and is keen to host the event in Kirkwall's Pickaquoy Centre.

The current world record for the greatest run in 24 hours on a treadmill that William will be attempting to beat is 105 miles.