Sheltered housing warden service unchanged

Councillors agreed this week to recommend that no charge be introduced for housing support services, with community social services continuing to provide and manage the wardens.

Second Kirkwall anti-war protest

Like the demonstration held a few weeks ago, protestors gathered outside St Magnus Cathedral between 12 noon and 1pm.

Orkney businessman invited to national final after scooping business award

A young Orkney-based entrepreneur is preparing to head south next weekend determined to beat 14 other entrants to become 'Champion of Champions' in the Shell Livewire Business Growth Challenge.

Shaun Geddes, who runs a successful scallop diving firm, was named as one of the top performers at a recent Livewire event and has now been invited back to compete in the champions event.

Councillors look at funding advocacy service

Members of the social work committee heard this week that National Lottery funding for an advocacy service, currently run within Voluntary Action Orkney, is due to end on December 31, this year.

Councillors agreed to delegate powers to the chairman, director and vice-chairman of social work to maintain an advocacy service with the resources available.

Dingieshowe vandalism mars 'reasonable' Hallowe'en revelry

However, they are seeking information after the toilets at Dingieshowe in Deerness were extensively damaged by vandals and a wheelie bin outside set on fire and destroyed.

"This wasn't trick or treat," said Police Inspector David Miller, "it's wanton vandalism and won't be tolerated."

Councillor hits out at 'sham' consultation over Stromness depot

The Northern Lighthouse Board's consultation on the proposed closure of Stromness depot has been described as a sham.

Speaking on behalf of the co-ordinating committee campaigning to keep the depot open, Orkney Islands Councillor John Brown said he was "absolutely disgusted" that the NLB were not extending the consultation period.

"I am left with no other conclusion that the existing consultation process is little more than a sham and I think it is a disgraceful way for the board to treat a community which has supported it for many years."

Flotta council houses could go on market

Eight council houses on Flotta are likely to come on the market – if they remain empty of tenants for three months.

Councillors at Thursday’s housing meeting heard that over the past ten years, Orkney Islands Council had experienced difficulty in letting vacant properties at the Burnside scheme on the island because of low demand.

While some may go up for sale, councillors also agreed to recommend that ten other properties within the same scheme stay under council ownership.

Changes proposed to housing allocation procedures

The way Orkney’s diminishing stock of council houses are allocated could change soon.

The present first-come-first-served policy is likely to be altered to an allocation method based on need, councillors agreed in principle on Thursday at the OICl’s housing meeting.

Orkney’s assistant housing director, Mr John Richards said: “Points would be given for various factors. We must change the current system to satisfy the regulator.”

Shortlist for 2002 sporting awards

To shortlist of nominations for the 2002 Orkney Sporting Awards has been drawn up, with the cream of Orkney’s sporting personalities to be honoured next week, when the annual awards buffet dance takes place.

And there is no shortage of deserving trophy winners nominated, as the shortleet of nominations proves....

Click here for full details and list of nominees

November decision on Atlantic oil contract

Flotta oil terminal should find out this month whether they’ve won the right to handle productions from the Atlantic Foinaven and Schiehallion fields.

The terminal submitted a bid in September for both fields, competing with Shetland’s Sullom Voe terminal.

Both contracts come to an end early next year and the business is currently split between the terminals with Flotta taking the Foinaven oil using shuttle tankers.

Deadly seal virus confirmed in Orkney

Fears that a deadly seal virus had spread to Orkney were confirmed on Wednesday, with test results on a seal’s carcass showing it died of Phocine Distemper Virus (PDV).

Ross Flett from Orkney Seal Rescue confirmed that the seal, which was discovered near the Houton ferry terminal in Orphir, had died of the virus - Orkney’s first victim of the latest PDV outbreak.

Anyone discovering a seal carcass is asked to contact Orkney Seal Rescue (831463) or local SSPCA officer Mike Lynch (761267).

Archive story: Orkney alert after seal virus confirmed in UK
SSPCA dismiss reported culling scheme

Abattoir building work falls behind

Construction work on the abattoir at Orkney Meat has fallen slightly behind, councillors heard on Wednesday.

Officials told councillors at Wednesday's meeting of Orkney Island Council’s development committee that work on a £2.3 million refurbishment of the 20-year-old building at Orkney Meat had fallen four weeks behind.

Archive story: Executive boost for £2.3m Orkney Meat redevelopment plan

Youth jailed for financing Orkney drug import scheme

A youth who financed a drug deal to bring Ecstasy tablets into Orkney was jailed for four years at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

Nineteen-year-old Mohammed Hussain (also known as Dillowar) put up cash to import the drug into the county after realising the drug was not available in the islands.

Hussain, of Albany Terrace, Oban, attended school in Kirkwall for a number of years.

Tin shed jibe at Pier Arts Centre redevelopment

Architect's model of the proposed new extension to the Pier Arts Centre

Redevelopment plans for the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness had a rough ride at this week's OIC planning committee meeting with one councillor describing the new extension as a tin shed.

As a result, the application went to a vote on Tuesday, but got through and will now be subject to a certain amount of "fine tuning."

The glass and zinc extension, and the frontage onto Victoria Street caused the most controversy, prompting Councillor Keith Johnson to ask why the committee should allow a "corrugated shed" to be built in a conservation area.

Archive story: Ambitious £4.2 plans revealed for Pier Arts Centre

Burray turbine plans approved

Islands councillors have approved plans to erect a 70 metre high wind turbine in Burray.

The planning application was lodged by Mr Albert Spence, Northfield Farms, Northfield and at Tuesday's meeting of the environment, planning and protective services committee, councillors went with the official recommendations to approve the project.

Mart livestock facility gains backing of councillors

Orkney Auction Mart's plans for the construction of a handling facility for the new livestock 'modules' got the backing of OIC councillors this week.

The proposed site at Hatston, to the north-west of the mart and linking to the marshalling area at the new ferry terminal, would be able to accommodate up to 60 modules.

Another blow for Groattie Hoose relocation plans

The Groattie Hoose in Kirkwall

Kirkwall Community Council’s hopes of relocating the Groattie Hoose were dealt another blow on Monday when they learned their first application for financial assistance had been rejected.

After applying for a heritage grant of £71,651, they were told this was in excess of the £50,000 maximum. They now have to reapply under a different grant scheme.

The spire of the folly, found at the rear of Garden’s bakery in Kirkwall, was built from the ballast in Pirate Gow’s ship, which ran aground on the Calf of Eday in 1725.

MP presses for improved air links

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, pressed the case for air services to the isles in the House Commons this week.

Mr Carmichael was making the most of Tuesday's debate on regional air services to get a better deal for the Northern Isles.

Rugby club call on supporters for 'David v Goliath' clash

Orkney Rugby Club are calling on their supporters for the BT Cup game against First Division side Heriot's FP RFC on Saturday afternoon.

The game kicks off at Heriot's FP's Edinburgh ground, Goldenacre, at 2pm and is regarded by many as the biggest match in the Orkney club's history.

The club are expecting a large group of supporters to travel down for the match, but are appealing for any ex-pat Orcadians to try and get along to support their team.

Tourist brochure will be home produced

The new brochure for the Orkney Tourist Board will be produced locally.

The brochure has been produced by an Edinburgh-based firm for the past two years, but the contract for the 2004 and 2005 brochures has been won by The Orcadian.

Meanwhile, the 2003 brochure will be launched at the World Travel Market exhibition in London, which runs from November 11-14.