Successful Spring Fair for Orkney jewellery firms

Orkney jewellery firm Ortak have secured a “substantial” deal with a national department store.

Ortak was one of four Orkney jewellery companies exhibiting at the Birmingham Spring Fair this week to come away with orders and additional contacts. Others included Ola Gorie, Sheila Fleet Jewellery and Aurora Jewellery.

Orkney has highs and lows for refuse disposal

Orkney is the most expensive place per premise in Scotland to dispose of refuse, according to latest figures from the Accounts Commission.

In 2000/2001, the gross cost of disposing of refuse per premise in the county was £101.87. Orkney had the second highest cost for collection at £67.30 per premise, just behind the Western Isles at £71.94.

However the county can claim to recycle among the highest percentages of household waste in the country. In 2000/2001 16 per cent was recycled from Orkney, second only to Perth and Kinross with 17.9 per cent.

Norwegians attempt to reclaim islands

The Orkney Isles - pawned to Scotland by Norway as a royal dowry in 1468 - should be returned to their rightful owners, according to a group in Norway.

Vinjammer’s Friends want to see the flag of Norway flying over the Northern Isles again and have written to the Norwegian Minister for Foreign Affairs calling for a return of their former territories.

Full story

Minor injuries after swan strikes school bus

A swan collided with a school bus near the Fossil Centre in Burray on Wednesday afternoon.

The bird flew into the Orkney Coaches bus, shattering the window above the driver's head, causing minor injuries to him and two pupils.

Wallace named Scottish Politician of the Year

Orkney MSP and Scottish Deputy First Minister, Mr Jim Wallace, has been voted Scottish Politician of the Year in a poll of MSPs run by Channel 4 news.

Mr Wallace received his award on Wednesday at a ceremony in London.

Merry Dancers perform in night sky

The Aurora over Rousay. Picture by John Vetterlein

The Northern Lights put on an exceptional display on Tuesday night with the skies over Orkney shimmering with colour. And there could be more to come.

Rousay astronomer Mr John Vetterlein said there were two peaks of activity, one at 8pm followed by a more dramatic display at 9.30pm.

He added that further displays were likely over the next few nights because of the sun’s current intense activity.

New Episcopalian rector installed

The new rector of the Scottish Episcopal Church in Orkney, Reverend Alison Duff, was installed into her charge at a service in Kirkwall on Wednesday night.

The Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney and Primus, the Most Reverend Bruce Cameron, performed the ceremony.

Reverend Duff is the first full time rector for the churches of St Olaf’s in Kirkwall and St Mary’s in Stromness since the Reverend John Morson left Orkney more than a year ago.

Burgar Hill generators.

Orkney could become an exporter of energy in the future, if plans to expand wind power go ahead.

National Windpower want to put three extra wind turbines on Burgar Hill, Evie, where three are already in place, with four more planned for the Orphir. They say more could follow.

The projects will have to get planning permission from Orkney Islands Council.

SAC awarded £117,000 contract to design livestock transport cassettes

The company who developed the idea of using livestock “cassettes” for ferry travel, has awarded the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) with the £117,000 contract to design the livestock transport system for the Orkney and Shetland ferries.

Orkney Marine Logistics, whose managing director, Mr David Laidlow, first mooted the innovative livestock modules, has awarded the contract to the SAC, who say their combination of skills in engineering, animal welfare and veterinary science mean they are well placed to design the system.

More details in this week's The Orcadian
Archive Stories:Executive back NorthLink livestock transport system
NorthLink unveil cattle "cassettes"

Auction Mart confirm livestock cassette talks are under way

Orkney Auction Mart have confirmed they are in talks with NorthLink over the funding and running of the proposed cassette system for livestock transport.

Mart chairman Mr Michael Cursiter said on Tuesday: “We are looking at the project and discussions are on-going, but there's nothing decided. We hope that we can pull off the whole deal, but there’s too much in the air at the moment.”

However he was able to offer reassurance to Orkney farmers concerned there would not be an adequate shipping service this autumn: “We have a contingency plan, he said. “There’s a lot of work going on in the background to make sure that a shipping service is in place this year.”

National and international news now on The Orcadian Online

A new addition to The Orcadian Online was launched this week, bringing national and world news to visitors, as well as their regular Orkney news updates.

The service, provided in association with The Scotsman newspaper, gives website visitors instant access to the top news headlines of the day - from Scotland, the UK and worldwide.

The day's top headlines will appear daily in the homepage's left column, with full Scottish, UK and international news in a new dedicated section.

Orkney's fishing industry got a welcome boost this week with more than £20,000 in the form of Scottish Executive and European Union grants.

Westray Processors are to get £15,225 for a crab leg meat extractor, while R & M Norquoy, Kirkwall have received a £5,320 award for vessel improvements.

The grants were part of a £6.8 million package announced this week by Scots Minister for Environment and Rural Development Ross Finnie.

Man remains in custody after Bridge Street incident

A St Ola man was remanded in custody on Monday after a private appearance at Kirkwall Sheriff Court.

Kevin Barry Casey (21), of Gaitnip Farm, St Ola, appeared from custody in relation to an incident in Bridge Street, Kirkwall, on Friday.

He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

A Trust on North Ronaldsay have been awarded £50,835 to help them buy the island's lighthouse buildings.

The Trust plan to use the money from the National Lottery New Opportunities Fund to renovate the buildings and establish a range of facilities, including self-catering accommodation, a gallery, craft business and a workshop.

The automated lighthouse will continue to be owned and operated by the Northern Lighthouse Board.

A feasibility study into the creation of a credit union in Orkney has been given the green light after financial backing from the Scottish Executive.

Voluntary Action Orkney, who are leading the initiative, have already secured some funding for the £8,873 study from Communities Scotland, formerly Scottish Homes, and Orkney Enterprise.

But the announcement that the Scottish Executive will provide the final part of the package means the study, to assess the level of interest and support for a credit union in Orkney, can get under way immediately.

A group of parents met with islands' council representatives yesterday to discuss their concerns about proposed redundancies at Kirkwall Swimming Pool.

Last week a petition was raised by parents protesting at the loss of pool attendants at Kirkwall Swimming Pool, which, they say, will compromise child safety.

The parents met with Orkney Island Councils recreation officer, Mr Kieran Henderson and assistant director of education and recreational services, Mr Alan Clouston.

Man treated for injuries after alleged assault

A man was taken to Balfour Hospital for treatment after sustaining serious head and facial injuries after an alleged serious assault in Kirkwall on Friday night.

The alleged incident took place outside the Torvhaug Inn in Bridge Street. Police are asking any witnesses to contact them on 872241.

February dates for The Fellowship of the Ring

The long-awaited first episode of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic The Lord of the Rings reaches Orkney later this month.

The Fellowship of the Rings, the much-acclaimed first episode of the trilogy is due to be shown at Kirkwall's New Phoenix Cinema from February 15.

Contact the Pickaquoy Centre on 879900 for more details.

Drugs advisor moves to county following successful Executive bid

A woman has been appointed to tackle the problem of drug and alcohol abuse among young people in the islands.

Following a successful bid to the Scottish Executive for £90,000 over the next three years, Mrs Fiona Mathieson, has been appointed the new young people’s advisor in Orkney.

Mrs Mathieson (31) comes to Orkney from Worcestershire where she was part of the community drug team. Prior to that, she worked for the Tower Hamlets Drug Team in London.