Orkney Rugby Club's game against Highland, which was being replayed after being abandoned in September because the referee was injured, had referee problems again on Saturday.

This time the referee's flight from Edinburgh was affected by mechanical problems and permission had to be sought from the SRU to allow local referee Keith Hutchison to take charge.

The result of the game, which was at times a bad-tempered game, saw Orkney end victorious, beating the visitors by 25 points to 15.

Holm Sailing Club are in line to get a grant of £2,000 from Orkney Islands Council towards the cost of buying a new safety boat and trailer, along with radio equipment and safety gear.

The council’s recreation and cultural services committee have recommended that a sum of £2,000 be given towards the total cost of over £10,500.

Musical duo return to Orkney

A good night's entertainment is guaranteed this week when ever-popular duo Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham appear in Orkney at the end of the week.

The pair appear in Kirkwall on Friday night and in Stromness next Saturday in the Town Hall.

The Orkney Kidney Patients’ Association have launched a website to coincide with Kidney Awareness Week, which began on Saturday.

The website - www.okpa.co.uk - includes information on membership, the group itself, making donations, contact information and links to other kidney sites.

During this week the association will have information tables at Safeways and Woolworths in Kirkwall.

Reassurances given over Orkney's registrars

Each parish in Orkney will be able to retain its own registrar to record births, marriages and deaths, despite a move to classify the whole of Orkney as one single registration district.

Members of the OIC's environment, planning and protective services committee were given assurances this week that very effort would be made to replace local registrars if they gave up the job.

Officials in Orkney to investigate buoy explosion

Three officials from the Northern Lighthouse Board were in Orkney on Friday investigating the explosion at the Pole Star pier in Stromness.

The explosion in the large buoy store occurred while a contractor was carrying out work on a ten-foot buoy, converting it from acetylene gas to solar power.

Westray windmill heralds start of community power schemes

The first community facility in Orkney to have its own windmill to cut down on heating bills has just gone up in Westray.

The Westray Development Trust have used the Scottish Community Renewables Initiative to buy a two-and-a-half kilowatt machine to heat the Hofn youth centre in Pierowall village.

Energy from the windmill will be channeled into storage heaters and used as and when required.

Council recommend cash for Leith exhibition

A number of Orkney businesses will be taking part in a major exhibition in Leith at the end of May.

It was recommended this week that OIC's development committee should contribute£10,000 towards the cost at the International Festival of the Sea from May 23-26.

Among those planning to attend is the Longhope Lifeboat Museum Trust.

Inquiries are continuing today after the explosion at the Northern Lighthouse Board pier in Stromness on Thursday.

The area was cordoned off after the explosion, thought to have been caused when contractors were working on on a buoy. The roof of the building was damaged in the blast.

There were no injuries and the fire services were quickly on the scene.

Unemployment drops in February

Local unemployment dropped slightly in the last month, according to figures released yesterday.

The number of people out of work and claiming benefit in Orkney in mid-February was 276 - six less than the previous month. The new total was made up of 189 men and 87 women.

The current level of unemployment - a total of one more than February last year - represents 2.4 per cent of the possible workforce.

Orkney Islands Council are to write to NHS Orkney expressing concern over any threat to the current system of GP cover in Orkney.

The call was made at Thursday morning’s social services and housing committee meeting by Councillor Ann Sutherland, who felt that the council should reflect community fears.

The committee chairman, Councillor Keith Johnson, explained that the OIC chief executive was drafting a council response to the local health crisis.

More details needed before councillors agree to extra tourist board cash

Orkney Tourist Board have been asked to provide extra information to justify an increase in funding from the OIC.

£194,500 was the figure recommended to be given to the tourist board, but they made an additional request for £60,000.

But councillors said they would need more details on how the tourist board intended to spend the extra money.

OIC hub announcement delayed

An expected announcement on the future of the Scapa Flow container hub project has been delayed.

The Orkney Islands Council announcment is now expected next week.

Loganair resume Norway air service

A summer air service between Kirkwall and Norway is to restart in June.

From June 1 until Sepember 7, Loganair will fly from Kirkwall Airport on Sundays, leaving at 12.10 pm local time and arriving in Bergen at 2.40pm local time.

A Loganair spokeman said the cost of the return flight would stand at £189.

Fusion date for Former Runrig frontman

Former Runrig singer Donnie Munro is the latest act booked to play in Fusion, Kirkwall's new night club and music venue.

He is scheduled to appear at the Ayre Road club on Sunday, June 8 and tickets go on sale in Grooves on April 19.

Mr Neil Stevenson of Fusion said that the booking confirms his intention to feature a wide range of musical acts when the venue opens in May.

Stromness walkway taking shape

Work on the walkway on Wednesday.

Work on the new walkway to connect passengers to the MV Hamnavoe is progressing, with the main structure now in place.

Click the photograph for an enlargment.

OIC grants licences to horse-riding businesses

The two businesses - Ian Johnston, Easter Sands, Deerness and Sarah Reid, Cruan Grimbister - are the only ones of their kind in Orkney and the licence will allow them to operate anywhere in the county.

Great Western Road disturbance

A report is being submitted to the procurator fiscal following an incident on Kirkwall's Great Western Road on Tuesday night.

A man was arrested for breach of the peace outside Powerbowl around 9.25pm. He was taken to Kirkwall police station and later released.

Councillors defer decision on Finstown takeaway

Sydney Cottage, Firth - situated by the main Kirkwall-Stromness road

After concerns were raised about road safety, councillors want to visit the property - Sydney Cottage - as well as more time to discuss the plans and the space available for parking.

Executive announce capital allocations for NHS Orkney

NHS Orkney is to receive £460,000 from the Scottish Executive to improve hospital and primary care premises, and NHS equipment.

The funding, announced on Tuesday by Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm, is part of a £35 million increase in capital investment across Scotland.

Locally, NHS Orkney's allocation for capital investment will increase to £510,000 in 2004-05 and £560,000 in 2005-06.

Archaeological Trust name new trustees

They are solicitor Aly Bruce, Sigurd Towrie, journalist with a special interest in archaeology, and Caroline Wickham-Jones, a prominent freelance archaeologist.

County archaeologist Julie Gibson commented that the new trustees brought with them a wealth of knowledge in various fields.

Taste of the Andes comes to Orkney

A South American band are bringing a taste of the Andes to Orkney this week, appearing last night in Woodwick House, Evie and on Thursday in the Gable End Theatre, North Walls.

The band, who are perhaps best known for their work on the soundtrack of the award-winning film The Mission, have a repertoire that includes traditional South American music blended with European and African influences.

Thursday night's performance begins at 8pm in North Walls.

Councillors recommend arts development officer

Members of the OIC's recreation and cultural services committee are convinced that the cash outlay could be recouped by the extra grant aid and income that would result in having someone dedicated to getting more out of the arts in Orkney.

The appointment of an arts development officer was one of the main recommendations in the recently published Orkney Arts Strategy.

Orkney Maritime museum on the cards

Orkney could get its own maritime museum, with the OIC looking at three possible sites.

The old herring curing station at the Hall of Tankerness, Burwick farm in South Ronaldsay and the buildings at the Northern Lighthouse Depot in Stromness have all been suggested as possible venues.

A report on the cost of converting these buildings will be examined by the council's policy and resources committee at a later date.

April 21 date for Hamnavoe service

The Hamnavoe on her maiden trip to Stromness last year. (www.orkneyphotographic.co.uk)

NorthLink have confirmed that their ferry Hamnavoe will come into service at the end of April.

Work to allow the ferry, which has lain idle in Leith for five months, to use the existing Scrabster terminal is about to begin, although the company stress that this is "a short-term solution" to be used until the severely delayed new Scrabster terminal is completed.

A revised timetable for the Hamnavoe will be introduced from April 21.

Man charged over weekend assault

A man appeared from custody on Monday charged with assault and theft.

Antony Walter Leask (19) of Upper Crantit Road, Kirkwall, is charged with punching Ashley Crystal Nicholson on the Clay Loan around on Saturday. It is further alleged that Leask entered Mr Nicholson's house and stole a number of items.

The case was continued without plea until March 26, with Leask released on bail, on condition that he does not approach Mr Nicholson.

Coast to Coast travel initiative launched

A new tourism initiative was launched in Orkney Ferries Kirkwall office on Monday.

The Coast to Coast scheme aims to get more people to visit Orkney's north and south isles, by visiting at least three island, on a significantly reduced fare.

As visitors travel around Orkney, a special travel log will be stamped with a symbol representing each island's unique teu-name.

Youth issues to be tackled at conference

Entitled "It's doin' me head in", the event will focus on a variety of youth issues, from lack of money, bullying, and substance abuse to family problems or special needs.

MSP Jim Wallace will officially open the conference, which runs at the Pickaquoy Centre from 9am to 4.30pm on Friday.