Double victory to Shetland in inter-county

It was a night of disappointment for Orkney on Friday as the senior football and hockey teams lost out.

In the Milne Cup football fixture, the score at full-time was 1-1, but during extra time Shetland managed another two goals to make the final score 3-1.

In hockey's Lady Hamilton cup another full time draw meant extra time. Shetland won 4-2 after extra time and penalty strokes.

Airlift drama fisherman expected home

An Orkney fisherman was expected to be discharged from hospital in Stornoway on Friday after being airlifted from his vessel last week with chest pains.

John W. Drever, skipper of the Arkh Angell, was on board the boat three miles west of the Flannan Isles last Thursday when they issued a call for medical assistance.

Stornoway's coastguard search and rescue helicopter went to the scene and airlifted Mr Drever to the Western Isles General Hospital.

New climate predictions for Orkney

A report on the effect of climate change on the Scottish islands was published on Thursday, forecasting dramatic changes in Orkney's weather over the coming decades.

The report, by the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research, says that by the end of the century Orkney's annual average temperatures could rise by 2 degrees C.

Summer rainfall in Orkney will decrease by 27 per cent, with winter rainfall increasing by ten per cent as snowfall averages decrease by 89 per cent.

Net sea levels are expected to rise between nine to 69 cm (3.5-27 inches).

Man dies in Kirkwall house fire

A man died in a house fire in Kirkwall's Nicolson Street in the early hours of Thursday morning..

Stewart Ritchie (34) was removed from the burning house at 2 Nicolson Street and taken to Balfour Hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

The alarm was raised at 3.35am and three fire engines attended the blaze. A police spokesman said that inquiries were continuing.

Lee is "Big Brither" winner

The winner of the Big Brither Hoose was announced on Wednesday night in the Town Garden in Stromness.

Lee Seator, 29, from Stromness, fought her way through the challenges in the 'Big Brither Hoose' all day before eventually winning the competition.

She was ecstatic when she spoke to The Orcadian: “It’s almost overwhelming. I just entered for a laugh!”

The organisers of the event are thrilled with the response from the public, and said: “The house mates were all fabulous.”

Dolphin pod spotted in Flow

A sighting of over 40 dolphins was reported in Scapa Flow on Wednesday morning.

The large group of dolphins was seen swimming between Houton in Orphir and Cava from the South Isles ferry Hoy Head.

The ferry crew commented that it was the biggest number of dolphins they had seen together at one time in Scapa Flow.

The return of the Skald festival

Among other things, throughout the weekend eight to ten invited writers will carry out workshops for budding authors to learn more about the techniques involved in writing a short story, a novel or poetry.

Skald 2003 follows the success of a similar event in 2001. Tickets for the various events are now on sale from Orkney Tourist Board and the Ferry Terminal Building in Stromness.

Slight drop in Orkney's population

Orkney's population has dropped over the last year ­ by 0.1 per cent. Statistics from the Highlands and Islands monthly economic review reveal that the estimated population on June 30, 2001, was 19,220.

But by June 30, 2002, that figure had dropped by ten to 19,210 ­ a change of 0.1 per cent.

Stromness housemates enter the Shopping Week "Big Brither Hoosie"

Ten people entered the Stromness Shopping Week "Big Brither Hoosie" on Wednesday morning, for a day under the watchful eye of the townsfolk.

On a slightly smaller scale than fellow Stromnessian Cameron Stout, the ten (Adrian Harray, Tracy Coffey, Viv Henderson, Lee Seator, Georgette Herd, Robert Macnamara, Anne Stockan, Debbie Walters, Caroline Walters and Terry Todd Snr) spent the day in the "hoosie" located in the Stromness Town House garden.

Members of the public voted the housemates out throughout the day, the eventual winner announced by Doris Stout at 7.15pm.

Full details in this week's The Orcadian

Men transferred to Balfour after Harray road accident

Two men were taken to Kirkwall's Balfour Hospital on Monday after their car left the road near Howan in Harray.

The car came to rest in a field, but the men were not seriously injured and later discharged from hospital.

A report is being submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Wallace received assurances over US "Ghost Fleet"

Orkney MSP Jim Wallace been assured that safety will be paramount if the US US "Ghost Fleet" travel through the Pentland Firth.

This follows local concerns about plans to tow the redundant US naval ships, thought to contain toxic chemicals, through the Pentland Firth so they can be broken up in England.

Mr Wallace was told that if an application was made, and the ships are likely to transit through the Pentland Firth, the Coastguard may also arrange a passive escort by the emergency tug stationed in the Northern Isles.

Full details in this week's The Orcadian

Man in court after alleged dangerous driving episode

Kenneth Logie Pottinger (43), of Millburn, Sandwick, appeared from custody following an alleged case of erratic driving on the Stromness to Kirkwall road on Saturday.

Pottinger was released on bail on the condition that he does not drive before his next court appearance on August 13.

Full details in this week's The Orcadian

Police seize counterfeit money

A report is being sent to the procurator fiscal, after police seized a quantity of counterfeit money in Kirkwall at the weekend.

A police spokesman said that the counterfeit notes were handed over at a number of shops in Kirkwall but that shopkeepers easily determined that the money was fake and reported the matter.

“It was brought to out attention very quickly. We are confident that there will be no more counterfeit notes in circulation,” a police spokesman said.

Week of St Magnus Festival programmes on Radio 3

A week of programmes recorded at this year's St Magnus Festival were broadcast on Radio 3 this week.

Starting at 11.30am, Morning Performance will feature performances by Angela Hewitt, Paul Walkins and the BT Scottish Ensemble.

2001