Orkney Rugby Club's start to the new season didn't go well today with a crushing 87-7 defeat in Caithness.

The club's first national Division Four (North) game was against Caithness - a side promoted to division four last year - and saw the Orkney field a number of players making their first appearance in the First XV.

Orkney's try came from Stewart Spence, which was then converted by Marty Snell.

Riders gather for two day motocross event

The visiting riders joined the 50 or so local club members competing for the Rob Mitchell Memorial Cup and trophies.

Racing started on the Heddle Hill, Firth, on Saturday and continued at Norton in Burray on Sunday.

Police arrest two in connection with Kirkwall break-in

A police spokesman confirmed that a quantity of stolen items have been recovered and that a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

Longhope lifeboat assists in Pentland search

The Longhope lifeboat was launched on Thursday night to assist in a search for a missing fisherman in the Pentland Firth.

The Caithness man went out in his 12 foot creel boat at 2.30pm on Thursday but the alarm was raised when he failed to return. The boat was later found.

The Longhope lifeboat was stood down around 1am but the Thurso lifeboat continued the search on Friday.

Champions at September Spectacular

Orkney's farmers have had a successful time at Aberdeen and Northern Mart's annual September Spectacular.

One of the top prices for an Orkney animal came from a Belgian Blue cross from Cogle and Company, Newbigging South Ronaldsay.

The first prize senior steer was a cross-bred steer from Liam Muir, Midhouse, Harray. The animal, which was champion and the County Show, sold for £820.

Successful year for Orkney Auction Mart

Members at last night's AGM were told that with a £98,566 profit on operating activities, the mart had made a profit of £38,172.

Chairman Michael Cursiter and vice-chairman Jim Seatter were re-elected unopposed.

Closing date on GMB house

George Mackay Brown's former residence in Stromness

The former home of Orcadian writer George Mackay Brown was expected to have a new owner from Friday.

The Stromness property of 3 Mayburn Court has stood empty since the writer and poet died in 1996.

The closing date for the property was noon on Friday, with sellers Lows Orkney saying there has been considerable interest in the property.

Pensioners in line for increase in Christmas bonus

If implemented the recommended rise of £10 will see about 4,400 people in the islands eligible for the £40 council handout.

Councillor Mike Drever said at the social work and housing meeting on Thursday: “I think you should be quite clear this is not going to alleviate poverty. It is a nice little bonus at that time of the year.”

Councillors lend support to Picky Centre Trust members

Exact details of these "issues" have not been disclosed but it is thought they could related to the centre's financial situation.

An OIC spokesman confirmed that a Best Value review of the centre and its operation will be completed around October and that councillors will also look at other ways to support the Trust.

Finstown restaurant plans approved

Sydney Cottage, Firth

A new restaurant and takeaway on the outskirts of Finstown has been given the green light by OIC councillors.

Councillors had previously deferred a decision on the plans for Sydney Cottage, Firth, after concerns were raised about road safety and space available for parking.

But the amended plans were approved at yesterday's meeting of the environment, planning and protective services committee.

Scottish Water unveil £9 million investment in Orkney water systems

The investment, they say, will significantly improve service to customers by replacing old and unreliable pipes and treatment works, providing better quality drinking water and cleaning-up coastal waters.

Among the projects is the continuation of the Kirbister and Boardhouse loch treatment works upgrades as well as a £2 million project to lay an undersea pipeline from Hoy to Flotta to supply the oil terminal.

OIC defer Kirkwall CCTV trial

A number of local organisations gave their backing to the plans, which would see cameras set up in from October to the end of December this year.

But members at Wednesday morning’s environment, planning and protective services committee felt that the process had been "rushed through" and they wanted to identify sources of funding for the £9,000 project.

Stronsay wind turbine plans delayed

The application for another six wind turbines was withdrawn for amendment prior to the meeting of the OIC planning committee.

The amended application will come before councillors at a later date.

Northern Maritime Corridor proposal outlined at science festival

A group of European countries have come together to look at ways to increase traffic along the route from northern Norway and north-west Russia to Greenland. Scapa Flow, lies in a key strategic position on this route.

Representatives met as part of this week's International Science Festival in Kirkwall.

Dounby win but Rovers take the league

Dounby beat Rovers 3-1 on Tuesday in the final match of the Dounby Stores 'A' League.

But despite the defeat, Rovers were celebrating as they have won this year's Dounby Stores 'A' League competition.

New faces on Orkney Enterprise board

Mr Halcro-Johnston is a former Highlands and Islands Enterprise board member while Mr Marwick is a director of RM Computing (Orkney) Ltd. They replace deputy chairman Stephen Hagan and former chairman Ken Watson, who retired at the last month board meeting.

Edgar Balfour of Orkney Meat has been appointed Orkney Enterprise's deputy chairman.

Scapa Flow hub plans revealed

The ideas from International Container Hubs Ltd show a "production line" approach to transhipping containers to and from vessels carrying as many as 12,500 containers.

Target date for completion of the £500 million project, if the planning stages are completed on time, is the end of 2007 according to George Keith, ICHL project manager.

The company intend to present their master plan to Orkney Islands Council by Christmas.

Earl of Wessex visits Orkney

The Earl of Wessex, HRH Prince Edward, paid a brief visit to Orkney on Tuesday, carrying out a series of official engagements in the county.

The Earl visited the new Orkney Library and archive on Junction Road before travelling to the new Hatston terminal for an official opening ceremony.

His visit ended at Orkney College, where he officially opened the new college extension.

Peerie Sea eel fishing trial given green light

A six-week commercial eel fishing trial in Kirkwall's Peerie Sea has been given the go-ahead.

Members of Orkney Islands Council's recreational and cultural services committee meeting on Monday agreed to grant the temporary trial.

With an estimated ten tonnes of eel in the Peerie Sea, the trial will see underwater traps placed in the water to trap the eels, some of which are reported to measure up to one metre in length.

Interim chief executive arrives to take over the helm at NHS Orkney

Mr Paul Martin is taking the helm at NHS Orkney while chief executive Judi Wellden is on indefinite sick leave.

The chief executive of Highland Primary Care NHS Trust, Mr Martin will spend a month in Orkney, thereafter working an average two days a week in the county.

Minister opens NHS learning centre

Jim Wallace and Frank Pignatelli, chief executive of learndirect scotland (right) at the opening of the new NHS learning centre on Friday.

NHS Orkney staff can now learn new skills and advance their education and training following the opening of a new learning centre in Kirkwall.

Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace officially opened the Balfour Hospital learning centre on Friday..

The learning centre was equipped with £44,000 of funding from the Capital Modernisation Fund and includes nine laptop computers and access via the Internet to the NHS e-library.

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