Orkney Rugby Club's First XV lost to Cumnock 22-29 on Saturday afternoon, their first home game of the new season.

In what was generally an evenly matched game, the home side were unlucky not to take the game with today's strong winds one of the elements affecting play.

Waste reduction plans agreed by OIC

The proposals include new civic amenity sites, kerbside collections, composting initiatives and the appointment of two additional members of staff.

Among the proposals are the development of a new 'Orkney Zero Waste Centre' while the development of two new state-of-the-art amenity sites will allow the recycling of 600 tonnes of material every year.

Click here for full details.

Eday resident narrowly misses jail in national fraud case

An Eday resident narrowly escaped a jail sentence this week for her involvement in a national £3.5 million debt collection fraud.

The judge at Liverpool Crown Court said Maureen McHugh, of South Park, Eday, had been thoroughly dishonest but was an easily manipulated person. She was ordered to carry out 240 hours community service.

Described as the "criminal mastermind" behind the fraud, her husband, David McHugh, will be sentenced in two weeks.

The couple bought South Park in 2000, paying for the property with £33,000 cash produced from a plastic bag. They were later arrested when English police travelled to Orkney.

Archive story: English police travel to Eday to arrest recent arrivals

Man admits to assaulting police

Sentence has been deferred on a Kirkwall man who admitted assaulting three police officers.

Appearing from custody at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Friday, Christopher Lee Scott (32), of Eastabist, Kirkwall, pled guilty to assaulting one policeman, and struggling violently with two others.

Honorary Sheriff Bryan Clark released Scott on bail and deferred sentence on him until October 8 to obtain a social inquiry report.

Scanlon questions Minister on NHS Orkney funding

Mary Scanlon MSP

In the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, the Conservative MSP was told that although the Western Isles received funding of £1,650 per person, Orkney receives £1,185.

This £465 per person difference, said the Health Minister, was due to the Arbuthnott funding formula which takes into account age and levels of deprivation.

Mary Scanlon said: "The Minister's attempts to justify the £465 funding gap is another example of how the Executive is ignoring the under-funding issues that Orkney faces".

Finstown man admits to indecent photographs charge

Andrew Cooke (55) pled guilty to "taking or permitting to be taken or making 200 indecent photographs or pseudo-photos of children."

The case is being continued until October 1 for social inquiry and community service reports. Cooke was released on bail to his home address.

Detective Superintendent Gordon Urquhart said: "This was an Operation Ore case in relation to Northern Constabulary inquiries. There will be a number of these cases over the coming months."

Initiative launched to tackle sheep scab

The three-year project aims to reduce the incidence of sheep scab by promoting and supporting best practice, minimising the impacts of outbreaks and maximising the effects of preventative action.

By calling 0131 472 4031, farmers can receive a free pack of information, which includes details of SAC's free diagnostic service and technical information on disease identification and treatment.

Cash boost for cycling and walking projects in Orkney

The extra Scottish Executive funding, made available over two years, will enable the council to further develop and introduce projects such as cycle lanes and pedestrian footpaths and secure cycle storage at schools.

Stronsay ring fence exclusion boosts monk's dairy scheme

Papa Stronsay's monks might be able to progress their cheesemaking plans on Stronsay after a ground-breaking decision by island's councillors on Wednesday.

The monks faced difficulties in acquiring the necessary milk quota because of the Orkney Milk Quota Ring Fence which prevents the sale of quota into, or out of, Orkney. This scheme, councillors heard, was vital in maintaining the viability of the Orkney Creamery and the county's milk industry.

But OIC councillors at yesterday's development committee voted 6-3 to recommend that Stronsay be excluded from the Ring Fence, allowing potential dairy producers on the island to buy in quota.

Island partnership for European renewable energy cash?

Orkney could become the lead partner ­ alongside islands in Sweden and Denmark ­ in bidding for European cash for renewable energy projects.

Discussions have been ongoing for some time with contacts in Gotland and Samsoe about the possibility of a triple application for a variety of projects in each island.

OIC councillors at the development committee meeting heard today that the amount of cash being sought from Brussels would be in the region of £2.1-£2.8 million for each island.

Orkney College shines in further education report

Further education provision at Orkney College is well above the national average according to a report published recently.

The average pass rate at course module level for students was 82 per cent - much higher than the national figure of 74 per cent.

College principal Dr Bill Ross said: "I am very pleased that the statistical data in these performance indicators confirms the extremely positive findings of the HMI inspection of Orkney College in 2002."

CCTV back on the agenda

Plans to trial closed-circuit TV cameras in Kirkwall are back on the agenda, after members of the OIC's transportation committee voting 6-5 in favour of the proposal.

The committee's narrow vote of support yesterday came less than a week after the OIC's planning committee deferred the proposals, saying the process had been "rushed through" and that they wanted to identify sources of funding for the £9,000 project.

The proposal will now come before the policy and resources committee on September 23.

Increase in nominations for 2003 Orkney food 'Oscars'

This year's Taste of Orkney Gala Dinner is due to take place on Saturday, September 20.

Organisers Orkney Quality Food and Drink report a significant increase in nominations for the awards in the four categories of: Best Evening Meal, Best Lunch/High Tea. Best supplier, and Best Retailer.

Chairman Stewart Crichton commented: "It is great to see the large number of nominations, and the geographical spread throughout Orkney - many from the north and south isles as well as the Mainland."

Rural broadband in Orkney by 2005?

Initial pilots in five Scottish areas (including Westray and Papay) proved all the major principles underlying the project, allowing commercial rollout of the service to be planned.

As part of the £2.6M initial rollout, the service will be available to up to about 200 subscribers in many areas of Orkney by the end of 2004. Anyone interested in the new service, can register an interest at www.hie.co.uk/broadband.

Dounby butcher recognised at prestigious industry award

Elaine and Laura Venebles and Ann Donahoe receiving their awards

The Dounby retailer's butcher beat off competition from over 200 butchers across Scotland to walk away with the prize in the Quality Meat Scotland and Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Associations' 'Make It With Meat' awards.

Automatic renewal for concessionary travel scheme

Orkney residents with concessionary travel cards can expect them to be renewed automatically before the end of September.

Holders of travel passes for Orkney Disability Forum's Dial-A-Bus service can also expect to receive new cards in the post within the next couple of weeks.

The OIC's transportation committee also confirmed today that the free travel entitlement on the internal air and ferry services should change from one return trip per month to twelve per year.

Court appearance in connection with weekend house fire

A man appeared from custody at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Monday in connection with a fire at a house in St Ola at the weekend.

James Dunnett (41), who appeared in private before Sheriff Colin Scott Mackenzie, made no plea or declaration.

He was remanded in custody.

Views invited on NHS kidney transplant proposals

The planned relocation is due to the retiral of the Aberdeen transplant surgeon this year. The number of transplants carried out at ARI has dropped to ten a year - a number that makes it impossible for other surgeons to develop and maintain the skills for the specialised surgery.

NHS Grampian propose extend the current arrangement with the Edinburgh Transplant Unit, so that all these operations are carried out in Edinburgh, with patients transferred back to Aberdeen for further care.

Site Link: Orkney Kidney Patients Association

Scallop ban imposed

Ban Area - click the image for an enlargement.

The food standards agency have banned the lifting of King Scallops from an area of Orkney.

The ban, which came into effect at 5pm yesterday, affects Box 11 - an area covering eastern Westray Shapinsay, Stronsay, Eday and the south of Sanday.

The ban follows the detection of high levels of Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) toxins in samples.

Australian tourist coach crashes en route to Orkney

A coach carrying Australian tourists to Orkney crashed on Monday afternoon near Bettyhill in Sutherland.

Four people with serious injuries were airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness while a seriously injured man was transferred to Caithness General Hospital. Around 20 passengers are described as "walking wounded".

It is understood that around 46 tourists were on the coach which apparently went off the road ending up in a ditch.

Sichel gets Great Britain call-up

William qualified for consideration for selection after competing in Basle, Switzerland last May, where he covered 135.9 miles to finish fourth overall. His best performance for three years, this was considered good enough to earn selection.

The event, on October 11/12, will be William's 11th appearance representing Great Britain.

Pedestrian hospitalised after Junction Road incident

A man was taken to Kirkwall's Balfour Hospital on Sunday after being knocked unconscious by a car.

The incident occurred on Kirkwall's Junction Road in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A police spokesman said this morning that the man's condition was not thought to be serious. Police inquiries are continuing.

Metalworking and mystery as another Minehowe excavation ends

Excavating the metalworking building at Minehowe

This year's excavation returned to the metalworking area outside the mound's ditch and uncovered a wealth of finds including a sword pommel and ingot mould. One of the more puzzling discoveries was the remains of a baby found in a late Iron Age stone lined pit.

Orkney Archaeological Trust's Nick Card said: "The emphasis here is on just how important this site was in the Iron Age. It must be the best preserved metalworking site anywhere in Britain."

2001