Cumbernauld beat Orkney First XV

Orkney Rugby Club's First XV lost to Cumbernauld on Saturday, their latest Division Four North fixture.

The Orkney team put in plenty of effort, but mistakes made cost them the game 31-19.

CNN film crew in the county

Recording footage of renewable energy sites across the world, the network plans to include Orkney's Marine Energy Test Centre in Stromness and the wind turbines on Burgar Hill.

The programme is due to be screened later this year.

Katie is Newcastle bound for Great North Run

Orcadian athlete Katie Foulis was among those participating in one of the UK's most famous races on Sunday.

Katie was one of 47,000 runners in Sunday's Great North Run in Newcastle.

Her 13 mile run was to raise money for Orkney's Macmillan Cancer Relief Fund.

Visitors urged to "Discover Rousay"

An event promoting the delights of Rousay took place this weekend.

Entitled "Discover Rousay", the two-day event began on Saturday and aims to get visitors to the island and show exactly what Rousay has to offer.

Among the scheduled events is a meal and dance as well as a tour of Trumland gardens and the island's rich archaeological heritage.

Lottery cash for Orkney groups

Two Orkney groups will benefit from a package of Lottery grants announced on Friday.

Stromness Flower Club received £4,568 and the Orkney Traditional Dance association receives £900 from the Awards for All community fund.

Kirkwall artist helps launch Channel 4 initiative

Entitled, IdeasFactory: Highlands and Islands, the initiative aims to encourage young people to take up a career in the Highlands and Islands.

The all-day event takes place in the Inverness Eastgate Centre on Saturday, September 27.

Visit the official Ideasfactory website.

Event cements relations between Scotland and Catalunya

Orkney MSP Jim Wallace headed a major trade and tourism drive in Spain. "Scotland with Catalunya" which ran until Saturday.

Among the Scottish firms involved were Orkney Herring Co Ltd, Grimbister Farm Cheese and Orkney Creamery Fudge.

The event aimed to build upon a co-operative agreement between the Scottish Executive and the Catalan government.

Orkney must make transport views known says Wallace

The consultation seeks views on a proposed national transport body, which would take strategic decisions, and on how local transport can best be controlled.

Mr Wallace said: "But of course, from an Orkney perspective, the internal transport services and the lifeline air and sea links with the south are always going to be the most important transport issues. The Scottish Executive seeks views on how they should be delivered."

Download: Scotland's Transport - Proposals for a New Approach to Transport in Scotland

Executive rejects £1.5 million health board cash plea

NHS Orkney could again be facing dire financial consequences with the Scottish Executive's refusal to hand over a £1.5 million bridging loan.

The Orcadian revealed earlier this year that NHS Orkney had to make savings of £2.5 million over the next five years to remain within budget.

This means that although NHS Orkney has already achieved £400,000 of savings, it would be overspent by £1.5 million in the current financial year if no further action was taken.

Flotta may lose permanent doctor

Attempts to recruit a GP for Flotta have been unsuccessful, so NHS Orkney are to consider a new approach to health care on the island.

Among the options being considered is to provide a resident nurse on the island, with GP cover for the population of 80 coming from a Mainland practice.

Mixed report for Peedie Breeks nursery

Kirkwall's Peedie Breeks nursery has received a mixed report from the HM Inspectorate of Education and the Care Commission.

Key strengths highlighted were the caring and welcoming environment created by the staff; the positive social interaction of children; the links with parents and carers and the support for children requiring extra help in their learning.

Areas the Inspectorate said needed improvement included staff interaction with the children to extend and stimulate learning and better use of space.

No suspicious circumstances surrounding Sanday death

Police confirmed today that they believe there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding a sudden death in Sanday last week.

Two officers travelled out to the island last Friday night following the death of a 39-year-old man.

Rugby women seek more players

Women's rugby in Kirkwall was launched a few months ago, and although the numbers have steadily improved, the organisers are still looking for more players - particularly as they are hoping to hold a touch-rugby tournament later this month.

The club meets at Pickaquoy on Tuesdays at 6pm.

Two treated for injuries after Kirkwall road accident

A report is being submitted to the procurator fiscal after a two vehicle road accident in Kirkwall in the early hours of this morning.

The incident occurred on Kirkwall's Junction Road, and saw two cars collide at the junction of the Victoria Street car park. Two people were treated in hospital for minor injuries.

Anyone who witnessed the accident, or events leading up to it, is asked to contact Kirkwall police on 872241.

Traffic calming measures planned for main road past Maeshowe

Maeshowe, Stenness

Traffic calming measures along the Kirkwall to Stromness road past Maeshowe are due to begin in late autumn.

Historic Scotland plan to create one single crossing point from Tormiston Mill to the 5,000-year-old monument. Other measures will include warning signs on either side of the mill and the road coated with a coloured anti-skid surface.

Work on the accident blackspot is expected to take three or four weeks.

Festival establishes Orkney as international platform

Festival Director Howie Firth thanked the people of Orkney, the event’s sponsors and everyone who helped behind the scenes for making this year’s event so successful.

With preparations already under way for next year’s festival, Mr Firth said the 2003 event had taken a significant step forward over previous years’ events.

HIE launches wireless broadband company

HI-WIDE Ltd has been created by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in response to an increasing need for broadband in areas where ADSL broadband cannot be supplied.

Two project field officers have been appointed by HI-WIDE and will start work with communities developing the local wireless networks next month.

HIE and the European Union have provided £2.6million to connect 50 remote communities during 2004.

Archive story: Rural broadband in Orkney by 2005?

TV Licence evaders warned to beware

Television licence evaders are being warned to "get one or get done" with a dedicated task force due to arrive in Orkney shortly.

In the UK it is illegal to install or use any equipment to receive television programmes without a licence.

Inspectors will be visiting the county with new detector vans, capable of telling if an unlicensed TV is in use in as little as 20 seconds.

Nine schools affected by strike action

Nine nursery schools across Orkney and 179 children were affected by strike action this week - as nursery nurses step up their campaign for better pay and conditions.

Around 25 nursery nurses were due to walk out on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Schools affected were Evie, Firth, St Margaret's Hope, Orphir, Papdale, Stenness, Stromness and Stronsay. Pierowall Junior High School was only closed on Tuesday.

Police investigate Sanday sudden death

Kirkwall police are investigating the sudden death of a man on Sanday at the weekend.

Two officers travelled out to the island on Friday night following the death of the 39-year-old man.

A post mortem was due to be carried out in Inverness on Monday.

Sentence deferred on Evie drink driver

An Evie man appeared from custody at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Monday and admitted driving while more than three times the legal alcohol limit.

Richard William Spence (36), Varmahdi, Evie, pled guilty to driving while over the limit near Wideford Brae on Saturday.

Sentence was deferred until January 14, 2004, to allow him to attend the care and respect programme.

Aircraft incident investigation expected

An investigation is expected after an incident involving a passenger plane at Kirkwall Airport on Friday afternoon.

The tail of the Loganair Saab plane from Aberdeen struck the runway twice as it came in to land at Kirkwall. Although there were no injuries, passengers were said to be shaken.

The aeroplane was stopped on the runway and some passengers removed, before the aircraft started up again and taxied to the terminal building.

Highland Park special edition celebrates Italian Chapel

Highland Park's Paula Cormack presents John Muir of the Italian Chapel Preservation Committee with the first bottle of Capella.

Highland Park Capella commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm, built by Domenico Chiocchetti. Highland Park is also making a donation to assist with the preservation of the chapel which is one of the most popular tourist attractions on Orkney.

The Capella special edition of 5,400 bottles will be sold only at Highland Park distillery.

Ambulance flight for Westray crash man

A man was flown to hospital Aberdeen on Saturday night following a road accident in Westray.

The man was riding a scooter in Pierowall village when he collided with a car just after 7pm.

Kirkwall police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident.

2001