Police issue backpacker warning

Police have issued a warning to all accommodation providers in Orkney after a man left a Shetland establishment without paying his bill.

The foreign male backpacker has disappeared but it is not known whether he remains in the Shetland, is on Orkney or has made his way to the Scottish mainland.

Spirits abroad at Highland Park

As Hallowe'en draws near, there will be different types of spirit to be encountered at the Highland Park distillery again this year.

To mark the night when ghosts and ghouls and things-that-go-bump-in-the-night are said to wander freely, the distillery will be running their popular ghost tours around the premises.

For further details or to book a place telephone 874619.

Breakfast and a pint for Rugby World Cup

The door of Kirkwall's Bothy Bar opened at 6.45am on Saturday morning to allow rugby fans to enjoy a pint with their breakfast while watching the Rugby World Cup.

The first game kicked of at 7am on Saturday morning, with the Australia v Romania game followed by France v Japan at 10am and South Africa v England at 1pm.

The extended opening hours were approved by Orkney Islands Area Licensing Board last week, despite fears there will be no police cover available at that time.

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Vacant property survey hopes to identify areas of potential expansion

A survey of vacant properties in Stromness is under way in an effort to identify areas where economic growth is being hindered by a lack of space.

There are a number of unused properties in the town, and with space at a premium, the Stromness Community Business Forum (SCBF) survey hopes to identify areas where there may be possible room for expansion.

The report is hoped to be completed later this year.

2003 sporting awards nomination forms available now

Nomination forms for this year's new-look sporting Oscars are now available, with the awards buffet and dance scheduled for November 14.

The event honours Orkney's sporting talent with trophies to mark their achievements over the past 12 months. Forms are now available from the Pickaquoy Centre and the Kirkwall and Stromness Swimming Pools, and should be returned by Saturday, November 1.

Four new awards have been included this year - junior male and female sportsperson and veteran male and female sportsperson of the year awards.

Sanday sports centre on the cards

A £500,000 state-of-the-art sports centre is being planned for Sanday to boost the island's sports facilities.

William Sichel, chairman of the development group spearheading the push for the centre, said this was just one of the many projects in the pipeline.

The group have applied for limited company status which will help when it comes to applying for funding packages.

New book provides snapshot of seventeeth century Orkney life

A new book containing transcriptions of the surviving 1690 Orkney poll tax records was launched this week..

The Orkney Poll Taxes of the 1690s will be of particular interest to historians and genealogists and provides a snapshot of life in Orkney at the time. The title also identifies 150 surnames and 65 farm names now not found in the county.

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Click here to buy online

Skaill House hosts wedding dress exhibition

Skaill House, Sandwick

An exhibition of memorabilia relating to Sandwick and the Breckness Estate over the years opened on Thursday afternoon.

The exhibition, in the historic setting of Skaill House, includes wedding dresses and photographs, with the £2 entry fee going towards the Sandwick Community Association.

The exhibition runs until Sunday, then again next weekend.

Tanker escorted back to Scapa Flow

A fully laden tanker leaving the Flotta oil terminal was escorted back into Scapa Flow on Wednesday morning after experiencing engine problems.

The Bahamas Spirit originally arrived at the terminal last week, but her departure was delayed for engine repairs.

The tanker finally left on Wednesday but upon entering the Pentland Firth the captain decided to turn back. The vessel was escorted back into Scapa Flow by two OIC tugs.

Almost two million have visited Picky Centre since opening doors

Almost two million people have visited the Pickaquoy Centre since it opened in 1999.

Former Pickaquoy Centre Trust chairman, Mr Hugh Clyde, made the announcement at the group's AGM this week.

Mr Clyde confirmed that approximately 1.8 million customers have walked through the doors of the complex so far ­ with about 125,000 of them using the fitness facilities.

Information sought on multiple vandalisms

Police on foot patrol discovered a spate of car vandalisms in Kirkwall in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Four vehicles - a Nissan Bluebird, Peugot 306, Ford Galaxy and Citroen ZX - were damaged while in a parking area at the bottom of the Clay Loan.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 872241.

New chairman appointed to Picky Trust

Mr Drever takes over from Hugh Clyde, who has been at the helm of the Trust since the centre opened four and a half years ago. Mr Clyde said Mr Drever was ideal for the post, being chairman the OIC recreation and cultural services committee.

Director of Aurora Jewellery, Mrs Sara Tait, was appointed vice-chairman.

MSP criticises Executive over ferry pier delays and costs

Highlands and Islands MSP Mary Scanlon has hit out at the Scottish Executive for not ensuring the new Stromness, Scrabster and Hatston piers were delivered on time and on budget.

Ms Scanlon also condemned the Executive for its statements that "Final project costs are not yet available" and that "in all three projects, the final costs will exceed the authorities' pre-tender estimates".

She said: "Reliable ferry services to the Orkney's are the lifeblood of the area to residents and tourists, and the problems with the piers jeopardised the island's economic wellbeing."

Klaize reach the final three in national award scheme

Up for an award - Vicky Gorn of Klaize

Klaize in Albert Street is one of the three finalists in the Independent Young Fashion Retailer category in the Drapers Awards 2003.

Owned and run by Vicky and Ian Gorn, the pair will have to wait until the awards ceremony in the Grosvenor Hotel, London, on October 30, to see whether they have won.

Kirkwall man remanded in custody after alleged serious assault

A Kirkwall man has been remanded in custody following an alleged serious assault in a house in the town last month.

Simon Rendall (25) of Holm Road, Kirkwall, appeared in private at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Monday.

He made no plea or declaration and was committed for further examination following an alleged serious assault in a house in Kirkwall on September 7.

Deputy First Minister outlines Executive plans for marine energy

Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace has set out Executive plans to promote marine energy in Scotland.

Speaking at the Renewable Realities conference in Stromness on Tuesday, Mr Wallace announced proposals to establish a marine energy sub-group to consider how best to exploit Scotland's potential for wave and tidal energy.

The Scottish Executive have already invested £2 million in the European Marine Energy Centre in Stromness which is due to open by the end of 2003.

Finnie offers assurances on livestock transport proposals

Orkney MSP Jim Wallace has received assurances from Rural Development Minister, Ross Finnie, that the Scottish Executive will press for changes to proposed new European regulations for the welfare of animals during transit,

Mr Wallace wrote to the minister outlining Orkney farmers' concerns - particularly that the proposals would seriously hamper livestock transport in the county. Clarification on whether time spent on ferries is classed a rest period was also sought.

"Clearly the minister and his officials understand the Orkney NFUS concerns and are determined to fight for the sensible changes we need to the draft regulations," said Mr Wallace.

Orkney successes in Shetland Pony Show

An Orphir colt has been named champion foal at the Aberdeen and Northern Mart's Annual Show and Sale of Registered Pedigree Shetland Ponies.

The foal, was one of prizewinners for James W. Slater, Groundwater, Orphir. The Slaters of Millquoy, Stenness, also had a good show winning champion in the standard section with a stallion.

Postal canvass to update Electoral Register

Staff at Orkney's electoral registration office are currently gathering information for updating the Register of Electors.

This is being done by postal canvass of all households in the county, requesting the names of all eligible voters at all properties on October 15.

The new register will be published on December 1 and only those included can exercise their right to vote. Any householder who has not received a form should contact the electoral registration officer on 876222.

NFU Scotland appoint Chief Executive

Mr Robertson (48) is currently chief agricultural officer with the Scottish Executive's Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD). His starting date with NFUS will be confirmed shortly.

Renewable Realities conference under way in Stromness

Orkney's second renewable energy conference got under way in Stromness on Monday.

The Renewable Realities conference, which runs until Friday, kicked off with a special Community Day - a 'One-Stop Shop' for communities to meet experts in the industry and get technical and financial advice and support about ideas and projects.

For more information about the conference, click here.

National energy conservation toolkit launched in Kirkwall

A "toolkit" to help small businesses cut their energy, waste and water bills was launched in Kirkwall by Orkney MSP and Enterprise Minister Jim Wallace on Monday night.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) campaign is highlighting how Scottish businesses could save up to a fifth of their costs using the new toolkit - which contains information on free or low cost measures to reduce wastage.

The toolkit was a joint inititiative by the Scottish Executive and the FSB.

First time visit for Navy Flag Officer

The annual wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the men of HMS Royal Oak took place in Scapa Flow on Sunday.

In the annual ceremony, Royal Navy divers also replaced the White Ensign on the World War II wreck.

Attending the ceremony was Rear Admiral Nick Harris MBE, who was paying his first visit to Orkney since taking up the post of Flag Officer Scotland.

See also: The Tragedy of HMS Royal Oak

2001