Closing date change for Sporting Awards

The organiser of the 2003 Sporting Awards have changed the closing date by which nomination forms have to be returned.

They have announced a new closing date of 6pm on Monday, November 3.

Nomination forms are available from the Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall and Stromness Swimming Pools, Kirkwall Grammar School and Stromness Academy.

The tourism boom in Orkney can be attributed to a resurgence of interest among travellers in visiting islands, according to VisitScotland chief executive Philip Riddle.

Mr Riddle was in the county on Thursday to attend a day-long tourism roadshow at the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall.

He said not only had Orkney experienced a huge surge in visitor numbers this season, other areas such as Mull, Arran, Skye and the Western Isles had been “buzzing”.

Orkney Housing Association are to hold a public meeting on Thursday, November 6, on the proposed Wellington Street development in Kirkwall.

Representatives of the association and artictects, Pentarq will present their proposals for the development of this key site.

The meeting will be held in the St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall at 7.30pm.

Exceptional Aurora Borealis display

The "corona" on October. 30 at 00.12am

The much heralded display of the Aurora Borealis came to fruition on the night of October 29/30.

There was an exceptional auroral glow over the entire sky.

The activity lasted throughout the dark hours into dawn.

For John Veterlein's full report and pictures click here.

Opinion split on online poll

Opinion is split down the middle as to whether Orkney’s first time buyers should receive preferential treatment in the housing market, according to the results of last week’s online poll organised by The Orcadian.

281 votes were cast, with 140 in favour of helping Orcadians get a foot on the property ladder and 141 against.

Mr John Richards, Orkney Islands Council’s assistant director of housing, said the results of the poll made interesting reading and that the authority would be asking residents a similar question as part of a formal consultation process.

Praise for Dounby Primary School

Dounby Primary School has received top marks in a recent inspection report.

The school was praised for its commitment to meeting the pupils needs and the caring ethos.

Pupils were described as “well behaved and active learners” and staff continuously assessed their work for the development of the school.

An Orkney man who downloaded indecent photographs of children has been sentenced to two years probation and ordered to complete 100 hours community service.

Martin Howe (48) of 20 White Street, Kirkwall, earlier pleaded guilty to downloading indecent photos or pseudo-photographs at his home, over a three year period between 1999 and 2002.

Sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court was deferred until Wednesday for background reports. Howe was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years.

Strike action closes nursery schools

Five nursery schools in Orkney were affected by strike action on Wednesday - as nursery nurses continue their campaign for better pay and conditions.

The schools affected were Orphir Primary, Papdale, Stenness, St Margaret's Hope and Stronsay.

These nursery schools were also be closed on Thursday.

Police appeal after handbag theft

Police are appealing for information about a black handbag which was stolen from Powerbowl in Kirkwall as it contains dangerous drugs.

The incident happened between 7pm and 8.30pm on Tuesday night and police are concerned because the bag contains an epipen full of adrenaline.

They would like anyone with information about the theft to contact them at Kirkwall Police Station.

Staff at Orkney Islands Council’s social work department will be rewarded for their efforts in helping to raise standards and improve the quality of service.

Mr Harry Garland, community social services director, and Councillor Keith Johnson, chairman of the social services committee, will present 79 awards at the department’s annual awards ceremony, ranging from the Return to Work introductory scheme and Social Care SVQ and HNC awards to full social work qualifications.

The ceremony will take place at Kirkwall Town Hall on Friday.

NHS staff in Orkney are being encouraged to stay healthy this winter.

NHS Orkney is offering free flu vaccinations to all its healthcare staff - with interim chief executive Paul Martin leading the way. He will have his vaccination on Friday.

NHS Orkney already has one of the highest take-up rates for the vaccination among the general public in Scotland.

Another sunspot appears

John Veterlein has sent the latest photograph of the sun showing that there are now three "naked eye" spot groups in one go.

[Details: Sun 2003 October 28, 08h 41m GMT 100mm refractor.]

Archive story: Second large sunspot appears

Monks welcome milk quota decision

Orkney’s order of monks have welcomed Monday’s decision by the Scottish Executive to remove Stronsay from the county’s milk quota ring fence.

The Transalpine Redemptorists, who are based on Papa Stronsay, say they are continuing to look into the possibility of dairy farming and cheese production on Stronsay as a result of the decision.

They said: “Stronsay has been given the green light for self-development. This is the fruit of much consultation amongst all parties and it certainly means progress for Orkney.”

A new website which will provide community groups in Orkney with an inexpensive presence on the Internet was launched on Tuesday morning.

The website has been funded and developed by Orkney Enterprise, with support from the European LEADER+ programme and will be a source of news and information on community groups, associations and clubs.

It will include a news headline feed from The Orcadian and a What's On Diary from Radio Orkney. The website address is www.orkneycommunities.co.uk

NorthLink publish revised timetables and fares

NorthLink have announced changes to their timetables and fares, starting from January 1, 2004.

This will see a reduction in calls to the Hatston terminal during the winter months. Monday southbound will be dropped and also Tuesday northbound.

There will be a basic increase of 2.5 per cent across the full rate card. Full information on fares and timetables can be viewed at www.northlinkferries.co.uk

The Scottish Executive has backed a ground-breaking decision by Orkney councillors to exclude Stronsay from the county’s dairy quota ring fence.

Environment and Rural development minister Ross Finnie said the decision would provide a boost for dairy producers on the island - in particular Stronsay’s order of monks, who are believed to be in the process of buying Housebay farm to establish a cheese-making operation.

Orkney Islands Council's Housing Division began a series of public meetings in Finstown on Monday night to discuss its draft allocations policy and other housing matters.

The second meeting in the series was held on Tuesday night in Stromness Community Centre.

Second large sunspot appears

Sun, full disc 2003 October 25 0941 GMT. 100mm photovisual refractor, John Vetterlein

The second large sunspot group which started to show on the Sun's eastern limb at 1500 GMT Oct. 22 has now advanced onto the disc and is showing larger than the first group. It is very unusual to have two well separated groups of sunspots of a size visible at one and the same time to the unaided eye according to Rousay astronomer John Vetterlein..

There has also been considerable auroral glow at night with the potential for full displays of the aurora.

People are reminded to only view the Sun using the proper filters for the purpose.

Scapa Flow diver's body recovered

The body of a diver missing in Scapa Flow since last Monday was recovered on Sunday.

Divers from the Royal Navy Northern Diving Group, based at Faslane, recovered the remains of 53-year-old David Graham Hickson, of Little Lever, Bolton, Lancashire. Mr Hickson had been diving on the German Light cruiser Brummer, which lies in 35 metres of water north west of Cava.

A police spokesman said a report on the incident will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in Kirkwall in due course.

Home win for Orkney Rugby Club

There was jubilation at Pickaquoy on Saturday afternoon after Orkney Rugby Club's First XV notched up their first national league win of the season.

The First XV beat visitors Stirling University 44-15, in a game Orkney never looked like losing. The home team showed a much improved performance, no doubt helped by the presence of many of their best players.

Change to airport bus schedule

The service is reverting to the direct route between the town centre and Kirkwall Airport and the diversion across the Heathery Loan will be discontinued. On the inward journey the detour around the harbour-front and Orkney Ferries will be on request only.

The new timetable comes into effect on Monday, October 27.

2001