The St Magnus Festival’s large-scale community project for 2004 is launched in Stromness this afternoon.

The project, a music-theatre production based on the Norwegian tale Peer Gynt and adapted specially for the festival, and meetings this weekend this will allow those interested in taking part, whether on stage or behind the scenes, to meet the director and composer, hear some of the music and find out about production plans.

Click here for full details and meeting venues

Orkney's sporting personalities recognised in 2003 awards presentations

The cream of Orkney's sporting personalities were honoured last night, Friday, (see results above) with the annual Sporting Awards Buffet Dance in Kirkwall.

The twelve awards were presented at a gala event in Kirkwall's Pickaquoy Centre, but this year's awards have not been without controversy.

Football coach Derek Ward hit out at the organising committee behind the event, saying he was "saddened" that an under-14 football team failed to make the shortlist despite their "very impressive" achievements on the pitch this year.

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Illness forces band to pull out of Kirkwall gig

A gig in Kirkwall's Fusion nightclub and music venue had to be cancelled on Friday night.

Grim Northern Social were due to play in the club, but were forced to cancel due to illness.

Proprietor Neil Stevenson confirmed that refunds will be available by returning the tickets to Grooves.

The gig is hoped to be rescheduled for early 2004.

Up to the minute Ba' coverage planned for the Internet

A Kirkwall man is planning to run a commentary of the festive season's Ba' games live on the Internet.

Walter Heywood intends to update progress in the Christmas and New Year's day ba's in real-time at www.orkney.mywap.o2.co.uk The site also contains links relating to the Kirkwall Ba' game.

Buyer from south acquires GMB house

The former home of celebrated Orkney writer George Mackay Brown has a new owner.

The property of 3 Mayburn Court in Stromness, near the town¹s museum, has been scooped up by a buyer south.

The house was advertised for sale in The Orcadian by estate agents Lows Orkney in July for offers over £45,000.

Deputy First Minister pitches in

Deputy First Minister and Orkney MSP Jim Wallace was due to play his part in Make a Difference Day on Friday.

Visiting an ENABLE-supported housing project in Kirkwall, Mr Wallace was to get stuck into some gardening and painting work.

Make a Difference Day is a national event aiming to encourage people to improve their communities through volunteering.

Storm compensation arrangements announced

The new arrangements will see customers who make a valid compensation claim entitled to £25 if they are without power for more than 48 hours, plus £25 for each additional 12 hours, up to a maximum of £200.

Egilsay closure proposals suspended

Jordan Basford - Egilsay school's only pupil

Proposals to consider closing the Egilsay school look set to be suspended temporarily until arrangements to ferry its only pupil to Rousay are confirmed.

Although the Egilsay school is considered "not viable", there have been no facilities to ferry five-year Jordan Basford to Rousay for classes.

So the OIC education committee agreed on Thursday to postpone the closure proposals until a solution to the ferry problem is in place.

Extra cash for tourist board

Islands' councillors have agreed to extra funding for Orkney Tourist Board after months of delay.

But instead of the extra £60,000 the tourist board had asked for, on top of the £197,600 grant they will receive, councillors agreed on a sum of £30,000.

The extra cash still has to be ratified by the full council, but will, said OTB chief executive Barbara Foulkes will help with the £85,000 deficit.

Festive return for Judge Jules

DJ Judge Jules is making a return visit to Orkney next month to perform a special Christmas set in Kirkwall.

The Radio One DJ, who opened Kirkwall's Fusion nightclub in May, is returning for a double set on Sunday, December 21.

Tickets for the event go on sale from Grooves on Saturday.

Travel Centre decision in January 2004

A decision on the site for the proposed Kirkwall Travel Centre looks likely to be made in January 2004.

Councillors on the OIC's transport committee met in private on Wednesday to discuss the project, which must get under way shortly so as to qualify for funding.

The OIC have narrowed the choice down to two Great Western Road sites - the bus station, which it already owns, and Jewsons' yard, which would have to be bought if chosen.

Scapa Flow suggested as temporary haven for oil rigs

Scapa Flow could become a stopping-off point for oil rigs, according to Stromness councillor Angus Hutchison.

Councillor Hutchison's idea was mooted during Tuesday's meeting of the OIC's transportation committee as an extra source of income. He made the suggestion after members heard that the Harbours Department has seen a revenue drop of £750,000.

Director of Harbours, Captain Nigel Mills, said he could see no reason for this not to take place.

Maureen Macmillan has written to Communities Minister Margaret Curran and Environment and Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie urging them to save the development.

OHA are still waiting for the installation of sewerage at the Seafield site, which says Mrs Macmillan is likely to see them lose their grant approval, thus delaying the development further.

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One-way for St Catherine's Place?

A call to make Kirkwall's St Catherine's Place a one-way street was made by Orkney Island's vice convener on Tuesday.

Councillor Jim Sinclair made the suggestion during Tuesday morning's meeting of the OIC transportation committee, as members discussed a recently completed traffic impact study.

Highlighting the safety and congestion issues, Councillor Sinclair described traffic volume in the narrow area as "absolutely astounding".

Local opinions sought on Nicholson liquor licensing review

The people of Orkney will have the opportunity to air their views on longer hours for pubs, happy hours and some of the other recommendations of a recent review of the Scottish drinking laws.

Interested parties will be able to express their opinions in person next week when Sheriff Principal Gordon Nicholson visits Orkney to hear feedback on his review of Liquor Licensing Law in Scotland.

Invited by the Orkney Drugs Alcohol and Smoking Action Team (DASAT), Sheriff Principal Nicholson will be the guest speaker at an open meeting in the Pickaquoy centre next Tuesday at 10am.

Junction Road accidents disrupts 'rush hour' traffic

Traffic in the centre of Kirkwall was disrupted on Monday night after a two vehicle road accident shortly after 5pm.

Two cars, an Audi and a Volkswagen Golf, collided on Junction Road, near the entrance to Castle Street - one of the busiest traffic areas of Kirkwall at that time of day. The road had to be closed off while a quantify spilled fuel was cleaned up.

There were no injuries.

Firth School named one of Scotland's top schools

The community school, with a roll of 86 pupils, is commended for its environmental projects and information technology described as a "school strength".

Click here for the Firth School website

Return unwanted aids urges hospital physiotherapy department

The hospital's physiotherapy department is particularly short of walking aids and zimmer frames and is keen to get any unwanted items back before it considers ordering more.

A spokesman explained that it was difficult keeping track of aids as they were lent out though a variety of agencies and contacts. NHS Orkney can arrange for items to be collected.

Carmichael calls for free TV services for over 75s

Orkney MP Alistair Carmichael has called on the Government to ensure that all pensioners over the age of 75 are able to receive commercial terrestrial television channels without having to pay for TV licences or satellite viewing cards.

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Cameron named Scotland's most eligible bachelor

Cameron (32) beat actor James McAvoy, pop star Darius Danesh writer Douglas Murray and Prince William to the top spot in a poll in the Scotland on Sunday newspaper.

The newspaper's Spectrum magazine listed Cameron's plus points as: "Fast cars, trips to New York (he's considering buying an apartment there), an idyllic island home and a man who can say 'I love you' in five different languages."

Cloud mars lunar eclipse for Orkney

Saturday's lunar eclipse was hidden to most Orkney viewers as low cloud and mist blotted out the night sky.

The eclipse began at 10.15pm on Saturday, ending at 4.22am on Sunday morning. But Orkney's weather prevented any views of the event.

Fortunately the next eclipse is not long away, with another total lunar eclipse due on May 4, 2004.

Funeral of lost diver

The funeral of the visiting diver who went missing exploring a wreck in Scapa Flow took place on Monday.

David Hickson from Bolton, England, failed to return to his diving vessel on October 20. After a search the body of the father-of-two was sighted on the wreck of the Brummer.

His diving colleagues, who are all from Bolton, have criticised the police diving team and the length of time it took for the body to be removed from the wreck. They claim they could have reached it within 30 minutes but were refused permission to try.

2001