Orcadian generosity sees local Children in Need total top £21,000

As usual the people of Orkney dug deep into their pockets on Friday, raising cash for the national BBC Children in Need campaign.

Just before 1am on Saturday morning, the grand total for Orkney was £21,647.75 - over £3,000 more than last year's 'on the night' total of £18,480.69.

End of an era as Laing Street library building closes doors

The Orkney Library building in Laing Street closed its doors for the last time on Saturday at 5pm.

The closing of the premises in Kirkwall marks the end of a chapter in the long history of the library.

The library will reopen in its new £3.5 million Junction Road premises on December 11.

First for Orkney as new bowling league gets under way

Orkney's new bowling league got under way on Sunday night, with a record 52 teams competing.

The overwhelming interest in playing in the league has elevated ten-pin bowling to one of the most popular sporting leagues in the county.

The league games will be played at Powerbowl in Kirkwall.

Tankerness walkway opens

A new walkway in Tankerness was officially opened on Saturday.

The walkway follows an old right of way between the Hall of Yenstay road end and Millhouse.

The opening ceremony took place at 2pm.

Wallace welcomes dentist incentives

Among the financial incentives outlined by Deputy Health Minister Tom McCabe is the doubling of the Remote Area allowance from £3,000 per annum to £6,000.

Mr Wallace said: "In Orkney, the dental crisis is in the process of being sorted out, and I hope that these increased payments will both speed things up and avoid a recurrence of past problems, so giving all Orcadians better access to NHS dentists."

Aurora Borealis lights up the sky

The fiery red aurora as seen from Rendall around 9.30pm on Thursday night. (Pic: R. Shoesmith)

According to Rousay-based astronomer John Vetterlein, the three large sunspot groups featured last month are now visible again having been brought round by the Sun's rotation. Click here for a photograph.

Although the overall activity is less than last month, with the Moon absent from the sky over the following week it is well worth keeping a lookout for aurora.

Click here to view Sky Notes aurora gallery

£14.25 for a bottle of Orkney air?

If something is available these days you can probably buy it from the Internet auction site E-bay. But would you pay for a bottle of Orkney air?

One online entrepreneur was offering a bottle, with the buyer deciding the source of the air. The description explains: "Big Brother fans may wish to have it collected from outside the home of winner Cameron Stout, or you may prefer a cliff top."

When The Orcadian Online highlighted the story on Thursday afternoon there had been no bids. But by the close of the auction on Friday afternoon the winning bid stood at £14.25.

Public meeting to unveil health centre plans

Proposed plans for Kirkwall's new health centre are due to be unveiled at a public meeting next week.

The meeting will be held in the existing health centre on Thursday, November 27, and will feature representatives of Skerryvore and Scapa Medical Group, as well as NHS Orkney and developers PRIME.

The practices are hoping for a large turnout of patients, anytime between 6-8pm.

Orkney ladies try their hand in national pool competition

Sandra Walls, Jane Wishart and Rachael Sutherland

Three Orkney women went south on Thursday to take part in the Scottish Ladies Pool Singles competition in Ayr.

Rachael Sutherland of Holm, Sandra Walls and Jane Wishart , both of the West Mainland, are hoping for success in the knockout competition, which runs until Sunday, November 23.

The trio are also joining forces with two other women from Shetland to enter a team of five in another part of the competition.

Anglers' fears prompt call for bailiffs

Water bailiffs could be patrolling Orkney's best known fishing lochs to tackle poaching following fears they are being emptied of fish.

According to the Orkney Trout Fishing Association (OTFA) Clumly and Skaill lochs are almost devoid of fish and people illegally netting the fish have turned their attentions to the Harray Loch.

There are also fears for the fishery in the Stenness Loch because of seals and sea lice.

Fire Brigade issue warning to hoax callers

Kirkwall Fire Brigade have warned that hoax callers will be dealt with severely, following a malicious call made this week.

It is believed children were responsible for the false call-out from a payphone on Pickaquoy Loan. As a result 20 firefighters were paged and an appliance sent out.

"While we were checking out the hoax call, our services could have been needed elsewhere," said a spokesman.

BT announce broadband triggers for seven Orkney exchanges

The exchanges/triggers are: Finstown 150; Harray 100; Holm 100; Sandwick 100; St Margaret's Hope 100; Stromness 350; Westray 100.

This leaves 15 of Orkney's smaller exchanges - serving around 2,500 households - without a trigger level.

These, say BT, will require "different technological or partnership investment approaches" to receive broadband. This is also the case for those who live more than six kilometres from enabled exchanges.

Click here BT Broadband website

Pupils become councillors for the day

Orkney Islands Council offices, Kirkwall

Secondary school pupils took over the Orkney Islands Council chamber today to debate three issues relevant to their age group.

As part of Kirkwall Grammar School's Citizenship Week, 24 pupils experienced the workings of a local council.

The Kirkwall, Stromness, Sanday, Stronsay, Hoy and Westray pupils debated depopulation, the distribution of finances and the issue of obesity in the younger generation.

Click here for more details.

Calendar commemorates flight pioneer

A new calendar commemorating the history of aviation in the Highlands and Islands has gone on sale this week.

The 2004 Fresson Trust calendar celebrates the life and work of Captain Ernest Edmund Fresson, the pioneer of flight in the north of Scotland.

Copies of the calendar are available from Kirkwall airport.

See also: The Orcadian's Guide to the 20th Century - The Civil Air Age

Winds blamed for vehicle accident

Strong winds are being blamed for a lorry leaving the road in South Ronaldsay on Tuesday afternoon.

The McAdie and Reeve vehicle left the Aikers road and went through a fence. The driver and passenger were uninjured.

Loganair introduce lower air fares for Orkney

A new fare structure from airline Loganair looks set to benefit Orkney with lower fares.

The new range of return fares start from £59 to Shetland, £79 to Aberdeen and Inverness, and £109 to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Loganair chief executive James Cameron said:"Our aim is to make air travel affordable for all travellers to and from Orkney and our simpler fare structures will encourage more people to take to the air."

Kirkwall vandals target cars

Police are appealing for information after a spate of vandalism in Kirkwall.

A number of cars were targeted over the weekend, with tyres damaged and bodywork scratched. The vandalism has occurred all over Kirkwall, the worst hit area being Great Western Road.

Anyone with information should contact Kirkwall Police on 872241.

Edinburgh launch for 2004 Orkney Tourist brochure

The launch of the 2004 Orkney Tourist Board brochure. From left: Jim Sinclair, Barbara Foulkes, Cameron Stout and Sheila Faichney.

The 2004 Orkney Tourist Board brochure was officially launched in Edinburgh on Monday night.

Launching the brochure, described as the "best quality production by the OTB to date", was Big Brother winner Cameron Stout.

The 2004 brochure is the first to be produced in partnership with The Orcadian, who were represented at the event by sales manager Mike Berston.

Orkney Library closes doors to prepare for move to new home

The Orkney Library and archive will close their doors for a fortnight on Saturday to allow final preparations for the move to the new Junction Road premises.

The library will close on November 22, re-opening on Thursday, December 11 in Junction Road.

Prior to the reopening, two open days on December 9 and 10 will allow the public to view the new library building.

Skerryvore deregistration will benefit patients

Following the news that Kirkwall's Skerryvore Practice is deregistering patients, the practice has said it will be of benefit to the 30 people involved.

They have asked their patients in Birsay, Sandwick and South Ronaldsay - all areas outside their normal practice boundary - to register with a GP in their own area.

A spokesman said: "This has not been an easy decision for us. However, because of the potential travelling time involved we are unable to offer the same service to patients living far from Kirkwall."

Good turnout for meeting on licensing reforms

A good turnout of people attended a public meeting in Kirkwall on Tuesday, disussing the recommendations of a recent review of the Scottish drinking laws.

Sheriff Principal Gordon Nicholson was visiting the county 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 was the guest speaker at the open meeting in the Pickaquoy Centre.

Man in court after alleged Longhope assault

A man appeared in private at Kirkwall Sheriff on Monday afternoon following an alleged assault in Longhope at the weekend.

Nicholas Waite, Nelson, Longhope, made no plea or declaration and was released on bail.

Police chartered a boat on Friday to take them to Hoy where they apprehended and charged the 54-year-old man.

Police seek witnesses to Burnmouth Road assault

Police are appealing for information after a man was hospitalised after an assault at the weekend.

The incident took place in Kirkwall's Burnmouth Road, near the entrance to the Fusion nightclub. One man was taken to Balfour Hospital after receiving facial injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kirkwall police on 872241.

Inquiry into fatal Birsay helicopter crash

A Fatal Accident Inquiry into the helicopter crash at the Brough of Birsay last year started on Monday in Kirkwall.

The pilot, Anthony John Taylor (53) from Aberdeenshire, died in the crash in May 2002 while transporting equipment to the lighthouse on the tidal island. Eyewitness reports spoke of a load carried by the helicopter being blown onto the back rotor blades by strong winds.

The inquiry is being presided over by Sheriff Colin Scott Mackenzie.

Archive story: Brough of Birsay helicopter tragedy

Ferry service for Egilsay boy

A ferry service to transport Egilsay's sole pupil to school in Rousay has been put in place, at an estimated £26,000 per annum.

Five-year-old Jordan Basford will now be accompanied by an OIC funded escort on the 30 minute trip to Rousay.

The service is only temporary, however, with the OIC discussing a new timetable to suit the islands and schools with Orkney Ferries.

Archive story: Boat owner needed for unique Egilsay service

Sports Awards 2003 results

Orkney's sporting elite were recognised on Friday night with the presentation of the annual Orkney Sports Awards

The award winners are as follows:

Senior Sportsperson: Jim Middlemas – archery
Senior Sportsman: Mark Harrison - triathlon
Senior Sportswoman: Shona Croy – golf
Veteran Sportsman: Martin Flett – football
Veteran Sportswoman: Maggie Tait – fencing
Junior Sportsperson: Neil Gray – athletics
Junior Female Sportsperson: Lori Scott – athletics
Junior Male Sportsperson: Adam Bews – squash/badminton
Coach: Malcolm Colquhoun – athletics
Team: Holm Parish Football Club
Services to Sport: James Clouston – sailing
Sports Photograph: Norman Mclennan

2001