Talisman Energy, who also sponsored an event in Aberdeen, provided transport to and from the island.

St Peter's Kirk.

The European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Award for Building Conservation was presented at St Peter's Church, Sandwick on Saturday afternoon.

St Peter's Kirk is one of only two UK building restorations recognised in the 2003 awards, the other being the multi-million pound restoration of the Albert Hall.

There was also a formal presentation of the Laura Grimond Award, given to the church by Orkney Heritage Society.

Archive feature: A History of St Peter’s Kirk

Aurora Environmental's new offices at Garson, Stromness

Stromness environmental consultants Aurora Environmental Ltd officially opened their new purpose-built facilities on Friday.

The new offices at Garson demonstrate a range of state-of-the-art environmentally friendly features which promote energy efficiency and sound environmental practice as well as blending with the surrounding scenery.

Additional features include a sustainable urban drainage system using turf, daylight and occupancy sensors on selected light fittings, a slate roof and non-reflective energy efficient glass and insulation well above building regulation requirements.

The Sanday Festival of the Arts is kicking off this weekend with what promises to be a packed week.

Events including sword fighting, crafts, arts, photographic exhibitions and music, with the festival running until September 24.

The event kicked off on Friday night with two-man band, Bone, playing a gig in the Kettletoft Hotel.

Orkney's Lord Lieutenant, Mr George Marwick, at the official opening of the Kirkwall Police Station.

Kirkwall's new police station was officially opened at a ceremony on Friday.

Orkney's Lord Lieutenant, Mr George Marwick, opened the new £1.5 million facility, watched by guests, including Northern Constabulary Joint Police Board convener, Mrs Janet Home, and Northern Constabulary Chief Constable, Ian Latimer.

The new station, by the Peerie Sea, is unique in Scotland as it is the first project undertaken by police in partnership with a local authority.

Shapinsay residents could start picketing NHS Orkney premises in protest at proposals for medical cover in the island.

The action was discussed at a public meeting in Shapinsay on Thursday night - a meeting that saw a third of the island's population turn out to discuss the health board's proposals.

The meeting followed the recent health board meeting which decided that Shapinsay, among other islands, will be linked to the Mainland when the island practice becomes vacant.

Welcoming the Government's announcement of additional funding for rural post offices, Orkney MP, Alistair Carmichael, has questioned the lack of a long term strategy as well as the delay in the announcement.

"What [Thursday's] announcement fails to address, however, is the complete lack of a coherent post office strategy from this Government." he said.

"The future of our sub-post offices will only be secure when the Government establish a framework in which they can be certain of generating adequate income."

Uncertainty surrounds the future of the Evie auxiliary fire unit - despite having dealt with up to 40 incidents in the past five years.

The unit is being looked at by the Highlands and Islands Fire Brigade to decide how it should be reshaped, or whether to drop it altogether.

While the investigation process is in the very early stages, Eoin Harcus, Evie sub-officer, said it was only seven years ago that the brigade decided there was a need for fire cover in the parish.

Up to £300 million will be made available from 2006 to 2008, extending the current financial support package, which runs until 2006.

The Government extended the funding to 2008 to allow sufficient time for lessons to be learned from pilot activities which are testing new ways of delivering services in rural areas.

Orkney's heathlands are recognised to be of considerable importance, some on an international level.

This project aims to restore existing open heathland over 1,700 hectares and to recreate 104 hectares of heath to connect existing sites.

As well as a programme of training for managers, there will also be significantly improved public access with better paths, interpretation and guided walks.

The Rousay auxilliary fire-fighting unit attended a boat fire at the pier on Wednesday afternoon.

The unit was alerted to the fire at 4.30pm after a motor boat owner discovered a fire in the engine compartment of his vessel. However, the fire was found to be extinguished when the firemen arrived on the scene.

One fire engine from Kirkwall stood by at the Tingwall pier.

Councillor Allan Leslie

An Orkney councillor has sparked outrage after claiming the human rights of "normal" children are being breached because they are being forced to sit alongside disruptive and disabled pupils in schools.

Kirkwall councillor Allan Leslie said: "Their human rights are being adversely affected while looking after the human rights of disadvantaged children."

Councillor Leslie took what he admitted would be an unpopular stand at the education committee meeting last week.

That children with special needs and problems require some form of help is not argued, he said. But he is questioning the way it is carried out.

The Cree visitors after their recent performance in Kirkwall

The people of Orkney have received an open invitation to a Pow Wow from the Sturgeon Lake First Nation group, following their recent visit to Orkney.

They have issued an invitation for Orcadians to attend Saskatchewan's Centennial at the Sturgeon Lake First Nation's annual Pow Wow, in Canada, in the summer of 2005.

In an open letter to Orkney residents, the Premier of Saskatchewan said that their visit to Orkney was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the home of their ancestors, and a chance to introduce their culture to Orcadians.

Archive stories: Magic meeting with Cree cousins
Cree visit hit by cashflow conundrum

As if any reminder is needed that winter approaches, there was a "short but spectacular" appearance of the Aurora Borealis on the night of September 13/14.

According to Rousay astronomer John Vetterlein, the extensive aurora appeared at 11pm, lasting for about an hour.

Click here for more details.

The winner will be announced at an event in the Glasgow Hilton International Hotel next month.

The independent specialist's wine and spirits buyer, Graeme Wright, said they were delighted to make it to the top three. “We are over the moon at even getting to this stage – it puts us on the map, but we would love to win.”

Each local authority receive Scottish Executive funds to help with new countryside access duties. But the current formula for grant distribution is based on population, so councils with a small population but a large geographic area suffer.

Mr Hagan said he was satisfied that the Minister had recognised concerns that Orkney's £32,000 allocation "is a fraction of what is needed to carry out the new legislation."

The broadband connection will allow passengers travelling through the terminal to access the web or collect email for a fixed charge.

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has highlighted the tidal energy trials in Orkney as an example of UK companies leading the way in sustainable energy.

Speaking on climate change, and the efforts needed to tackle it, Mr Blair referred to the Pelamis sea-snake generator tests currently under way at the European Marine Energy Centre in Stromness.

"There are already many great examples of companies here in the UK showing the way," he said, "Just a few weeks ago Ocean Power Delivery transmitted the first offshore wave energy from the seas off Orkney to the UK grid."

Over 3,000 young Orcadians can look forward to all kinds of activities as the Orkney Islands Council picks up £202,801 from the New Opportunities for PE & Sport programme.

Over the next three years the OIC will use the cash to encourage youngsters to enjoy activities ranging from swimming and sailing to athletics and cycling.

The award will help the OIC deliver its 'Active Schools' programme, working to engage pupils in all kinds of physical activity.

Archive story: New team aims to get Orkney's schools active

The results of an OIC questionnaire, handed out to 400 parents in June, have shown that 99.6 per cent felt their children enjoyed being in pre-school or nursery in Orkney.

Overall, parents in Orkney are very happy with their children's pre-school education, a 17 per cent increase in parental satisfaction in the 'family friendliness' area. Also, over 80 per cent of parents felt staff took into account the needs of families more and praised their flexibility.

Police are again urging householders to secure their property after a theft from a house in Kirkwall.

A quantity of money was stolen from a house in the Clay Loan overnight on Friday/Saturday. The property was unoccupied and had been left unlocked.

The theft follows a number of attempted break-ins over the past week.

Detective Sergeant Bob MacKenzie said: "These are becoming more and more common. The days of leaving houses open in Orkney have gone. We'd also ask neighbours to be more vigilant and keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour."

Youth parliament representatives Derek Millar and Steven Kidd at KGS.

Two senior members of the Scottish Youth Parliament are in the county to give a series of presentations in Orkney's schools.

Two Orcadian pupils will soon be representing Orkney in the Youth Parliament, which consists of nearly 200 representatives' aged between 14 and 25 years. The Parliament meets three times a year to discuss issues affecting young people across the nation.

Derek Millar and Steven Kidd will be video conferencing with Sanday and Stronsay pupils as well as giving presentations to KGS and Stromness Academy pupils. They will also hold a presentation for OIC councillors on Wednesday.

Scottish Youth Parliament Website

Just over £14,500 of Lottery cash is heading to Orkney in the latest round of Awards for All grants.

Stromness archery club, the Orkney Bowmen, receive £5,000 for equipment, while £4,000 goes to Sandwick Young Farmers to allow the purchase of stage equipment.

St Andrew Community Association are getting £3,397 for improvements to the community hall and the Orkney Alcohol Counselling and Advisory Service received £2,223.

Dave Harrold and some of the Dounby Stores staff - winner of best retailer 2004

Orkney's food 'Oscars' were presented at a gala dinner in Holm on Saturday night.

The Orkney Quality Food and Drink Taste of Orkney 2004 winners were:

• Best evening meal - Hamnavoe Restaurant, Stromness.
• Best lunch/high tea - The Willows Coffee Shop, Kirkwall.
• Best retailer - Dounby Stores.
• Best Take-Away - Original Orkney Hamper Co, Stromness.
• Best Supplier - Nelson Market Gardens, Birsay.

Click here for official Orkney Quality Food and Drink website.

The nomination forms for the 2004 Orkney Sports Awards are now available to download from The Orcadian Online.

Click here to access.

Printed forms are also available from the OIC One Stop Shop in Kirkwall and the Picky Centre. Nominations close on Monday October 18.

Urgent management of moorland at Hobbister in Orphir is required to help the Orkney vole, which in turn will provide food for hen harriers.

Traditionally the heather would have been burned but the density now makes this too difficult to control.

The move forms part of the Orkney Hen Harrier Scheme, developed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

Examples of the steps that farmers will have to take include reducing the risk of soil erosion in spring winds by maintaining crop cover or using shelter belts, avoiding the deterioration of habitats by controlling grazing levels, and maintaining and protecting landscape features.

Under reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) production subsidies will be replaced by a single farm payment system in January 2005. Farmers must meet statutory mandatory requirements to qualify for the subsidy.

Restorative warnings aim to ensure that young offenders understand the impact of their crimes and make amends for their actions.

The scheme is aimed at minor offences and first time offenders, and could see a young person be required to attend their local police station their parents, to discuss the impact of the offence on their victim, community and family; apologise to the victim or offer to make some form of reparation.

One of the riders at Orkney Motocross Club's annual beach race on Sunday was taken to Balfour Hospital around 5pm, with a suspected back injury.

The rider is understood to have later been flown south but his condition is not thought to be life threatening.

The Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall had to be avacuated on Saturday afternoon after a fire alarm was set off around 3pm.

Over 150 people, including those attending the events on the final day of the Orkney International Science Festival, were taken outside until firefighters could check the building.

The alarm was later found to have been a hoax and two youths are being reported to the children's panel.