A retrospective planning application has been granted for the conversion of the redundant Evie church into a house.

Members of the planning referrals sub-committee heard that the owner, Graham Worral, had moved out of the property until satisfactory drainage and access has been secured.

Richard Welch, of the OIC planning department, said there was no point in further deferral.

During a trial, Cheryl Annette Chapman of Isegarth was found guilty of damaging a resident's car on February 5 with a stone from a drystone dyke.

Sheriff Graeme Napier deferred sentence for six months for Mrs Chapman to be of good behaviour and to pay damages.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) has issued its annual warning the public not to touch, or pick up, baby seals over the coming months.

Young seals found on the shoreline have not necessarily been abandoned, although anyone in any doubt should contact the Orkney Seal Rescue Centre on 831463.

Anyone encountering a seal pup should stay back and never try to pick up or handle the animal - seals will bite and can transmit disease to humans.

Plans to build a house on an uninhabited islet off the south of Sanday were turned down by islands' councillors on Thursday morning.

The application, from James and Kathleen Towrie, Clinkhammer, to build a property on the Holms of Spurness was described by members of the OIC planning referrals committee as "probably the most unusual" to come before them.

But despite the applicants' assurances that the property would not disturb the wildlife on the island, councillors unanimously agreed to refuse the application.

Despite residents' protests, councillors have agreed to grant planning permission for a domestic wind turbine in Eday.

The OIC's planning sub-committee agreed to the erection of a 15-metre high turbine at Millbank, Eday - land owned by the Orissor Trust.

Orkney's annual Blues Festival began in Stromness on Thursday night.

Now in its fifth year, the event officially launched on Friday afternoon with an umbrella street parade by Stromness Primary pupils.

From 5.30pm on Friday until late on Sunday evening, the public will a choice of live music entertainment as the Blues returns to the county.

Click here for programme of events

Click here for Orkney Blues Festival Website

Eday residents are described as "troglodytes" in a letter from the Orissor Trust following objections to a wind-turbine scheme planned for their land.

The comment appears in a letter to the OIC planning department, supporting the erection of a 15-metre high turbine at Millbank, Eday.

Trustee Dr Steve Howrie wrote: "No wonder I have heard people in Kirkwall refer to Eday as Troglodyte Island, and that the island is classed as 'on the edge'.

"If the prevailing general attitude is not changed drastically, then I am afraid Eday is doomed to go over the edge - and very shortly."

A Stromness resident was jailed for three months at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Joseph Mahady of Victoria Street appeared in court after breaching bail conditions. He had been placed on probation in February after admitting a series of offences.

The 20-year-old had been ordered to pay compensation but defence agent Mr Aly Bruce said that after acquiring the money, Mahady had gone on a "drinking binge".

Mahady was sentenced to three months for breaching his probation.

Orkney's proposed new air ambulances

The proposed replacement aircraft for the current Loganair Air Ambulance service arrived in Orkney on Wednesday for a two-day visit.

While the King Air fixed wing aircraft remained at Kirkwall Airport, the EC135 helicopter toured Westray, Papay, Eday and Hoy.

Today, the helicopter, which will be based in Inverness, will head to North Ronaldsay (0930), Sanday (1015), Stronsay (1100) before returning to Kirkwall Airport.

Click here to download the consultation document in Adobe Acrobat format.

Archive story: Ambulance service boss in
Orkney following news of air service changes

Islands councillors have been told there is an urgent need to upgrade and expand current camping site facilities in Orkney.

Current capacity is likely to meet only half of the anticipated demand for the 2005 season, members of the policy and resources committee were told on Tuesday.

Members heard that the camp sites at at Pickaquoy, in Kirkwall, and the Point of Ness, Stromness, have had problems accommodating customers this year, with many being turned away.

Councillors recommended that the item be deferred for further discussion.

Councillors at today's meeting of the OIC's audit and monitoring committee heard today that only an average of six requests are made each year.

An external audit report said that the council should formally monitor the information requested under the act, something the assistant chief executive Malcolm Burr said would be no problem.

"With the extremely low number received, it means we are able to give careful attention to each one," he said.

Rousay residents at Tuesday's meeting

Rousay residents turned out for a public meeting on Tuesday afternoon to discuss NHS Orkney's proposals to phase out a doctor on the island.

At the end of the meeting, a unanimous show of hands confirmed residents wanted to retain a full-time doctor.

Another meeting is planned to decide what action to take to prevent the health board's proposals from going ahead.

Following consultation, the health board has come up with options for island areas, which could mean some losing their resident GP.

Councillors at the policy and resources committee meeting heard from the council's chief executive, Alistair Buchan, disappointment, on behalf of the OIC, on the lack of partnership working between the council and NHS Orkney.

An agreement between Orkney Islands Council and the county's nursery nurses brings the long-running dispute to an end.

Orkney's nurses were the last in the country to reach a settlement, but now, following negotiations between the OIC and the trade union Unison, an agreement on pay and conditions has been made.

An OIC statement said: "Both parties consider that the improved pay and conditions package will recognise the staff whose work is critical to pre-school education and which helps towards forming the basis of the children's future."

Councillor James Stockan said: "Wales has a daffodil, Scotland has the thistle. We must have something everyone knows or else it is pointless."

Members at Tuesday's policy and resources committee meeting agreed to seek advice from relevant groups in Orkney to find a more suitable choice.

There are about 700 second homes in Orkney which are only liable for half the level of council tax - if the OIC reduce the discount to 10 per cent, it would raise £190,000 additional revenue, councillors at Tuesday's policy and resources committee meeting heard.

After a vote councillors recommended that a survey be undertaken in Orkney of all council tax payers receiving a 50 per cent discount on second homes and empty properties.

The erection of Sanday's first wind turbines has been delayed by bad weather.

The remaining parts for the three turbines at Spurness in Sanday were due to arrive from Denmark on Tuesday. The ship will left Esbjerg on Wednesday afternoon and is due in Sanday late on Thursday.

Scottish and Southern Energy, which is leading the project, hopes that the three turbines will be up and running by the end of 2004.

Following news that the Scapa Dental Clinic is to be sold, NHS Orkney has moved to reassure the practice's clients that they will be able to register for NHS treatment.

Those applying to register will be placed on a pre-registration waiting list, with an appointment sent out when available. Anyone requiring emergency treatment can be seen at either King Street Dental Practice, Kirkwall, or the Garson Dental Practice, Stromness.

Application forms are available from King Street and the Station Dental Practice in Kirkwall.

Kirkwall's Scapa Dental Clinic looks set to be sold, with current owner, Mr Stuart Burgher, planning to leave the county.

It is understood that the clinic, which went private in 2003, will be sold as a going concern.

Mr Burgher has been unavailable for comment.

Tods of Orkney Ltd, who shut down their Kirkwall bakery earlier this year, are among the businesses who benefited from Orkney Enterprise grants in June and July this year.

Almost £113,000 worth of grants were approved by the local enterprise company over the two month period, including a further £12,400 to Tods of Orkney for development of their Stromness bakery and £12,000 to the Sands Hotel, Burray, for upgrading work.

The existing telephone network was installed in 1995, but is being upgraded to handle the rise in staff and patient contacts that take place everyday.

The switch to the new system will take place in the early hours of Sunday, October 3, at which time the new main number - 01856 888000 - will come into effect.

Joining the local enterprise company's board is Roy Brown and Cameron Taylor, who will attend their first board meeting on Thursday, September 23.

Mr Brown is the co-director of Orkney Aggregates Ltd, which took over the quarrying, concrete and haulage divisions from Orkney Builders in 1999.

Cameron Taylor returned to Orkney in 1996 to become chief executive of Orkney Tourist Board.

Five years ago he became a partner in Seabridge Consultants, a management consulting and design agency specialising in tourism and heritage projects.

Ten companies are to receive Training Access Points (TAP) and a range of free courses for their employees. It is hoped that after trying 'e-learning' they will then be encouraged to delve deeper.

This initiative is backed by learndirect Scotland for Business and is being organised locally by Orkney Enterprise.

Four times equestrian Olympic silver medallist, Ian Stark, officially opened the Pony Club's new indoor riding centre on Sunday.

As part of a day of celebrations, Ian took part in a riding demonstration, followed by a mounted pageant by club members, a polo demonstration, a display by Orkney Carriage Driving Group and a Pony Club games.