Orkney Towage Co Ltd became the sole responsibility of Orkney Islands Council this week, with the acquisition of JP Knight (Caledonian) Ltd's shares.

Directors from both companies decided that the original purposes for the formation of Orkney Towage Co Ltd had been met and it was time for JP Knight (Caledonian) Ltd to take a step back and allow the Council to become the only shareholder.

The 28-year relationship between the two towage companies will continue beyond the handover and they will continue to work together.

The trial Orkney radio station planned to start in January has been cancelled.

The licence-holder, Martin Gilbert, of Dounby, said the problem was "one of those logistical things that we're not able to solve in time" but would not go into any more detail.

The station was to operate in Kirkwall from January 29 to February 25 using a restricted service licence.

The OIC will now distribute the bulbs to around 3000 households who receive benefits.

Four lightbulbs per household can be collected from the Council's Customer Service Reception, the Stromness Cash Office, Job Centre Plus, Pickaquoy Centre and Orkney Ferries passenger lounges.

The bulbs can save households around £240 over the course of their lifespan of 12,000 hours.

Orkney has seen a spate of road accidents over the past few days.

On Wednesday, a one vehicle road accident in Hatston Industrial Estate led to a man being charged with several road traffic offences.

On Thursday morning , two vehicles collided at the entrance to the Castle Street car park on Junction Road. There were no injuries. Later, at Safeway on Pickaquoy Road, an Isuzu Trooper collided with a motor-cycle. The bike rider was taken to hospital with fractures and detained. Police inquiries are ongoing.

In the early hours of Christmas Eve, at least three vehicles were damaged after being struck by another vehicle. The driver has been arrested for drink driving and is currently in custody.

They are reminding the public that anyone requiring medical assistance can call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.

The NHS 24 website at www.nhs24.com contains information on what services are available locally in each NHS Board area over the festive season.

An outspoken locum GP working in Orkney has been reported to the General Medical Council (GMC).

Dr Robbie Coull has been one of the most vocal supporters for keeping a resident GP in Shapinsay and has been at the forefront of criticism of the running of NHS Orkney.

He confirmed this week: "A complaint has been received by the GMC alleging that my public criticism of NHS Orkney is unsubstantiated and unsupported."

"I cannot comment further at this time due to GMC confidentiality rules, other than to say I can substantiate all my public statements regarding NHS Orkney."

Orkney has nothing to fear from Flotta oil terminal's ageing pipework, senior management at the complex said this week.

More than 100 miles of the 28-year-old pipework in Flotta is in tip-top condition, according to Talisman's manager for exploration and production, John Forrest.

Mr Forrest was speaking following the discovery of a corroded gas pipe which caused production to grind to a halt at the terminal last month.

At 19, Fraser Anderson in one of the youngest craftsmen currently producing the distinctive straw-backed chairs and has set up Orkney Hand Crafted Furniture.

The Kirkwall teenager decided to go it alone as a professional furniture maker after serving his chair making apprenticeship working alongside an established craftsman.

Fraser, who is hard at work making chairs and other furniture for his first major exhibition, Scotland's International Trade Fair in Glasgow, is being supported by Orkney Enterprise.

From left to right, Rhoda Walker, Fiona Cowan; Harry Garland, Director of Community Social Services; and Gillian Morrison, Head of Strategic Services.

Orkney Islands Council's Community Social Services Department will be looking for a new service manager after Fiona Cowan leaves the department in January.

Fiona, manager of Community Care Co-ordination, will officially leave on January 14, 2005, and will take up her new post developing 'Information Plus', a business run by her husband, Les.

Fiona began work at the Council as an Occupational Therapist 14 years ago before taking up a joint post with NHS Orkney aimed at developing partnership working and better services for people in the community.

Orkney MSP, Jim Wallace, has called for improvements in any future NorthLink consultations, following Tuesday's announcement that the Pentland Firth timetable will change in February 2005.

Mr Wallace said: "There must be improvements to the consultation process. I have not challenged NorthLink's good faith in the surveys and consultations, which did take place; but equally, I haven't doubted the sincerity of those who will be materially affected by the proposed change and who were genuinely surprised when the new timetable was published."

Police are appealing for information following the theft of a large sum of money from a property in Firth.

An undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the Cruan Riding School sometime over the weekend. The money was raised following a Santa's Grotto event on Saturday.

Anyone with information should contact Kirkwall police on 872241.

Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said that delaying the start of the new sailing times between Scrabster and Stromness, would allow haulage companies more time to find ways to adjust to the new schedule.

Mr Stephen added: “I have particularly asked NorthLink to hold further discussions with Parcelforce and to report back to the Executive.”

The decision will mean scrapping the 3.45am from Stromness and 6am Scrabster sailings, replacing them with the later times of 6.30am and 8.45am, respectively.

Kirkwall Grammar School has received a positive inspection report by education inspectors, following their visit in September.

The inspectors named the staff's committment, the links with the community and the service provided by the librarian as some of the school's key strengths.

Among the action points highlighted is the need to develop assessment and evaluation approaches in relation to students and learning.

The full report is available online at www.hmie.gov.uk.

A project to install a community wind turbine in Holm has received a cash boost of almost £35,000 from the National Lottery.

The 25 kw turbine will be used to provide the power for a new heating system in the Holm Hall. The £34,738 grant comes from the Fresh Futures programme of the Big Lottery Fund.

Holm Community Association trustee, John Muir, explained: "When we considered renewing our heating, we wanted to make sure that we avoided the use of fossil fuels and instead utilise a form of green energy. After we conducted a feasibility study, we held a public meeting and it was unanimously agreed that a wind turbine be erected."

The state of the sewerage system in Kirkwall, which includes a leaking pipe, has meant all new building projects in the town have been put on hold.

Chairwoman Andi Ross said: "We very much hope that the Executive, next month, will decide firstly to spend money in the year starting 1 April, 2005, to solve problems in St Margaret's Hope and Kirkwall and, secondly, from 2006 onwards provide public money to remedy Orkney's many other sewerage problems".

The driver is alleged to have given a positive breath test after the accident at 3.20am on Burnmouth Road.

The man is due to appear in Kirkwall Sheriff Court on an undertaking on December 28.

OIC social work department staff with the new fleet of buses

Orkney Islands Council has taken delivery for six new minibuses for their community social services department.

The new buses will replace the ageing fleet used at the St Colm's Day Centre, Gilbertson day centre, West Mainland Day Centre and the new Dounby day centre.

Welcoming the new transport, Councillor Keith Johnson, chairman of the OIC social work committee said: "The condition of some of the buses being replaced was causing us concern but the new buses will provide travel in comfort and safety."

Orkney Rugby Club's First XV recent run of wins came to an end on Saturday after they were beaten in Kirkwall.

Orkney lost 3-18 to Caithness in their latest BT League Division Four fixture.

The ban on taking king scallops from the the waters to the north of the Mainland and south of the North Isles has been lifted.

The Food Standards Agency ban had been imposed due to high levels of ASP toxins in samples taken from the areas designated boxes 010 and 011 on the map.

The Highlands and Islands Fire Board will consider draft proposals this week on the future of 32 small fire units throughout Scotland.

A risk assessment has recommended that the Evie unit be downgraded from a response team to auxiliary support, providing an active community safety role.

Evie Councillor, Jimmy Moar, warned that lives could be put at risk. "Ideally, we would like to have seen the unit upgraded. We will certainly have a go and see if we can hold onto it as it is."