| MSP "warns" BT to ensure community involvement in turbine proposals |
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Highlands and Islands MSP Rob Gibson has "warned" BT that communit y must benefit from any wind turbines the company wants to erect in the Northern Isles.
His call comes after the communications giant confirmed plans to develop a turbine on Wideford Hill, overlooking Kirkwall.
Mr Gibson said the company's "vast profits" has allowed them to make forays into the electricity market, "therefore, the company must involve the community and plough some of the profits back into it."
"It is important that any new development is built upon partnership with the community. Anything less would merely repeat the mistakes of many previous outside developers." |
| Views wanted on LEADER strategy |
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Anyone interested in community economic development in Orkney is being invited to share their views on the county’s bid for European Union LEADER funding.
As part of the bid, a LEADER Local Action Group was set-up with members representing groups including Orkney Islands Council, HIE Orkney, NHS Orkney, Orkney College and representatives from the island development trusts and sectoral groupings, to put together a strategy for success.
Now the Group want to hear comments on their Strategy and Business Plan, which has to be submitted to the Scottish Government at the end of the month.
The action group wants to hear views by October 24. Visit the Orkney LEADER Action Group website for more information and to download a copy of the Plan. |
| BT plans for Wideford Hill wind turbines |
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BT has unveiled wind turbine plans for Wideford Hill - confirming that it has applied for planning permission for a test mast.
Part of a national scheme, the company wants to see turbines help generate up to 25 per cent of its existing UK electricity requirements by 2016. High wind-yield sites on, or adjacent to BT-owned land for development, are being chosen for the project.
BT has also applied to erect test mast at Scousburgh radio station in Shetland. |
| New turbine due off Eday within weeks |
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A new turbine will be put in place at the tidal energy test site at the Fall of Warness, off Eday.
The Irish company OpenHydro installed the first test open-centre turbine at the site almost a year ago. The replacement machine has a number of new features which will be tested at the site, operated by the European Marine Energy Centre.
OpenHydro chief executive James Ives said the company was developing commercial tidal energy projects in Nova Scotia and the Channel Islands as a result of the experience gained in Orkney.
The new turbine will be installed over the next few weeks. |
| Ideas sought for seafood industry |
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Organisations and people with ideas that could benefit the seafood industry have been invited to apply for the third round of funding from the Seafish Industry and Partnership Project Fund.
The third tranche of £700,000 is currently available and Seafish is welcoming all sectors of the industry, from catching through to retail, to apply.
Full details of the process and timelines are available from the Seafish website www.seafish.org/funding.asp, including examples of applications and a questions and answers section. |
| Kirkwall woman jailed for cheque fraud |
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A Kirkwall woman who admitted 29 counts of fraud and theft to obtain £6,925 has been jailed for two months.
Patricia Williamson, 40, of Kirklands Road, recently changed her not guilty plea and admitted uttering and altering cheques on various occasions between July 25, 2005 and December 4, 2006.
They had been stolen from Ashley Nicholson, of Earl Thorfinn Street, Kirkwall. She denied a further 12 counts and this was accepted by the court.
On sentencing, sheriff Thomas Ward told Williamson: "You commited a gross breach of trust, you systematically took this money and you took advantage." |
| MSP calls for meeting with SAS chief executive |
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Orkney MSP, Liam McArthur, is seeking an early meeting with the new chief executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service, Kevin Doran, who is to take up his post on November 5.
Mr McArthur wants to outline a number of issues of concern about the delivery of ambulance services in Orkney.
Mr McArthur commented: "There is an excellent opportunity with Mr Doran's appointment to usher in some fresh thinking and a new approach, not least in relation to the air ambulance. I want to make sure that the Scottish Ambulance Service takes advantage of this opportunity in the interests of people throughout Orkney, particularly those in the North Isles who have been most adversely affected.” |
| Livestock movement restrictions lifted |
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All movement restrictions in Scotland, imposed as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak in the south of England, were lifted from midnight on Tuesday.
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said: "This is very good news.
"It frees our vital livestock industry from most of the shackles which have held it back for more than two months. The legacy of this outbreak is a massive crisis in Scotland and this must be addressed by the UK Government.”
"This call for the UK Government to act has unprecedented support not only from our farming and rural communities but across political divides and from wider society.”
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| NorthLink sponsorship programme continues |
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NorthLink is to continue its programme of support for communities in the Northern Isles with a further investment of £50,000 in free travel and discounted fares over the next six months.
The NorthLink sponsorship programme is designed to support individuals, local charities, sporting groups and athletes in Orkney and Shetland.
Among those supported by the programme have been Claire Wilson from Sanday, who was chosen to represent Scotland in the Under-17 Netball Squad. Sisters Also, Terri and Kelly Reid, from Cruan Riding School. Joining them this year is brother Jack, to attend equestrian competitions. |
| Teachers prepare for second learning festival |
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Orkney’s teachers are looking forward to ‘learning together’ – the focus of the county’s second 'Learning Festival'.
The October event features workshops on teaching with technology, an introduction to animation in the classroom and the chance to find out more about the ‘global classroom’.
Also, 13 teachers in Orkney will receive certificates for completing Professional Recognition in Mentoring courses over the last year.
The event takes place on October 25 and 26 at Kirkwall Grammar School. |
