A house in Stromness sustained moderate structural damage after a fire broke out in the property on Wednesday.

The fire, which destroyed four square metres of flooring and caused extensive smoke damage, was reported by a member of the public just after 7.30pm.

Three fire appliances attended the scene, at the detached bungalow. This included two units from Stromness and an appliance from Kirkwall standing by.

The fire was brought under control at 9.38pm, using a hose line, a high pressure hose reel, several breathing apparatus sets and thermal imaging equipment.

Produced water treatment and oil separation specialist, Opus, has recently completed a milestone project, to supply its compact flotation technology for the offshore Brazil region.

Opus, which has a base on Flotta, was asked to supply a skid mounted Compact Flotation Unit (CFU), for treating produced water onboard the Maersk-owned Peregrino FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) vessel.

The contract itself, worth around £1million, was awarded by Houston based company, J. Ray McDermott Engineering.

The work, which was Opus’ fourth major international CFU contract, saw the company work to a tight delivery schedule.

NorthLink Ferries is considering changing its timetable to include summer daytime sailings between Lerwick and Kirkwall.

The proposed changes would see fewer journeys to Aberdeen from Lerwick during some winter months.

NorthLink chief executive, Bill Davidson, said that the company is looking at ways to offer more sailings during the summer, when demand is higher.

The proposal, if it is adopted, would not come into effect before summer, 2010, he added.

Alice Forsyth

Orkney’s World Heritage Site has a new co-ordinator after Alice Lyall, 34, originally from Inverness, took up the position last week.

The three-year post is part of the World Heritage Site management plan - the implementation of which will be a key part of Ms Lyall’s role.

The management plan, launched in October last year, sets out how the partners - Historic Scotland, OIC, Scottish Natural Heritage and the RSPB - propose to manage the UNESCO designated site over the next five years, and considers how it has been managed since it was added to the World Heritage List, in 1999.

The plan also contains 46 objectives, covering everything from physical access to the sites, and using the internet, to making people better aware of the wealth of history in Orkney.

A new guided walk, at Brodgar, aimed at birdwatching for beginners, has been introduced by RSPB Scotland.

The walk will take place every Tuesday and Thursday, at 10.30am, from May 12 to August 20.

The walk will be "an easy, family-friendly walk around the RSPB reserve at Brodgar", aimed at people new to birdwatching.

To book for the walks, which last one to two hours, contact walk guide, Jenny Dewar, on 850176.

Kirkwall's town centre is looking brighter this week, with the opening of two new stores in replacement of former closed down businesses.

Toyzone+ in Kirkwall's Bridge Street.

At the beginning of the week, new toy and gift shop, Toyzone +, opened in the building which previously housed the business of Eric G. Kemp, Sports and Outdoor Centre.

Starting this new business is the current manager of Buster's Diner, Jean Bain, and her son, Keith.

Mountain Warehouse in Kirkwall's Albert Street.

Also, opened on Wednesday in the former site of Woolworths, is outdoor supply store, Mountain Warehouse.

Founded with one store in Swindon in 1997, Mountain Warehouse has now grown to over 60 stores across the UK, stocking a range of products for hiking, travelling, skiing, camping, cycling and many more outdoor activities.

Mr Alastair Forsyth.

Dounby Community School will welcome their new head teacher, Alastair Forsyth, at the beginning of the new school year in August, 2009.

He will take over from Hilary Morrell, who is retiring in June. Ms Morell has been head teacher of Dounby School for 29 years, and recently received an OBE for services to the school and its community.

Orkney will be touched by military action next week in Europe's biggest military exercise - Joint Warrior.

The UK's three armed forces, along with those of up to 12 other countries, will take part in the joint collective training, aimed at sharpening the response levels of the thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen involved.

The first of 2009's Joint Warrior's Exercises is due to take place between May 11 and May 22, a Royal Navy spokesman confirmed.

He said the operation will take place across the whole of the UK, utilising a wide variety of battlespace, from Shetland to the south of England.

A man has been cautioned and charged with vandalism, following a series of graffiti incidents around Kirkwall, using spray paint. A report is to be forwarded to the Procurator Fiscal in Kirkwall.

A one-vehicle accident occured on the road at Banks, Rousay, in the early hours of Saturday, May 2.

The male driver was taken to Balfour Hospital and treated for facial injuries.

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

Orkney 'A' won the Orkney Aggregates Rugby Sevens at the weekend - the first time since 2001 that an Orkney side has won the event.

The 'A' team beat last year’s winners, Peebles RFC, in the final on Saturday.

Scotland internationalist Nick De Luca also attended the tournament, helping out with the coaching of the midi rugby players on Saturday morning.

Orkney 'A' were competing alongside KGS FPs 'A' and KGS FP Ba Ba’s, Auld Bulls, West Young Ones, East, Westray, Orkney Under-18s, and Orkney Builders, and Orkney 'B'.

The visiting teams at the tournament were Peebles, Grangemouth, Heriots, North Berwick 'A' and 'B', and Grangemouth Legends.

Orkney Islands Council is to ask Orkney residents what housing they need and where they need it in a survey to be included as a flyer in The Orcadian next week.

The council’s housing and planning teams will use the information from the survey to help prepare a new local housing strategy and local development plan for Orkney.

OIC agreed at the end of last year to embark on a building programme for 125 new Council houses over the next three years — the first time in more than 30 years that it has built a significant number of houses.

The survey is the latest move by council to research Orkney’s housing needs.

A Kirkwall hangman's tools — handcuffs and leg irons — believed to date back to the 1700s are now on display in St Magnus Cathedral.

The handcuffs were on display for a short while in the Orkney museum after they were handed in in 2005, and then put into storage.

Installing the handcuffs and leg irons in the cathedral was a major challenge, involving cathedral staff having to test the humidity and temperature of the kirk museum daily for a month. A handmade case for the display was paid for from the Cathedral's donation box.

Health Board chiefs are appealing for members of the public to get involved with an upcoming consultation aimed at shaping the service of NHS Orkney.

The framework highlights a number of controversial proposals, including the amalgamation of the Balfour Hospital’s Piper and Ninian Wards, and perceived cuts to the numbers of resident GPs in the outer isles.

The information on the planned changes to NHS Orkney’s clinical strategy is due to be put out to public consultation later this month.

A pharmacy services committee has been established in Orkney — as a result of an application from a new company to join the pharmaceutical list.

The group was given the go ahead by NHS Orkney Board members on Thursday.

Non-executive director Craig Spence was elected chairman of the committee.

Three Orkney projects have secured financial support through the latest round of European Fisheries Fund awards.

The Orkney projects are £2,500 for the installation of centrifuge in the Arkh Angel; £59,400 to the Orkney Fishermen's Society for factory alterations and the installation of a humane crab stunner, and £74,703 to Orkney Sustainable Fisheries for a website upgrade and research on shellfish stock monitoring.