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A
look back at events of 2001
JANUARY
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New
Year’s day saw the recent run of victories continue with the
Men’s and Boys’ ba’s both going up. The Men’s
ba’ was won by an elated Marty Flett in under three hours. The
Boys’ ba’ went to Ryan Garriock after almost two and a half
hours of strong surges by the Doonies being successfully repressed
by the Uppie boys.
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Four
people from Orkney were recognised in the New Year’s Honours
List. Ken Watson of Rennibister, Firth, was made an MBE for services
to the Hill Farming Advisory Committee; Captain Andy Alsop, who helped
to develop the Inter Island Air Service during 12 years as a pilot
with Loganair in Orkney, was awarded the MBE for his services to Polar
Exploration and the British Antarctic Survey; the executive director
of Voluntary Action Orkney, Norma Campbell was made an MBE for services
to the local community; and Davie Norquoy was awarded an MBE in recognition
of his services to Highland and Islands Fire Brigade.
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Petrol
prices dropped by as much as six pence per litre in the second week
of January, bringing prices in line with the Scottish mainland. The
cut was welcomed by prospective Liberal Democrat candidate –
now Orkney’s MP – Alistair Carmichael who had previously
criticised oil companies for not taking enough action. He said it
was now the responsibility of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to remove
the difference between rural and urban petrol prices by reducing vehicle
excise duty.
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The
row over council plans to build the £10.5 million terminal at
Crowness for the new Aberdeen to Orkney ferry – instead of upgrading
Stromness harbour – could have jeopardised the European funding
available for the projects. The warning was given by Mr John Horton,
the project manager for ferry company NorthLink. Improvements at Scrabster
harbour failed to get ERDF funding after delays and Mr Horton warned
that a similar scenario could occur in Orkney.
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Orkney
beer Skullsplitter was the Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain
2001. The strong ale, weighing in at 8.5 per cent, clinched the ultimate
prize at the National Winter Ales Festival held in Manchester, organised
by the Campaign for Real Ale. It beat off competition from beers across
the country to take the top title.
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At the end of the month, the OIC convener, Councillor Hugh Halcro-Johnston,
called on the whole of Orkney to get behind plans for the new ferry
terminal at Hatston, warning that a divide in the community could jeopardise
the project.
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©
The Orcadian Limited, Hell's Half Acre, Hatston, Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland
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