The Orcadian Features - A look back at the year 2002

A look back at events of 2002

March

Almost half the total rainfall of 2001 was recorded during the first two and a half months of 2002. The rain was heavy and continuous towards the end of February, registering around 13 inches in the two and a half months. The total rainfall for 2001 was around 699.4mm, or 27 inches.
The final service in the East Church, formerly called the Paterson Church, in School Place, Kirkwall, was held. The School Place premises, which had been the home of the East Church congregation for over 100 years, was unveiled as the location for Orkney Islands Council¹s One Stop Shop project.
The veterinary practice on Junction Road in Kirkwall was purchased by local vets Liz Flett and Kate Carmichael, wife of local MP Alistair Carmichael. The practice was renamed Flett and Carmichael.
Orkney Rugby Club¹s final home game of the season was one to remember for fans and players as they crushed Ross Sutherland 113-0 at the Kirkwall Grammar School pitch.
Loganair confirmed that they intended to start Sunday flights to and from Kirkwall Airport as of the beginning of April.
It was announced that repairs to Orkney¹s largest fishing vessel, Orcades Viking III, which suffered engine failure in January, would cost over £1 million. On top of this, it was revealed that the vessel would only be back at sea in May at the earliest.
The results of a survey carried out in December 2001 showed that 99 per cent of customers were satisfied with the overall service at the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall.
Orkney hosted a meeting of the International Island Games Committee for two days at the Orkney Hotel in Kirkwall, while a civic reception was held in Kirkwall Town Hall before the committee left.

During their visit, the committee chairman, Mr Bo Frykenstam, expressedhopes that Orkney and other small islands would be able to host the International Island Games in the future, despite concerns about the growing size of the event.
The remains of the three babies discovered under the floor of a house in Harray towards the end of 2001were finally laid to rest during an emotional and moving ceremony at St Michael¹s Church in Harray.
The three-man crew of a South Ronaldsay creel boat had a lucky escape when their vessel sank in waters off Orkney. The Incentive, owned by Clifford Norquoy of St Margaret's Hope, started taking in water between the Pentland Skerries Lighthouse and the Old Head, South Ronaldsay, before sinking. The crew were picked up by another local boat and taken to Burwick pier.

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