A look back at events of 2003

December

• The long-running saga of closed circuit television finally came to an end when the facility was installed throughout Kirkwall streets early this month.
  The three month trial saw cameras set up at Harbour Street, Broad Street and at Great Western Road, behind Kirkwall’s Fusion nightclub.
  
  Police were confident the cameras would act as a deterrent to anyone looking to cause trouble in the town – and they did.
  
  Within one week of being set up, police said the cameras had captured a number of images of incidents, including damage at the Ayre Hotel.
• The cost of staff absence at NHS Orkney was an estimated £260,000 for the first half of 2003, it was revealed this month – with 41 per cent of the total hours lost relating to nursing staff.
• The chairman of Orkney Tourist Board claimed the future of the organisation looks bright – despite the resignation of two directors at the AGM held in December.
  
  Mr John Hinkley took over the post of chairman, following the resignations of both Stewart Anderson and Gareth Crichton. Both men refused to decline on the reasons for their sudden departure.
• The new Orkney Library officially opened its doors to the public this month. People were treated to a two-day preview showing of the £3.5 million complex before it opened for business on Thursday, December 11.
• A fatal accident inquiry exploring an incident in which a helicopter crashed in Orkney waters in May, 2002 heard that the load the chopper was carrying was not safe. The three-day hearing at Kirkwall Sheriff Court heard how Captain Anthony Taylor, of Insch, Aberdeenshire, died when his Bolkow 105 helicopter plummeted about 400 feet into waters near the Brough of Birsay.
• Controversial plans to berth a floating hotel in Stromness were passed by councillors this month. An OIC full council meeting saw members move in favour of the decision to give the green light for a cruise ship to be based at the old Northern Lighthouse Board pier.
  
  Last minute objections from a number of Stromness residents failed to sway the councillors, even though several people claimed the vessel could lead to anti-social behaviour and noise and light pollution.
  
  Later in the month, a special online poll run by The Orcadian showed the majority of the 400 voters giving the venture the thumbs down.
• The 25th anniversary of the Orkney branch of Diabetes UK was marked with a retirement party in Kirkwall’s Royal British Legion for visiting consultant paediatrician, Dr Peter Smail. Dr Smail, who was due to retire at the end of December, has been central to diabetes services in the county for the past 23 years.
• A bus driver involved in a fatal crash with a motorcyclist earlier in the year was fined £200 and given three penalty points this month. Robert Heddle Marwick (50) of Holm, was the driver of a coach which was in collision with offshore oil worker Ian Leslie’s motorcycle. Mr Leslie died as a result of the accident.
• A new sheriff was appointed for Orkney to succeed Colin Scott Mackenzie, who was due to retire at the end of 2003. Graeme Napier, 46, previously worked as the Area Procurator Fiscal of Highlands and Islands.
• Police officers and sniffer dogs from Shetland and Caithness were drafted in to reinforce a drugs crackdown in late December. “Operation Kink” was run jointly by Orkney, Caithness and Shetland police.
  
  Despite random searches and the use of highly trained Labrador dogs, no illegal substances were found on people in Kirkwall’s Fusion nightclub.
• Months of rumours surrounding the sale of Kirkwall’s prestigious Grainbank House and surrounding land came to an end this month, when it was revealed a newly formed company plan to turn the site into a massive housing development.
  
  Westdawn Ltd – formed by Terry O’Hara, managing director of Andrew H. Wilson Electrical Ltd, and Alistair MacLeod of Alistair MacLeod Independent Financial Advisers – sent a development brief to Orkney Islands Council for a proposed 148 housing plots.
• NHS Orkney confirmed that Judi Wellden would not be returning to the post as chief executive following a period of sick leave. Mrs Wellden joined NHS Orkney in December, 1998. After six months absence due to illness, she returned to the helm in August, 2002 before going on sick-leave again in August 2003.
• The Uppies ended the year on a high with victories in both the boys' and men's Christmas Day ba's. Boys's winner was Robbie Innes, with Raymond Stanger taking the men's.