A look back at events of 2003

March

• Young Orkney athlete Neil Gray won the national under-20 men’s indoor 400m, after a controversial race in which he was twice impended, with the offending athlete disqualified. Jason Rogers of Ayr, who was race favourite, cut across Neil on two occasions, winning himself only disqualification.
  
  Neil’s time of 50.91 seconds was enough to win him first place.
• The 2003 Stromness Shopping Week Queen was announced as Briony Hourston, from Hundland Schoolhouse, Birsay. Her attendants were Gemma Cursiter and Rachel Brass. The results came from a secret ballot of the senior classes at Stromness Academy.
• It was announced this month that one of the top DJs in music, Judge Jules, was booked to open Orkney’s new club, Fusion, in May.
  
  The Radio One star is widely renowned, and plays all the top club nights in the UK. Manager of Fusion, Neil Stevenson, said that securing Judge Jules was a major coup, as it may help him attract other big name DJs to the county.
• Orkney’s inter county netballers secured a double win over Shetland in the 23rd senior competition. A large crowd of spectators at the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall watched Orkney’s ‘B’ team win 36-27, with the ‘A’ team securing 43-34 triumph.
  
  The county’s male pool team also tasted success when they defeated Shetland, following a magnificent comeback to win in a play off victory. Orcadian Keith Keldie defeated the Shetland representative Alan Johnston, to take the match 10-9. Orkney’s female pool representatives were not so successful, losing 10-2 to their Shetland counterparts. This score did not reflect Orkney’s performance, however, with the veteran experience of Shetland leading them to victory.
• The skipper of Pentland Ferries vessel Claymore was sacked this month after the ship was driven aground in bad weather on a return sailing from Gills Bay.
  
  Managing director of the company, Mr Andrew Banks, confirmed that Captain Gordon Stove had been fired. The 12 passengers on board were taken to the St Margaret’s Hope terminal by the Longhope lifeboat.
• The threat of war in Iraq was brought closer to home this month as Orkney soldiers prepared to play their parts in the conflict. Friends and family waited anxiously to see if their loved ones would be called up. Indeed, Colin Ross from St Ola was on standby, after successfully completing the Royal Marines training course.
• The ongoing health crisis in Orkney continued this month, when GPs in the county signed a declaration in a letter warning islanders that primary care services could be slashed, and even the most basic medical and maternity procedures may have to be carried out south.
  
  Under controversial new proposals Orkney’s number of GPs would be cut from 27 to just nine, possibly leading to the end of isles life, as people would not stay without health care.
• Internal investigations took place after an explosion at the Northern Lighthouse Board’s depot in Stromness ripped a large hole in the roof. Three officials from the NLB headquarters in Edinburgh led the inquiries.
• The go-ahead was given for work to begin on Kirkwall’s new marina, after a wrangle involving a land valuation was resolved. A dispute over the value of an area of foreshore on Cromwell Road had led to delays.