The OIC Planning and Protective Services Committee, which met today, Wednesday, approved the application by Andrew Cromarty of Hools, South Ronaldsay, to site the turbine on land near Herston Head.

Many of the [...]]]> Permission has been granted for a 47m high wind turbine at Herston, South Ronaldsay, despite objections from people living in the area.

The OIC Planning and Protective Services Committee, which met today, Wednesday, approved the application by Andrew Cromarty of Hools, South Ronaldsay, to site the turbine on land near Herston Head.

Many of the 15 objectors to the application live in nearby Herston village. They expressed concerns about potential noise and visual impact of the turbine in their area.

However, in their recommendations, the planning department of the council recommended to councillors that the turbine be approved.

An attempt was made by some councillors to defer the decision of the committee for a site visit to be made to the area, however after a 6-5 vote councillors approved the development.

Eight local drama clubs and groups will perform over three nights, culminating with the announcement of the overall winners on Friday.

As such, the vessel was due to sail for [...]]]> A further underwater survey of the NorthLink freight vessel Helliar has confirmed that the rope, which snagged the vessel’s port propeller at the weekend has also damaged the propeller stern tube and that a repair can be carried out only when she is placed in dry-dock.

As such, the vessel was due to sail for Gothenurg, Sweden, this morning, Wednesday.

NorthLink charters Helliar from Seatruck Ferries and while Helliar is away for repairs, she will be replaced by one of her sister ships from the Seatruck fleet – mv Arrow.

The Arrow is due to come into service on Friday.

The driver of a dark green car carried out an allegedly dangerous manoeuvre when overtaking a green Volkswagen Beetle car.

Police would like to hear from the driver of the dark green car and the driver of a [...]]]> At about 8pm on Tuesday, an incident occurred on the B9055 Ring of Brodgar public road in Stenness.

The driver of a dark green car carried out an allegedly dangerous manoeuvre when overtaking a green Volkswagen Beetle car.

Police would like to hear from the driver of the dark green car and the driver of a black 4X4 motor vehicle which was travelling in the opposite direction at the time of the incident.

Kirkwall Police Station can be contacted on 872241.

The organisation which helps people furthest from the labour market move closer and into work,  is one of six organisations in the Highlands and Islands receiving investment from the fund and the money will enable the organisation to invest in project development, generate [...]]]> Employability Orkney is to receive £94,000 from the Scottish Government’s Enterprise Growth Fund.

The organisation which helps people furthest from the labour market move closer and into work,  is one of six organisations in the Highlands and Islands receiving investment from the fund and the money will enable the organisation to invest in project development, generate more income and help more people in the community.

The day of action is part of the force’s ongoing commitment to the improvement of safety on Highlands and Islands roads.

A Northern Constabulary spokesman said: “Speeding is one of the main causal factors [...]]]> Police officers in Orkney will be targeting speeders today, Wednesday, as part of a day-long campaign across the Highlands and Islands.

The day of action is part of the force’s ongoing commitment to the improvement of safety on Highlands and Islands roads.

A Northern Constabulary spokesman said: “Speeding is one of the main causal factors in road traffic collisions across the Highlands and Islands

“Those who exceed the speed limit and those who drive at inappropriate speeds for the prevailing circumstances not only risk their own lives but they risk the safety of other road users and that includes pedestrians and cyclists, who can be particularly vulnerable.”

Christopher Baird, of Finstown, made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

Appearing from custody on Monday, Shaun Geddes, 35, c/o Jewadale, Finstown, admitted assaulting a woman and a man at an address in Kirkwall on Saturday evening.

Geddes was released on bail, with the special condition that he [...]]]> A man who admitted two counts of assault has had his sentence deferred for the preparation of reports.

Appearing from custody on Monday, Shaun Geddes, 35, c/o Jewadale, Finstown, admitted assaulting a woman and a man at an address in Kirkwall on Saturday evening.

Geddes was released on bail, with the special condition that he does not contact the woman, and was ordered to return to court on March 14.

NorthLink say that length of rope had been [...]]]> An underwater investigation carried out by divers in Lerwick has established that the technical problem which affected the NorthLink freight vessel Helliar whilst she was operating the Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick service overnight on Saturday, was due to a rope becoming fouled in the port propeller.

NorthLink say that length of rope had been removed from the propeller, and investigations are continuing into whether the rope has damaged the propeller shaft mechanism, and added that it may be that the vessel will have to be placed in dry-dock for a more detailed investigation or repair.

The situation will become more clear once a further underwater investigation has been carried out.

A Parade of Bright Planets in the late Winter Sky can be found here.

Mr Spence was first appointed to the HIE Board in October 2008.

The re-appointment will be for three years, from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2015. It attracts a remuneration of £10,065 per annum for a time commitment of two days per [...]]]> Orkney man Craig Spence has been re-appointed to the board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Mr Spence was first appointed to the HIE Board in October 2008.

The re-appointment will be for three years, from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2015. It attracts a remuneration of £10,065 per annum for a time commitment of two days per month.

Everyone involved with or having an interest in musical activities for young people is invited to attend.

Glenys Hughes, chairwoman of OYMF said: “A wealth of musical activities of all genres is available to young people in Orkney. I hope that OYMF can continue [...]]]> Orkney Youth Music Forum is holding an open meeting tomorrow, Sunday, February 19.

Everyone involved with or having an interest in musical activities for young people is invited to attend.

Glenys Hughes, chairwoman of OYMF said: “A wealth of musical activities of all genres is available to young people in Orkney. I hope that OYMF can continue to support these activities by developing its role in providing a discussion forum where people can learn about opportunities, both local and national, and explore possibilities for collaboration.

“So this open meeting is intended as a step towards raising the profile of the Forum. The committee hopes that a wide range of individuals, representatives of organisations and young people themselves will come along, give us their ideas on the most productive way forward for the Forum, and, hopefully, join up as members.”

The meeting takes place at 3pm, on Sunday, in the King Street Halls, Kirkwall. The event will include refreshments and musical entertainment by Broken Strings and other young musicians who have recently taken part in Glasgow’s Celtic Connections.

The Art of Research brings together two very different displays of artwork: Being and Remembering — new work by Rik Hammond and William Kirkness – a teacher of many parts , curated by Mirella Arcidiacono.

For Being and Remembering, Rik Hammond brings together [...]]]> This weekend sees two new exhibitions open at the Pier Arts Centre.

The Art of Research brings together two very different displays of artwork: Being and Remembering — new work by Rik Hammond and William Kirkness – a teacher of many parts , curated by Mirella Arcidiacono.

For Being and Remembering, Rik Hammond brings together a collection of contemporary works made as a result of a short residency at Orkney’s World Heritage Site, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.

In presenting the display, William Kirkness — a teacher of many parts, Mirella Arcidiacono, Museum and Gallery intern with the Pier Arts Centre and Orkney Museum, has gained valuable experience in curatorial research methods. She faced the challenge of organising an exhibition across two venues, and bringing material and artefacts together from a limited starting point. Her exhibition explores and celebrates the life and work of William Kirkness (1887-1974), handicraft teacher, film-maker and antiquarian.

The exhibitions run at the Pier Arts Centre until March 17, as is the companion exhibition on William Kirkness at the Orkney Museum.

Exhibition tours will take place on Saturday afternoon at the Pier Arts Centre. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with Rik Hammond at 2pm and Mirella Arcidiacono at 3pm, and hear more about their exhibition projects. Admission free.

In its detailed response, the OIC argues against Ofgem’s preferred option for setting charges based on a variation of the present distance-related charging regime.

This would leave [...]]]> Proposed transmission charges outlined by Ofgem will disadvantage Orkney’s renewables future —  that’s according to the OIC in its response to a consultation by the national energy regulator.

In its detailed response, the OIC argues against Ofgem’s preferred option for setting charges based on a variation of the present distance-related charging regime.

This would leave Orkney renewables projects, together with those on the other two Scottish island groups, with much higher transmission charges than projects on the UK mainland – in fact, six times higher than the adjacent mainland zone of north of Scotland, which itself is higher than all other UK zones.

The council submission proposes several ways of using Ofgem’s own methodology to bring transmission charges for the islands closer to those proposed for the mainland.

Copies of the council’s submission are available from www.orkney.gov.uk.

A trained volunteer will visit the farm or croft to survey the species of birds present during the breeding season and participants will then receive a map of the birds recorded on their land and advice to help [...]]]> The RSPB is urging Orkney’s farmers and crofters to sign up for a free farmland bird survey.

A trained volunteer will visit the farm or croft to survey the species of birds present during the breeding season and participants will then receive a map of the birds recorded on their land and advice to help them target their management to benefit wildlife.

The data collected can be helpful in guiding and supporting Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) Rural Priorities applications and a chance for those already in agri-environment schemes to see how their management is impacting on birds.

The surveys depend on finding local volunteers so the RSPB is looking for surveyors with bird identification skills, willing to spare three mornings during the breeding season to survey a local croft or farm. For more information, to sign up for a survey, or to volunteer to carry out surveys, contact Nathalie Pion on nathalie.pion@rspb.org.uk or 01950 460800 or visit the Volunteer & Farmer Alliance webpage at www.rspb.org.uk/vandfa.