Latest News
Cheaper fuel on the way ?
29/07/2010 14:48:00
ORKNEY and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael has reiterated the commitment of the Coalition Government to cutting fuel prices in rural areas after Treasury Minister Danny Alexander announced that he expected that pilot schemes to help reduce costs will be brought forward within months.
Salvage effort recognised
29/07/2010 14:37:00
THE 80th anniversary of the raising of the flagship of the German High Seas Fleet, SMS Hindenberg is to be marked in Lyness on Friday, when the man responsible for the salvaging of much of the German Fleet will also be recognised.
Marine Services launches 2011 celebrations webpage
28/07/2010 16:30:00
ORKNEY Islands Council's Marine Services has launched a new webpage to
keep the community updated on plans for celebrating 2011.
This will include information about the 200-year anniversary of
Kirkwall Pier and The Tall Ships Races which it's hoped will attract
race competitors and enthusiasts to the county.
Voith Hydro team takes stock after barge problems
28/07/2010 12:19:00
THE jack-up barge being hired to lay the foundations for a tidal
current turbine at EMEC's test facility at the Fall of Warness, off
Eday, has encountered challenging conditions during attempts to deploy
at the site.
The Pauline was towed to the test site on Friday, but following
concerns that the barge's legs might not be long enough to work in high
tide, she was returned to Kirkwall Harbour.
Hammars Hill wind turbines ready for road trips
28/07/2010 12:08:00
THE five wind turbines for the Hammars Hill windfarm in Evie have
arrived in Orkney and are due to be delivered over the next three weeks.
The sections of the five Enercon E44 turbines were offloaded at Hatston
pier last week
and deliveries to Hammars Hill are due to start on Tuesday, August 3.
Public Health Minister to visit Youth Café
26/07/2010 15:25:00
SCOTLAND'S Public Health Minister Shona Robison is to attend a health
fair at Kirkwall's Youth Café on Tuesday, as part of the NHS Orkney
Annual Review.
The Youth Café brings together NHS Orkney with a number of local
partner organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of local
young people. The café also features a health hub giving young people
information on drinking, drugs, smoking, sexual health, and weight management.
The health fair will be open from 9.30am to 12 noon, where young people
from S1 and above can try a free big breakfast featuring smoothies,
muffins, fruit salad and porridge. There will also be lots of other
activities and health freebies at the fair.
Appeal for traps to be handed in
23/07/2010 15:16:00
FOLLOWING two cats being caught in illegal traps the local SSPCA and Police have announced an amnesty of such devices in Orkney.
Housing boost for Orkney
23/07/2010 12:59:00
EFFORTS to create more affordable housing in the county have taken a major step forward today, Friday, with the contract to build 40 new homes in Kirkwall for Orkney Islands Council and Orkney Housing Association Ltd awarded to local firm Orkney Builders (Contractors) Ltd.
The joint project between OIC and OHAL will deliver a range of homes in the Grainbank area of Kirkwall over the next two and a half years. The Grainbank development will include 29 two-bedroom houses, two four-bedroom houses and nine three-bedroom houses.
More details in Orkney Today on Thursday.
Orkney Cheese funding package
22/07/2010 16:12:00
ORKNEY Cheese is continuing to expand after securing a £1 million flexible funding package from Bank of Scotland.
The £1 million funding package has been used to build an additional cheese store at the factory site on Crowness Road which can hold up to 750 tonnes of cheese. It will also be used to boost working capital and support ongoing growth.
The £5 million turnover business employs 24 staff and sources its milk from 20 diary farms around Orkney.
More details in Orkney Today.
Drink drive campaign
22/07/2010 16:11:00
ORKNEY police stopped 11 drivers during Northern Constabulary's two week Safer Summer campaign, but thankfully none tested positive for drink driving.
An Orkney police spokesman said: "During a recent period of enforcement the Orkney Area Command carried out numerous road side breath tests. During this same period no drink related offences were detected.
"Northern Constabulary is committed to making its roads safer with reduced death, injury and crime. In order to achieve this we will provide a highly visible police response to encourage responsible driver behaviour and reduce vehicle crime. We take this opportunity to remind drivers not to even consider drinking and driving."