Archived News

Merry Christmas from Orkneycommunities.co.uk

Have a great festive season!

2013 should be another exciting year for Orkneycommunities and its members. Incredibly on 30/10/13 we will have been going for 10 years - may well pop a few Babychams then, or open a bottle of home brew.

Hopefully lots more years of Orkneycommunities to come, but we realise that we can't stand still. Orkneycommunities 3.0 has still to be realised, and the level of social media integration will be enhanced from even that manifesto. Good ideas to improve the site, sites, and Image Library always welcome.

But for now - have a good time, all the time.

OIC staff FUNdraising day at Picky, Saturday.

Staff from Orkney Islands Council are holding another fundraising day to raise money for charity, following on from a successful event last year which raised £4,500 for CLAN 1-2-3 and local charities. This year the cause to benefit will be Clic Sargent, a charity supporting young persons affected by cancer.

The event is being held at the Pickaquoy Centre on Saturday August 28 from 11am to 4pm.

Other activities planned for the day include a children’s treasure hunt, bouncy castle, paintball, roller skating, trampoline, face painting, Wii games in the cinema and loads more.

Competitions will include ‘Play Your Cards Right’, 'Treasure Map', name the cuddly toys, guess the number of sweets in a jar and others.

There will also be a number of fundraising stalls including a CD/DVD/Games/Toys and book stall, bottle stall, raffle draw and lucky dips.

And if this was not enough, Orkneycommunities calendars will be on sale on the day, so come and have a look to see what's in them.

Donations for the stalls also being sought so if you have anything you wish to donate then please contact Lindsey McAdie or Gillian Learmonth at OIC on 873535 or pop into Customer Services and ask for either of them.

Items you have can be dropped off at Customer Services before 5pm tomorrow night or by contacting Lindsey McAdie or Gillian Learmonth to arrange deliver of any items on Saturday morning before 10.30am. Lindsay or Gillian can be contacted on 873535, or by email at lindsey.mcadie@orkney.gov.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or gillain.learmonth@orkney.gov.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Entry to the fundraising day is free, and catering will be provided throughout the day by the Stadium café in the main arena.

The Picky Centre are offering various beauty treatments etc. at discounted prices so come along and see if anything interests you to try.
27 August 2010

Blackwood Foundation Design and Technology workshop 24th August

The Blackwood Foundation and Capability Scotland are running a series of workshops in Autumn 2010 - the first of their kind in Scotland. They want to talk to disabled people about design and technology and find out what works for you at home.

The Orkney one takes place in Kirkwall on the 24th August and more details can be found by contacting Suzanne Crow by phone on 0131 317 0176, or by email at SuzanneC@mbha.org.uk. Attendees will have travel expenses recompensed, and receive 25 pounds worth of shopping vouchers as a thank you for taking part. Pre-registration is necessary, and can be done by contacting Suzanne.


In the workshops they will talk about design in the home. This could include structure and layout, fixtures and fitting, aids and adaptations and even household products. They want to know what works well, what doesn't work, and what could be improved.

They'll also talk about technology products and the internet and want to know the same sort of thing, what's good, what's frustrating and what should exist that doesn't?

They are looking for people with a physical and/or sensory impairment to take part in these workshops, which will be interesting, informal and fun.

How will it work?

There will be two workshops each day - the morning session (10am - 12.30pm) will be about design and the afternoon session (1.30pm - 4.00pm) will be about technology. You can sign up for the morning session, the afternoon session, or for both. Whichever you come to, they'd like you to join them for lunch at 12.30pm.

All venues are physically accessible. Just let them know if you have any additional requirements.


19 August 2010

Centre for Nordic Studies Free Seminar on Thursday 19th

Dr Barbara Crawford gives their latest FREE seminar talk at 7.30pm on Thursday 19th August in Orkney College, Kirkwall, entitled "The Norse Earldoms of Orkney and Caithness. A view from the middle of the Pentland Firth."

This will take place in the Lecture Theatre.

16 August 2010

Image library social evening Tuesday 17th anyone?

It is proposed to have an informal social night for picture library users and contributors next Tuesday 17th August- come along!

The social evening will be at the Sailing Club from 8pm, and is just that- a chance to yarn with others interested in the Image Library and to put faces to names. If you are interested in attending send me an email so we know numbers. Send any email to contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk or steven@kw15.co.uk

Orkneycommunities charity calendars will be available to buy on the evening as well.

They cost £6 each, and are printed on heavyweight semi-glossy paper in full colour, opening to A3 (297x420mm) for each month. Each month has space for notes, moon phases, school holiday info, and comments or stories from the Image Library as well as a picture (or pictures). Frankly, they are a bargain, and its all for charity. Charities benefitting are CLAN, Macmillan and CLIC Sargent.

The calendars are currently available from the following quality outlets: Wm Shearer, Bruces Stores, Papdale Stores, Lows, WR Tullock, Nimms, Rendall Furnishings, VAO, The Mart and the Centre for Nordic Studies.

11 August 2010

Nice day for the Shapinsay Shows

In the first time in living memory the Shapinsay Agricultural Show and Flower Show are happening on the same day. Why not take a trip to Shapinsay and enjoy the fine weather and conviviality, and mark this planetary alignment like phenomenon without that hassle that Captain Cook had going to Tahiti to see the eclipse?

Ferry sailings:

8.15am 9.45am, 11.30am, 12.45pm from Kirkwall
Return from Shapinsay 1.30pm, 3.15pm, 4.45pm, 7pm

10 August 2010

Help support the Orkneycommunities 2011 charity calendar

Your support is requested for the inuagural Orkneycommunities.co.uk Charity Calendar for 2011. The calendar features pictures from the hugely popular Orkney Image Library, and all profits will go to local cancer charities- it is hoped to raise several thousand pounds for CLAN, Macmillan and CLIC Sargent. If the first one proves popular it is hoped to produce others in the coming years to benefit other local charities as well.

What support can you give?

Well, to underwrite the production costs and increase the amount to charity we are looking for businesses and other bodies to sponsor individual months. For sponsorship of 100 pounds you can get a colour banner on the page, carrying your message to the 1500 households that we hope will use it in 2011, and being associated with a very worthwhile project. The banner will be up to 3000mm2 in area, e.g. 200 x 15 mm or 55 x 55 mm.

Send an email to contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk if you wish to sponsor a month or find out more. Act quickly though as we will be finalising everything in the next few weeks!

The other support anyone can give is to buy it when it comes out, hopefully early in July. An ideal Christmas gift.

The calendar will be printed full colour on quality paper, opening to A3 size for the view per month. The featured picture will predominate, with a calendar section for notes on the rest of the page. However, as this is the Orkney Image Library we are talking about, we also have comments about the pictures and we'll be making use of this wealth of information too. Every picture tells a story, and production values will be high.

The pictures themselves are diverse, reflecting the range of contributions to the Image Library- some of the pictures that might be used can be seen here, subject to permission or availability of a large version. Grateful thanks goes to the many contributors who have already allowed their pictures to be used free of charge, and gone to the trouble to dig out high resolution versions.

Generally individual pictures will used per month but some work well together so there will be pages with themes. These are likely to be the County Show, the Otter Bank from launch as the Otter to the present day, and the Ring of Brodgar at night, from above and in the snow.

It's surely to destined become a sought after collectors item attracting bids of hundreds of pounds at the mart in years to come. Better buy two and keep one pressed flat, in a dark dry space.

Orkney wool as insulation? Meeting tonight.

The Orkney Wool insulation Group would like to investigate using locally sourced wool for insulation. Sheep have to be clipped and many owners, especially those with only a few sheep or with coloured wool, dump or burn the fleece as it is not worth sending the wool away.

We know that wool, among other things, has excellent insulation properties. It is natural, renewable, safe to use, is easy to install and has low embodied energy and carbon impact.

The majority of people and groups we have discussed this project with are enthusiastic and encouraging.

What we don’t know, among other things is, can enough wool be sourced locally, what are the production costs, is there a market, can the project be run as a community interest company or social enterprise, etc, etc. To answer this and other questions we have investigated funding for a feasibility study into this project but we find the most funders will only accept applications from a constituted group.

To facilitate this we have arranged a Meeting for in the St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall for tomorrow, Friday 29th, at 7.30pm. We will describe the information gathered thus far and discuss how we would like to take project forwards. If you would like to be part of the group or even if the topic interests you we will be happy to see you there.

Yours

Anjo Casey 870150

Janice Annal 761 531

Linda Forbes 852988

29 January 2010

OIC Twitter feed added

The OIC is now using Twitter to put out rapid updates about school closures and other situations, and on the very morning that this has started, we have added this feed to the right hand column for your benefit.

The right hand column also has weather flashes from the Met Office and police messages from the Northern Constabulary, so Orkneycommunities is quite literally where it is at.

06 January 2010

Christmas Carols in St Ninian's Kirk

Friends of St Ninian's are holding a Christmas Carol songs of praise in St Ninian's Kirk at 2.15p.m. on Sunday 27 December 2009 to which all are invited.

Gather at the Deerness Hall by 2 p.m. to be ferried down to the Kirk (parking is very restricted at the Kirk), and return to the Deerness Hall after the event for mulled wine and other refreshments. Collection at the door in aid of Friends of St Ninian's.
18 December 2009

Open Presentation on Wind Energy Solutions Turbines

Bryan J Rendall (Electrical) Ltd in conjunction with Wind Energy Solutions (WESOpen Presentation on Wind Energy Solutions Turbines) of the Netherlands, invite you to an open meeting and presentation on WES turbines. WES manufacture the 80 kW WES18 and the 250 kW WES30 wind turbines, ideally sized for rural development, agricultural and commercial projects, and with a long and established track record. Representatives from BJRE and WES will be on hand to present information and answer questions on these turbines.

St Magnus Centre - 16th December 2009 at 8 pm.

Tea/coffee and biscuits will be available from 7:30 pm
09 December 2009

Help save local voluntary organisations

For years now local voluntary organisations have benefitted from funding and grants from the Lloyds TSB Foundation. This is now under threat, with the bank seeking to end its commitment to the Foundation. At a time when Big Lottery funding has dried up because of London's Olympic Games, this would have serious consequences for funding of voluntary groups and projects. If you feel this is wrong, sign the petition to the Prime Minister which has a link at the end of this message. All such petitions will receive a response from the Government.

The petition asks the Prime Minister to intervene to save the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland in its current form. The Foundation, a legacy from Scottish Banker Henry Duncan, provides vital support for charities across Scotland. It is wholly unacceptable for The Lloyds Banking Group (now 43% owned by the taxpayer) to attempt to undermine the independence and degrade of terms of the Foundation which was created by an Act of Parliament.

You can sign it by going to this link: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/LloydsFoundation/
03 November 2009

Orkneycommunities websites upgrading

New stuff being added as we speak! Did I say it would be done by the end of July? I really meant early September, and it is all happening now.

Watch out for new buttons on pages or features in the admin options, but be wary of using them just yet, as they may not be fully implemented.

I'll update you with a comprehensive new features list next week once things have settled down, but in the meantime there may be a few glitches that you may notice, and feel free to email me at contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk

Features added will include better menu management (including sub-menus and a colour picker), a Paypal store for fundraising, an editable area under the menus, the ability to add logos and sponsors links on the right hand column, and more picture size options for the uploaded pictures.

And more, lots more.
04 September 2009

Image library upgrading

The ever-popular image library is being upgraded today, so will be down for an hour or so from 11.45 while this takes place.

The much trailed upgrades to members sites will be happening over the next few days as well, so there may be brief outages. But when they come back they will offer more features, while still being on the same platform as before- no big learning curve required!
27 August 2009

WWII exhibition

The Dunnet Head Educational Trust are launching an exhibition at Stromness library on 17th July and will be in situ until 31st July. They are also participating in the Orkney Science Festival at Deerness.

WWII exhibition of the plans of Dunnet Head and Burifa Hill at Stromness library from 17-31 July. The exhibition will include a display of the WWII plans of Dunnet Head, along with photos of and letters from personnel who were stationed at the Head and on Burifa Hill in WWII. Web site: http://www.dunnethead.co.uk. For further information contact info@dunnethead.co.uk
25 June 2009

AGM started- Note for early visitors too

Our AGM has started- click on the banner advert above the events calendar on our home page to visit it.

For the early birds, apologies, we've added another item that had been omitted by mistake. It is item number 8, proposing that a clause in the constitution that says office bearers can only hold a post for 3 years should be removed.
03 June 2009

Berlin-London-Papay (Holm of): touring art project

Happening in June. Site specific collaborations. 24 hours non-stop shamanic open sky performance, affected by unpredictable weather and summer solstice, which will result into the paint-environment installation and video work extension of the landscape.

Find out more here.
19 May 2009

Talking Newspaper now at the Blue Door

The Talking Newspaper will be in the Blue Door until the 9th May.

They will also be holding a coffee morning in the St Magnus Centre on the 16th may from 10.30 - 12noon.

Please note that he Talking Newspaper's AGM will be on the 10th June in the McGillivray Room, Kirkwall Library at 2pm.

30 April 2009

Orkney College Open Day

Orkney College are having an Open Day on Wed 25th from 1 pm till 6 pm. Head along to find out about courses, training, or just to see what goes on up there.
24 March 2009

Mind your own business training

Free training for community groups- the free training, to be delivered by Comas in King Street Halls, Kirkwall, will be held on Thursday 16th April. The training has workshops designed for people with some experience of running local initiatives, and for people who are at the beginning of developing their ideas – so there is something for everyone. Workshops are designed for people thinking of owning and managing community assets – these might be land, buildings, services or other things that the community wants to own and manage. It aims to provide skills and information in a very practical way and a comprehensive manual is provided to participants.

The training has been commissioned by the Community Land Unit of Highlands and Islands Enterprise and travelling expenses can be paid.

To book your place or find out more, click here (see the In Your Area section for the Orkney programme) or contact Comas - Ruth@comas.org.uk or 07980 844350

24 March 2009

Climate Challenge Fund Promotional Event 2nd April 11am Pickaquoy Centre

The event is to promote the Climate Challenge Fund in Orkney and Margaret Hood from Keep Scotland Beautiful will be there to present on what the fund offers.

There will also be presentations from Orkney communities who have already benefited from funding before closing with an open discussion on potential opportunities into the future.

The event will be held on the 2nd of April at 11am in the Skerries Room in
the Pickaquoy Centre.

Please email Colin Risbridger at crisbridger@changeworks.org.uk to confirm your
attendance.

The Climate Challenge Fund love to hear about Scottish communities who want
to do their bit to reduce carbon emissions in food, transport, energy or
waste, and have funding available from £100 to £1 million for ideas linked to
climate change (http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccf.asp )

There are communities all over Scotland who are excited about tackling
climate change by reducing their carbon footprint and have received funding.

If you are a community representative within Orkney and would like to find
out more about opportunities available and help get your application started
with an Expression of Interest form then this following event is for you.

Please email me at crisbridger@changeworks.org.uk to confirm your
attendance.

24 March 2009

WARNING!!! POTENTIAL SCAM

Businesses have been telephoned inviting them to take out paid advertising in an Orkney-wide leafletting campaign, and this has been described as being in conjunction with Orkney communities.

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH US.

It may well be a scam.
04 March 2009

Friends of St Ninian's at the Blue Door

The Friends of St Ninian's Curch in Deerness are in the Blue Door charity shop in Victoria Street, Kirkwall, from Monday 16th to Saturday 28th February. All donations gratefully received, and all purchases greatly welcomed!
15 February 2009

Children In Need events

Here is the Children in Need news and events as read out on Radio Orkney 14/11/08:

"First we should mention the Papdale Halls of Residence who raised £200 on Wednesday night by running a Children in Need Quiz with a Raffle, Guess Sweets in a Jar and Guess Name of Teddy. And the St Andrews School did their fundraising last Friday and took in £357.36 for Children in Need.

Other fundraising events going on this weekend include teas & coffees with homebakes available at the Orkney Library today.

The kids at Dounby School are having a Multi Coloured Day where they give up their uniforms for the day in exchange for £1. There’s also going to be a multi coloured parade and everyone’s going to get a Pudsey badge.

Stromness Academy had had a series of events this week, there was a Slave Auction on Wednesday, and today there’s a Blind Date in the School Theatre from half past 12 till 1 o’ clock. There’ll also be baking on sale and busking going on as well.

The Picky Centre is having a Fun Evening for 14's & under today with a Roller Disco, an Orkney Library Book Sale, a Bouncy Galleon, Face Painting and an appearance from Barney Bear. Under 8's go from 7 o' clock till 8, with the 9 to 14's from 8 till half past 9. It's £2 and you can book in advance at the Picky Reception.

The Kirkwall Boys Brigade is putting on a Concert Evening tonight at half past 7 in the BB Hall with music from the Wrigley Sisters, some members of the Kirkwall City Pipe Band and Hadhirgaan. The doors will open at 7 for a half past 7 start, and entry is £3, with teas & coffees served during the interval, and it’s all for Children in Need.

The Hotels are also doing their bit – and in Burray the Sands is holding a Pub Quiz, Raffles and Prizes starting at 7 o’ clock tonight, and they need teams of up to 5 or less for the Quiz,

The Quoyburray Inn is kicking off at 7 tonight and will have an In House Auction, Pool & Darts Competitions, a Disco & Karoake, Raffles and even Leg Waxing.

The Royal Hotel in Stromness also has an Auction for Children in Need tonight and included in the items you can bid on are 2 Full Hospitality tickets for a Celtic or Rangers match where you can meet the players. There'll be lots of fun & games including body waxing and it starts at 7 tonight.

There’s plenty going on in the Isles too, and the Stronsay Games Club is having a Fancy Dress Night this evening from 8 till 10 in the Hall. If you dress up entry is £1 but if you don’t you’ll have to pay £2 to get in, and under 10’s should be with an adult. There’ll be raffles and competitions and everyone’s welcome.

In Sanday there’s going to be an X Factor style competition for all ages with a trophy & prizes in each section, and there’ll be a raffle with prizes from lots of local businesses. It all starts at 7 o’ clock with the children’s section, a hot buffet will be on offer from half past 8 till 10, followed by the adult section. You’ll need to get your tickets today though from the Kettletoft Hotel in Sanday.

And there’s going to be fundraising for Children in Need in Westray on Saturday night when the Pierowall Hotel is putting on a Westray’s Got Talent show with judges & prizes, and will be offering snacks & cocktails throughout the night with Raffles and a Late Night Karoake – that’s on Saturday from 7pm till late. "

14 November 2008

Help with a study into the availability of broadband in Orkney

Kye Valongo, who lives in Orkney and has a long association with VAO, is working on a Masters degree and would like information regarding the availability and quality of broadband in Orkney. If you wish to participate please fill in the survey at www.acornconcepts.com/broadband, and bring it to attention of anybody else who may be interested.

In his own words:

"Hi, I am a Masters student with Liverpool University currently working on my dissertation. As I have experience (from living on Egilsay) of having a poor internet connection and I know there are many people here still with poor connections, I thought it would be useful to the Orkney community for me to study this topic for my dissertation.

I am researching the various issues that are limiting internet connections in Orkney- especially the factors that affect people living in the more remote areas. However, these areas are not all on the more distant islands- there are also some spots on the mainland that are too far away from their local exchange.

The main problem seems to be that the connection uses copper wire from the exchange to the user's home: presently broadband has a maximum range over copper of about five or six miles.

I am researching the technologies presently used and will compare these with what is available and has been used in other remote areas outwith Orkney.

The first step is to collect meaningful data on what current standards of connections are available to people around Orkney. Next, the current technology will be assessed. Finally the alternatives will be looked at in relation to the Orkney Islands.

I am in the process of creating a web-site that will act as a reference source for Orkney businesses and public. The site already has a survey with some data analysis but I will be adding many interactive elements that will help people to understand and improve their internet connection quality.

Some of the alternative technologies will require a larger community effort but I hope that the information that I am collecting will be useful to allow these communities to apply pressure in a more effective way.

To this end, I would be very grateful if you could find a way to inform members of the community about my survey which is at: www.acornconcepts.com/broadband- please especially inform anyone you know who has a poor internet connection or has never been able to get connected.

However, many people may not be able to use the Internet at all- therefore I have also created printed surveys to let those people have their say. I have already enrolled the library system (main and mobiles) as collection and distribution points. I believe that the college will also agree. I have also made initial contact with Stromness Academy and KGS.

Kye Valongo, kye@acornconcepts.com"

06 November 2008

Radio Orkney Daily Diary available here...

For the third successive day we exclusively have the Daily Diary from Radio Orkney, up to date as of today Wednesday 29th October.

As ever, it can be accessed using the Radio Orkney link in the menu on the left.
29 October 2008

Sign up for our celebrations

Orkneycommunities.co.uk will be 5 years old on 28th October 2008, so we're taking the opportunity to have a bit of a celebration and a bit of fun. And what better way to do this than to have an awards ceremony, The First Occasional Orkneycommunities' Website Awards (OOWAs) !

Each winner of the coveted OOWAs will receive A Lovely Prize, which presented by Radio Orkney's very own Dave Gray.

Food and refreshments will be provided!

The celebration and awards ceremony will be over lunchtime at The St Magnus Centre on the 28th October, between 12.30 and 2.30, with the formal programme starting at 1pm, and the rest of the time dedicated to mingling and banter. It also will be an opportunity to ask any questions and to find out more if you wish to have a site of your own.

Also, we would be keen to meet and thank any contributors to the Image Library who would like to come along- the success of the Image Library is all down to the pictures sent in.

The OOWAs will be awarded in the following categories:

- Best Sporting Group Website
- Best Community Group Website
- Best Support Group Website
- Best Heritage Group Website
- Best Development Group Website

with an additional prize for the Best Use of Graphics, and of course the everlasting glory of Best Overall Site.

Judging has taken place, and the votes are being counted...

Judging was based on appearance, content, navigation, up-to-dateness and accuracy, amongst other things.

If you are interested in attending our doo then drop Cath an email on cath.russell@vaorkney.org.uk, mentioning what group you represent.
27 October 2008

On 19th September the UHI Centre for Nordic Studies proudly presents a one day conference celebrating the life and literary genius of Earl Rognvald of Orkney.

The UHI Centre for Nordic Studies proudly presents a one day conference celebrating the life and literary genius of Earl Rognvald of Orkney.

It takes place at Orkney College, Kirkwall, on 19th September 2008 and runs from 11am-4pm.

Cost: £25/£15 inc lunch

Speakers will include:

Ø Prof Else Mundal from the University of Bergen
Ø Brian Smith from Shetland Archives
Ø Dr Sarah Jane Gibbon
Ø Dr Donna Heddle, Director of the UHI Millennium Institute Centre for Nordic Studies.

The event will also have a story telling session from Tom Muir of Orkney Museums and participants will be able to enjoy a light buffet lunch with the speakers.

Contact Donna Heddle at Orkney College to register or visit the conference website by clicking here.

18 September 2008

Interested in finding out about part-time and distance learning opportunities in Orkney?

Then why not visit Careers Scotland, 2 Albert Street, Kirkwall on Wednesday 27 August in the afternoon when an adviser from the University of Aberdeen’s Centre for Lifelong Learning will be available to discuss learning opportunities with you.

If you would like to make an appointment, please contact Doreen on: 01856 888714

If you are unable to come on the 27th but would like to discuss what may be available for you, please contact the Centre for Lifelong Learning on lifelonglearning@abdn.ac.uk 01224.273668

27 August 2008

Get your free copy of On Course in Orkney 2008/2009!

On Course in Orkney: A Guide to Local Learning Opportunities 10th Edition 2008/2009 is out now- don’t miss out on your free copy!

On Course in Orkney provides a directory of courses provided or supported in the county.

You can pick up a copy from Careers Scotland, Orkney College, The Orkney Library & Archive or any of the training providers.

Get on course with On Course in Orkney!

For more information contact Careers Scotland at 2 Albert Street, Kirkwall KW15 1HP, or phone them on 01856 872460.

Email: kirkwall@careers-scotland.org.uk, www.careers-scotland.org.uk

27 August 2008

Careers Scotland Open Day and Workshops

Careers Scotland, Kirkwall have an Open Day on Saturday 30 August 10am-3pm.

Also, a Careers Scotland Adviser will be available in Stromness Community Centre every Tuesday morning starting September 2nd.

And... Free Workshops:

Thurs 4th Sept 1-3pm What Career?

Thurs 11th Sept 1-3pm CV workshop

Thurs 18th Sept 1-3pm Making a change

Thurs 25th Sept 1-3pm Job seeking

Contact Joyce Slater at Careers Scotland for more info- contacte details below.

Tel: 01856 872460
Fax: 01856 875515
Email: joyce.slater@careers-scotland.org.uk
Address: Careers Scotland Centre, 2 Albert Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1HP
Web: www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk

14 August 2008

Monday 30th last day to register for Centre for Nordic Studies Summer Schools

Interested in finding out more about Orkney? Why not join the Centre's expert lecturers and guides for a summer school at Orkney College or Shetland Museum? You can study the whole programme or pick and mix from the programme. There is a Shetland school too, so combine the two for a two centre holiday!

At Orkney College, 7th to 11th July:
Orkney Cultural Traditions and Folklore

Programme:

Monday 7th July
Lecture: History of Orkney
Field trip: Italian Chapel, Scapa Flow etc

Tuesday 8th July
Lecture: Orkney Folklore and Literature
Field trip: Corrigall and Kirbister Farm Museums

Wednesday 9th July
Lecture: Orkney’s Archaeological Heritage
Field trip: Kirkwall walking Tour

Thursday 10th July
Lecture: Orkney’s Tongue
Field trip: Maes Howe, Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae

Friday 11th July
Lecture: Music Workshop
Field trip: Broch of Gurness and Brough of Birsay

At Shetland Museum and Archives, 14th-18th July:
Shetland Cultural Traditions

Programme:

Monday 14th July
Lecture: History of Shetland Overview
Field trip: Scalloway Castle and Museum, Shetland Textile Working Museum

Tuesday 15th July
Lecture: Shetland Folklore and Literature
Field trip: Böd of Gremista and Croft House Museum

Wednesday 16th July
Lecture: Shetland’s Archaeological Heritage
Field trip: Scatness, and Jarlshof
Evening: Music session

Thursday 17th July
Lecture: Shetland’s Tongue
Field trip: Shetland Museum tour + Lerwick Walking Tour (Lodberries, Fort Charlotte, Islesburgh Exhibition etc)

Friday 18th July
Lecture: Music Workshop
Field trip: Mousa

Each Summer School costs £200 and application forms for both schools can be downloaded by clicking here

Contact Dr Donna Heddle at Orkney College, East Road, Kirkwall, KW15 1LX, tel: 01856 569000, email Donna.Heddle@orkney.uhi.ac.uk, for further information.

27 June 2008

Tell us what you'd like to see happening for 15 to 30 year olds in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland

What do you think about planning a move to, living in or returning to the Highlands and Islands?

What's great, what's not so good or what would make a difference for you to live, work and study here?

We need your help to make the Highlands and Islands a fantastic and unique place for young people just like you to choose to be here.

Do you fancy winning one of twenty five £20 Amazon vouchers up for grabs? Well you can by simply completing a short 10 minute on-line survey  which asks your views on everything to do with the actual and potential Highlands and Islands experience. Spread the word and send this survey link to as many of your friends as possible so that they can tell us what they think too.

If you want to know more about this survey or find out how your information will be used, just get in touch with us here

This research is being carried out by CogentSI on behalf of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
09 June 2008

OREF/Orkney ICT Forum public event on Thursday 22nd

Managing the Environmental Impact of Computer Equipment is the theme of a public event taking place at 7.00 pm Thursday 22 May 2008, in the Orkney College Lecture Theatre (attendance by video may be possible).

Featuring:

Tim Dawes, Nineveh Consulting

Presentations/displays from Northern and Western Isles Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, and Orkney Islands Council.

Content:

Isn’t Information and Communications Technology (ICT) green already? Surely, it reduces pollution by facilitating flexible working, eliminates business travel through video-conferencing, and increases the efficiency of business processes?

Unfortunately, ICT is not the hero just yet. It accounts for 2% of global C02 emissions: the same as that ecological pariah, the airline industry. Very few organisations have a paperless office.

As public sector and business organisations respond to their environmental responsibilities, what should be done in order to avoid ICT being cast as a climate-change villain?

Tim Dawes is Managing Director of Nineveh Consulting, a company he founded in 1997. Tim has more than 30 years experience in IT, most of it in local government, and is a key member of the Society of IT Management (SOCITM). His 'green' credentials go back almost as far: this may explain why C P Bound (Tim's alto ego from DPM Diary the column he has written for Computer Weekly since 1991) now goes on holiday by train. No stranger to island life, Tim worked for the Western Isles Islands Council for a period. Tim is now based in Havant, Hampshire, and has clients across the UK and beyond.

Orkney Islands Council has arranged for Tim to visit Orkney on 22 and 23 May 2008. As well as leading a seminar and workshop for Council “Waste Champions” (with staff from partner agencies also invited), Tim will also lead sessions for KGS pupils, and for Orkney College HNC Computer Studies students. In addition, Tim will be the main speaker at a public event hosted by the Orkney Renewable Energy Forum (in association with HIE Orkney, Orkney Islands Council and the Orkney ICT Forum).

To find out more about the Orkney ICT Forum, and join if you feel it should represent you, visit http://ictforum.orkneyenterprise.co.uk.

19 May 2008

It's a good time of the year to migrate...

... your old style Orkneycommunities website to the new style ones packed with extra features that we have been offering since the start of 2007. A number of sites (lets not mince words- 43) have still to take advantage of this, which is a shame as the new sites offer so much more, and are actively being developed.

We've also provided a lot more help information in the form of an interactive CD which links to a test site to try things out on, and has movies showing how everything works, and to get a copy of this email contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk and we'll send one out or leave a copy at reception in VAO.

To have a fly look at the content (except the movies- they are big files) go to http://www.theheddles.co.uk/training.

Also, if there is anything that is holding you back from migrating, or if you think a group training session would be a good idea, give us an email on contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk.
22 April 2008

Webmasters! Are your contact details up to date?

We'd like to remind all the webmasters of Orkneycommunities sites to contact us if the contact details for their group changes. This can typically (and often) happen when a new webmaster takes over, and also if the office bearers for the group changes.

If you think this might apply to you, please send an email with your contact details to contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk. It'll allow us to keep you up to date with the new stuff we have planned for the near future, and also gives us the chance to ask you what you want.
22 April 2008

Radio Orkney online links

For a while now the link on the Radio Orkney page to listen on the internet has been broken. It's now fixed, and separate links have been provided to let you listen again to the morning and evening shows.

It's all on the Radio Orkney page with the Daily Diary.
23 February 2008

Climbdown

I have to admit that a couple of years ago the BBC approached Orkneycommunities and asked if we could publicise their Islandblogging sites. Well, as we were trying to get this site established at the time and I viewed the BBC ones as competition my response was "Yeah, that'll be right" and binned their stuff.

With age comes wisdom and tolerance, and while I look forward to this, I have mellowed enough to realise that the world (wide web) is big enough for all of us. So I exhort you to check out the Orkney sites and contribute, and say nice things about Orkneycommunities.co.uk too. I might even add an RSS feed to them.

Click on this link for the BBC Islandblogging pages.
30 November 2007

The Orkney Forum

Here at Orkneycommunities we regularly get asked about providing a forum service. Well, we would consider it, but there is no need as there is already one on the go at www.orkneyforum.co.uk. Orkneycommunities neither endorses nor decries it, and it's nothing to do with us, though we wish it well.

Orkneyforum came about after the demise of the Orcadian forum and after another local had tried but given up. The administrator of the site (who is not me before speculation hits the Orkney Rumours section) created the forum at the request of a few other members and it has been there now for a number of years.

After a clearout of non-posting members, they now have a reasonably active membership of 40 and growing, and are keen to see more members joining. The board is for all ages and is made in Orkney, based in Orkney and run from Orkney.

It evolves as and when others make requests with the latest evolution being dedicated boards with dedicated moderators and the ability to share images, with the most active being birdwatching.

24 September 2007

FREE Adult Protection Training - Raising Awareness Event Wednesday 26 September 2007, Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall

The Orkney Adult Support and Protection Committee Training Group have arranged a multi agency event for all those who work with adults in the community. The half day event aims to raise awareness of adult support and protection issues. You can choose to attend one of two sessions: 9.30am - 12.30pm or 2.00pm-4.45pm.

To book a place please email: enquiries@vao.org.uk or call 01856 872897

Final arrangements are yet to be confirmed but if you would like more information or are interested in attending please contact Caroline Sinclair at OIC. email caroline.sinclair@orkney.gov.uk tel 873535.

11 September 2007

OSCR - Orkney Training - 19 September - Book Now!

OSCR staff will visit Orkney on Wednesday 19 September to hold a training session for charity trustees/managers whose organisations have an annual income of less than £100,000. There will be three, rotational, workshops at the Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall which will cover: Trustee Duties; Consents and Notifications; Preparing Receipts and Payments Accounts.

For more information visit www.oscr.org.uk and to book a place email info@oscr.org.uk
10 September 2007

Oh come all ye faithful

The television company that are producing the Songs of Praise programme from Orkney require a good turnout for the dates of filming. The dates for filming the congregational hymn singing from St Magnus Cathedral are Monday and Tuesday 17th and 18th September, and they need people to come to the cathedral and fill the seats if this programme is going to be successful. In true Orcadian fashion it looks like it will be a bit bare just now as people leave it till the last minute to commit. More details of times etc. as I get them.
05 September 2007

Orkneycommunities training CD launch

As you may know, orkneycommunities.co.uk received funding from HIE Orkney and LEADER+ to upgrade the portal and member sites to make them even more attractive and easy to administer and to incorporate new features, such as contact forms, blogs etc. Some members have already adopted the new format and we hope and will urge all members to change their sites by the end of the month.

In order to ensure that members are fully equipped to manage the new look sites, Awards for All provided funding to hold training sessions and, with an eye to the future, to develop an interactive Training CD for distribution to all our members. The CD provides a full training course, covering all the new features and you can choose to work through the complete course or consult specific topics as needed. You can also use the CD to train other members of your group.

We’re delighted to announce that the Training CD has been completed and will be launched at 12 noon on Thursday 2nd August in the King Street Halls. We hope that all members will be able to attend and receive their free training CD. The local media are invited and a large number of groups have taken the chance to set up displays promoting their work.

We are also pleased to reveal that our special guest speaker will be Liam McArthur MSP. There will also be a short presentation introducing the CD and its features.

01 August 2007

Enterprising Solutions Awards 2007.

The Social Enterprise Coalition is once again looking for the UK’s most dynamic and innovative social enterprises, with the launch of the Enterprising Solutions Awards 2007.

The overall winner will receive a cash prize of £10,000 and a year's free membership to the Coalition. Three other finalists and the winner of the New Social Enterprise Award will receive £5,000 each.

For more information about the Enterprising Solutions Awards 2007 and details on how to apply read below or visit www.enterprisingsolutions.org
The closing date for applications is Friday June 1st 2007.

If you have any questions please email award@socialenterprise.org.uk

18 May 2007

Community Training Needs Uncovered

A new online tool is launched on 21st May 2007 to help Highlands and Islands community groups identify their training needs. This unique tool ensures that community groups across the region get connected to the right training opportunities.

The tool is easy to use: all a group has to do is complete a questionnaire online at www.hiccap.org.uk. They will then be instantly presented with an action plan of key areas specific to their development needs. The action plan can be used to access appropriate training to strengthen the group’s effectiveness.

Groups that participate before 28th September have the chance to win funding between £100 and £200 towards training and significant discounts with some of the region’s foremost training provider such as the Social Enterprise Academy and the Highland Body Language Training Consultancy in a prize draw.

The tool forms part of an important survey of the voluntary sector conducted by Highlands & Islands Community Capacity Partnership (HICCaP). With over 8000 community groups operating in the Highlands & Islands, up to date knowledge of training needs is vital to develop appropriate training provision.

Anne Macdonald of Strengthening Communities at Highlands & Islands Enterprise said: “As one of the main funders of HICCaP we support the Training Needs Analysis as a method of ensuring that accessible and affordable training is available to community groups. Outcomes of this important piece of work will contribute towards a significant increase in the capacity and long term sustainability of voluntary and community groups in the Highlands & Islands.”

Key stakeholders involved in supporting the analysis are select Sector Skills Councils and Councils for Voluntary Service as well as local authorities and local enterprise companies. Voluntary Action Orkney will be actively engaged in supporting local organisations to complete the survey and to contribute to the provision of appropriate learning to meet their needs.

For further information contact Helen Macdonald, HICCaP’s Development Officer, on 01463-251723; email hiccap@scvo.org.uk

The Highlands and Islands Community Capacity Project was established in 2004 and is funded by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations. The project’s website www.hiccap.org.uk serves as a broker and link between the voluntary sector in the Highlands and Islands and Training Providers offering relevant courses in the area.

18 May 2007

Phoenix Fringe/Reading Group joint event

The Phoenix Fring showing of Sophie Scholl on Thursday 10th May is a tie-in with the Reading Group, and a post film meal and discussion is part of the evenings entertainment.

The film starts at 6.30pm , and anyone wanting to order food for after may contact Karen walker at the Library (875260) with their menu choice (Stadium Cafe menu) by Wednesday evening.

08 May 2007

First Light Movies provides funding and expertise for 5 – 18 year olds throughout the UK to create short digital films.

Yen Yau from the fund will be visiting Orkney next week and will give a presentation on the fund in the VAO Boardroom on Thursday 26th April from 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Some of the projects they have funded look really interesting, you can check them out and learn more about the fund at www.firstlightmovies.com

24 April 2007

Orkney Community Toolkit

Checkout our new feature, the Orkney Community Toolkit. It has been developed for and with the help of community groups to help improve skills and knowledge and bring benefits to local communities.

This feature has been added thanks to support from the Orkney Community Planning Partnership, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Voluntary Action Orkney, and can be accessed (for now) through the graphic on the Orkneycommunities home page, and always through the Toolkit link at the top of the page.

There are guidelines on a range of topics, including setting up and running a community group, legal requirements and good practice, planning and fundraising for a particular project and where to obtain useful statistical data on the local area. There is also a facility to print out the topics or even to compile a complete manual from the toolkit information.
12 April 2007

Local Action Fund support available

Orkney’s Community Safety Forum has received specific funding from the Scottish Executive to support the provision of services, projects and activities available to young people generally throughout Orkney. The “one off” funding aims to reach small, locally run projects which will make a real difference to the communities in which they are based through the provision of high quality services and facilities, for example improving local community facilities, buying sports or leisure equipment and running clubs or activities at times which are convenient for young people.

If your organisation would like to bid for a service, project or activity, up to the value of £5,000, please provide a brief proposal outlining the service, project or activity; details of the costs involved; numbers of young people expected to participate and how the scheme would be sustained after the initial funding. Preference will be given to bids which have not been previously funded through the Local Action Fund.

For further information, or to submit proposals, please contact Ivan Taylor, Community Safety Officer, Community Social Services, School Place, Kirkwall KW15 1NY by 27th April 2007.

04 April 2007

SUS IT OUT

Sustainable development is a process of learning and change. Sus it Out enables community and voluntary organisations to work out how they already contribute to sustainable development and to decide how they can build on this for the future.

Groups take part in Sus it Out by:

- Using the Sus it Out Toolkit with a trained Facilitator
- Pledging to develop in a more sustainable way
- Building real and online links with other groups who are trying to Sus it Out.

To find out more or to book a session contact Gail Anderson at Voluntary Action Orkney on 872897 email enquiries@vaorkney.org.uk or visit http://www.susitout.org.uk

Sus it Out is managed by the Scottish Civic Forum on behalf of the Future Scotland Partnership with funding from the Scottish Executive

02 April 2007

Social Enterprise in Scotland

Communities Minister, Rhona Brankin, launched Scotland’s first social enterprise strategy yesterday. The strategy 'Better business- a strategy and action plan for social enterprise in Scotland' highlights the important contribution a social enterprise business model can make to life in Scotland.

Social enterprises contribute to economic growth and business development while at the same time meeting important social goals. They can deliver services focused on the needs of people, regenerate and empower people in Scotland’s most deprived communities and play a major role in supported employment.

Information about the Orkney Local Social Enterprise Partnership can be found on http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/LSEP

02 April 2007

Anthony Nolan Trust proposed visit on 5th April

The Anthony Nolan Trust are intending to travel to Orkney on Thursday 5th April 2007 to hold a donor clinic for those willing to join the ANT register of donors. It is a worthwhile cause and may save a life.

A donor information leaflet that gives a fair bit of info regarding the procedure involved can be downloaded by clicking here.

They need to get 50 donors on the night to make it worthwhile, so please help to make it successful. Donors should be between 18 and 40.

If you need any further info, then don't hesitate to get in touch with Donald Morrison at the email address below.

Donald Morrison- dtwin@btinternet.com

21 March 2007

Wanted: Volunteers to monitor the Scottish elections

Unlock Democracy are looking for volunteers to help with a research project, designed to study and improve the quality of democracy in Scotland. It is based on a successful project we completed in the 2005 General Election.

This is not a large commitment - it should take no more than two or three hours, over the course of a month.

Tasks involved:
- collect election leaflets that come through your door
- keep a record of telephone calls and doorstep visits from political parties
- complete a short survey about your experience of election day

It is not necessary to be knowledgeable about politics or the electoral process. They are looking for as many volunteers as possible so please pass on the message.

If you would like to be involved please contact
Emily Robinson
Research and Publications Officer
Unlock Democracy
0845 4507209
emily.robinson@unlockdemocracy.org.uk.

This research is supported by the Electoral Commission in Scotland.

21 March 2007

How to get grants from Comic Relief

Judith Lowes, Scottish Grants Adviser for Comic Relief will give a presentation on Thursday 29th March in St Magnus Centre at 1pm on grants available from this fund and advice on how to apply. For more information on programme areas check their website at http://www.comicrelief.com

Please contact Barbara at VAO on 872897 to book a place. Take this chance to meet with the funder!
21 March 2007

Orkney Cultural Traditions Summer School

The Centre for Nordic Studies at Orkney College is offering a summer school in Orkney Cultural Traditions over 5 days from 9th to 13th July. The course costs £120 and is at SCQF 7 level, with no prior qualification needed.

Aimed at adults with an interest in Orkney culture, this course will involve five mornings of lectures in various aspects of Orkney’s culture – from literature and language through folklore and history to archaeology. Field trips will take place every afternoon, accompanied by expert guides, and there will be a musical evening on the last night.

For more information contact Dr. Donna Heddle, Orkney College, East Road, Kirkwall KW15 1LX, tel: 01856 569000, email: donna.heddle@orkney.uhi.ac.uk
15 March 2007

CommonHealth Games, 12th Feb

Young Enterprise company OKNY is a social based company formed by 12 young 17 year old enthusiasts, whose main aims comprise encouraging people to get active and fit, cutting down on obesity and promoting health in Scotland- whilst having fun in the process.

On the 12th February 2007 from 10:00am - 16:00pm, OKNY are holding an open day called the CommonHealth Games at the Pickaquoy Centre which is open to all the public, from the very youngest to older generations. It will be opened by Orkney's MSP, Mr Jim Wallace QC MSP, who'll give a short speech regarding the day and the company.

The day itself will also be filmed by 'North Tonight' - scheduled to be shown on ITV1 the following evening. What's more, everything on this day will be free: the inductions and introductions to various sports such as Rock Climbing, Trampolining, Cheerleading, Cricket, Volleyball, Dance and so much more. Not only that but also various sport and foodstuff companies - giving free samples - will be situated in the Arena giving information and promoting themselves to a wide market of consumers. For the older generations there will also be free inductions to Body Combat, Yoga, Body Balance, Spinning and many more activities, whilst free entry into the gym and health suite! Company OKNY will also be selling their products, Frisbees, Pedometers and Sweatbands.

This is just a selection of everything available at this day and just a few aspects found from this company.

There will also however be an event that takes the idea of Ready Steady Cook, from 19:30 - 20:45pm approx, in the Cinema of the Pickaquoy Centre, where two of Orkney's best chefs - Alan Craigie, head chef of The Creel and Paul Doull, head chef of The Foveran - with two 'Su Chefs' elected from our company, will battle it out and create two healthy meals of their choice from the selected ingredients chosen by our company members. This event will provide fun and laughter to our audience whilst also concentrating on health, all for £5 and £3 concession.

The whole day in itself is expected to be a great success and OKNY members can only hope that everyone is encouraged to come along and leave feeling - slogan of OKNY - 'Fitter, Stronger, Living Longer!
09 February 2007

Hoy Centre Special Offers

Trish at the Hoy Centre brings the following special offers to our attention:

TAKE A TRIP TO THE SPECTACULAR ISLAND OF HOY, ORKNEY WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL OFFERS.

High quality accommodation, only £6.25 per person- all rooms £25 each (based on 4 people sharing one room).

Stay at the Hoy Centre, which has been completely refurbished and offers high quality, four-star, accommodation. All rooms are en suite, with a shower, and have twin beds and a bunk bed. There is a well-equipped kitchen, lounge, dining hall and drying area.

Or exclusive use of the Hoy Centre, with 50% Discount

The Hoy Centre makes a great venue to share exclusively for family, friends or for business users. With 32 beds (eight en-suite rooms) there’s plenty of room for everyone. The daily residential rate is only £192, for non-residential rates please phone or email.

The beautiful island of Hoy has a fascinating variety of hills, dramatic coastal scenery and low-lying fertile land. Spectacular cliffs bound the north and west of the island, the southeast coast has many bays.

The Hoy Centre is set in dramatic landscape, offering excellent hill and coastal walk. Much of North Hoy is owned by the RSPB so is a great area for bird watching. For climbers the “Old Man of Hoy” dominates the north west coast.

Cyclists can explore the island on quiet rural roads.

Both of these great offers available January – March 2007

For further details ring 01856 873535 ext 2416 or email recreation@orkney.gov.uk

For further details on the hostel click here .

For further details on the island of Hoy click here .

29 January 2007

If it's a shame to put that to the dump

... then hang fire and try Freecycling it first. Sandwick woman Samantha Dudley has set up the Orkney Freecycle Group, a local arm of an international movement who agree that it's far better to give something away and let someone else get the use of it than to throw it away.

Free exchange is the order of the day, and on the group's website items can be offered and requested, including animals, which is unusual, but hey we are an agricultural community. It's like an online version of The Bruck Programme, but necessarily less funny.

The website is accessible by clicking here, and requires sign up as it is a Yahoo group. If you have a Yahoo login already it takes seconds.

It's going well already, and items changing hands have included furniture, books, and computer equipment.

Let me also draw your attention to our currently underused Notice Board facility, linked from the top of this page.
24 January 2007

Buddhism at The Strond

On January 26/27/28 there is to be a Buddhist weekend at The Strond in St Mary's, Holm, given by a visiting monk, The Venerable Gelong Karma Jiga. It is being organised by a small group of Buddhists who meet regularly for meditation and discussion.

The weekend starts with a talk on Friday evening that begins at 6.30 and costs £5 (for the charity that the Ven. Karma Jiga works for). The talk is "How I became me", a Buddhist perspective on how people develop.

On Saturday and Sunday there is a short foundation course "Buddhist Meditation and Philosophy", which will include instructions on how and why we meditate. The course (both days) will start at 10.30, there will be an hour's break for lunch at mid-day and then the next session will be from 1pm until 2.30. After that there will be time for questions followed by interviews with the teacher, for those who would like them.

For more information phone Julie Switsur on 781700 or 731244.
17 January 2007

Highland 2007 launches today

First Minister Jack McConnell today welcomed the official start of Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture, and said it would be "a fantastic showcase for all that makes the culture of the area so inspiring".

A programme of events has been put together that will take place across the Highlands AND ISLANDS and spotlight its diverse and unique culture. Here on Orkneycommunities the Orkney Community Programme website will showcase local projects and events.

The First Minister, who is due to speak at the official launch party on the streets of Inverness this evening, said:

"The next 12 months will be a tremendous showcase for all that makes the culture of this area so inspiring, from the ancient traditions and heritage that are so well known and loved - to the new and vibrant modern culture that has emerged.
"But The Year of Culture will be good for the whole of Scotland too. We can all learn from the region's cultural renaissance and how we can celebrate our identity by combining our rich heritage with all that's good about modern Scotland.

The main Highland 2007 website is here.

12 January 2007

Happy New Year

Best wishes for the new year from Orkneycommunities.

What will the new year bring? Well, from us it will be lots of groups with the new style superduper websites, and lots more news feeding through to the Community News section here. The Image Library will continue to grow, and you are encoiraged to add pictures that you think will of interest to others.

Other things coming lie in the unforseeable future, but you can be assured that we'll be working to keep all this interesting and relevant, and encouraging new groups to sign up for community websites and take advantage of all the benefits that arise from an Orkneycommunities website (including having all your events automatically on the Events Calendar).

You can also be assured that we are receptive to any ideas that might be put to us as to how Orkneycommunities can be improved, and that isn't limited to doing the things we currently do better, but also to doing new things that will be of interest and benefit to the community in Orkney.

Give us a shout on contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk. Everything we dooo, we dooooo it for yoouuuu...
01 January 2007

Server Shenannigans II - The Wrath of Can't

Can't upload or delete files to be precise, which was the problem facing our webmasters after the server migration. This was due to file permissions requiring to be reset, which took place yesterday. So hopefully all will be well now- if not, give me a shout.
19 December 2006

Learn about Gow's Folly at this excellent site

I recently found a fascinating website put together by Kim Foden which tells the tale of Gow's Folly, and offers much more contextual information about the period and the places where the story happens. The story is told in a free book you can download, and in Kim's words:

"Several years ago I stumbled across Peter Hansen, a young cabin boy who, in 1724 and aged just ten years, unexpectedly became part of a pirate crew on board the ship Revenge under Orkney's own pirate captain, John Gow. I became fascinated with Peter's life so decided to write a book about the young cabin boy for my nephew.

The story, a historical adventure, follows one year in Peter Hansen's life. Apart from a few characters, all were real people. The basis for "Gow's Folly" was built from evidence given by each of the pirate crew while they were held in Marshalsea and Newgate prisons prior to their trials at the Old Bailey in 1725.
I found reading these records from the National Archives exhausting and harrowing.

www.gowsfolly.com includes the whole book in pdf format as well as pirate pictures, Orkney pictures and notes since much of the action takes place in Orkney.

The novel begins with Peter's escape from the pirate ship in Orkney. As he makes his way south, he reflects on the previous six months since he ran away from home in Sweden to search for his father.

Peter witnessed mutiny and the murder of his captain. He became embroiled into the world of pirating and adventure as the pirate captain's cabin boy. However, Peter's escape is short lived when he is captured, taken to Newgate Prison. Peter's story is told as he reminisces with new friends he meets throughout the year until it comes full circle following the trials in London.

Parallel to the fate of the Revenge and her crew runs another sea tale which binds Peter to his friend, Oliver. This gives Peter courage throughout the terrors he faces in Newgate Prison and in coming to terms with the fate of his hero, Captain John Gow.

But what was Gow's folly? For the answers you’ll have to read the book which is available for you to download free at www.gowsfolly.com
I hope you enjoy it."

19 December 2006

Any views on new HITRANS Regional Transport Strategy?

Well if you have, you'll need to express them by the 31st January 2007. The strategy can be downloaded from Orkneycommunities Plus here and is a 1.8MB pdf file.
30 November 2006

The changes to this page

There have been a few more changes to the look of the site. You'll have noticed the return of the Latest Updated Sites league table on the right, by popular demand, and may be wondering why the news headlines are more squashed up.

Well, the reason is that we expect lots more headlines to come through.

The Community News section has been a bit dull and worthy so far, so we've given the new style Orkneycommunities sites the chance to post their headlines directly, and as more than 20 sites have indicated they wish to change over to the new system already, expect things to get more lively when they do...
30 November 2006

People with learning disabilities in Orkney have their say

A course entitled 'Having Our Say, Our Way' is being facilitated by the Scottish Consortum for Learning Disability.

Aimed at people with learning disabilities, this is a two day training course that concentrates on building each participant's confidence and skills to speak up, get their message across and get involved.

It takes place on 28th & 29th November in the Town Hall, 10am - 4.30pm, and is organised by Advocacy Orkney and the Department of Community Social Services at the OIC.

If any one would like to attend or wants more information please contact Rosalind Spence at Advocacy Orkney on 870111
27 November 2006

Information and training sessions for Orkneycommunities webmasters

The sessions will introduce the new features available to members through the new style sites and provide information and training on this for web administrators. Existing sites are encouraged to migrate to the new system and take advantage of the new features which are provided at no additional cost!

To find out all about this come to the Garden Room of the King Street Halls in Kirkwall on Tuesday 21 November at EITHER 2.00-4.00 pm OR 7.00—9.00 pm

These sessions will be free of charge.

For more information or to book a place please contact
Gail Anderson on 872897 or email: gail.anderson@vaorkney.org.uk

To recap, the new features include:
- placement of as many pictures as you want on the page amongst the text
- no need to resize pictures- just upload and drag the picture to the required size
- an optional 12 picture image gallery on each page
- a News page which will also place your news articles on the Communities News section of the main Orkneycommunities site
- feedback though a contact form, Guestbook page or Blog page
- animated header images now possible
- seasonal or custom page backgrounds
- and for the more advanced user, the ability to modify the site stylesheet or add javascript

Big improvements to layout and navigation too. Come along!
15 November 2006

Floods affect Orkney water supplies

For the latest information on the Orkney water supply problems, visit the Scottish Water at www.scottishwater.co.uk or get in touch with their Customer Services office on 0845 601 8855.

At present, conservation is still the order of the day if you live in Kirkwall or any area supplied by Kirbister (e.g. the East Mainland and linked South Isles). Measure to preserve drinking water include:

- Only fill kettles with the amount of water you need.
- Take showers instead of baths.
- Don't leave the tap running when you brush your teeth or shave.
- Leave washing machines and dishwashers until they are full before
running them or don't use them unless absolutely necessary.
- Fix dripping taps. A tap that drips once a second wastes 33 litres a day.

30 October 2006

Cinema for Thurso Group in association with Orkney Movie Group present 'Micro Trip' a feature length movie premier

Saturday 11 November at 12 noon at the New Phoenix Cinema, Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall.

The "Micro Trip" feature film is a special project run by Cinema For Thurso Group to showcase the work of amateur film makers in the north of Scotland. The project was launched over 3 years ago and Cinema For Thurso has worked closely with various film makers over that period to produce the movies that make up the complete feature.

"Micro Trip" is made from 10 short films placed one after the other without credits and titles to allow the audience to view the films without breaking from their imagination.

After the main titles the film opens with "Let your imagination wander" during which the screen is blank for 2 minutes over which music plays. Then some random images appear before moving to the next part of the picture.

The film continues with "Green & Stone" in which two strange characters, worlds apart, are drawn together and ultimately join to form a curious rock feature on the landscape.

Things move to a contemporary setting on a country road in "Communication Breakdown" as Lenny Boyd drives to an important appointment. However after receiving a phone call, his car won't restart and he loses reception on his mobile. Desperate to keep his appointment, Lenny has to make dozens of calls from a nearby phone box in a bid to fix his car but can he still keep to his schedule?

Suddenly we are thrown into a 1950's style newsreel with "Picture House Gazetteer" in which the cause of the Chedder Niblet Rebels is brought to our attention. Fighting against a totalitarian dictatorship for control of the Chedder Mushroom the Niblets battle with goverment troops in the beautiful jungles of Borneo Abula.

Everyone has their place in the world of work and it's no different for crash test dummies but in "Dummies" these guys absolutely love their jobs and set about fine tuning their car. If you're going to crash, you might as well have a decent set of wheels to do it in!

Back an era in movies, "Seven Shades" is a silent picture in classic black and white. It is a tale of true love as far as it may go. See Lloyd and Martha skip merrily to the park where they meet best mate, Arnold- see Arnold trip! Onto the scene comes Lloyd's jealous rival, Lugo who promptly snatches Martha from Lloyd making off to the railway tracks. Can Lloyd and Arnold rescue fair maiden in distress before the train comes. Don't forget to cheer the hero Lloyd and boo the villain Lugo.

Into the lab and two scientists dissect an alien life form in "Out Of This World" with great care and precision. Each internal organ is carefully removed, weighed and placed on a tray before being wheeled away to another part of the building and the mincer?

Russian special agent Dimitri walks along a country road awaiting a call from the general for his next mission- to kill "American Dog". As Dimiti's comrades are killed off by American Dog, he becomes bent on revenge. It's a game of 'commie' verses 'capitalist'.

Every picture tells a story but in "Photograph" Mr Camera Head tells his own depressed self-spiralling story, strange but perhaps true!

On the shores of a bay three young lads give an old woman a hard time but it's not so smart of them when the woman places a curse on them to face their worst fears in "Trepidation". The dark and the deep become a living nightmare.

Do you believe in fairies? In "The Bilbster Adventure" William Iverach argues with his friend, Mr. Croy who doubts the whole idea. A frustrated Croy grows impatient as William insists on proving his point by calling up the little people but the wee folk don't like to be disturbed in this frantic climax to "Micro Trip"

With a cast of over 50 people "Micro Trip" is a big amateur picture with a diverse content complete with special effects and original music. Three sections of the film are also presented in full Panascreen which fills the whole cinema screen. A wealth of styles and technics are used to deliver each story in what is sure to be an eye-opener for the viewer.

Cinema For Thurso Group was formed in 1984 to campaign for the return of permanent cinema in Thurso, Caithness. It is the work of CFT that ultimately helped bring a purpose built cinema to the town. Picture House Films is the movie-making part of the group and has been filming in Caithness for 21 years. The "Micro Trip" premier marks PHF's 21st birthday and the 85th birthday of the old cinema, the name of which CFT still uses. Enjoy the show!

30 October 2006

Islands Services Roadshows

A series of Islands Services Roadshows starts today (30th October) in Rousay. Representatives from a range of sevices (OIC Housing Division, OIC Social Services, Advocacy Orkney, Orkney Housing Association Limited, Orkney Infonet, Orkney Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking Action Team, NHS Orkney Health Information Centre, Young Scot / Dialogue Youth, Orkney Care and Repair, Orkney Women’s Aid, Voluntary Action Orkney, Orkney Blide Trust, Boozebusters, and Orkney Alcohol Counselling and Advisory Services) will be available to provide information about the services they offer.

The itinerary is:

-Monday 30th October Rousay (church hall), 10.30-15.30
-Thursday 2nd November Westray (Pierowall Junior High School - Art Room), 10.15-13.30
-Monday 6th November Flotta (community hall), 10.30-14.30
-Thursday 9th November Sanday (Sanday Junior High School), 10.30-15.15
-Monday 13th November Stronsay (community hall), 10.30-15.30

The roadshows are wholly funded by the National Drugs Communications Fund. Services representatives will be on hand to provide information and advice regarding their services and an information pack containing leaflets from each sector will be given to all those attending. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend, and tea and coffee will be provided at each venue. There will be a questionnaire so we can gather everyone's thoughts on the event and ideas for the future. Everyone who completes the questionnaire will have the chance of winning an mp3 player for their trouble.

If anyone requires any further information please contact Matthew Walker, DASAT Substance Misuse Devt Officer on 879807, or matthewwalker@nhs.net

30 October 2006

Weather disruption and Send Us Pictures

Because of the weather the Pickaquoy Centre will be shut at 3pm today (26th Oct). Consequently no Phoenix Fringe showing of Cache tonight.

Also SEND US YOUR PICTURES of the weather consequences (even if you have already sent them to The Orcadian) so we can record them for posterity. You can upload them yourselves from the Image Library homepage or just send them to us at the address on the Contact Us page.
26 October 2006

Two free events for Voluntary Groups from Local Social Economy Partnership

Two events are being organised in November aimed at voluntary groups and covering business planning and social enterprises.

On 7th November: Could Social Enterprise work for you?

Are you involved in a voluntary organisation which finds it increasingly difficult to access grants, or constantly reinvents itself to fit in with new funding criteria?

Social Enterprise may be the solution.

What is a social enterprise?
Where do they fit in to the economy?
What are the potential implications of becoming a social enterprise?

To find out, please come along to a workshop delivered by Clive Sheppard from Highlands and Islands Social Economy Zone (HISEZ) at the Pickaquoy Centre on 7th November 2006, 18.30 to 21.00

On 9th November: Business Planning for Voluntary Groups

Are you involved in a voluntary organisation that needs to develop a business plan?

This one day interactive workshop will help you to

-work up your idea
-cost your product or service
-test your market
-sell your idea to others
-promote your product or service

This workshop will be delivered by Clive Sheppard from Highlands and Islands Social Economy Zone (HISEZ) at the Pickaquoy Centre on 9th November 2006, 10.30 – 15.30

For further information about either (or both) these events or to book a place contact Valerie Sinclair at Orkney Enterprise, tel: 01856 888721 or e-mail valerie.sinclair@hient.co.uk

PLACES ARE LIMITED – EARLY BOOKING ESSENTIAL

These event are free of charge and are sponsored by the Orkney Local Social Economy Partnership

26 October 2006

Funding from Big Lottery Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise Tuesday 31 October 2pm-4pm Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall (in conjuction with Land Reform Act Seminar)

Lucas Chapman will also be running a separate session (see item on Land Reform Act Seminar) on the funding that is available through the Big Lottery Fund and Highlands & Islands Enterprise. The Community Land Unit administers the Growing Community Assets part of the £257 million that is available to Scotland through the Big Lottery Fund in addition to the funding Highlands & Islands Enterprise network makes available. Applications can be considered from groups looking to fund a range of assets, not just land or buildings. Some projects may involve the Land Reform Act but, historically the vast majority have progressed without use of the act. This second session would be of interest to all community groups.

There will be a sandwich lunch available for anyone who wishes to attend both sessions.

Contact valerie.sinclair@hient.co.uk or on 01856888721 to book a place of arrange an individual appointment. The event is free but you must RSVP by Thursday 26 October 2006 by contacting Valerie.
19 October 2006

Community Right to Buy - Land Reform Act Seminar Tuesday 31 October 2006 11 am - 1 pm Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall

In June of this year, Andy Wightman held an awareness-raising session on the opportunities provided by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act. This seminar provides an opportunity to meet the Head of the Land Reform Branch at the Scottish Executive to further your understanding of the act and learn from current experience across the country. Lucas Chapman from HIE’s Community Land Unit will also be in attendance to discuss the support and funding available for community purchase from the Community Land Unit and the Lottery.

What is it about?
Part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 enables communities to register an interest in land and/or property. Once a registration is secured, a community then has the option (it need not exercise it) to acquire registered land and/or property, if and when it is sold. Both the Land Reform Branch of the Scottish Executive and HIE’s Community Land Unit are keen to provide information, support and guidance directly to communities and their partners.

Where can I find out more?
HIE Community Land Unit: http://www.hie.co.uk/communityland.htm
Scottish Exec: www.scotland.gov.uk (search for Community Right to Buy)

Who should come?
Any individual, landowner, community group or development trust member, community councillor, local councillor, development officer, advisor or agency staff member.

Can I arrange to see Richard or Lucas while they are in Orkney?
Richard is particularly keen to meet communities who might consider using the act and Lucas is also available to discuss funding.

Contact valerie.sinclair@hient.co.uk or 01856888721 to arrange an individual appointment with Richard or Lucas.

The event is free but you must rsvp by Thursday 26 Oct 2006 by contacting Valerie.

19 October 2006

NEW FEATURES FOR MEMBER SITES

Responding to our survey earlier this year, and thanks to funding from LEADER + and Awards For All, we can now offer additional features with Orkneycommunities sites, at NO EXTRA COST. The sites are still inexpensive, easy to manage but even more fully featured! Existing features such as the events calendar and document library of course remain.

The new features can be seen on the new Orkneycommunities Plus site (link on the page header graphic above) and include

- placement of as many pictures as you want on the page amongst the text
- no need to resize pictures- just upload and drag the picture to the required size
- an optional 6 picture image gallery on each page
- a News page which will also place your news articles on the Communities News section of the main Orkneycommunities site
- feedback though a contact form, Guestbook page or Blog page
- animated header image now possible
- and for the more advanced user, the ability to modify the site stylesheet or add javascript (this is of course completely unsuppported!)

You'll notice the look of the site has changed as well, with the addition of a third column, in which can be placed

- a map, linked to Google mapping (click on map to see our AGM venue location)
- automatic listing of updated pages (so your visitors can see what's new)
- automatic display of your latest news headlines from your news page
- a counter

These new features will be available on all new sites, and to all existing sites that wish to migrate to the new system. We're working on a way to make the migration of content etc. as painless as possible, and training in the new system will be given at one or two group sessions (our admin costs have to be minimised to keep everything going and allow room for development). Any existing sites that want to migrate should express interest by emailing contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk, and any brave pioneers that want to go first and help us debug the migration should step forward now! We won't switch off 'old' sites until the new version is ready, so relax....

18 October 2006

Make a Difference Day - Saturday 28th October

This is your chance to Make a Difference in Orkney and join around 115,000 other volunteers from all over Scotland who will be taking part in this year's event.

Orkney groups have taken prt in the past by: transforming a garden in Kirkwall; holding a children's party; planing bulbs in Stromness; holding an Afternoon Tea event and generally having fun whilst Making a Difference to the lives of all those involved.

Find out what it's all about and how you can get involved by logging on to cvs.org.uk/difference. Register now and get loads of free goodies to use at your event.
17 October 2006

NEW LOOK ORKNEYCOMMUNITIES.CO.UK

You'll have noticed that the appearance of the site has changed. This is to freshen things up after three happy years, and to clear the decks for additional content on the home page from additional newsfeeds and news articles posted directly by our member sites (see Full Listing above) when they take advantage of the excellent new features that will be available to them. More on this later!

We hope that the navigation will remain clear. The links to additional content provided through this site (Community Directory, Business Directory and Access Guide, Events, News and Notice Board) are now across the top, and links to information about this site are on the silver bar, with accessibility features grouped at the right. The yellow bar is home to the Latest Updated Sites and Full Listing, providing links to sites provided through Orkneycommunities.co.uk.

Moving the links allows us to designate the third column for newsfeeds, with the here-from-the-start Orcadian feed now joined by a feed from Orkney Today, and the latest from the local music scene in Orkney Bands- more may follow!

Shifting The Orcadian to the third column promotes the Community News and Events in Orkney up the page- this is going to be necessary as the future will hopefully see many more news stories coming directly and automatically from the news pages of the member sites.

The Image Library remains prominent (now with latest comments showing), and we stuck with the same colours. No need to go wild, and we only have a limited range of coloured pencils.

Hope you like it!

13 October 2006

Making the Pitch!

A one day workshop on how to generate ideas and turn them into social enterprises is taking place at the King St Halls, Kirkwall on Friday 27th October 2006, registration 10:30 am.

-Do you need to generate income and don’t know where to start?
-Where do ideas come from?
-How do you get from idea to business plan?
-How do you know it is viable?

These are just some of the questions you may be asking as an organisation or as an individual. This one day intensive workshop will provide you with an insight into how to go from an idea to Social Enterprise Start Up

The workshop will adopt a participative approach and is being piloted by DTA Scotland & Social Firms Scotland and funded through Enterprise Accelerator.

There is no cost attached to this event so early booking is recommended as places are limited to 20.

To book please contact Aileen Tulloch, 54 Manor Place, Edinburgh, EH3 7EH, tel 0131 220 2456, aileen@dtascot.org.uk

06 October 2006

NOW POSSIBLE TO UPLOAD IMAGES TO THE IMAGE LIBRARY DIRECTLY

This is done by using the form at the bottom of the Image Library page. No need to worry about resizing pictures, the system will do that for you. Give it a go!

Congratulations to Tina Meldrum for being the first to upload a picture, and if we had asked her Tina would have surely said "It was really easy to do, and actually quite fun- everybody who uses this site should look out their pictures and do it!"
05 October 2006

Kirkwall Traffic Plans- Town centre meeting Tuesday

The Council's Technical Services Department has proposals for managing traffic in the Warrenfield area of Kirkwall and a preferred option for traffic management in Kirkwall Town Centre. As part of the public consultation these plans will be presented for comment followed by a public meeting at times mentioned below.

We've requested copies of or links to the plans from Technical Services, so hopefully they can be posted here. Anyone with an interest in this is strongly encouraged to take part, and to write to the Council with their views or make them known at the meetings.

The Warrenfield events are today 4th October at the St Magnus Centre. You can drop in anytime between 10 and 4 to have a look at some of the ideas. Then there's a public meeting starting in the centre at 7pm where you can put your views to the officials. The town centre events are on Monday and Tuesday next week, 9th and 10th October. You can have a look at the proposals in the foyer of the Town hall from 10 till 4 on Monday 9th and then the day after - that's Tuesday 10th - there's a public meeting to discuss the ideas and that's in the King Street Halls starting at 7pm. Anyone with an interest is invited along.

Note that Warrenfield in this context is the whole Warrenfield council ward, rather than just the Warrenfield housing scheme.
04 October 2006

Update on access problems

The access difficulties for AOL users seem to have ceased, unless you can tell us otherwise. We'll leave the information for AOL users below however, in case it is useful in general.

"Current issues of access to the site seem to be restricted to AOL customers using the AOL browser, and may be worked around by using another browser such as Internet Explorer whilst connected to the internet. Why this has become an issue we are unsure, as the pages affected have not changed in terms of names or the technologies used- it may be that the AOL browser has been 'upgraded', adding to its known problems with javascript and compressing images to give an impression of speed of data transfer. See the following two links for information about this:

http://thepcyoubuy.com/AOLBrowser.htm
http://info.aol.co.uk/help/portal_faq/cannot_view_content.html

It may also be related to an earlier DNS (the system whereby network addresses of webservers are resolved to familiar URLs) issue which caused problems for users at the OIC for a few days recently, as AOL seem to update their DNS records less frequently than most. If this is the case the problem should just go away.

Please keep us posted as to how you are getting on."

03 October 2006

Have you had problems accessing this site?

Over the last couple of weeks a number of people have told me they have had difficulty accessing Orkneycommunities.co.uk. This has not affected everybody, so if you had (or are having) difficulty viewing Orkneycommunities pages, please email contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk stating

- the problem (e.g. no or partial display of pages, images not displayed etc.)
- any error messages and error numbers that are shown (e.g. 400, 404 etc.),
- the browser you are using (e.g. AOL browser, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari etc.), and
- who your internet service provider is.

We'll use this information to establish whether it is a hosting issue or an issue with the site, and get it fixed.
02 October 2006

Big changes coming soon from your caring sharing portal

New features on the main Orkneycommunities site and on the 70 (and counting) sites belonging to member groups will be launched early in October.

The features were previewed at the AGM on Wednesday 27th September, and are summarised below. The features have been developed to suit the wishes expressed in the survey of member groups which took place earlier this year, and to deliver more content to the main site and image library in a fashion that reduces the amount of administration necessary. the main Orkneycommunities portal is being restyled to cope with the additional content, and to refresh the look of the site after three successful years.

Features to be added to member groups sites:
-Feedback and dialogue through guestbook, blog or contact form
-News page that can also feed articles directly to portal home page
-More images on pages, easier to add, no need to resize
-Tables supported by page editor
-Animated headers possible
-Image gallery per page!
-Simplified styles
-Improved navigation of admin features
-The Third Column
-Google mapping integrated
-Integration of calendar and contact details with main site retained
-User community to be set up to share best practice and advice

Features to be added to main Orkneycommunities portal pages:
-More content automatically fed through from members
-Additional newsfeed (e.g. from Orkney Today and Orkneybands.co.uk)
-Online toolkit with resources for community groups
-Revamp of site navigation and look to deal with additional content
-Users will be able to submit pictures to the image library directly
-Auto resizing and ‘zoomify’ of pictures
-Better navigation in image library
-Spam filtering of comments
-Retain usability and reduced admin

It's all go. Training in use of the new features will be offered once it has been devised!
29 September 2006

Local TA reforms as Royal Engineers Troop

On Saturday 14th October 06 the Territorial Army soldiers located at the Territorial Army Centre in Kirkwall, are to be formally re-rolled to become 10 (Orkney) Field Troop Royal Engineers under command of 71 Engineer Regiment (Volunteers) based at Leuchars in Fife. The change is part of the ongoing review of the Territorial Army’s Future Army Structure plan to enable it to contribute more effectively to the overall defence of the UK and to be fully compatible with the reshaped Regular Army.

71 Engineer Regiment (volunteers) provides Military Engineering to the Armed Forces and specifically to the Royal Air Force. Over the past 5 years it has been involved in supporting the Armed Forces both in the UK and overseas. Over a third of the Regiment has deployed on operations to Iraq and individuals have deployed to Bosnia and Cyprus. Each soldier is required to complete a minimum of 27 days training per year, which comprises of a 15-day camp and 12 other days training.

In addition to the skills they have acquired as Infantrymen, the Troop will undergo additional training as Military Engineers. One major difference will be the opportunity for the young women of Orkney to serve in the TA in a wide range of trades such as Driver, Plant Operator, and Signaller.

The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Neil Page had the following to say about this special occasion:

“The Royal Engineers and my Regiment are delighted that we have the opportunity to take under command and re-role as military engineers the TA detachment at Kirkwall. The proud service given to the Territorial Army by the men of Orkney is well documented and this change of role will continue that history, while offering the men and women of Orkney the opportunity to gain new skills and experience new challenges by serving in the Royal Engineers. We would like to ensure that 10 Troop develops into a vibrant, active, professional and happy organisation and I would certainly like to recruit more men and women. My Regiment will take great pride, care and attention to the Troop and we look forward to a successful future for Orkney’s TA unit ”.

The Troop is looking for new recruits are those interested should contact the TA Centre on 01856 872622 or ring the Regimental Recruiting Officer on 01334 839471 Ext 7698 for more details.

26 September 2006

orkneycommunities.co.uk Annual General Meeting

orkneycommunities AGM will be held at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 27 September 2006 in the Garden Room, King Street Halls, Kirkwall

At the close of business there will be a ‘sneak preview’ of new features and presentations from: Steven Heddle: ‘Your Caring Sharing Portal’ and Anna Whelan: ‘Orkney 2020 and Beyond – Community Planning in Orkney’

All members and anyone interested in the future development of Orkney’s community website are warmly invited to attend.

22 September 2006

Orkney Community Planning Partnership - Burray and South Ronaldsay Public Meeting

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday 26 September, 7.00pm-9.00pm, in the Cromarty Hall, St Margaret’s Hope.

The meeting offers an opportunity to learn more about Community Planning and crucially to bring forward ideas for the Burray and South Ronaldsay of the future. We hope to hear the views of all age groups and would encourage everyone to come along. The ideas and concerns identified at the meeting will be reported back to the Community Planning Partnership.

If you cannot attend, you can collect a form from the local shop/Post Office and send it in to VAO with your views. If you need assistance with completing the form please contact us at 872897. Forms can also be found on VAO’s website at www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/VAO: click on Library, then Community Planning Form.

If you need to arrange transport to the meeting, please contact: Margaret Garriock (831204) by 6pm Monday 25th September

For more information please contact Gail Anderson, Voluntary Action Orkney, 872897.

22 September 2006

Green for Go in Orkney?

OFGEM have granted approval for the implementation of a Registered Power Zone (RPZ) in the isles. The announcement made in late June by Scottish Hydro-Electric Power Distribution Limited, potentially creates a further 15MW of generating capacity within the Orkney grid which had previously been full. Already a number of communities have expressed interest in using this, and others are encouraged to follow, with support offered.

The Highlands & Islands Community Energy Company (HICEC) has been working with 8 communities in Orkney who have already expressed serious interest in pursuing Community owned, income-generating projects and have lodged a first stage application to Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) on their behalf.

Lindsay Hall, from the Island of Hoy Development Trust, one of the Orkney Communities keen to pursue Community Owned Renewables, said “We realise this is a very speculative application at this stage but we felt this was an opportunity which should be pursued. We won’t know for some time if we will get past the first stage but we are extremely grateful for the professional assistance of HICEC this far.”

Eric Dodd, HICEC Manager based in Inverness said “This is a window of opportunity for the Orkney Area which we could not pass by. Reading between the lines we feel that SSE may be supportive of an attempt to match production to demand in the various areas, which in turn will favour one turbine matched for each island or parish. We are willing to fund the application to the first stage and see what happens, in the meantime we are initiating further work with the communities involved, to ensure that everyone is comfortable with the concept and they have the correct structures in place to enable them to take the application to the next phase if they are successful.”

For more information, contact:

Sam Harcus, HICEC, Orkney Area, 01857 677790 (sam.harcus@orkney.com) or Eric Dodd, HICEC Manager, Inverness, 01463 244202

28 August 2006

Have you been refused broadband because of DACS?

Some people who have ordered broadband may have not received a service because their line was on DACS.

If this is the case for you, BT advises that you should resubmit your order now, as BT Openreach has committed to invest an extra £10 million to upgrade DACS lines, at no extra charge to the customer. There will still be some instances where Openreach may be unable to replace the DACS equipment due to very high costs, however there is a now a much greater likelihood of an order being successful if DACS is the obstacle.

The Digital Access Carrier System (DACS) is a technology used to allow two households to share a single telephone line with separate numbers where lines are limited. This works well for voice calls, but halves the theoretical capacity of the line for dial up modems, and is a showstopper for ADSL broadband services.
22 August 2006

Evening Classes in Rural Development starting in September

It is shortly going to be possible for practitioners working in the rural community development sector to study short courses of rural interest, by videoconference or online, through UHI learning centres and/or from home.

Three exciting new short courses (12 weeks) are being offered on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from September the 11th onwards, from UHI and Lews Castle’s programme of studies in Rural Development.

Evening classes in ‘Introduction to Rural Development’ (Mondays), ‘Social Geography of the Highlands & Islands’ (Tuesdays) and ‘Economics & the State’ (Wednesdays) will be running between 6-30-8-00pm each of these evenings.

So, do you live in a rural area? Are you interested in rural affairs and the challenges facing rural areas? Perhaps you want to know more about windfarms and other renewable initiatives or why transport costs and the cost of living is so high? What’s happened to agriculture and our communities? These are just some of the questions we address.

We run these short courses entirely through the use of new technologies and make use of video conferencing (VC) and discussion boards to generate debate and discussion. If you wish to participate in one of our 12 week short courses you will need access to a computer, and access to one of UHI’s many remote learning centres with video conferencing facilities. There is also a solely online study option for those not able to make the evening class VC sessions and these would just require access to a PC. The Evening Classes will run from Monday 11th September to Friday 22nd December from 18.30 until 20.00 each evening. Participants will need to be prepared to allocate a further 3.5hours per week for reading and research in addition to the lecture time.

Each short course of study costs £150 and there area number of payment and funding options available, including ILA finance.

So, take the first step, it is always the biggest, and contact us at: Rural Development Department, Lews Castle College, Stornoway, HS2 0XR. Contact: Michael Smith on email at michael.smith@lews.uhi.ac.uk or by telephone on 01851 770407 or Sally Mckim on email at sally.mckim@lews.uhi.ac.uk or by telephone on 01851 770463. We look forward to hearing from you.

Please link to the following website: http://www.uhi.ac.uk/ruraldev/testimonials.shtm to see what other students have said about the courses and modules in this programme.

21 August 2006

Autism support programme for Orkney

If a child in your family has recently been diagnosed with autism then a new programme in Kirkwall will offer the assistance you need.

The help! programme is run by The National Autistic Society Scotland with support from Vodafone, to provide parents and full-time carers with information, advice and support on all aspects of caring for someone with autism.

Barrie Cooper, NAS help! manager says: “Help! touches families at a crucial time in understanding how autism will affect their lives. After receiving a diagnosis, parents and carers can feel very alone and the help! programme exists to empower them with knowledge and understanding of this difficult lifelong condition.”

The free programme runs over two sessions from 09:30hrs to 14:45hrs. The first session is on Tuesday 5th September and the second on Wednesday 6th at the Kirkwall and St Ola Community Centre, Broad Street, Kirkwall.

Individuals who wish to attend or would like more information should contact Lauren Jarvis on 0141 285 7114. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.

The National Autistic Society is the U.K.’s leading charity for people with autism their families and carers.

11 August 2006

Scottish Opera return in September

This autumn, Scottish Opera returns to Orkney with a sparkling new production of Die Fledermaus on Saturday 9th September at The Orkney Arts Theatre in Kirkwall.

Johann Strauss Jnr - the Waltz King and composer of Die Fledermaus - wrote dozens of popular dance pieces in addition to waltzes and has become one of Vienna’s greatest exports. He also produced 17 operettas filled with his own special brand of delicious music and by far the most beloved of these is Die Fledermaus or The Revenge of the Bat. The work remains a masterpiece among operettas as the Viennese waltz rhythms that are the trademark of Johann Strauss bring a quality of rare enchantment to the work.

Mistaken identities, flirtations at a masked ball, elegant frivolities and confusions of all kinds provide a hilarious vehicle for some of the most captivating music ever written. The ball scene alone includes ‘The Champagne Chorus’ and the famous ‘Laughing Song’.

This new production sees Strauss’ operetta wittily updated to the present day, with the staging humorously reflecting society’s current obsession with wealth, appearance and the culture of disposable celebrity. A group of dynamic young singers will bring Die Fledermaus to life, with Scottish Opera’s Oliver Rundell fizzing along on the piano as Music Director.

Saturday, 9 September, 7.30pm
Orkney Arts Theatre, Kirkwall
Tickets £9, £7 (concessions)
Tickets from: VisitOrkney
6 Broad Street
Kirkwall
Orkney
KW15 1NX
Tel: 01856 872 856

Tickets can also be purchased online from www.scottishopera.org or by calling the 24 hour booking line on Tel: 0870 4000 896. Please note that tickets bought online or from the 24 hour booking line will be subject to a booking fee.

Any remaining unsold tickets will be available for sale on the door at the venue, 30 minutes before the start of the performance. Doors open 30 minutes before the performance.

09 August 2006

Anybody got a metal detector?

This is a plea for help from our regular photo contributor and kite aerial photography enthusiast Craig Taylor.

As Craig recounts, "Had a kite camera disaster in Stromness at the weekend, when I lost the gadget which fires the shutter while it is in the air. The camera came off the line around 100 feet up dropping into a field of long grass. The camera is ok but the little plastic and metal box with the gadget on became detached from the camera. I searched for around an hour to find it, but no luck.
Do you happen to know someone with a metal dectector I could borrow for a day or evening, as I may be able to find it!"

If anybody can help Craig, drop a line to contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk and we'll pass it on.

08 August 2006

Busy Weekend

There's a lot of good stuff on this weekend, so get out and enjoy yourselves, rather than wasting time buying WD39 and Ironic Bru at the local ubermarket.

There's live music from the Bees in Fusion, supported by the also-excellent James Bishop Band. There's the new three day Kirkwall Regatta format, like Cowes week, but 4 days shorter, and well, more classy. There's a Sanday Sunday... I could go on, but look at the Radio Orkney Diary page and form your own opinions.

And take your camera and send in pictures for the image library too.
04 August 2006

Orkney's Young People's Panel for Big Lottery Fund

Are YOU interested in representing the opinions and ideas of young people in Orkney?

Do YOU know what activities young people need in your area?

Are YOU aged between 11 and 25 years?

If this sounds like YOU - do you want to join Orkney’s Young People’s Panel?
It’s a great chance to advise on what’s REALLY needed by young people

Prior experience is not needed – full training will be given locally

To find out more and get an application pack contact Laura at Volunteer Centre Orkney on 01856 872897

02 August 2006

Communities set to benefit from new million pound fund

Communities across Orkney are set to benefit from a new £1M Community Development Fund launched this week by Orkney Islands Council.

The new fund follows on from the success of the Council's Community Development Fund for the new Millennium in 2000 when more than 40 innovative community projects were launched in Orkney. These ranged from a restaurant and a museum to a nine-hole golf course and an indoor riding school bigger than Wembley Arena.

As an extra boost, each Community Council in Orkney will receive £5000 from the Fund to help with projects in their own areas.

The fund is open to any community group or club who can bring forward a well-planned, sustainable project. Information packs are available from the Council’s Customer Services Reception for anyone who wants to find out if their group is eligible.

Orkney Islands Council’s Convener, Stephen Hagan, said: “Orkney has always had tremendous community spirit and it’s excellent that the Council and Orkney people can work together to make success stories out of good ideas. There will be no future running costs for the Council and if it’s as successful as the Millennium fund it will bring long-term benefits to us as well as extra partnership money to Orkney.”

27 July 2006

Subba Cultcha

Familiar with the sport of free running? Imagine if Jackie Chan was a cross country runner who had to go in a straight line through a built up area and you are there. I was unaware that there were devotees of this in Orkney until I typed in Orkney as a search term in http://www.youtube.com last night and found their own videos. Pretty good, and not without humour - see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ-C9scwZJ4 for a fine example.

The boys call themselves Team Hybrid, but I would have thought Spinal Injuries Unit would also have been appropriate. Orkneycommunities does not encourage such behaviour, merely taking a vicarious interest.

But guys, if you try to run over my garage roof I'll be after you waving the spade I use to shift dog dirt from the lawn...
21 July 2006

Still no broadband?

For the people who still do not have access to a broadband service, here is reminder of the contact details of the Scottish Executive Telecoms Policy Unit.

A report on the out of reach areas is being compiled, but continued lobbying will still help.

If you are currently denied a broadband service the telecommunications minister, Nicol Stephen, urges you to contact the Telecoms Policy Unit and pass on your contact details (including postcode), phone number, and a description of your problem and any information that you have received from BT or your chosen internet service provider.

The details are being collected by Elaine Provan, who can be contacted on 0141 242 5452 or by email at elaine.provan@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. It would be useful if you could also copy any email to Steven Heddle (steven@kw15.co.uk), who is assisting consultants studying possible solutions on behalf of Orkney Enterprise.

21 July 2006

help! programme - support for autism

If a child in your family has recently been diagnosed with autism then a new programme in Kirkwall may offer the assistance you need.

The help! programme is run by The National Autistic Society Scotland with support from Vodafone, to provide parents and full-time carers with information, advice and support on all aspects of caring for someone with autism.

Barrie Cooper, NAS help! manager says: “Help! touches families at a crucial time in understanding how autism will affect their lives. After receiving a diagnosis, parents and carers can feel very alone and the help! programme exists to empower them with knowledge and understanding of this difficult lifelong condition.”

The free programme runs over two sessions from 09:30hrs to 14:45hrs. The first session is on Tuesday 5th September and the second on Wednesday 6th at the Kirkwall and St Ola Community Centre, Broad Street, Kirkwall.

Individuals who wish to attend or would like more information should contact Lauren Jarvis on 0141 285 7114. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.

06 July 2006

New exhibition of paintings by Christina Liddell

A new exhibition of paintings by Christina Liddell opens in the Orkney Library on Thursday 6th July, and runs until 29th July.

Christina says "I returned back to Orkney and my island home Rousay in April this year after 9 months living and working in France. I had two big exhibitions in Paris last year that were very well received and I have had exhibitions in Iceland, Barcelona, Orkney previously and over the UK. I returned back here to be with my family after sadly my dear father who lived on Rousay passed away earlier this year whilst I was away so here I am, working and reflecting."

"This exhibition contains paintings on my diverse experiences in France and also some paintings from closer to home in Orkney as Orkney never left me when I was out there."

Details of the exhibition:

Raison d'être- An exhibition of paintings by Christina Liddell
In The Orkney Library (The MacGillivray Room) on Thursday 6th July from 11.00am - 5.00pm.

The exhibition continues until 29th July with opening hours as follows-
Monday - Thursday, 9.00am - 7.00pm
Friday and Saturday, 9.00am - 5.00pm
05 July 2006

Could Social Enterprise Work for You? Find out at a workshop being held at The Pickaquoy Centre on 20 July - 10.00-12.30 or 1.30-4.00 - there are still some places available for the afternoon workshop!

Are you involved in a voluntary organisation which finds it increasingly difficult to access grants; do you have to constantly reinvent youself to fit in with new funding criteria? If you answered yes to either or both these questions then social enteprise may be the solution. To find out more, come along to a workshop delivered by Clive Sheppard from Highlands and Islands Social Economy Zone (HISEZ). The workshop will describe: what a social enteprise is; where it fits into the economy and what the potential implications are of becoming a social enterprise.

For more information or to book a place please contact: Chessa Llewellyn-White at Orkney Enterprise Tel: 01856 888715 or email: chessa.llewellyn-white@hient.co.uk

04 July 2006

Training on the Functions of the Scottish Parliament, Lobbying and Many Other Issues!

Advocacy Orkney has organised a course on the functions of the Scottish Parliament, lobbying and many other issues. The course will be held on 24th July in the Ayre Hotel and will be presented by Kirsty regan of Knowhow Training who will be able to answer any questions you have on this important subject.

To book a place please contact: Advocacy Orkney, Orkney Counselling and Support Centre, The Strynd, Kirkwall, KW15 1HG. Telephone 870111 email advocacy-orkney@btconnect.com
04 July 2006

Orkney Community Plan Consultation - Public Meeting Tuesday 4th July 7-8.30pm in The Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall

The Orkney Community Plan ‘Orkney 2020’ is currently being updated and a public meeting is being held on Tuesday 4 July to gather comments and suggestions about what happens in Orkney over the next 10 – 20 years.

We hope as many people as possible will be able to attend in order to ensure that local people's views are included in the new plan.

for more information please contact Gaynor Jones, Voluntary Action Orkney, 872897.

14 June 2006

Successful Big Lottery Fund Roadshow

30 groups met with representatives from the Big Lottery Fund on Monday 3 July. They had the chance to speak directly with advisers and get advice on how to proceed with their applications. The Fund is expecting lots of applications from Orkney in the near future!

For more information on the Big Lottery Fund visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
05 June 2006

Edinburgh University String Orchestra on tour

The Edinburgh University String Orchestra are in Orkney from 4-7th June, playing concerts in Stromness and Kirkwall as detailed below.

The programme is:
VIVALDI: Double Cello Concerto
ELGAR: Serenade for Strings
GRIEG: Holberg Suite
FINZI: Romance for Strings
MENDELSSOHN: String Symphony No. 10
DOM FLOYD: Three Cloud Pieces

Tickets are £6/£4 ON THE DOOR

Conductor: Michael Bawtree
Soloists: Helen Edwards, Pete Harvey

STROMNESS - Church of Scotland, Victoria Street
SUNDAY 4th JUNE 7:30pm

KIRKWALL - St. Magnus' Cathedral
TUESDAY 6th JUNE 7:30pm

29 May 2006

Voluntary Action Orkney AGM on MONDAY 12th June

... and not Wednesday as shown in both papers. It's at Orkney College and the guest speaker is Kim Burns, Millennium Volunteer and Orkney Ambassador for Young People and Volunteering.

26 May 2006

IT training session in Sanday, Friday 26th May

Calling all Sanday Residents! The ICT partnership will visit Sanday on Friday 26 May to provide two computer training sessions.

If you are a complete beginner or a more experienced user with specific questions please come along to the Sanday Community Room on Friday 26th May, where partnership tutors will help you learn more in an informal, friendly and supportive atmosphere

Session 1: 10 am—1 pm General Awareness Word, Spreadsheets, Databases

Session 2: 2 pm—5 pm Desktop Publishing and Setting up a Website

There will be a small charge for each session. More information is available from VAO on 872897 or email enquiries@vaorkney.org.uk.

The ICT Partnership project is funded by Orkney Enterprise and LEADER+. Members are Community Education, Grainshore Training Centre, Orkney College, Support Training and Voluntary Action Orkney

19 May 2006

Autism Parent Seminar for Orkney

The National Autistic Society (NAS), the U.K.’s leading charity for people with autism, will host a parent seminar at the Community Centre, Town Hall, Kirkwall, Orkney on Saturday 24th June 2006.

The seminar is entitled ‘challenging behaviour’ and is open to parents, carers and people with autism and Asperger syndrome. The guest speaker is Michael McCreadie, Deputy, Support for Learning, Daldorch House School, Ayrshire.

The seminar is free to people with autism, £5 for parents, £7.50 for parent couples and £25 for professionals. Bookings are on a first come first served basis.

Melissa Kay, NAS Regional Officer, North West Scotland said:

“The seminar is an excellent opportunity to hear expert opinion on caring for someone with autism and also to meet up with other with people in similar circumstances.”

For more information and to book places for the seminar please contact Dawn Edwards on 01463258802 or e-mail dawn.edwards@nas.org.uk

18 May 2006

So you want to write TV drama?

If so, read on. A one day seminar on this subject is being run (cost £40) at the St Magnus Centre on 3rd June. The organisers explain:

'There are hundreds of courses on "how to write drama". This isn't one of them.

Adrian Mead, former bouncer/hairdresser and now award winning writer and director of film and TV drama imparts his insider knowledge to aspiring and new writers.

Including,

• The mysterious world of Script Editors, Development Execs and Agents.

• How to get that vital first break.

• How to accept and usefully employ criticism, handle rewrites and, protect your own voice.

Discover a simple and effective formula for success and learn what most new writers find out after 2 – 3 years in the business.

This one day seminar will run from 11am (10.30 registration) to 4pm at the St Magnus Centre, Krkwall on Sat 3rd June. Cost: £40 inc. VAT & Refreshments.

For A FREE E-Booklet of writing tips, a booking form or more info please email info@meadkerr.com or call Clare on 0131 554 4539'

17 May 2006

We're Website of The Month!

Orkneycommunities is the featured Website of the Month at the Rural Community Gateway!

And we are not so bigsy that we can't say to them that they are no' bad themselves- check out the Rural Community Gateway at http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/
14 May 2006

Air Discount Scheme

If, like me, paying tax to all our tiers of government and beaurocracy does not seem enough to get them to send details of the Air Discount Scheme to you, then here they are.

The phone number to call is 0800 032 2890 and the website (where you can download a form) is http://www.airdiscountscheme.com
11 May 2006

Watch oot

There are some very convincing PayPal and eBay scams on the go just now, based on emails which purport to be from either of these companies and ask you to verify your details by logging into a website that looks genuinely to belong to PayPal or eBay, but isn't, so you are giving up your username, password and much more to crooks.

Don't! Be very suspicious of anything like this.

In the example I was sent yesterday the 'social engineering' was very good. The message came from a paypal.com address (but at the bottom of the message it said not to reply to it as the message was automated...) and said that it had been sent as attempts had been made to break into my account ('better do something about this') and that they had tried to phone me ('right enough, I was out'), so that I had been emailed instead. Could I please click on the link and verify my details? Well the link in the mail also seemed to show a www.paypal.com page, but the actual address had this prefixed with a numeric address that could be anywhere, and certainly wasn't PayPal. Checking again today it isn't even there, so at least this scam has been stopped.

But there will be others- watch oot!

11 May 2006

IT training session in Stronsay, Friday 12th May

Tutors from the ICT Partnership will be offering computer training sessions on Stronsay on Friday 12 May in the community centre. The first session will cover email and internet and will run from 10am to 1pm; the second will cover word, excel, access and will run from 2pm to 5pm. Everyone from complete beginners to the more experienced is welcome. There will be a small charge for each session. More information is available from VAO on 872897 or enquiries@vaorkney.org.uk.

The ICT Partnership project is funded by Orkney Enterprise and LEADER+. Members are Community Education, Grainshore Training Centre, Orkney College, Support Training and Voluntary Action Orkney.

11 May 2006

Orkneycommunities 'New Features' survey results

A survey was conducted at the end of January 2006 to see what features the groups who have Orkneycommunities.co.uk websites would like to see developed in the future.

Seventeen groups gave responses to the suggestions in the survey, and the results and additional explanation of the suggestions are presented at http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/PLUS/index.asp?pageid=952

The results have been used to help prepare a bid for funding, which if successful should see us moving forward with great improvements in this summer. Watch this space for further developments!

10 May 2006

Awards for All Scotland re-launch

Awards for All Scotland from the Big Lottery Fund will re-launch on the 9th May with the following key changes:

· Applicants can now apply for up to £10 000 in a 12 month period.
· The total amount Awards for All has to distribute to groups in Scotland in 2006/07 is £13 million compared to £8.36 million in the previous year.

· There is no longer an income limit imposed on groups.
· Sports projects with total project costs of more than £10 000 can now apply.

The contact number of their Information Team is 0870 240 2391. They can deal with any queries from applicants.

01 May 2006

National Youth Theatre helps create new 'Sanday Story'

Scottish Youth Theatre, Scotland’s national theatre ‘for and by’ young people, are this week be hosting a drama project in Sanday.

Professional theatre directors Karen McGrady and Kenny McGlashan, along with experienced video artist Emma Bowen, are working with approximately 25 young people from classes P4 to S3 from Sanday Community School. The project is running from Monday 24th April to Tuesday 2nd May, and is funded by Orkney Islands Council.

The project will provide Sanday’s young people with the opportunity to explore and develop a variety of theatre skills. The group will look at story-telling and narration, investigating the past stories of Sanday in order to develop a brand new one. The culmination of the young people’s work will be the performance of a new piece of theatre, using different areas of the island of Sanday as inspiration.

THE DEVISED THEATRE PERFORMANCE IS OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. IT IS A FREE EVENT AND WILL TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY 1ST MAY AT 3PM AT SANDAY SCHOOL.

To assist the project, Scottish Youth Theatre will also be working with Sanday’s Senior Citizens Afternoon Club. The group will use the club member’s memories as stimulus for the eventual devised piece.

27 April 2006

Embrace to headline Magfest

Top chart and live act Embrace are to headline a two day music festival in Orkney. The festival takes place over 30th June/1st July in the Picky Centre and is to be staged jointly by the St Magnus Festival and Neil Stevenson of Grooves.

Embrace close the festival on the 1st, with the 30th June headlined by The Proclaimers and the Saw Doctors, and local acts will feature on both nights.

Tickets go on sale on 13th May.
25 April 2006

Views sought from Social Enterprises

An on-line questionnaire is seeking the view of Orkney based social enterprises on the further development of support and advice mechanisms for the sector.

The Orkney Local Social Economy Partnership (OLSEP) was formed in late 2005 with the remit encourage and support social enterprises and so increase the range and increase the capacity of organisations available to deliver identified local services in Orkney.

It also notes its remit:

· To identify and monitor the nature and size of the social economy sector;
· To identify where social economy organisations can enhance service delivery; and
· To ensure that support for social economy organisations is accessible and meets need.
· To facilitate co-ordination and co-operation between support providers.

In conjunction with the OLSEP, HISEZ (Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone) is undertaking a mapping survey of the social economy sector in the area.

The easiest way to complete the survey is to go to http://www.hisez.co.uk/q and complete on-line. When you begin the questionnaire, you are given a unique six digit web reference (please take a note of this number). If you don't have time to fully complete the questionnaire, you can return later and continue from where you left off by entering this reference code. The code will also allow you to edit previously completed parts of the questionnaire should you discover relevant information which was not available previously. Any queries should be directed to Lucy at the HISEZ office on 01463 715533.

The information received from the survey will not be made available to the public – it is for the use of the OLSEP and HISEZ only.

Please note that the Social Economy is very diverse. It includes (but is not limited to)

Voluntary Groups
Community Enterprises
Co-operatives
Social Firms
Social Enterprises
Charitable Organisations
that generate some income from non-grant funded sources (including service level agreements). There is no single legal model for a social enterprise

21 April 2006

Can you get broadband where you live?

It's clear that in Orkney that there areas which are out of reach of the current broadband rollout, such as the north end of Sanday, the north of Rousay, the south ends of Westray and South Ronaldsay, North Hoy and some mainland areas which fall between telephone exchanges. In order to get something done about this it will be useful to exert as much political pressure as possible, and the Scottish Executive has offered a door to knock on in response to a letter from Jim Wallace.

If you are currently denied a broadband service the telecommunications minister, Nicol Stephen, urges you to contact the Telecoms Policy Unit and pass on your contact details (including postcode), phone number, and a description of your problem and any information that you have received from BT or your chosen internet service provider.

The details are being collected by Elaine Provan, who can be contacted on 0141 242 5452 or by email at elaine.provan@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. It would be useful if you could also copy any email to Steven Heddle (steven@kw15.co.uk), who is assisting consultants studying possible solutions on behalf of Orkney Enterprise.

20 April 2006

Active Schools Mobile Facilities training

After having to postpone the training in March, the Active Schools Team has set a new day for the above training. This will be at the Pickaquoy Centre on Saturday 20th May 2006.

Training will be given on the following facilities

1. The Rock (Climbing Wall)
2. Ice Rink
3. Skate Park
4. Dance Studio

They are looking to have at least two people in each community/school trained to set up/use/and take down these facilities, to ensure that all communities can make full use of them, and can work in partnership with the Active Schools Team and Orkney Islands Council.

Unfortunately if a community/school does not have anybody available to attend this training, and was not available to attend last years training, it will not be able to make use of the facilities until such time people are trained. However, there will be future training days like these when additional people can be trained (dates to be confirmed).

As a result of the demand for this training we have set a total of two people to be trained from each community. If you could let Garry Burton of the Active Schools Team know the names of the people that your organisation would like to attend the training as soon as possible it would be much appreciated.

Proposed Timetable of Events

9.30am Registration at Pickaquoy Centre/tea, coffee
10.00am Training starts
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm Training
3.00pm Finish

People that have to travel in from the isles, will have their travelling expenses reimbursed by the Education and Recreation Department, however, all receipts will have to be shown to claim travelling expenses back.

Orkney Islands Council
Active Schools Team
The Store
Laing Street
Kirkwall
KW15 1NW

Tel: 01856 873535 ext 2444
active-schools@orkney.gov.uk

In addition to the above, they also hope to organise training for the Kidz Gym at a future date. As this involves specialised tutors coming to Orkney to deliver the training, it would be appreciated if you could forward names of anyone interested in attending as soon as possible. This training normally takes a full day, so will probably take place on a Saturday.

If you require any further information on any of the training, please contact the Active Schools Team using the contact details above.

20 April 2006

New Cathedral chairs

Visitors to St Magnus Cathedral over the next few weeks will have the chance to comment on new prototype chairs. Two new chair styles, developed after public consultation on earlier prototypes, are now on display in the cathedral’s south transept.

The chairs are pictured at http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/imagelibrary/picture.asp?id=1456 .

The public have until May 19 to share their comments with the OIC, after which a decision will be made on the preferred design. To voice an opinion, contact Ian Rushbrook by email at ian.rushbrook@orkney.gov.uk, or write to him at the Council.

14 April 2006

Flotta Fun Day on 7th May

Flotta Fun Day is part of the Celebrate Scapa Flow weekend, and recalling the success of the first 10K walk there a couple of years ago, should be a fine day out.

Guided tours of WWI & II sites from Community Centre; 10K Run/ walk; mobile ice rink; stalls; teas; BBQ; fancy dress competition...

Boats leave Houton – 10am and Flotta 3.30pm Transport provided from Flotta Pier to Community Centre.

For further Information tel 701 240 and ask for Fiona

10 April 2006

Grant applications for £100,000 cultural events programme needed in NOW

The deadline for applications to the Orkney fund for celebrating the Highland Year of Culture 2007 is 3rd April, so get them in now! More details on this are in the "Funding to celebrate our culture in 2007" story below
30 March 2006

Scotland on Film Interactive Road show

Do you enjoy the Scotland on Film television series on BBC One Scotland?

Maybe you have your own stories of Scottish life which you'd like to share?

The Scotland on Film web team are coming to Orkney to show how your memories can become part of Scotland's story, and will be at the Orkney Library and Archive on Thursday 30th March at 2.00pm, 4.00pm & 7.00pm, to let you find out how your story can contribute to their growing online community.

Refreshments are provided and places are limited so reserve your seat now by contacting Tommy Weir on 0141 338 3823 or e-mail tommy.weir@bbc.co.uk

27 March 2006

Mums Sale in Firth

Firth Mums are selling off all outgrown children's toys, cloths and baby equipment as well as general bric-a-brac - come bag a bargain!

Entrance is FREE and it takes place at the Firth Community Hall on Saturday 25th March from 2-4pm.

Tables are still available - telephone 761883

[Site administrator's apologies to the Firth Mums - your emails were among the few I lost when my laptop failed on Monday.]
23 March 2006

Funding to celebrate our culture in 2007

Does your organisation have any ideas that could help Orkney celebrate Orcadian culture during 2007?

Highland 2007 is managed by The Scottish Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Highland Council. In an Orkney context, it aims to celebrate the unique and special nature of Orcadian culture past, present and future.

Orkney has been allocated £100,000 from Orkney Islands Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to support projects and events that could form part of the Highland 2007 – Orkney Community programme of celebrations alongside international and regional events.

The project is built around six key areas – arts, heritage, language, sports, environment and science – focussing on the themes of youth, local dialect, creativity, access and inclusiveness, Orkney as an inspirational place and the re-interpretation of traditional local icons.

For more information log onto www.highland2007.com where you can download an information pack, frequently asked questions and an application form. All the forms must be handed in by April 3.

16 March 2006

Active Schools Mobile Facilities training postponed

The Active Schools Team has advised that the training day for the mobile facilities at the Pickaquoy Centre on the 18th March 2006 has been postponed.

This was to give training in how to use The Rock (Climbing Wall), Ice Rink, Skate Park and Dance Studio, and will take place at a later date.

14 March 2006

Rescheduled broadband advice sessions

The session for North Ronaldsay will now take place on Friday 17th March at 7.30, and the session for St Margaret's Hope will now take place on Monday 20th March at 7.30pm in the small meeting room of the Community School. This is a chance to get like FREE information and advice about the latest broadband services available in Orkney plus an opportunity to discuss with experts your experience (positive or negative) of broadband to date.

For more information, please contact Voluntary Action Orkney on 872897 or email enquiries@vaorkney.org.uk

These sessions are part of a series of visits to islands and mainland areas arranged by the ICT Partnership and funded by Orkney Enterprise and LEADER+.

14 March 2006

New charity legislation

The Scottish Charity Regulator, OSCR, and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have reached an agreement to ensure a smooth transition to the implementation of the new charity legislation, which comes into effect in April 06, and for new applications for charitable status.

A joint transition arrangements statement has been published by both organisations and can be viewed by charities and voluntary organisations on OSCR’s and HMRC’s web sites from today.

Check http://www.oscr.org.uk/NewsItem.aspx?ID=2140b231-3a04-48c8-8e06-8e0576ff27a2 for more information.

07 March 2006

Lots off

The Radio Orkney What's On diary is not living up to its name today, but does list things that are definitely off. Also definitely off is Shoot the Piper's appearance at Stromabank Hotel in Longhope on Friday Night. For good measure note that the very low tides mean that the Orkney Ferries and Pentland Ferries boats are having to change their timetables today, so watch out for that.
02 March 2006

Send in or miss oot

VAO would like to remind anyone thinking of submitting an application for the Talisman Small Grant Scheme to do so by 3rd of March, or it will be too late. Applications are to be submitted to VAO, and more details of the scheme can be found in our Archive News section
27 February 2006

Broadband advice sessions

If you live in Hoy, Shapinsay, North Ronaldsay or the West Mainland parishes and would like FREE information and advice about the latest broadband services available in Orkney plus an opportunity to discuss with experts your experience (positive or negative) of using broadband come along to:

Hoy Community School, 7.00 – 9.00 pm on Thursday 23rd February

The Club Room, Shapinsay Community Centre, 1.30 -3.30 pm on Friday 24th February

Dounby Computer Learning Centre, 7.30-9.30 on Monday 27th February

North Ronaldsay Community Centre, 7.30 – 9.30 pm on Friday 3rd March

For more information, please contact Voluntary Action Orkney on 872897 or email enquiries@vaorkney.org.uk

These sessions are part of a series of visits to islands and mainland areas arranged by the ICT Partnership and funded by Orkney Enterprise and LEADER+.

22 February 2006

Old mobile phones wanted

Papdale Primary is collecting old mobile phones to raise money, reduce waste and help developing countries as part of the Fones4Schools campaign. The target is within sight but they are not there yet.

The school has collected 147 mobiles, but still need 53 more phones to get the target mark of 200 for this school year. As well as hard cash, the school will also get resources in the form of vouchers, so would very much appreciate a few more mobile phones to help reach the 200 mark, and anybody with any old phones can just drop them past Papdale Primary.
20 February 2006

Active Schools Mobile Facilities training

The Active Schools Team is holding a training day for the mobile facilities at the Pickaquoy Centre on the 18th March 2006, giving training in how to use The Rock (Climbing Wall), Ice Rink, Skate Park and Dance Studio

The aim is have at least two people in each community/school trained to set up/use/and take down these facilities, to ensure that all communities can make full use of them, and can work in partnership with the Active Schools Team and Orkney Islands Council.

Unfortunately if a community/school does not have anybody available to attend this training, and was not available to attend last years training, it will not be able to make use of the facilities until such time people are trained. However, there will be future training days like these when additional people can be trained (these dates are to be confirmed).

As a result of the demand for this training there is a limit of two people to be trained from each community, and the names of the people that your organisation would like to attend the training as soon as possible should be communicated to the Active Schools Team as soon as possible.

People that have to travel in from the isles will have their travelling expenses reimbursed on production of receipts. To find out more or make a booking, phone 01856 873535 ext 2444 or email active-schools@orkney.gov.uk
20 February 2006

Orkney Disability Forum has moved

Orkney Disability Forum and Dial-a-Bus have moved premises and are now to be found at the "Power Station Offices", Great Western Road, Kirkwall KW15 1AN. The move gives them more space, with parking, storage and offices all on one site.

Jack Moodie, Co-ordinator for Orkney Disability Forum, said, "This is a good move for us, as it gets everything on one site. It offers more space for storage and parking, yet it keeps the costs reasonable (thanks to generous support from Scottish and Southern Energy). The offices are also more roomy and mean we can have a private meeting room, a passenger waiting area, a training room and much needed storage and workshop area. We just moved last week and we are still getting used to how it will work- there is so much more space we hardly know what to do with it all!"

The Orkney based charity have grown from a small group, with a Metro van, available two afternoons a week, to now operating 2 minibuses 7 days a week for their 400 members; and also delivering a number of other functions / services too (wheelchair and scooter hire, advice on disabled access with new buildings, developing employment opportunities for disabled people, acting as a campaigning and lobbying body for its members rights, offering training for minibus drivers).

Full contact details for the ODF are:

Jack Moodie (Co-ordinator)
Orkney Disability Forum
The Power Station
Great Western Road
Kirkwall
Orkney
KW15 1AN
phone: 01856 870340
web: http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/ODF

16 February 2006

Disability Awareness courses from ODF

Orkney Disability Forum is promoting places for the public on Disability Awareness courses being run by NHSO and OIC. There are still limited spaces available on the next 2 courses on 22nd February and 22nd March.

It is a full day course, delivered by disabled people and professionals working with disabled people.

If you don't know how to communicate with disabled people, or want to train your staff how to offer accessible services this is the course for you.

The aims are to raise awareness of what types of disabilities there are, on what the law states, and on how to treat disabled people as individuals and customers.

Please contact Morag Flett on 888159 to book a place.

16 February 2006

New Updated ORKNEY COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

VAO are pleased to announce the availability of the new and updated Orkney Community Directory, containing all the information in the online version and more besides in one handy A5 sized book, price £3.00, sponsored by local businesses and community councils

Contains contact details for all known voluntary and community organisations in Orkney, and is frankly indispensible.

Copies now available from Leonards, The Orcadian Bookshop, some rural post offices and VAO, Anchor Buildings, 6 Bridge Street, Kirkwall KW15 1HR, tel:01856 872897. Email enquiries@vaorkney.org.uk to find out more

11 January 2006

Talisman Small Grants Scheme

Voluntary groups are invited to apply to the Talisman Small Grants Scheme for grants of up to £500.

Priority will be given to projects which aim to help people disadvantaged by poor health, age, disability, poverty, geography and children’s and young people’s organisations.

Information leaflets and application forms are available from Voluntary Action Orkney, Anchor Buildings, 6 Bridge Street, Kirkwall, tel: 872897; email: enquiries@vaorkney.org.uk and can be downloaded from www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/vao.

Application forms should be returned by Friday 3 March 2006

11 January 2006

Happy New Year everybody

It's starting to sink in that it is 2006 now, so better start adding more pictures and updating the daily diary, since Radio Orkney is back on the go again.

It's not just work that we have to get back to though- there is the resumption of regular leisure activities as well. What more productive thing could a group do in the New Year than sign up for a low cost and easy to maintain website from Orkneycommunities? Contact Us to find out all about it, with No Obligation!
04 January 2006

Merry Christmas everybody

The festive season is upon us, and most of us will be having a well earned holiday. This is of course a good time to sit down and sort out your photos, and send in ones of interest to Orkneycommunities.co.uk. If they are digital pictures or scanned in, just send them in by email to the address in the Contact Us section.

Throughout the festive season I will periodically update the Image Library, so any topical pictures, send them in.

There is currently no backlog (for the last couple of months the pictures have been going on about two weeks after they were sent in) so I'm dipping into the Tom Kent collection just now. Coming up- Stronsay lifeboat pictures.

Cheers
Steven
22 December 2005

Orkneycommunities commended at SCOY Awards

Orkneycommunities.co.uk was present at the Calor Scottish Community of the Year awards last Thursday (8th December) where the site was a finalist in the Community Enhancement Through the Internet Category. The awards ceremony was 'very plush' (said Steven Heddle speaking exclusively to Orkneycommunities minutes after the event- hold on, is that not the first sign of madness...) and the standard of entries very high, which was no consolation at all when we did not win. We were commended though, which was a relief as I thought the judge said 'Condemned' at first.

Some site from Lochwinnoch won (as if we care, grumble, grumble...). I'm sure they are very nice people.
12 December 2005

Oh no more consultation

Its OK though, this is a meaningful consultation exercise, carried out by people who will listen to you, who haven't already decided the answer in advance.

The people in question are the Orkneycommunities management committee, and what they/we want to know is how can we make this better? The question applies to the portal as a whole and also to the member sites. Send in your ideas to contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk.

Some ideas that have been knocked around are to introduce new features such as a contact form, forums (but what a can of worms that could be), more support for more pictures, guestbooks (see the Orkney Community Planning Partnership website for an example), or fundraising features. These would incur additional costs, and would have to be charged in some way- how do you feel about that?

Another idea is to provide a stripped down membership option, where a group would only get a contact page and the ability to post events on the events calendar.

What do you think? Send in your ideas to contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk.

05 December 2005

Cheeo St Clair's Emporium

The reshaping of Pickaquoy Road is almost total as St Clair's Emporium is razed to the ground. This event is marked today by contributed photos from Laurence, Robert and Marion showing the buildings coming down, and pictures from Alan taken in 1990 showing the place as it was. The pictures are collected in a group, entitled St Clair's Emporium.

Thanks to the contributors of the pictures, and to the late Bill Sinclair for giving us a place which had such character (and characters).
05 December 2005

Essential site for Orkney cat lovers

Orkney Islands Cats Protection is now an official branch of Cats Protection, a national charity primarily responsible for rescuing and rehoming cats and kittens throughout Britain, and has launched its new website at http://www.orkneycats.co.uk

Orkney Islands Cats Protection aims to rescue and rehome cats, as well as raise awareness about the importance of neutering and spaying. We are here to give general guidance on, and assistance with cat welfare.

The site features cats available for adoption, and gives guidelines on what sort of cat may be suitable. A further section lists lost and found cats.

If you like cats, visit http://www.orkneycats.co.uk to see what's there, and to see how to become a member or make a donation.
30 November 2005

Live weather information

I discovered a great website last night, with loads of live weather measurements from around Orkney. It's the Harbours Dept website, and they have live informatiion from their weather stations displayed, such as wind speed, direction, barometric pressure, from Stromness, Scapa, Hatson, North Ronaldsay etc. The information from Scapa is complete but some of the others do not have changing figures for current wind speed, or pressure, or direction so watch out for that. Also a graph of temperature in Kirkwall is available, see right. The graph shows that the air temperature (red line) has dropped from about 11 to 2.5C in the last ten hours, while the sea (blue line) remains a steady 8.5C.

All this great information is at http://www.orkneyharbours.com/loadData.html
24 November 2005

Orkney College lecturer collects national award

Dr Donna Heddle last night collected The Times Higher Award for 'Most Imaginative Use of Distance Learning' for the Culture Studies BA Course which she has developed over the last six years. The course, part of the UHI Millenium Institute's degree programmes, is led from Orkney College but is available for study all over the Highlands and Islands through innovative distance learning techniques.

Speaking exclusively to Orkneycommunities minutes after winning the award, Donna pronounced herself thrilled and honoured, and was pleased to report that the judges had been extremely complimentary about the course and its content, which is also a credit to the team that delivers it. The awards ceremony, at the Dorchester Hotel in London, was described as 'very glam, with thousands of people from all the big universities'. It should be noted that the award was won in competition with all UK universities, and really puts the College and the UHI Millenium Instutute on the map.

I say 'Well done, Donna' and also 'What are we having for tea?'

24 November 2005

Whut like?

No so bad, whut like yersel'? This is a fine opportunity to pass on how Orkneycommunities.co.uk is doing these days, through its vital statistics.

The graph to the right shows the average number of visitors to the site each day, averaged over a month, and you can see the graph is going in the right direction.

The time period shown is the last two years, and the latest monthly average (for October) was 638 visitors per day. That's not hits or page impressions or anything like that, but the best measure we can get of the number of actual people who check in each day.

Is that a good number of visitors? Well, using The Orcadian's visitor statistics as the bench mark of how many visitors a popular Orkney site gets, we are at 56% of The Orcadian's visitor numbers, up from 30% at the start of the year. However the data is subject to some uncertainty, and looking over the last three month's figures I'd be confident in saying that just over 50% would be a fair claim. So pretty good!

Other stats are that the Image Library is averaging 437 visitors/day, almost twice as many daily visitors as any other Image Library using the same system, and the traffic from our webserver is about 6 gigabytes per month!

So thank you all for your support! Tell all your friends about us, and think about getting an Orkneycommunities website for your community group- 53 groups have taken advantage of this already, and another dozen are currently waiting in the wings.

16 November 2005

Children In Need Appeal, Friday 18th November

It's Children In Need time again, and an opportunity to get rid of that luxurious body hair you've been nurturing for the last twelve months. I'm sure the anticipated midweek snow will be the last we'll see, don't worry.

If you have an event of such a depilatory nature taking place for Children In Need, or any other sort of fund raising event, perhaps even less tasteful, just email it in to contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk and we'll post details on the site (subject to applicable legislation).

Also, if you want a fundraising infromation pack, or wish to find out about applying for grants from Children In Need, you should contact Radio Orkney on 873939 or radio.orkney@bbc.co.uk

And don't forget the Radio Orkney charity auction on Friday night, and general broadcasting jollity running until 1 am.
15 November 2005

Basic book-keeping course and CD

VAO are offering a basic course for treasurers in the VAO Boardroom on
Saturday 19th November 2005: 10.00am - 12 noon and 1.00pm - 3.00pm. This
course is on basic book-keeping for beginners and features an exciting new addition - a CD which will lead you through the stages of putting your accounts on computer in spreadsheet form.

The CD starts from the basics and through worked examples builds up a set of accounts that takes advantages of the benefits of using a spreadsheet. The CD is yours to take away afterwards, and includes spreadsheet software and a blank accounts spreadsheet to give you a starting point.

The cost of the course is £40 per person. Contact Barbara at VAO for more information and to register by phoning 872897.

10 November 2005

Invitation to charities from St Rognvald House

St Rognvald House is planning to hold a Christmas Bazaar at the care centre and would like to invite 5-6 charities to display their goods for the older people to purchase.

The Bazaar is aimed at allowing individuals who due to physical or mental illness are unable to shop "down the town". The bazaar will allow them to access Chrismas goods while supporting a worthwhile cause.

If your charity should be interested please contact Shona Omand-Smith on 877979, suggestions to most suitable dates would also be welcome.
08 November 2005

Double celebration for Orkneycommunities

Orkneycommunities.co.uk is now two years old, and in a happy coincidence the image library has also reached the 1000 picture milestone. It's been a busy two years, and shaping up to be even busier with a new wave of sites getting ready to launch as the nights draw in, and the possibility of success at the Calor Scottish Community of the Year awards in December.

The image library continues to go from strength to strength, with the number of pictures being submitted making it seem likely that next thousand will take only half the time. Waiting in the wings to go on just now are pictures from Ian Birrel, Longhope pictures from Sylvia Sims, pictures from Marion McLeod showing the old mart and new library, a mystery harvest group from Paul Sutherland, Lyness pictures from S Thomson, and pictures of Egilsay and Inganess from Fraser Devine. Among all that, the identity of Mystery Object number 2 will be revealed...

31 October 2005

Major survey of the voluntary sector

VAO will be sending out questionnaires to all voluntary groups in the near future in order to gather information about the value of the voluntary sector to Orkney and feed this into a national survey for the whole of Scotland.

Although it is a fairly lengthy questionnaire it should be easy to complete, with most questions being tick boxes. No group or individual will be identified in the survey, only general information is being asked for.

VAO are also trying to identify the training needs of the voluntary sector and ask each organisation to consider this in light of possible new office bearers, new projects, or changes in the service provided. VAO will then organise appropriate training courses in 2006 to meet the training needs identified.

28 October 2005

Monthly pictures feature has new home

The monthly pictures feature has come in from the cold of the old Orkneycommunities demo site, and has a new home in Orkneycommunities PLUS ( http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/PLUS ). There are actually still a few pictures to add to this, but in the meantime look at November's pictures and anticipate snow. It's going to be a terrible winter apparently...

26 October 2005

New funding opportunities

Two new funding opportunities have been announced that may be of interest to community groups.

1. Community Environmental Renewal Scheme

Forward Scotland has two rounds remaining for the Community Environmental Renewal Scheme, and is keen to raise awareness of the scheme with local communities who may benefit. The deadline dates for applications are 23 November 2005 and 26 April 2005. The deadline in April is the final one under the programme. The scheme has a broad remit, including:

- mitigating the effects of transport from quarries on the local communities;
- increasing access to the local environment; and
- improving local habitats and amenities.

Any existing or new organisation, partnership, or consortium of organisations in Scotland can bid for funding, although there is an emphasis on applications from community organisations such as Community Councils or local community groups. The maximum grant available is £50,000 per financial year, and all awards must be drawn down by 31 March 2007.

See http://www.forward-scotland.org.uk/funding/fs_funding.cfm

2. SEERAD Rural Development Small Awards Fund

Please see http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/ for details on the above new grant scheme Ross Finnie announced at the recent SCVO Rural Services conference.

It's a half-million fund for community groups offering small CAPITAL grants of 100% up to £5,000 max. It aims to aid groups' community consultation / project planning / needs assessment processes.

25 October 2005

Make A Difference Day- 29th October

CSV Make A Difference Day is about getting out there and actively making a difference through volunteering - giving your time to provide practical assistance, rather than raising or donating money.

It doesn't matter if you're 8 or 108, you can join in. By getting involved you can meet new people, make new friends, learn new skills and make sustainable improvements to the lives and issues you care about and have the added bonus of feeling great!!

Here’s how you could help locally…..

Orkney Blide Trust, Victoria St, Kirkwall- “Put the Garden to Bed for the Winter”
Come along anytime between 10.00am and 4.00pm—refreshments provided!
Bring along your wellies and gardening tools and help to tidy up the garden.
Contact Alison on 01856 874874—or just turn up on the day.

or...

Marengo Community Garden, St Margaret’s Hope- “Garden Tidy Up”
Everyone welcome between 10.00am and 12.00pm to help with a general clear up of the garden. Just bring your gardening tools and suitable footwear and clothing.
Contact Lindsay on 01856 831623

For more information contact Helen Moss on 01856 872897 ext 24
GO ON - SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO!!

21 October 2005

Rotary Club Fireworks Display

The Rotary Club are organising a bonfire and fireworks at the Peedie Sea on Saturday 5th November at 7pm. This impressive event is supported by Kirkwall Community Council, and everybody is invited to come along to enjoy the spectacle, and fill the collection buckets with money so that it can all happen another year as well!
21 October 2005

New Orkney Business Directory and Access Guide now available

Hundreds of Orkney businesses are featured in a new directory – which also highlights the level of accessibility they provide for people with disabilities.

The information is available in both printed and online versions, making this the most comprehensive guide of its kind ever published in the islands.

Altogether, around 940 companies and organisations provided information for the Orkney Business Directory and Access Guide.

They provide services ranging from accountancy and agricultural contracting through to yacht chartering and youth groups.

The initiative is a joint venture between Orkney Enterprise, Orkney Islands Council and the Orkney Disability Forum that attracted funding through the European Leader Plus programme.

A grading system developed by the disability forum is used to help readers assess the accessibility of each of the businesses, groups and organisations featured in the publication.

Jack Moodie, the forum’s co-ordinator, said: “Combining information about businesses and accessibility makes this a truly inclusive guide.

“We were delighted that so many of the businesses featured were willing to provide information about access for those with disabilities.

“This can range from whether they have a step at their door, to whether they have staff trained to help people with disabilities, to whether guide dogs are welcome.

“It will be really useful for people living locally and for the many people with disabilities who visit Orkney.”

Morag Robertson, a development officer with the council, said she hoped the new guide would prove to be invaluable to people of all levels of ability.

“For the businesses themselves, it represents an excellent marketing tool,” she said.

“I envisage that most people will keep a copy next to their phone and use it as a first port of call whenever they’re looking for information about the vast range of products and services available in Orkney.”

A special website has been developed to carry all the information included in the printed version of the guide, www.orkneybusinesses.co.uk .

In addition, the website will have a search facility with businesses categorised by name, by the sort of services they provide, by the level of accessibility they offer, and by location.

“We felt it was important to have an online version of the guide,” said Steven Heddle, the business adviser and IT consultant brought in to manage the project.

“This will make the guide available to far more people, especially visitors looking for information before travelling to Orkney.

“It will also provide a simple and cost effective way to keep all the information up to date and to add new entries about businesses and organisations that aren’t featured at present.”

The guide is available at no charge from Voluntary Action Orkney, the Kirkwall and Stromness Libraries, Orkney Enterprise, the OIC, Orkney Disability Forum, and library vans. Copies are also to be distributed throughout the isles.
10 October 2005

Puppet Company returns to Orkney

During the school holidays the world travelled Scottish puppet company - “International Purves Puppets” are coming back to the Orkney to perform two shows, Aladdin & Pips and Panda in Magicland, appearing at the Arts Theatre in Kirkwall.

The dates, times and shows are:

Thu 13th Oct: ALADDIN at 7pm
Fri 14th Oct: PIPS AND PANDA IN MAGICLAND at 11am
Fri 14th Oct: ALADDIN at 7pm
Sat 15th: PIPS AND PANDA IN MAGICLAND at 11am
Sat 15th: ALADDIN at 2pm

Each show is an ultraviolet spectacular, where giant puppets glow in the dark, and disappear and appear like magic! Pips and Panda in Magicland is for the under 7’s.
Aladdin is for all ages up to adults, a real pantomime show!

Each show lasts 1hr 30 mins (including 15min interval)

Ticket cost is £5 Adults & Children. Reduced rates available for community groups such as after school clubs, Brownies, Scouts etc.

Tickets are on sale at the Kirkwall Tourist information Centre and at their box office: TEL 01899 220631 or at the door 30 mins before performance.

Info on shows can be found on their website www.purvespuppets.com.

04 October 2005

Forthcoming Image Library attractions

We're in the happy position of having a few days backlog of submitted pictures just now- in the next few days we'll see pictures of the Cathedral bell tower from Fraser Devine, Woolies from Alan Hale, a fascinating picture that may answer a question posed in another from Isobel Irvine, and North Ronaldsay pictures from Lindsay Reid.

Keep those pictures and comments coming!
29 September 2005

Radio Orkney announces onset of Winter

The seasons rotate, and the Radio Orkney team whirl into evening activity when I am sure they would much rather hibernate. But it's our gain that they don't, for a full programme of evening shows recommence next week. with the Request Show also on this Friday, running between 6.10 and 7pm.

See below, and the Radio Orkney page.

Friday 30th

Friday requests.
Vera Butler presents the Friday Requests. Messages for friends and relations across the islands. Phone in your requests to Kirkwall 873939

Monday 3rd October

The Bruck Programme returns.
Swaps and Appeals for everything under the sun. From parts for the combine to a new home for the TV, the Bruck Programmes shifts it quicker than a pressure washer, and tracks it down faster than Sherlock Holmes. Fax your swaps and appeals to 872908 or email to radio.orkney@bbc.co.uk

Tuesday 4th

Live from the Reel
A session by Jennifer and Hazel Wrigley broadcast live from the Reel in Castle Street. Hosted by Billy Jolly. If you'd like to be in the audience, call 873939.

Wednesday 5th

Whassigo
Graham Garson returns with the popular Orkney dialect word game. Two panels sort the true from the false - which is the genuine definitions and which are the whassigos?

Thursday 7th

Rory Auskerry plays the best selling records from the local music shops.

Friday 8th

Angus Findlater with your records and request from home and abroad.
27 September 2005

Orkneycommunities officially great

Orkneycommunities.co.uk has been announced as a finalist of the special Community Enhancement Through the Internet Award by organisers of the Calor Scottish Community of the Year Awards 2005.

Dr. Doug Cruickshank, e-Business MSc course leader at The Robert Gordon University, and the principal judge of the category, feels the twelve finalists are distinctive in their excellent promotion of community life:

“The twelve shortlisted community websites are all different, but one thing they have in common is a community focus. The title of the award emphasises the importance we place on community enhancement, and these websites all centre on ways in which they can help their community improve.

“The Internet has changed the way we do business, and many communities groups have capitalised on local expertise to help reach a wider audience. This invariably reduces isolation and enhances communication as well as promoting local tourism and business development. A remarkable number of communities have realised the potential of the Internet, and have set up fantastically accessible websites. Choosing an overall winner will be an arduous task.”

The award runs as a stand-alone category of the Calor Scottish Community of the Year Awards and was introduced to recognise the ways in which communities utilise technology and the Internet to improve all aspects of community life.

Commenting on the website award, Hamish Husband, Calor Scottish Community of the Year Manager, said,

“We have seen a year on year increase in the interest in the Community Enhancement through the Internet Awards.

“This year saw dozens of entries from 16 different local authority areas throughout the land. This underlines the scope of the Calor Scottish Community of the Year Awards. Reaching the shortlist is something to be proud of.”

The judges look at a number of factors when considering the award, including ease of navigation, community involvement and the services provided. Interactive facilities and how accessible the website is to all members of the community is also taken into consideration.

All twelve finalists are listed below, and if you see any features that you think Orkneycommunities.co.uk should shamelessly rip off, errr sorry, respectfully adopt, then Contact Us.

ClacksNet
www.clacksnet.org.uk

Lochwinnoch Community Council
www.lochwinnoch.info

Edderton Community
www.edderton.com

Skye and Lochalsh Community Toolkit
www.slcvo.org.uk/toolkit

Dalbeattie Community Council/Initiative
www.dalbeattiematters.co.uk

Eddleston Village Web Site
www.eddleston.org.uk

Orkney Communities
www.orkneycommunities.co.uk

Raasay Community Website
www.raasay.com

Isle of Berneray Community Council
www.isleofberneray.com

Maybole Community Website
www.maybole.org

Port Glasgow Community Information
www.portglasgowonline.com

Portobello Community Council – Portobello Online
www.porty.org.uk

16 September 2005

Concerned at proposed Met Office closure?

The Aberdeen Met Office is threatened with closure, after consultation of course. If you believe that this move to close the last Met Office in Scotland is driven by a centralist costcutting agenda that will lead to a reduction in quality of service then you can sign the petition against closure by visiting http://www.petitiononline.com/SCOTMET/
13 September 2005

Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland funding surgeries

The Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland is a grantmaking trust distributing in excess of £6 million to recognised charities throughout Scotland.

As part of its ongoing commitment to investing in the Scottish community, Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland holds a series of surgeries throughout Scotland for local recognised charities. The surgery is an opportunity for you to have a one-to-one session with one of our Assessors, and to discuss how to go about putting an application to the Foundation.

Duncan Weir from Lloyds TSB Foundation will be holding surgery sessions in the VAO Boardroom on Tuesday 6th September 2005 from 11.30 – 7pm.

Groups can book a place by phoning the Foundation at 0870 902 1201 and can find out about their funding priorities on: www.ltsbfoundationforscotland.org.uk

01 September 2005

Orkney Blues 16th-18th September

Orkney- where the Standing Stones turned to Rock!
Basking in the afterglow of last year’s success, the 6th annual Orkney Islands Blues Festival takes place over the weekend of September 16-18th.

The Blues Crew have organised another blistering weekend of boogie & blues featuring a mouth watering array of acts plus a full day of music workshops and open sessions. In the space of six short years, the festival has grown in both size and stature, offering over 35 events across the islands using 12 of our finest hostelries amongst it’s chosen venues (hence the working title 12 Bar Blues). The festival mixes a potent blend of electric and acoustic music and features some of the best acts in the business; all guaranteed to have you rolling in the Isles!

Blues guitar legend Peter Green will appear at this year’s festival, as part of the Festival headliners the British Blues All Stars. The All Stars boast a flexible line up of the most prominent British blues musicians around. Other names appearing as part of this star studded act are ex Stone the Crows drummer Colin Allen, ex T-Rex guitarist Miller Anderson, Spencer Davis bass player Colin Hodgkinson, The Blues Band guitarist, Dave Kelly, and veteran blues and boogie pianist, Bob Hall.

Others on the bill include:-
The Ready Eddies from Shropshire,
Veteran Scots film star Tam White
Mr Riff from the Isle of Man,
Lazy Poker from Tayside,
Canadian Tim Williams,
The Blues Burglars from Newcastle,
Son Henry Band from Alaska,
Shapinsay’s Mean Business,
Scots axe hero Gerry Jablonski,
Hokum Hotshot Jim Murray
and star of many Folk & Blues festivals Rory MacLeod.

There will be welcome return visits from Glasgow rockers Roost, The Charlie
Morris Band from Florida, and Jimi Hendrix Re-Experienced, who will be headlining the closing gig with a special dynamic set on what will be the 35th anniversary of Jimi’s death.

With only 6 ticketed events, the rest of the music is absolutely free making this one of the best value events in the musical calendar!

Prior to becoming the creative driving force of Fleetwood Mac, Peter Green was a member of John Mayall’s Blues Breakers. Widely recognised as one of the most influential guitarists in music history, Peter was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame in 1998. It’s thought that he will be one of the biggest names ever to grace Orkney shores. Interest in his appearance has come from all over the world, with fans realising that this is a one off opportunity to see a legend perform in such a unique setting.

An Orkney Blues festival Committee member said: “We are stunned and delighted that Peter Green has agreed to appear at this year’s Orkney Blues Festival as part of the British Blues All-Stars.

“We are well aware that he has politely declined offers from other larger events and indeed he hasn't performed in the UK for quite some time. With a mixture of good luck, hard work and dogged persistence we feel we have once again raised the musical bar by compiling our strongest ever line-up.”

This year the committee are planning a full day of workshops, talks and demos, with stalls, involving young bands, and musicians of all levels and abilities.

The spokesperson added: “The addition on our Blues Academy Day gives another exciting dimension to the weekend and is already generating considerable interest.”

Festival members receive a 30 per cent discount from NorthLink Ferries, if transport is booked through the Blues Festival. Members also receive free entry on festival buses, 10 per cent discount on merchandise, and priority tickets to all Blues Festival events – all for just £25.

To become a festival member, simply download a form from the website.

Tickets for all events are on sale now. For more information and details of the full festival programme log on to www.orkneybluesfestival.co.uk.

30 August 2005

Scottish Youth Theatre visit Stromness

Scottish Youth Theatre’s current tour is coming to Orkney for one performance on the 1st September at Stromness Academy (7.30pm). Funded by NHS Health Scotland, ‘Dying for It’ focuses on the controversial issue of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the under 25 age group. In the play a group of friends and workmates have to deal with the effects of STI’s on their relationships, social life and behaviour. It is both hilarious and moving, and gets to grips with these very real problems without preaching or listing the symptoms. Recommended for ages 15+, they say this show is one not to be missed.

Tickets are £6/£4 concessions, and can be reserved through Meg Watson at Scottish Youth Theatre on 0141 552 3988.

29 August 2005

Come along to find out what broadband can do for you

The MOLI (that's Mobile Online Learning Initiative) bus is the most advanced of its type in the UK, with a satellite broadband link, workstations and displays to let you find out direct what broadband can do for you.

It's here during the Science Festival, and will be in Kirkwall on Monday 5th, Sanday on Tuesday 6th, Stronsay on Wednesday 7th, Westray on Thursday 8th and Stromness on Saturday 10th. See our events calendar for more details on times and venues.
29 August 2005

Birnham Wood marches on Kirkwall

This autumn, Scottish Opera will be touring to 19 venues across Scotland with a new production of Verdi's Macbeth, and will be coming to Kirkwall on the 3rd Spetember.

Directed by Dominic Hill, the production features seven singers, full staging and piano accompaniment by Oliver Rundell.

The fire of Macbeth's ambition is set alight by a seemingly chance encounter with three witches who, in riddle and rhyme, foretell that he will first be Thane of Glamis and then King of Scotland. His blind ambition, further fuelled by Lady Macbeth's fiery thirst for power and glory, leads the pair to murder Duncan, the King, whilst he sleeps under his own roof. This truly wicked act fatally marks the pair, setting them apart on a path to madness, tragedy and disaster until at last, all is finished.

Sung in English, the cast includes Douglas Bowen as Macbeth, Helena Leonard as Lady Macbeth, Adrian Dwyer as Macduff and Anthea Kempston and Caroline Childe as the Witches.

It all takes place on Saturday, 3 September, 7.30pm at Orkney Arts Theatre, Kirkwall. Tickets are £8 and £6 (concessions) available from the Orkney Tourist Board office, 6 Broad Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NX, tel: 01856 872 856 or online: www.scottishopera.org.uk

17 August 2005

Communities Scotland Funding Seminar (including Futurebuilders)

On Friday 26th August at the Pickaquoy Centre (from 11am - 2pm) there is a chance to meet with staff from Communities Scotland in Inverness and find out more about what funds are available. Grants aim to help boost the delivery of services to the public and increase organisations' financial sustainability.

Communities Scotland are a major funder of the voluntary sector - don't miss this chance !!

For more information visit www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk. For more information about the seminar and to register contact Barbara at VAO: Telephone: 01856 872897 or email: fas@vaorkney.org.uk

10 August 2005

Showtime

It's showtime, the time of the year where everybody frantically enjoys themselves before starting to believe the doomsaying about the nights fair drawing in (and when they do, why not work on a website for your community group), so why not celebrate them by sending in your show/rally/riding of marches pictures into contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk to be added to image library?

In the meantime, enjoy looking at times past in the existing pictures, if you haven't already.
09 August 2005

Active Listening Skills

Samaritans of Orkney are offering free courses in Active Listening Skills, funded by Orkney Islands Council using 'Choose Life' money from the Scottish Executive.

The courses would suit any community group, and especially voluntary bodies whose work entails listening to people's fears and anxieties. The main aim of the courses is to allow participants to help people explore their feelings, including any feelings that are related to suicide, with the intention of alleviating their distress.

The course is three hours long and can be morning, afternoon, or evening to suit participants, and is free of charge to any organisation or community group. The course gives time to look at Barriers to Listening, The Listening Wheel - a graphical representation of listening skills used by Samaritans, the Use of Silence, and Skills Practice. It's participative and fun.

Anyone interested should get in touch by writing to Loraine Littlejohn, Chairman, Samaritans of Orkney, Counselling & Support Centre,The Strynd, Kirkwall, KW15 1HG, telephone 871727.
08 July 2005

Vikings Direct

A replica longship (not necessarily like the one pictured) will be visiting Orkney for a few days. Arriving today, the Gaia will offer sails around the bay from the Corn Slip in Kirkwall Basin on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, and an audiovisual presentation in the Girnel on Sunday evening, before continuing on their journey to Dublin.
01 July 2005

Peaceful yet noisy protest

An apparent paradox- discuss for ten marks.

There are a number of events taking place this weekend to tie in with the G8 summit, Make Poverty History protests and Live8, and more details can be found in todays Radio Orkney Daily Diary.

On Saturday a march sets off from the Stromness Academy car park to the Ring of Brodgar, hopefully avoiding the Orkney Bowmen on the Market Green.

At the RoB 20 of the stones will then be covered with white sheets spelling out Make Poverty History (two spaces). Not really, but it's a nice thought.

Later on Saturday evening in Kirkwall the impressive (and I have to say very reasonably priced) musical Stramash takes place in the Picky Centre, with a line of 10 top acts running the gamut of musical genres, but all good. Like Jim Adam says- buy a ticket. But do so in advance as I'm not sure whether you can get tickets on the night.

It takes place After Eight.
01 July 2005

Couple Counselling Orkney AGM

Couple Counselling Orkney's AGM will be held on Tuesday 28 June in the Garden Room, King Street Halls, Kirkwall at 7.30 pm. Guest speaker will be Hilary Campbell, Chief Executive, Couple Counselling Scotland.
23 June 2005

KGS Reunion

We'd like to remind ex-pupils of Kirkwall Grammar School who are turning 40 this year that there will be a Class Reunion with dinner, dance and disco on the night before the County Show, Friday 12th August. A good turn out is guaranteed already, but the organisers really need the people who intend to go to buy their tickets as soon as possible so they can sort out numbers for catering.

It's in the Legion in Kirkwall, and tickets costing £15 each are available from the organising committee or from Linda Hill at Nicolsons, 6 Bridge Street Wynd, Kirkwall during office hours. The committee members are listed on the letters that most people will have been sent, and on the reunion website www.kgsreunion.co.uk, along with more information and photos.
22 June 2005

Tennis

As the long wait for Orkney's first Wimbledon champion continues (and let's be honest, our record in the other Grand Slams is not fantastic either) our image library topically features pictures of forgotten tennis courts and clubs. I note that there is to be an Orkney Open Tennis Championship this year, so if anyone wishes to come up with more contemporary tennis pictures, now's the time.
21 June 2005

GO4volunteering- Get Organised for Volunteering

GO4VOLUNTEERING is a grant programme aimed at helping small voluntary organisations and community groups that rely on volunteers. The programme will provide grants of between £500 and £2000 to help small organisations to become more effective and confident about involving volunteers.
Some examples of what might be funded are:

- Training programmes for voluntary management committees in planning or managing volunteering

- Cost of professional support to help develop volunteer policies

- Consultation exercises with volunteers.

For more information contact Patricia McKibben at the Voluntary Action Fund. email:patricia.mckibben@voluntaryactionfund.org.uk or download an application pack from the website at www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk

15 June 2005

Volunteers' Week showcase- Orkney Cat Rescue

Orkney Cat Rescue has the objective to rescue stray and unwanted cats and kittens and to rehabilitate and rehome them. It also encourages the neutering of all cats. Potential members and volunteers may contact the organisation at orkadee68@aol.com

Photo attached shows volunteers accepting money raised during a sponsored walk from Susan Gunn and friends.

03 June 2005

Volunteers' Week showcase- Family Mediation Orkney

WHAT IS FAMILY MEDIATION?

Family Mediation is a voluntary process in which a trained, impartial third person assists parents (or other family members) involved in separation or divorce to communicate with each other in order to reach their own decisions about the best arrangements for their children. Reaching agreement through mediation can avoid painful & lengthy legal battles.

WHAT IS IT FOR?

Family Mediation is for parents whose relationship is over. You may be separating or already living apart, but you remain parents for life. Mediation helps you sort out the future & the best way forward for you & your children. It is not about helping parents to get back together again; it’s a service for those who have decided their relationship is over. People seeking reconciliation will be given information on more appropriate agencies.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

You’ll be offered an individual, confidential meeting where you can exchange information & consider a range of choices. If family Mediation is right for you, a Mediator will then see you both together, usually for a number of sessions. Problems are identified & possible solutions explored. The aim is to achieve practical, workable arrangements which are acceptable to both of you & to your children.

HOW CAN IT HELP?

We will help you plan the future. Our Mediators will listen to you & work with both of you. The aim is to reach agreement about the future care of your children. Mediators do not take sides in a dispute & they will not make decisions for you.

WHO ARE THE MEDIATORS?

Family Mediators are trained professionals who have a full recognition of the complexity of the issues involved in separation & divorce. All Mediators are members of the UK College of Family Mediators.

IS IT CONFIDENTIAL?

YES! The content & process of Mediation is confidential. Parents can talk freely & frankly in Mediation in the knowledge that what occurs during the session cannot be used in civil proceedings, with some exceptions.

IS THERE A CHARGE?

Child-focused mediation is provided free of charge, although contributions towards the cost are always welcome.

For further information or to find out if Family Mediation is right for you, please contact us on 870571 or email us at fm.orkney@tesco.net

FAMILY MEDIATION ORKNEY – THE STRYND – KIRKWALL – KW15 1HG

02 June 2005

Volunteers' Week showcase- Dial a Bus

Dial-a-Bus will soon be getting the use of a new charity shop which is set up to allow certain projects a shop front to raise funds for specific projects. We will be purchasing a new bus in September and we have to raise a proportion of the total cost. The shop will be a 50:50 shop on Victoria Street.

Volunteers are sought to help run the shop, and anyone interested in helping should contact Jack Moodie at Dial a Bus, 871515, odf@orkney.com.

We will be opening about the start of July so we would welcome donations and 50:50 goods to sell in the shop. Furniture, ornaments, clothes, plants, books, games you name it, we would be glad to sell it. And with a 50:50 shop, you can get 50% back from the sale of more valuable items, so to help the shop you don’t necessarily need to donate everything.

How it works is, if you wish to donate an item, you can just give it to the shop. However, if it is in your way but you would like to get something for it, you could put it in as a 50:50 item and you can also set the sale price. So if it sells, you get half back, and if it does not sell you still get it back.

The new bus will cost about £50 000 pounds. We will get £37 000 from the Scottish Executive and a further £8000 from the OIC, so we need to raise £5000 ourselves. This is why we need your assistance with items for the shop.

Oh and your assistance with browsing the shop and going home with bargains !

01 June 2005

Volunteers' Week 2005

This year sees the 21st Anniversary of Volunteers' Week, which takes place from 1st to 7th June.

Organisations all over Scotland will be joining in the celebrations by recognising the contribution of their volunteers. There's still time for you to join in!

Call the Volunteer Centre on 01856 872897 ext 24 for more info or log on to www.vds.org.uk/volunteersweek .

Don't forget www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/VOLUNTEERCENTRE either!

More information about events and participating organisations to follow.

31 May 2005

Orkney Folk Festival starts today!

The 23rd Orkney Folk Festival starts today, and continues until late on Sunday I imagine. The impressive line up and full programme can be seen at http://www.orkneyfolkfestival.com, and today's programme is listed below.

I'll give you good odds that Fionn McArthur won't be reading the news tomorrow morning.

Thursday 26th May 2005

7.30 pm Opening Concert, Stromness Academy Lecture Theatre

Craobh Rua; Tarneybackle; Haugaard & Høirup; The Wrigley Sisters; Orkney Traditional Music Project - Sponsored by The Stromness Hotel

8.00pm Concert, Deerness Community Centre

Daibh; Haggerdash; Hadhirgaan; Catherine Grivas & Michael Moldau

10.00pm Festival Club One, Stromness Hotel

Beneˆche; Fine Friday; Fionn McArthur & Gavin Firth

26 May 2005

Adult Learners Week - Learn Through Volunteering

As part of Adult Learners Week, the Volunteer Centre is holding an Open Day at 12 Bridge Street, Kirkwall from 10am - 3pm, on Wednesday 25th. There are over 70 opportunities to choose from. For more information call 01856 872897.


24 May 2005

Grants for voluntary groups

Go4Volunteering is a grant programme to help small voluntary organisations and community groups that rely on volunteers. The programme will provide grants of between £500 and £2000 to help small organisations to become more effective and confident about involving volunteers. Funding for the programme comes from the Scottish Executive and is administered by the Voluntary Action Fund- more details from http://www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk/

Deadline for applications is 1st September 2005.
18 May 2005

Instruction in writing tender letters

Next Monday the 9th there’ll be an HIE event aimed at small businesses to show them how to win public sector contracts.

It’s free, with a free buffet & refreshments, and will be in the Lynnfield Hotel on Monday the 9th from 3 o’ clock till half past 7. For details phone 01463 228 354.

03 May 2005

Sports Club Fair on Saturday 7th

At least 20 local sports clubs, all affiliated to the Orkney Sports Forum (an OIC organised group) will have stalls advertising their wares at the Pickaquoy Centre on 7th May between 11am and 3pm.

I believe that the sports represented will include sea angling, sailing, canoeing, bowling, and a whole range of nasty rough contact sports. So get along there, find out and sign up!

02 May 2005

Church Anniversary Celebrations

On 11th May, Moncur Memorial Church, Stronsay will be 50 years old. A
service of celebration and re-dedication will be held in the church at
7:30 pm on Sunday, 8th May 2005. A time for tea and biscuits will
follow. If anyone has photos or other items that portray the life of the
congregation over the past fifty years (or even before that!), you are
encouraged to bring them along for display. See Stronsay news webpage
http://www.stronsay.co.uk/stronsaynews/moncur50/index.html
29 April 2005

They're singing in Stronsay

On Stronsay they have just started another 10 week evening class in singing (for amateurs - no experience necessary). The classes, taken by Michael Lee, will held in the Stronsay Community centre at 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm each Monday evening
commencing on Monday 18th April.

Give it a go, and get a head start if there is an Orkney Fame Academy competition. And have an enjoyable evening out too.

19 April 2005

Make your voluntary organisation better and easier to run...

... by coming along to the HICCaP roadshow on 20th April.

That's the Highlands and Islands Community Capacity Partnership. The event is FREE and is between 10.30am and 1pm at the Picky Centre.

As they say:
Have you ever wondered…

• Where to start in organising training for your organisation?
• What opportunities for learning are available in the Highlands & Islands?
• How you can work with others interested in training and skills?
• Why everyone is talking about Building Capacity in the Voluntary Sector?

If so, then the roadshow will look at promoting the importance of developing skills within voluntary groups and how HICCaP can help.

The roadshows will give groups an opportunity to offer their point of view on capacity building issues and explore ways to improve the choice and accessibility of training in local areas.

The roadshows are for:

• Voluntary sector workers, management committee and volunteers from community groups and voluntary organisations, large and small.
• Providers of training
• Local Authority and Enterprise staff and Community Workers

12 April 2005

Launch of new Community Webnet

News of a new website for community groups - Community Webnet (www.communitywebnet.org.uk). Community Webnet is a one-stop website for information and contacts on community sustainable development projects, which Forward Scotland has developed in partnership with a number of Scottish organisations.

The Community Webnet contains funding information, a projects database, resources, discussion forums and an online surgery on funding where experts from Forward Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Communities Scotland and others will be on hand to answer your questions.

11 April 2005

Firth Brew competition - info now here

If you're looking for the Firth Community Association website so you can enter the Firth Brew competition you've come to the right place.

The Firth Community Association site has not been set up yet, so in the meantime the details and downloads are here and will also be on the Firth CA website next week.

The details are...

FIRTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

THE FIRTH BREW 2005

Sampling commences 7.30pm with following dance to THE BIRSAY BOYS

Entries in for May 14th

Judging categories include
. Champion Brewer & Wine Maker
. Best Local Traditional Beer & Wine
. Best Non-Local Traditional Beer & Wine
. Best Local Kit Beer & Wine
. Best Non-Local Kit Beer & Wine
. Publics Best Beer & Wine
. Best Non Alcoholic Drink

The information sheet can be downloaded from http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/DEMO/Documents/FB_info.doc

24 March 2005

Monthly pictures feature pages

I've started formatting pages for the Monthly Pictures feature, so that the changes throughout the year actually can be seen. Not finished yet, but I'm off on holiday soon so I thought I'd let you have a look at how far I've got, and give the chance to comment on how they are displayed.

The pages can be found by going to http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/DEMO/index.asp?pageid=646 . They have all been built on the demo site for the Orkneycommunities member websites.

Comments to the usual address, see Contact Us.
23 March 2005

Orkney Community Halls Handbook launch

The Orkney Community Halls Handbook will be launched on Saturday 19th March at the annual Community Association meeting. Copies will be available at the meeting, and can also be viewed online at the address below.

In March 2003 members of Community Association committees throughout Orkney came together for a meeting with representatives from Orkney Islands Council’s Community Education Service and Voluntary Action Orkney. There were many common concerns and areas of interest and it was agreed that an annual meeting would provide a valuable forum for learning and discussion.

The Orkney Community Halls Handbook contains information and guidance on many of the issues covered at the annual meetings and more, and should be of interest and assistance to all community associations.

The Handbook is available for downloading on Voluntary Action Orkney’s website at http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/vao/docs.asp , under Orkney Community Halls Handbook.

18 March 2005

Orkneycommunities administrator 'stone mad'

Yes, it's true. I show my appreciation of stones today by dipping into the Tom Kent collection to find a lost broch at Yesnaby, a symbol stone in Harray and a dodgy map of Stenness. New categories have been created in the Image Library to make up for some notable omissions such as Work, Pastimes and Archaeology, so feel free to send in pictures, anecdotes and stories, and indeed sign up for your own Orkneycommunities website.

And if you have an event you wish to publicise, also Contact Us.
11 March 2005

30th Anniversary of Islands Councils

Over the weekend of 14 -15 May and on Monday 16 May Orkney Islands
Council is jointly hosting with Shetland and the Western Isles a commemorative event for the 30th anniversary of the three islands authorities, which are the only local authorities in Scotland to have been in existence since local government reorganisation took place in 1975.

The event will include presentation of papers by leading national politicians and academics on trends in local government during the 30 year period, and the future for local democracy, etc. There will be a service of thanksgiving in St Magnus Cathedral, and a celebratory dinner to be held in the Pickaquoy Centre.

08 March 2005

The monthly pictures feature

Regular visitors (or The Wise People as we refer to them) will recognise that we have a regular flow of pictures charting changes in the view from month to month. This started eleven months ago, and I must praise the diligence of our regular contributors, Fiona in Deerness, Rae in Sandwick, Sue in Evie, Karen in Finstown, John in Rousay and Linda in Westray.

Looking at the pictures side by side (check the Monthly Changes album in the picture gallery) the changes through the seasons are quite marked. Once we get a full years worth I hope to put them together as animations showing the changes morphing into each other, but before then will try and put together separate pages for each location so you can see this more easily. It's a promise.
03 March 2005

Traditional Tales of Waters and the Wild

A storytelling event is coming up, promising an evening of enchantment with George Macpherson from the Isle of Skye, with contributions from local tellers and tunes from Jessica Burton on the clarsach.

George Macpherson has collected and told stories for over sixty years, from the Highlands and Islands, the moors and the sea. His tales of seal people, waterhorses, heroes and swan maidens capture our imagination as vividly as the day the tale was born. A real treat!

It takes place on Friday, 11th March at 7.30pm at the Reel Coffee House & Bar, 3 Castle Street, Kirkwall, Orkney. (Duration aprox. 2 hours, plus a break in the middle).

Tickets £4 (£3 concessions). Supported by the Scottish Community Fund in cooperation with Storytelling Unplugged.

Booking Tel: 01856 741285 (Marita Lück)

01 March 2005

Groatie Hoose requires shells

Spencer Rosie, chair of Kirkwall Community Council, has issued a plea for shells, to be used in the rebuilding and restoration of the Groatie Hoose in Tankerness House Gardens.

Lots of shells are required in the next week or so, to be added to the areas being grouted on the conical tower of the folly. For more details or to offer shells contact Spencer on 875342.
24 February 2005

Orkney Business Directory and Access Guide

Proof copies of the Orkney Business Directory and Access Guide are available for checking from now until the end of February.

They can be seen at the Kirkwall and Stromness libraries, the library vans, the One Stop Shop, Orkney Enterprise and the Orkney Disability Forum, and also online at www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/obdag.asp .

Instructions on how to make changes or how to get included if you are not are shown at the proof copies.

18 February 2005

Tullimentan 2005

TULLIMENTAN 2005 - An Orkney Arts Showcase will be the first event of its kind in the county. Orkney Arts Forum, supported by Orkney Islands Council, is planning an event to enable those involved in the arts in Orkney to publicise their activities, enrol new supporters and meet other members of the arts community - all in the context of a large and informal get-together over a couple of days at the St. Magnus Centre in Palace Road, Kirkwall.

Programme below, and more info at http://www.orkneyarts.com/

Wednesday 16th February

6-8pm Access to the hall for groups to put up displays

Thursday 17th February

9am-12 noon Access to the hall for groups to put up displays

1-6pm Hall- Showcase open to the public

7-10pm Hall- Tullimentan evening event:

7-7.30pm Drinks and opportunity to look at display stands
7.30-7.35pm Welcome and Introductions
7.35-8.20pm HI-Arts presentation
8.20-8.30pm Gareth Davies (Aquatera) on the links between arts and science
8.30pm Closing remarks
8.30-10pm Informal buffet and refreshments, music and storytelling and networking

Friday 18th February

9-10.30am Access to the hall for groups to take down displays
10am-12 noon Friends Room- Creative Business seminar with Iain Hamilton (HIE)
2-4pm Friends Room or Meeting Room- stakeholder meeting
6-8pm Friends Room Promoters' Seminar with Duncan McInnes (Promoters' Arts Network)

09 February 2005

Ellen MacArthur day

In honour of Dame Ellen and her latest astonishing achievement Orkney Communities declares this Ellen MacArthur day, and celebrates with pictures of heroic travellers from the Tom Kent archive.

Time now to start a rumour that she is actually from Sanday and claim her as our own.

Has anyone else noticed that you only ever see her boat from one side to see the orange B&Q advertising? The French get the other side which is blue, after the boat's sponsors over there, Castorama.
08 February 2005

Counselling and Support Groups On the Move

Counselling and support groups from 43 Junction Road, Kirkwall, along with Advocacy Orkney from Bridge Street, are all to share new premises at the Strynd from 1 February.

The Strynd office, formerly the dentist surgery, has been adapted for disabled access by the Council, who own the building, in order to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. It has had a ramp installed from the street and a toilet suitable for wheelchair users.

The groups that will be sharing the new office are Advocacy Orkney, Couple Counselling Orkney, CRUSE Bereavement Care, Family Mediation Orkney, and the Samaritans. Voluntary Action Orkney will manage the building on behalf of the Council and will employ an office administrator to support the sharing groups.

The reception will be open 9.30am – 2.30pm, Monday – Thursday, but appointments can be made outwith these times to suit all parties. Telephone answering machines will operate at times when no one is in attendance. The new address for all of the above groups will be The Counselling and Support Centre, The Strynd, Kirkwall KW15 1HG. All telephone numbers will remain the same.

31 January 2005

Voluntary Action Orkney – Talisman Small Grants Scheme

Voluntary groups are invited to apply to the Talisman Small Grants Scheme for grants of up to £500.

Priority will be given to projects which aim to help people disadvantaged by poor health, age, disability, poverty, geography, children’s and young people’s organisations.

Information leaflets and application forms are available from Voluntary Action Orkney, Anchor Buildings, 6 Bridge Street, Kirkwall, tel: 872897. Application forms should be returned by Thursday 3 March 2004

21 January 2005

After the storm

Well, that was quite a wind the other night, and I have to admit I was concerned when my kitchen window was bowing in and out like the car doors of a boy racer listening to techno. Damage watch seems to reveal little damage around the county apart from that of the flooding the day after, and if the wind had been to the north, it could have been havoc in Kirkwall, given that the old part of the town seems to be a foot above sea level.

I tried to get some pictures of rough seas for the site, but while they were rough, they were also greyed out behind spray, so were disappointing. So please send in your flood pictures from SMH, Holm and Stromness, or any dramatic pictures of sheep flying through the air, etc. to record the storm for posterity, and let the rest of the world know what hardy resilient people we are.

14 January 2005

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all, and I hope you are enjoying the celebrations, and that Santa was good to you.

Those of you with a new computer for Christmas should of course be bookmarking Orkneycommunities.co.uk as your homepage, and those with new digital cameras should be sending in nice photos of general community interest.

More regular updating should resume soon, but hey, I'll add some more pictures tomorrow too. More than you can expect from these warriors at Radio Orkney. I'll start the campaign to bring back the Hogmanay show now (unless they threaten to withdraw the daily diary).

01 January 2005

Seasons Greetings from Orkney's Second Most Popular Website

I feel like I am displaying typical Orcadian reticence with that tagline, like Sanday's former boast 'Sanday- one of Orkney's North Isles'...

But more importantly a very Merry Christmas to all from Orkneycommunities.co.uk, and thank you for your support and interest throughout the year. In 2005 we hope to build on what is already here, and develop the community news side of things.

To that end, can I encourage people to continue sending in pictures, but also to consider sending in news stories, or lengthy articles that may be of interest to the wider community. Over the festive season I will still be keeping an eye on the site, so send in those Ba pictures, etc.

Groups with Orkneycommunities websites should also benefit in the new year from additional training opportunities to enable them to add further features to their own websites.

So it's a good time to resolve to get your community group a fully featured, easy to manage website at low cost if you haven't done so already.

Have a Good New Year as well!
22 December 2004

Big P needed. Also problem with H...

Does anyone know what happened to the big letters which said PHOENIX (or for a number of years HOENIX after the P fell down) above the doorway to the old cinema.

If so, and if they are still on the go, would it be possible to borrow them for a day. I've spoken to the OIC, Housing Association and Orkney Builders so far, and they are all unaware of what might have happened to them, and also unconcerned, so don't worry about getting in touch.
22 December 2004

POCSA implementation imminent

The news that the Protection of Children Scotland Act (2003) will finally begin on January 10 has been met with alarm in the voluntary sector.

Voluntary organisations have always been supportive of the principles behind the Act but there have been long-standing concerns about the impact of the Act on the voluntary sector and the 800,000 volunteers working directly with children. These concerns include a lack of guidance, a lack of clarity on how widely the legislation would be interpreted and the potential for a decline in volunteer numbers and groups working with children.

Discussions have been on-going to resolve many of the issues but these have suffered a setback this week with the Executive beginning the process of tabling a commencement order for the legislation. A meeting with the Executive recently has failed to reverse their decision.

More information is available on the implications of this act from the SCVO website ( http://www.scvo.org.uk/tfn/TFNOnline/ReadArtcleCat.aspx?pid=3041) and from the Scottish Executive website (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/ED/CnF/00017834/list.aspx)

14 December 2004

I remember the the old Phoenix

Today we have a splurge of ten photos charting the final demise of the Phoenix, brought to you with unmatched detail by Orkneycommunities.co.uk. The photos for the remainder of the week will be a mixture of those charting the old cinema in happier times, and cheery landscapes and sunsets to help counteract Seasonal Affective Disorder in our readers- just turn up the brightness and lean closer to the screen (no reponsibility accepted for any consequences etc. etc.).

Join the campaign to have 'The New Phoenix' called 'The Phoenix', now!

13 December 2004

Panto Time

It is of course panto time, so send in your photos from the pantomines for the Image Library, with captions preferably. Also if you wish to publicise your panto, we'll be delighted to do it. Oh yes we will.
09 December 2004

Weakest Link plea for contestants

Fancy giving celebrity harpie Anne Robinson a piece of your mind while all Orkney cheers?

The BBC are looking for contestants to appear on the quiz and lock horns with the mistress of malice- as they say:

'Do you think you have what it takes to face the ‘Queen of Mean’? Fancy winning up to £10,000? We’re looking for contestants for a new series of Weakest Link! For more information and an application form call 0900 10 200 22 or email
weakestlink@bbc.co.uk. All calls cost 60p Applicants must be aged 18 or over.'

So give them an email if you fancy it, and don't even consider the rip-off phone number. Unless you haven't paid for your TV licence.

06 December 2004

Class Reunions

Planning a class reunion? Contact Orkneycommunities.co.uk and we will happily publicise it for you through the news sections and events calendar. If you have a website we can also direct people to it.

A number of class reunions are planned for 2005, with the year that will be turning forty soon that went to Kirkwall Grammar having theirs on the Friday before the County Show in the Legion. More details, nostalgia and ticket information is available by visiting http://www.kgsreunion.co.uk
02 December 2004

Children in Need events

Radio Orkney will be going big on Children in Need tonight from 7, and follow the action (and auction) on http://www.orkney.org/chin, and of course consult the programmme details on our Radio Orkney page.

Out and about tonight there are a lot of Children in Need Events:

The Royal British Legion in Kirkwall is having a big fundraising night this Friday for Children in Need. There's a Raffle for a Model Viking Longship donated by Jim Hay and tickets are still on sale behind the bar until 10 o'clock on Friday night. While Raffle Tickets for the Big Raffle Draw will be on sale from 6.45 till 10pm.

There'll be Womens Bingo played in the Hall on Friday- eyes down at 8 o'clock. There's also a Wheel of Fortune and Lucky Numbers in the Hall. Mixed Pairs Darts will be played in the front bar-names in by 7.45 for an 8 o'clock start. Also there's a separate dartboard for the Highest Score with 3 darts.

They say all donations gratefully received at the Legion in Kirkwall, so Come On Out, Dig Deep on the night, and Enjoy Yourselves and have a Great Fun Night Out at the Royal British Legion, Kirkwall.

Come and join in the fun at Busters Diner for Children in Need. You can guess the weight of the 25th anniversary Pudsey Cake, match the baby pictures to the staff- and lots more.

The Albert Hotel is holding some events to raise money for Children in Need. On Friday there'll be a Bothy Bonanza offering raffles, lucky dips, and silly games & dares from 5 o'clock onwards.

Then on Saturday there'll be a Morning Table Top Sale at the Albert running from 11 o'clock till one. Book your table now, costing £5 for Children in Need, by phoning 87 6000.

And the Picky Centre is going to hold a Car Boot Sale for Children in Need, it's also on Saturday the 20th between 1 o'clock and 3. Tables there are £5 as well, again with the money going to Children in Need, and you can book one by contacting Picky on 87 9900.

Also at Picky is a special Bodypump session from 8 o'clock till 9 tonight, fancy dress is optional but there's a prize for the best hat! A minimum donation of £2 is requested, with all money going to Children in Need.

In Westray there'll be Children in Need fun & games at the Pierowall Hotel, kicking off at 7 o'clock on Friday with a guy getting his hair streaked. There's also a brave boy getting his back waxed, there'll be Adult Face Painting, a Pub Quiz and Raffles.

A Pudsey Bear Party is being held at Powerbowl tonight with Glow Bowling and Glow Pool, Raffles, Competitions and a Swear Box. The fun starts at 7 o'clock this evening at Powerbowl.

The British Airways ground staff at the Airport running a Round the Flightdecks competiton where you guess the difference between the photos and win a prize.

Class Four at Dounby Primary are performing Viking Times next Thursday the 27th at half past 10 when all parents & friends are invited along- and all the money they raise will go to Children in Need.

19 November 2004

Investment in Community Recycling and Social Enterprise

The Scottish Executive is launching the INCREASE programme to fund community based recycling, re-use, composting, waste minimisation and waste education projects. In Orkney a (free) launch event is taking place at the Pickaquoy Centre on 22nd November between 10.30 and 3.30, and interested parties are encouraged to register online at http://www.increase-programme.org.uk/applyEvents.php.

Further information is available from Barbara Robertson at VAO or http://www.increase-programme.org.uk/

The programme will opereate in partnership with the Community Recycling Network for Scotland(CRNS) who will provide support to organisations wishing to apply.

The Scottish Executive has provided £5M to support community based recycling projects in Scotland until March 31 2006. The principle aim of the fund is to help achieve the sustainable waste management objectives outlined in Scotland's National Waste Plan. The Increase Programme will provide grants to community organisations engaged in activities which will help to implement the national waste plan.
17 November 2004

Successful launch of Film Club

The proposed Phoenix Film Club had a hugely successful launch last night, with the showing of David Lynch's 1999 'road movie' The Straight Story- a wonderful moving film centered on the unpromising (true) premise of a half blind 73 year old man with bad hips who sets off on his lawn tractor to end a feud with his brother who lives many weeks distant (if you are travelling at 5 miles per hour).

About 80 people were present and full of enthusiasm afterwards, so hopefully the club will be formed and a programme put together soon. If you missed it and would like to find out more you can contact Karen Walker at the Kirkwall Library, Angela Henderson at the St Magnus Festival office or Mark Harrison at the Picky Centre.
12 November 2004

Public lecture on the dialects of Orkney and Shetland at Orkney College

There will be a FREE public lecture by Dr Klaske van Leyden from Leyden University, the Netherlands entitled 'The dialects of Orkney and Shetland: The same tongue?' organised by Department of Cultural Studies, Orkney College, and the UHI Millennium Institute.

The lecture takes place on Wednesday 17th November 2004 in The Lecture Theatre at Orkney College at 7.30pm. Tea and coffee will be provided after the lecture.

11 November 2004

Public lecture on local and world language at Orkney College

UHI Millennium Institute and the Dept of Cultural Studies, Orkney College, are hosting a free Public Lecture by Prof Kenneth MacKinnon today, and interested members of the public are strongly encouraged to attend.

The lecture is entitled 'World Language, Local Language: issues in globalisation and communication' and will look at world English, linguistic imperialism, centralising and diversifying forces in the 'anglosphere'.

It takes place tonight, Monday 8th November 2004, in The Lecture Theatre, Orkney College, at 7.30pm. Admission is free.
08 November 2004

JDRF Walk to Cure diabetes total

Phyllis Brown of Talisman has written regarding the recent sponsored wlk.run in Flotta. "A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the Walk to Cure Diabetes on Flotta in September. Your fantastic sponsorship efforts helped to raise £23,000 all of which will go towards research into Juvenile Diabetes

Thank you to all the businesses who contributed in cash or in kind to the event, to the entertainers who created such a festive atmosphere, to the team who organised the day; to the helpers without whose support we could not have managed; and most especially to the 450 participants who made the day such fun and such a resounding fundraising success.

Special thanks to Kayleigh and Liam."

04 November 2004

Go MADD this weekend

Make A Difference Day is one of the UK's biggest days of volunteering. The event is supported by Barclays through their Communities Programme which invests financially in projects whcih support social inclusion, education, people with disabilities, the environment and the arts.

All over the country, groups of people and individuals will be raising the profile of volunteering and making a difference to someone, somewhere.

It's an opportunity for people who may have never volunteered before, to give it a try and check out for themselves, the benefits gained from helping others.

It's also an opportunity to meet new people and have some fun!

This year their are a series of local events taking place.


Friday 29th October;- from 11am some presenters from Radio Orkney will be valeting the vehicle that belongs to a disabled lady who is supported by Enable and who is off on holiday next Monday - in a nice clean car!

Friday 29th;- from 4-5pm a group of pupils from Kirkwall Grammar School will be holding a party for the kids who attend Papdale Schools Out Club

Saturday 30th
The Blide Trust garden is to get a 'makeover' by a group of volunteers. The invitation is open to all and soup and bread will be served by the folk from the Blide.

29 October 2004

Improve your networking with Connect

Connect, the new network for women which launched last month is holding their next meeting at the Ayre Hotel on Wednesday 24 October at 17.30. Cordelia Ditton from VoiceBusiness Training in Glasgow will help to explain the practicalities and basics of networking.

How good are you at networking? Do you walk into the room, boldly approach strangers, shake them firmly by the hand and be genuinely interested in what they have to say? Or do you sidle up to the table at the end, grab a glass of wine and look round for some familiar faces? If you feel you could take far better advantage of networking situations, this event is not simply desirable but essential!

Also speaking at this event is Rosie Wallace, a mother, businesswoman and wife of the Rt Hon Jim Wallace QC MSP, who will talk about her work/life balance and how she finds time for it all.

A newly formed group “growing old disgracefully” will take the floor for 5 minutes to explain what they are all about.

Visit the website www.connectorkney.org

25 October 2004

Picture Gallery latest

I realise that the news items are a bit picture related just now, but as the Phoenix is coming down and I am on holiday, I'd like to exhort people to record this sad and historic event and send in the pictures. Especially if they work at the Orkney Disability Forum and are just across the road, eh Jack...

Coming up on the gallery in the next few days... pictures from Rousay, scenes from inside the old legion, some very old Kirkwall pictures, and monthly pictures from our contributors.

And get commenting on the pictures already submitted, and identifying the folk in them, it's all history in the making...

18 October 2004

Beauty Contest update

I had less pictures than I thought, so have added all 11 or 12 today, so a new theme will emerge tomorrow.

Thanks to all who are sending in pictures- more excellent ones to be added yet.
14 October 2004

Beauty Contest

Over the next few days we'll be featuring the Miss Orkney 1963 and 1964 competitions on the picture gallery, courtesy of Andy Wylie's slides, scanned and submitted by Alan Hale.

In a departure from the normal practice seven (yes, that's SEVEN) pictures a day will be added, so I hope you are looking forward to this.
13 October 2004

Mock Royal Wedding in Tankerness

St Andrews Community Association are holding a Mock "Royal" Wedding in Tankerness Hall on Saturday 23rd October at 7.30pm.

There is Buffet meal, late licence, speeches, cog etc. Tickets £10 adult, £5 P.S. Children, £30 Family ticket available from Toab shop, Deerness shop or phone 861347.

Guest speakers are Alistair Carmichael and Rosie Wallace, with prizes for best dressed guests (in presence of royalty!!!)

In true Royal Wedding fashion the kids will also have the day off school.

08 October 2004

Barriers Day

To follow up the aerial picture of the fourth barrier (picture 291), and because of the excellent response to the request for older pictures from before the build up of the sand, today is Barriers Day on the picture gallery.

Pictures sent in last week should start showing up over the next few days, so keep them coming folks. But be aware that there is currently enough to keep me going at four a day for the next week, so it will take that long to show up.
05 October 2004

Thanks for the pictures!

Checking the mail this morning I found I had a backlog of 15 pictures to add to the gallery, with a lot of crackers in them.

I've added four monthly pictures today from Linda Drever in Westray and Fiona MacNab in Deerness, and coming up later this week we have some very evocative pictures if Kirkwall in 1962 submitted by Alan Hale, an aerial shot of Barrier number 4 by Andrew Heron, the Evie stagecoach c. 1900 from James Baikie Mitchell, this month's Finstown picture by Karen Thomson, the famous lady golfer who is sitting across the office from me now, and pictures from the cathedral octocentenary celebrations of 1937 sent in by Peter Burges.

Watch this space and keep those pictures and comments coming in, please.
27 September 2004

Orkney Blues Festival 2004

This year's Orkney Blues Festival ( http://www.orkneyblues.com ) had its first event last night and really gets into its stride over the whole weekend now, with events all over the islands- full marks to its organisers for being inclusive to the generally forgotten areas of Kirkwall and St Ola.

It seems contradictory to look forward to having a good time listening to songs charting the misery of others, but I guess the Orkney Schadenfreude Festival just doesn't have the same ring to it. But a good time will be had by all, as in the words of Colin Sinclair on Radio Orkney this morning "It will cultivate in even the staunchest couch potato a sense of Golden Wonder". Nice one, Colin.

I'm looking forward to it anyway. Now what should I go to...?

FRIDAY 24th SEPTEMBER

5.30 pm JIM CONDIE Hamnavoe Lounge, Stromness Hotel

7.30 pm SPIKEDRIVERS Acoustic Stage, Royal Hotel - £8.00

8.00 pm OPEN SESSION Ferry Inn

8.00 pm DELTA CROFT REVUE The Orkney Club, Kirkwall

9.30 pm ALAN NIMMO BAND The Orkney Brewery Festival Club, Stromness Hotel - £10.00

10.00 pm BANG ON BOOGIE BAND Ferry Inn

10.00 pm BAD IS BAD Auld Motor Hoose, Kirkwall

10.00 pm HANGOVER BLUES BAND Sands Motel, Burray


SATURDAY 25th SEPTEMBER

11.30am SLIDE GUITAR WORKSHOP with Iain Stretch MacFadyen, Stromness Hotel - £4.00

1.00 pm JIMI HENDRIX RE-EXPERIENCED Stromness Hotel

1.30 pm AN AUDIENCE WITH CHARLIE MORRIS Acoustic Stage, Royal Hotel - £5.00

2.00 pm HANGOVER BLUES BAND Ferry Inn

3.00 pm OPEN SESSION Royal Hotel

4.00 pm ROY METTE Acoustic Stage, Royal Hotel - £8.00

5.00 pm GILES Ferry Inn

7.30 pm KENT DUCHAINE Acoustic Stage, Royal Hotel - £8.00

8.00 pm THE SPIKEDRIVERS Gable End Theatre, Hoy

9.30 pm HANGOVER BLUES BAND Quoyburray Inn, Tankerness

10.00 pm JOHN CRAMPTON Galley Inn, St Margaret’s Hope

10.00 pm JIM CONDIE The Orkney Club, Kirkwall

10.00 pm BAD IS BAD The Pier, Rousay

10.00 pm ROOST Auld Motor Hoose, Kirkwall

10.00 pm DELTA CROFT REVUE Ferry Inn

10.00 pm BANG ON BOOGIE BAND Royal Hotel

10.00 pm TREVOR BURTON BAND The Orkney Brewery Festival Club, Stromness Hotel - £10.00


SUNDAY 26th SEPTEMBER

11.30 am ACOUSTIC FINGER STYLE WORKSHOP with Ewan Forfar, Stromness Hotel - £4.00

12.30 pm JOHN CRAMPTON Hamnavoe Lounge, Stromness Hotel

2.00 pm ROOST Ferry Inn

2.30 pm SPIKEDRIVERS / CHARLIE MORRIS BAND The Orkney Brewery Festival Club, Stromness Hotel - £10.00

4.00 pm DELTA CROFT REVUE. Royal Hotel

6.00 pm ROY METTE Acoustic Stage. Royal Hotel - £8.00

7.00 pm OPEN SESSION Hamnavoe Lounge, Stromness Hotel

8.00 pm GILES Royal Hotel

9.00 pm BAD IS BAD Ferry Inn

9.00 pm JIMI HENDRIX RE-EXPERIENCED Auld Motor Hoose, Kirkwall

9.30 pm REV DOC & THE CONGREGATION / CONNIE LUSH & THE BLUES SHOUTER.
The Orkney Brewery Festival Club, Stromness Hotel. - £10.00

Unless otherwise stated, all venues are in the Stromness area.


24 September 2004

Gardener's Question Time comes to Orkney

East Mainland Gardeners are hosting BBC Radio 4's Gardener's Question Time which is coming to Orkney on 20 October to record their hour long Christmas Special at the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall. The panel will consist of John Cushnie, Ann Swithinbank, Carol Baxter and the chairman with be Eric Robson. Compere for the evening will be Dave Gray and there will be music from Selkie and refreshments on offer on arrival. Raffle and commemorative programme.

There is space on each ticket for your questions and we ask everyone to submit a question on arrival. Please keep a copy of the question in case you are chosen to ask it on air.

There will be 243 seats (of which three will be for wheelchairs). Tickets will be complimentary and will be available in September. The method of distribution will be by SAE on a first come, first served basis and will be restricted to two tickets per application. Please send a large stamped, self addressed envelope to Norma Campbell, Longtownmail, Tankerness, KW17 2QR. PLease let us know of any special needs of those attending.

We hope that people from the Outer Isles will also be able to attend and we may be able to offer some limited accommodation through members of the East Mainland Gardeners. If you would be able to help with this phone Janet on 861 400.

17 September 2004

Connect - New Network for Women launches on Wednesday 15 September

Launching Connect and urging women to "get motivated" is Ros Taylor - a leading UK psychologist, successful businesswoman and accomplished author, TV and radio presenter. Ros has been described in the newspapers as, "the guru of personal development" and "the best motivational speaker heard this year". Ros draws on her background as a psychologist to move people on to become more than they would ever have believed possible.

Ros is speaking at a free introductory cheese and wine event at 7.00pm in the Pickaquoy Centre and will launch the network's programme of events for 2004/05.

For further information e-mail info@connectorkney.org, telephone 07771 701421 or visit the website at www.connectorkney.org

14 September 2004

UHI Annual Lecture Day at Orkney College

It's all go at the college, with the graduation ceremonies at the Cathedral today, and a day of events surrounding the UHI Millenium Institute Annual Lecture tomorrow (Saturday).

10 am – 3 pm, Orkney College, Kirkwall:

UHI LIFELONG LEARNING DAY AT ORKNEY COLLEGE

With displays and activities on Art and Design, Cultural Studies, and the work of other UHI partners, and talks on Archaeology (2.15 World Heritage site, 2.45 Archaeological Geophysics), and Cultural Studies (2.15 Scottish Cultural Icons). Visit The Electronic Classroom and try online study of renewable energy and waste management. Sponsored by Orkney Enterprise

10.30 am – 2.00 pm, Orkney College UHI, Kirkwall:

“PLANTS FOR THE FUTURE 2: THE BERE NECESSITIES”

Hear about the work of Orkney College’s Agronomy Institute and its findings on bere, sample a lunch of local produce, tour field trials sites. Ticket (including lunch), £8 from the college (01856-569000). Sponsored by Orkney Enterprise

2.30 – 5.30 pm, King Street Hall, Kirkwall:

TRADITIONAL DANCE WORKSHOP with Maria Leask from Shetland – get ready for the Ceilidh! Admission at door, adults £3, children 50p. Organised by Orkney Traditional Dance Association

3.00 – 5.00 pm, Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall:

UHI AT PICKAQUOY

UHI Student Showcase displays plus 5-a-side football, Orkney College v UHI at 3.30 pm. Free bus shuttle from Orkney College, 2.30 - 3.30 pm.

5.00 – 9.00 pm, Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall:

The UHI Lecture 2004

“CREATING EDEN”

Tim Smit CBE, founder and chief executive of the Eden Project. The occasion includes presentation of Honorary Fellowships of UHI Millennium Institute, a performance by Sanday Fiddle Club, and dinner.
Hosted by Orkney College, supported by Orkney Islands Council and Orkney Enterprise. Media sponsor Moray Firth Radio.

8.00 pm – 1.00 am, Harray Hall:

THE UHI CEILIDH

Closing Ceilidh with the Wyre Band and traditional dancing. Tickets £4 & £2
Sponsored by Orkney Islands Council for UHI and organised in association with Orkney Traditional Dance Association

10 September 2004

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes

JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) ' Walk to Cure Diabetes' will take place on Flotta on Sunday 19th September.

This fun charity event is sponsored by Talisman Energy and free boats leave Houton 0945 - 1000. Transport is provided from the Pier in Flotta to the walk start point at the Community Centre, and a comprehensive programme of family entertainment including games and a bouncy castle is laid on. Food will be available throughout the day, and boats retutn to the Mainland from 1530.

To find out more about this, and the range of sponsored walks etc that are possible to participate in please contact - Phyllis Brown 88 4108.

If you are already planning to take part, please return registration forms as soon as possible so that the organisers have an indication of numbers for transport and catering.

10 September 2004

North Isles Trip Day on the Picture Gallery

As luck would have it 4 pictures related to the pre RoRo days of North Isles boats have been sent in today from two different sources, Peter Burges and Judith Jesch, and thnks go to both of them.

Peter's pictures are taken from a boat (which I assume would have been the old Sigurd or Thorfinn or then new Orcadia) on a sixties trip day, when the boat would call at all the outer islands except North Ronaldsay on a big round trip. I made a few of them myself as a boy, and it is only comparatively recently that I have been able to see more of the isles other than their piers and the telephone box at the top of them.

Judith sends some pictures from the late eighties, to remind us that the RoRo era that we take for granted now (except for poor North Ronaldsay) is a comparatively recent phenomenon.
02 September 2004

All systems go for winter in the St Andrews Community Centre

St Andrews Community Association would like to announce that the Community Centre is now warm and welcoming ready for winter activities. The Centre is now draught free and warm thanks to the community association having made successful applications to various grant making bodies.

The winter programme of activities restarts on 10th September with a whist drive, and on 6th Sepetmber the WRI have an open meeting when Bryce Wilson will deliver a presentation on the Baikies of Tankerness. A mock wedding is planned for October and there will be a public meeting in the Centre on Wednesday 8th September when it is hoped local people will come along and discuss any activities or events that they would like to organise or participate in at the Centre.

The following improvements have been carried out: all the doors have been replaced by new plastic doors -no more draughts; the old wall heaters have been replaced by efficient new ceramic heaters- nice warm main hall; and the showers have been upgraded- good news for the sportspeople.

The whole project cost £10,300 with funding secured from The Scottish Community Foundation, Awards for All- Big Lottery Fund, Orkney Enterprise and St Andrews and Deerness Community Council. The Association would like to thank all the funding bodies, VAO funding advisors and Community Education staff, as well as the local St Andrews clubs and societies who supported fundraising events.
01 September 2004

Improving Access to Rural Services

A conference will take place on the above at New Lanark on Tuesday 21st September, organised by SCVO.

The conference is aimed at all involved in the planning and delivery of services to rural communities, and topics will include housing, transport, halls, healthy living, community tourism and closing the opportunity gap.

The organisers emphasise that the conference will be sharply focussed, well run and fun, with high quality speakers, good food and good networking, all in a fascinating and historic venue.

Bursaries are available for travel costs and more information can be obtained from Laura Bridges on 01463 251730, laura.bridges@scvo.org.uk or by visiting http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/cgi-bin/course.cgi?show=248&b=3
31 August 2004

Firth Park public meeting

The Firth Community Council are holding a Public Meeting on Wednesday 8th September to discuss the future development of Firth Park - members of the public are requested to attend to form a steering group to progress ideas.

The meeting is at 7pm in the Firth School and anyone interested is encouraged to attend.
30 August 2004

Sanday seeks Ranger

The Sanday Development Trust are looking to employ a Sanday Ranger, a great job for an outdoor person. This is a contract post until 31st March 2007, paying £13113 pro rata.

The job description states:

'This is a new and exciting venture based in the Isle of Sanday. This is a half-time post on a flexible basis, which may involve working some evenings and weekends. The post holder will be expected to work almost full time in the summer months and varying hours down to approx 27hrs a month from October to March.

You will need to be a ‘people person’ and possess enthusiasm, dynamism and initiative. Experience of dealing with tourists and involvement with community –based projects would be an advantage. Interest in natural history and the willingness to learn more is essential. Some knowledge and understanding of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code is expected.

Own vehicle essential. Full, clean driving licence preferable. This post is subject to a satisfactory Standard/Enhanced Disclosure check.

For further information and application details send an A4 SAE to Andrew Thompson, Lady Post Office, Sanday, Orkney KW17 2BJ.

Closing date for applications is 9th September. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 28th September.'

The post is part funded by SNH.

24 August 2004

COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills

There are still some places available on the counselling skills course being offered by Orkney College; but hurry, because it starts on September 8. Applicants from the voluntary sector may receive financial help. For more information please contact Linda Russell on 569000.
24 August 2004

Funding opportunity for Orkney charities

Charities with projects requiring funding are invited to meet with an assessor from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland next month.

The assessor will be holding a surgery at Voluntary Action Orkney, Bridge Street, Kirkwall between 3pm and 7pm on Monday 13th September. Recognised charities with projects that could potentially be funded are encouraged to make an appointment for a one to one consultation, and staff will also be available to give advice on form filling and what kind of projects are likely to be funded.

The Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland is the largest independent charitable trust in Scotland, and to arrange an appointment please call 0870 902 1201.
20 August 2004

Monthly pictures moan

It's time for a general appeal to our monthly pictures contributors to think about getting in their pictures for August. For a number of them it's time to get into their time machines and travel back to July to take pictures for then as well. I'm not naming names, but Mark, Chessa and Maureen, you know who you are...
20 August 2004

Black Friday?

It's Black Friday again, though as it is the first non-foggy day for weeks anybody could happily skip under ladders while breaking mirrors as they scoff at superstition. Show week is coming to an end as well, and at least it hasn't rained yet, although the County Show traditionally marks the start of gloomy talk of the end of summer, gales, rain and big purchases of Propcorn (not popcorn).

But it's not as bad as that these days. We have the Science Festival and the Blues Festival to look forward to before the weather gets really manky, the perennial hope of an Indian Summer, and when it gets dark there will be plenty of self-improvement options in the Community Education programme, or the chance to send in photos or reminiscences to Orkneycommunities.co.uk. Or if you are involved with a community group, you could consider setting it up with a website, invaluable for sharing information, minutes, agendas, photos... Why, I've heard it said that you will save the £35 annual fee (which includes training and setting your site) in postage and paper alone. If you want to find out more Contact Us, we are very approachable.

13 August 2004

Grants to encourage youth music

Grants of up to £30,000 are available to encourage youth music within the 'informal sector' (this covers all styles of music and all levels of learning outside the formal education sector), from a total pot of £900,000 for the two financial years 2004-5 and 2005-6.

There are separate application packs for grants up to £5000 (no deadlines and you should hear within four weeks) and for grants between £5000 and £30,000 (deadline is 11 October 2004 and you should hear within ten weeks).

To get hold of an application pack contact Scottish Arts Council by calling 0845 603600, or emailing help.desk@scottisharts.org.uk.

More details are available on their website at http://www.scottisharts.org.uk

05 August 2004

It's showtime (nearly)

We will soon be building ourselves up for the shows, the regattas (ok some may have taken place already), the St Magnus Fair, and the Vintage Rally, then soon enough the schools are back and everybody is commenting that the nights are fair drawing in.

Don't be sucked into that pessimism (just yet, although I have to say it will get worse before it gets better)! This is a great time of the year, everything is happening and the Orcadian diaspora is home on holiday for the shows. Make the most of it by seeing what is on with the Daily Diary, or if you have an event to promote, Contact Us and we'll be happy to help you.

Class reunions may be taking place (well mine will be this time next year so if you are coming up to 40 and you went to KGS make a note in your diary) and if you want to send in school photos we'll be delighted to add them to the Picture Gallery.

Any new pictures- send them in. News items and features of interest to the community- send them in too.

Even when the summer is over...
26 July 2004

Forthcoming Picture Gallery Extravaganza

I'm back from my holidays, and delighted to discover more than 20 submitted pictures for the picture gallery waiting to go on, sent in over the last three weeks. I'll be getting down to that over the next few days. Thanks to everybody who sent in pictures, and thanks for your patience in waiting to see them added. The turnaround should be down to a day or two from now on again.
20 July 2004

SCVO Welcomes Report on CAP Reform

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations has welcomed the "cautious but balanced" report on CAP Reform by the Scottish Parliament's Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, released today.

SCVO's Rural Policy Manager Norman MacAskill said: "The Committee's report reflects the seriousness of the subject and the cautious but balanced approach they have taken to it. While we do not agree with all of their conclusions, they are commendably open to new thinking in this area.

"In particular, we applaud their recognition of the need to clearly define the public benefits that are being achieved by spending CAP money on rural development measures, and the importance of widening the range of measures that can be funded to include basic rural services and village renewal.

"Rural Development spending must extend beyond the farm gate to benefit the wider rural community. We will continue building the case for this significant and importance change to take place sooner rather than later."

Media enquiries
Norman MacAskill, Rural Policy Manager, SCVO m. 07885 218308
Leon Thompson, Communications Manager, SCVO 0131 474 8046 (m. 07793 741794)

06 July 2004

BT Announces more Broadband dates

BT has just announced another 1000 exchanges which it intends to enable for Broadband. Finstown should just have gone live, but if you live in Westray, St Margaret's Hope, Harray, Sandwick, Holm or Stromness, you've a while to go yet. However, as many other areas of the Islands are still marked as not planned, perhaps you should consider yourself lucky!

Click the unfeasibly long link below for the gory details.

http://62.172.198.79/broadband1/where_i_live/county.asp?county=A99E32207EDC4FBB9AE0FD84F2E6EAE2
01 July 2004

Holiday admission

I felt the need to buy socks today, so went along to Mackays (next door to the old Imperial Hotel, if you follow the picture gallery)... but it had gone! Just round the corner to the back of Cumming and Spence's admittedly, but sadly the socks had not walked to their new home yet.

However, instead of lamenting my fate, lamenting that surely the Gods (or One God) must be crazy and cursing the fact I had ever been born I thought, 'I can hardly speak, I'm off on holiday tomorrow...'

But don't think that will lead to orkneycommunities becoming moribund, oh no!
Gail is champing at the bit to keep the Radio Orkney diary up to date and add pictures and comments, and of course the events diary and Orcadian news will be as topical as ever.

However, new submitted pictures may have to wait a bit longer than usual (but keep sending them in, especially the monthly picture people- Mark, Chessa, nearly time for picture 2) and similarly if you want to sign up for your own orkneycommunities web site.

And you know you want to...
23 June 2004

It just gets better and better

New on Orkneycommunities.co.uk is the Hi-Arts button, just over there to your left. If you click this button you will find events which have been notified to Hi-Arts, but which may inexplicably (and may I say unwisely) have not been notified to this site directly. It takes all sorts to make a world I suppose.
22 June 2004

Much newness

Today sees a huge weekend diary from Radio Orkney, and remember of course that if you want to publicise an event through the orkneycommunities.co.uk events calendar just Contact Us.

Four new pictures have been submitted and added to the picture gallery as well. Tom Scott has sent in a picture showing work at the Scapa Distillery, probably as it reopened after the Second World War, Peter Burges has sent in two pictures showing the laying of the foundation stone for the Kirkwall Town Hall and a horse watering at the Watergate, and Sue Ward has sent in a view over Aikerness towards Rousay as part of the monthly picture series (see GCYPDP, below).

Thanks to our contributors for the pictures, and keep them coming, along with news, events, and if you want to submit short stories or articles of community interest, we'll try and find a way to accommodate them.
18 June 2004

Wobblers

I'm experiencing problems adding the Radio Orkney weekend diary. I've invoked a higher power to help and hopefully things will get better before they get worse, in a pleasing reversal of normal life.
10 June 2004

Charity Law Consultation and Voluntary Sector Policy Briefing events

SCVO and the Scottish Executive are organising the above events, taking place in Dundee, Inverness, Dumfries and Glasgow on 23rd, 24th, 28th and 30th June respectively.

Closing date for bookings for these free events is 18th June, and more details can be obtained from the organiser, Alex Thomson, on 0130 474 6152, or from the SCVO website, www.scvo.org.uk

08 June 2004

Transit of Venus

Happening today for the first time since 1882, Venus passes between the Earth and the Sun.

It's a rare event with a fascinating history, and any observation should be done extremely carefully as blindness may be the result. An excellent place to find out about the transit, about safe observing and indeed to watch it safely is http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk/transit . The movement of Venus against the background of the sun as viewed from Earth should take from 6.20 am to 12.20pm (BST).
08 June 2004

Keep the cloots on after all

June is in like a lion, but the rubbish weather surely will not daunt us as we get out and about at the weekend.

There's loads mentioned in the Radio Orkney section of course, but let me add some more.

I notice that tonight (Friday) there is a quiz in the Standing Stones Hotel, karaoke in the Ferry Inn, a folk night in The Sands, and Music and Mystery in The Galley Inn with Malcolm Russell.

Saturday sees the Braelanders in the Houton Inn, and Buses From The Pierhead to the Harray Hall where Immunition will be playing. Sean Wilson is in the Kirkwall Legion, where there will also be a dance, and earlier in the day there will be a Plant Sale in the St. Andrews Hall at 2pm. I've always fancied a JCB, so I may head along myself. I'll probably content myself with something like a Bonny Bodelia. Sorry, that's the actress from Die Hard isn't it?

Sunday has scrambling at Yesnaby, starting at 11am with the practice, and a car boot sale in Dounby.

Have a good weekend!
04 June 2004

Last weekend in May

Next weekend it will be officially safe to cast a cloot, but what to do this weekend?

Well the Folk Festival is everywhere (except Kirkwall) and you can find out all about that at www.orkneyfolkfestival.com. The good people of Kirkwall will have to keep their faith in rock, and the excellent CasualTies (www.casual-ties.co.uk) are over the town like a rash, playing The Motor Hoose tonight (Friday), The Torv on Saturday and The Georgian on Sunday. They've been described as 'possibly one of the finest rock bands ever to come out of that bit of Stockport’s Edgeley Road just near Alexandra Park', and I recommend them highly on the basis of their last triumphant visit here. Jacob's Pillow are playing The Torv on Friday and Motor Hoose on Saturday, and may well be excellent, but I haven't seen them.

And don't forget to look in the Radio Orkney section of the excellent Orkneycommunities.co.uk for much, much more.

28 May 2004

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation- 'Walk to Cure Diabetes'

A healthy outdoor fundraising event will be taking place in Flotta on 19th September, and to publicise this and attract participants a launch breakfast will take place in the Ayre Hotel on Friday 28th May at 9am, hosted by Maurice Ullman, terminal manager at Flotta. Contact Phyllis Brown at Talisman on 884108 for further information, or read on...

Walk to Cure Diabetes is Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundations (JDRF) flagship fundraising event, to be held at six locations around the UK (Aberdeen; Birmingham; Bristol; London; Liverpool; Southampton). This year the lead sponsor for the Aberdeen event is Talisman Energy (UK) Limited and so the staff at Flotta Terminal decided to join in and run a parallel fund raising event on Flotta on Sunday 19th September 2004.

The day out will comprise a 10k road run for over 15s; a 10k walk and also a 5k walk for those of us who are less fit or who are either young or elderly. If you do not wish to take part in the Walk there will be something for all the family with entertainment; food; games, competitions and activities available throughout the day. Free transport will be provided by Talisman.

This is a great way for you and your family, friends and colleagues to have a fun day out, get a bit of exercise, enjoy the entertainment and refreshments provided and most importantly raise vital pounds to fund research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Statistics prove that the incidence of diabetes in the under-5’s has doubled over the past ten years and, I am sure, everyone knows someone who suffers from this wretched illness. You may not be aware however, that Scotland has the fifth highest incidence of juvenile – or type 1 – diabetes in the world and we do not presently know why. It is a lifetime condition.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. It currently funds over twenty major research projects in the United Kingdom. In Scotland, research has been funded at the University of Aberdeen and a new centre of excellence in stem cell research will be opening in April at the University of Edinburgh.

It is crucially important that JDRF can continue to fund the vital research work that brings us closer to a cure. You and/or your company are asked to to consider contributing to this mission by taking part in the Flotta ‘Walk to Cure Diabetes’ on Sunday 19th September 2004.

Contact: Phyllis Brown Tel 88 41 08, email pbrown@talisman.co.uk

25 May 2004

GCYPDP (see below)- latest

The latest is that I now have promises of pictures from Mark in Deerness, Chessa in Stromness, Rose in Sanday, Rae in Sandwick, Maureen at the top of Hatston and me in here. More required!
24 May 2004

Grandiose community yearly photographic diary project

Wouldn't it be nice to chart the changing of the seasons by taking a picture of a view or place from the same spot every month for an year?

And as so many people have digital cameras and Orkney has (ahem) a magnificent community website with an extensive picture gallery, wouldn't it be great if these pictures could be archived in their own galleries that evolved as the year went on?

Hey, I think so and I beseech volunteers to sign up and undertake to send me a picture of their chosen place and view every month. For my own part I solemnly undertake to stand on the wall at Shore St and take a picture of the Kirkwall marina every month (it's near to VAO).

I'm looking for pictures from every parish and if the expected flood of volunteers breaks my heart by not arising, I will hunt my friends and acquaintances like dogs to help make this happen.

Wouldn't something like this be a great feature for every community association and community website to be able to tap into- individual community websites will be able to format and display the pictures with possibly more flexibility than this site, and we'll be happy to provide the pictures and link to them. The Orphir Community Association (http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/OCA) has expressed their interest, so follow their example.

If you can help, email contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk with Monthly Pictures as the subject. Thanks!
20 May 2004

What will I do this weekend?

Quiet weekend? I don't think so.

Tonight I note that the Powerbowl will be deploying its new Karaoke system, so expect Geordie and Lynn's spirited rendering of Love Shack to echo around Great Western Road, and of course the Final of the Bowling League takes place tonight as well.

The Picky Centre have an impressive array of events to celebrate its 5th Anniversary on Saturday, and I will be there with my decorated gingerbread man which will of course stand no chance against veterans of the WRI. Once I have carefully binned the gingerbread man, a range of sporting activities are available, as well as fun things for children, and free use of the arena activities in the afternoon.

The Mart's annual gardening exhibition on all weekend, and green fingered members of the public are urged to wash their hands and get along, between 10 and 4 each day.

It's a busy weekend for bands, with Blue Mother at tea time in the Motor Hoose on Saturday, and the Tribe later on in the Torv, not forgetting the Braelanders in the Kirkwall Legion on the same night. In Stromness, Shoot the Piper are in the Ferry Inn from 10.

Also in Stromness, the new marina will be officially opened at 2pm on Sunday, and music and stalls will be provided.

And there's lots more- see the Radio Orkney Weekend Diary.

Go on, you know there won't be anything on the tv...

14 May 2004

Norwegian Constitution Day on Monday

An impressive array of events has been organised by the Orkney Norway Friendship Association to mark Norwegian Constitution Day, on Monday May 17th.

From 10.30-11.30 flowers will be placed on Norwegian war graves in the Orquil, Lyness and Westray graveyards.

From 1.00-1.45 there will be a Constitution Day Concert in the Cathedral.

From 2.45-3.00 the Kirkwall Town Band will be playing on the Cathedral steps.

At 3.00 the Tog or parade will commence from the pierhead and head to the Cathedral where greetings will be exchanged between representatives of the OIC and the Norwegian government, followed by a childrens concert. The Pipe Band will play, and the Tog will reform and head to the Town Hall.

A Constitution Day Party with buffet and dance will take place from 7.30 in the Lynnfield Hotel, and tickets are available price £12.50 from Pentarq in Kirkwall or Anna Sinclair in Stromness, tel 850411.

Send in your pictures of the events to us. The portfolio with the highest Tog rating will win the inaugural Orkneycommunities downie, hand embroidered by myself (well, they won't actually).

11 May 2004

This weekend...

Fancy a cup of coffee? On Saturday you could indulge yourself in a caffeine fuelled frenzy, and go on a coffee morning crawl around Kirkwall, visiting the Red Cross in the King Street Hall, Cancer Research UK in the Peedie Kirk Hall, and the Orkney Amateur Swimming Club in the Cavern.

When organising your event you can steal a march on the opposition by advertising your event for FREE on Orkneycommunities.co.uk, by simply emailing us with the details.

07 May 2004

Volunteers Week 2004

This year sees the 20th Anniversary of Volunteers' Week, which takes place from 1st to 7th June.

Organisations all over Scotland will be joining in the celebrations by recognising the contribution of their volunteers. There's still time for you to join in!

Call the Volunteer Centre on 01856 872897 ext 24 for more info or log on to www.vds.org.uk/volunteersweek.

Don't forget www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/VOLUNTEERCENTRE either!

06 May 2004

Climbing walls due to boredom?

You've got it all wrong then- you should be climbing walls for fun.

Handily you can get the chance to do just that on Saturday at the Orkney Climbing Club's open day at the KGS Sports Centre. The event runs from 10 till 3 and for £1.50 you get three climbs, approximately 30 minutes of white knuckle, knee trembling action. Sounds like a good deal to me...
29 April 2004

Picture Gallery takes off

The recent run of pictures from Ian Heddle's collection has caught the imagination, and comments are flying in from all corners of the globe.

Thanks go to Ian for allowing us to use his pictures, and I hope that they inspire lots more people to add comments, ideas and send in pictures.

Don't be bashful!

Have a look at the picture gallery on www.caithness.org to see what we should be aspiring to in Orkney. That goes for news and events too, with basically anything that happens across the Firth being sent into Caithness.org.

Contact Us!

27 April 2004

Book launch in Finstown

Tomorrow sees the first chance to get your hands on a new book that should be fascinating reading for anyone with a family connection with Finstown dating back to before the war. You should include it in your itinerary along with the Historic Scotland properties!

The Firth Primary School P.T.A. will be holding a Coffee Afternoon, and hosting the Book Launch & Signing of Allan Taylor’s new book “Finstown: The Village at the Crossroads” – a history of Finstown and it’s people before the 2nd World War complete with photographs. This is between 2 and 4 o’ clock tomorrow (Saturday)at the Firth School.

23 April 2004

Free historic remains

What do this weekend is no longer a problem. Going out and to the shops obviously, but if the family has to be entertained, well, free entry to the Historic Scotland properties should fit the bill just fine.

On Saturday and Sunday entrance is free to the Earl's and Bishop's Palaces in Kirkwall, Maeshowe, Skara Brae and Skaill House, the Broch of Gurness, and the Martello Tower and Battery in Longhope. The properties will be open from 9.30am to 6.30pm, but note that last admission to Skara Brae and Skaill House is 5.45

There is also the chance to save £5 on Historic Scotland membership, which can get you free antry to all Historic Scotland properties and 20% discount in their shops.
23 April 2004

Papdale School Petition handover at 11.30 today

Papdale School Board is asking parents to attend the handing over a petition to council convener Steven Hagan on Thursday 22nd April. The handover will take place at the school at 11.30

The petition has been signed by more than 400 parents and states the case that the P3-P7 block of the school, one of the largest primary schools in Scotland, is in urgent need of upgrading. The accommodation and facilities are basically unchanged over 40 years and as well as being outdated are coming under increasing pressure as the school is one of the few with an increasing roll.

The board makes the point that although the capital cost of the project seems high, approximately half of all pupils in Orkney go through the school, and per pupil the cost is only 20% of that of recent and current school replacement project elsewhere in Orkney.

A good turnout of parents is requested to help emphasise the case for refurbishment.
21 April 2004

Prize winning pipe band champing at the bit to perform

The Kirkwall City Pipe Band, fresh from their international touring and competition winning commitments, are keen to perform and hone their craft.

Anyone wishing to book the pipe band for a performance during the summer season should contact the secretary, Bob Walker, on 874931 as soon as possible to avoid disappointment, and allow the band to plan their schedule.
20 April 2004

Bag the Bruck 2004

This weekend sees the start of this years Bag the Bruck campaign, where groups of volunteers help return the islands' beaches, verges, foreshores and lochsides to a state of clean natural beauty.

Susan Ferguson of Environmental Concern Orkney is coordinating the efforts over more than 45 sites that are being tackled this year, and lists of local contacts can be found in the Orcadian and Orkney Today if you wish to help. The main effort takes place this weekend, but further events will continue later in the year.

To contact Susan, call 761230, or mobile 07760 207608.
16 April 2004

Search begins for Scotland's top community

It's time for rural communities to gear up for this year's Calor
Scottish Community of the Year Awards. Could your area succeed the
Isle of Arran Community Council, last year's main winners?
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/504

02 April 2004

Orkney formerly part of Australia

Analysis of the respective geologies of the two island groups of Orkney and Australia suggest that shortly after breaking away from the supercontinent of Pangea millions of years ago (a time referred to by geologists as 'the year dot') they were in fact a single group of islands.

The implications of this discovery are potentially enormous: the capital of Australia should in principal relocate to Kirkwall, leading to a Kirkwall-Sydney rivalry; Australia would become The Mainland; the north isles would become the south isles, leading to a massive reduction in ferry provision; and Kylie Minogue could become the official rather than unofficial queen of the islands.

An official from the British Geological survey when asked to comment said 'Eh?'
01 April 2004

We are 1/2

Orkneycommunities.co.uk has been on the go for 6 months, and it's going well!

32 groups have signed up already for member sites which offer unparalleled value and ease of use, with more adding each week. We thank them for their support, from the pioneers of the Orkney Disability Forum to the newcomers of the Marengo Centre, and all in between, and recommend you check out their sites from the Member Sites button on the right.

The picture gallery is looking great (send in those pictures of events, things and folk) and the notice board is increasingly well used. No lost cats on it though- local cat losers are missing a trick as we are happy to help.

But despite the site's manifest greatness, we can always make it better, with your support and your suggestions... just Contact Us.
29 March 2004

Help for dementia sufferers

Alzheimer Scotland/Action on Dementia Orkney Branch run support groups for dementia sufferers and their families, and also can supply or loan memory aids. More details are available on two notices on the Orkneycommunities.co.uk notice board, where you will also find contact details for David Sinclair of NHS Orkney.
25 March 2004

Scottish Community Diet Project

Beef Up your diet- or perhaps Veg Out would be more health conscious.

Carolyn Chalmers has passed on details of the Scottish Community Diet Project Small Grants Scheme. Community inititatives from all over Scotland are invited to apply for small grants, up to £ 3000.00 to develop new or existing pieces of work that aim to improve food access and tackle inequalities in diet and health. Anything from cooking clubs for young carers to weighing equipment or subsidized fruit and veg from your local shop.

Application packs are available from Alice on 0141 226 5261 or e mail abaird@scotconsumer.org.uk. Downloads are available from www.dietproject.org.uk

23 March 2004

Orkney Image Library - Add YOUR Pictures

Orkney Image Library needs your photographs. The library is not simply a photo gallery. It is a database of folklore and history associated with each picture. All visitors to the site can add their comments about each picture. Visitors are also welcome to submit their own pictures - for now please send these as jpgs to contact@orkneycommunities.co.uk. Filesize no more than 200k please.

03 February 2004

Community Directory and Video Conferencing Directory Launched

Voluntary Action Orkney’s Volunteer Centre is promoting the use of VIDEO CONFERENCING facilities throughout Scotland to save time and travel expenses for voluntary sector groups in remote island and rural areas.

They have researched and developed, with help from their local authority Grainshore Training Centre, and now published a DIRECTORY containing all locations in Scotland where video conferencing facilities are available for hire.

Listed in the Directory are over 80 different locations all over Scotland where video conferencing facilities can be hired, ranging from Shetland to Dumfries, and Barra to Aberdeen. People at the Volunteer Centre Orkney are keen to encourage those organisations based in the Central Belt, and who can hop in a car and drive to their meetings or training events, to think about video conferencing as an option when arranging events and meetings. It can save time and money for those groups based in islands and remote rural areas of Scotland. An air fare from Shetland to Edinburgh costs £390 and it could mean a 3-day absence from the office to attend a 3-hour meeting in Edinburgh.
PLEASE THINK – VIDEO CONFERENCING !

At the same time the Voluntary Action Orkney is re-launching its ORKNEY COMMUNITY DIRECTORY containing all known voluntary organisations, numbering some 600, with contact addresses for each. Most of this information is also now available on the www.orkneycommunities.co.uk website.

15 December 2003

orkneycommunities.co.uk visits North Ronaldsay

North Ronaldsay played host to the first island demonstration of orkneycommunities.co.uk. Those who attended got the chance to have a look at the site in more detail and also see how easy it is to use.

A presentation on the free connecting communities training offered by VAO was also given.

It is planned to take the demonstration and presentation out and about in the new year to all of the islands and mainland parishes. If you are interest in having a demonstration in your community please contact us.
08 December 2003

Calling all Community Groups with and interest in Waste Education or Awareness

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) would like get in touch with any Waste Education or Awareness groups, or any community groups that deal with waste as part of their activities in the Orkney Islands. The reason for this is to develop a Scottish Network of Waste Groups. We would be very grateful for any information that could be provided. This would enable us to be more involved with the waste activities in your area and we will be able to include you in our database of contacts. Our aim is to provide a central distribution of waste information Scotland wide. We would be delighted to hear from any group and what work it does. Contact details below.

Catherine Maclean
National Waste Strategy Admin Officer
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
Corporate Office, Erskine Court
Castle Business Park
Stirling
FK9 4TR
catherine.maclean@sepa.org.uk
01786 457 722
05 December 2003

International Volunteer Day- 5th December

In 1985, the UN General Assembly designated this day for an annual celebration by communities, peoples and governments, of all that is achieved by volunteers – around the world.

Celebrated in more than half the countries of the globe – whether you offer your talents to improve facilities where you live, your donations to a charity, your friendship to those ill or in need, or your time for technical co-operation in developing countries, this day is for you.

See the entry elsewhere on this site for details of the premiere of the volunteer centre video on volunteering which will be showing at the King St Halls on Friday 5th December.

02 December 2003

Whats New?

There's lots new- new websites, features and pictures.

The new websites are from Thorfinn FC, Orkney Field Club and Orphir Community Association. New features include Aurora Watch (courtesy of Lancaster University), and a Lost and Found option on the message board, hopefully helping people locate their lost cats etc. New pictures include school photos from Kirkwall Primary from the days when there was only one primary school in the toon, Shapinsay SWRI in 1967, and a dramatic picture of Yesnaby from Sigurd Towrie.

All good stuff, and plenty of scope for more pictures from all areas, new ideas, comments, features and news, or new websites. Contact Us- we're here for you.
12 November 2003

See the Merry Dancers

Looking out for the Merry Dancers can be made a lot easier, by signing up to a free alerting service.

Lancaster University runs the Aurorawatch information service, and by visiting www.dcs.lancs.ac.uk/iono/aurorawatch/ you can find out all about the conditions which affect aurora, the current level of activity and the likelihood of a display, and sign up for free email or SMS alerts when activity is high.

Such a service would be good for orkneycommunities.co.uk, so watch this space, we'll see what we can do. People who like watching space in general should visit Sky Notes on The Orcadian website. or www.spacegazer.com, the home of the Highland Astronomical Society.

STOP PRESS: It's sorted- see the new button on the left for an up to date estimate of auroral activity!

Of course people in the country away from the orange lights will have no need of this service, as the aurora will be more of a pest than a phenomenon. And I say to you- send us your photos!

11 November 2003

Official- Nights Drawing In

Harvest Home mania breaks out in Orkney, as shown in todays events calendar and bulging Radio Orkney section, so the nights are indeed drawing in.

To take advantage of all the extra free time in the evenings, why not scan in some photos for the gallery, or think about what you would like to put on your group's orkneycommunities.co.uk website. Even if you don't want a website of your own, send us news and events info, and we'll be happy to put it on. Or check out the notice board and give the Guides the table or desk they need!
07 November 2003

Share your pictures

The picture gallery is an excellent way to share your old (or new) pictures, and find out more about the ones you have. It is hoped to build up albums organised by parish, by event, by school, etc. so please email us pictures that you think may be of interest. They could be old school photos, pictures from harvest homes, gala days or sporting events- send them in with some information about the picture to the email address in the Contact Us section. Thanks!
04 November 2003

Successful Launch of orkneycommunities.co.uk

Have you had your slice of orkneycommunities.co.uk?

Sign up for a website today, quick and easy to use, ideal for community groups looking for a cost effective web presence.
29 October 2003

Orkneycommunities.co.uk is live!

An online celebration of community life in Orkney is now live.

Orkneycommunities.co.uk is a new website that provides community groups with a cost-effective, easy-to-set-up presence on the Internet.

Funded and developed by Orkney Enterprise, with support from the European LEADER+ programme, the website is designed to become a first port of call for anyone seeking information about community-based activities in Orkney.

It will be an up to date source of news and give community groups, associations and clubs the opportunity to share information, attract and inform members, and organise and publicise events.

For an annual fee of £35, groups can have their own site linked to orkneycommunities.co.uk and this can include up to ten pages.

Free training is provided to help them set up, maintain and customise their own sites – with no requirement for specialist computing skills.

Chessa Llewellyn-White, Orkney Enterprise’s development manager, said: “This is a project we’re really excited about that will result in a vibrant community website for Orkney. We want people to contribute news and articles and to find the site useful.

“If people involved in community groups feel apprehensive about creating and running their own site, this is also a way to gain a presence on the Internet with minimum effort and for minimum cost.”

The main orkneycommunities.co.uk site contains a wealth of features that include a comprehensive events calendar, a news headline feed from The Orcadian, and the daily What’s On Diary from BBC Radio Orkney. There is also an extensive picture gallery which includes photographs from the Tom Kent collection, provided by Orkney Library. It is hoped that the picture gallery will become much more extensive as people submit their own pictures and comments.

The Voluntary Action Orkney (VAO) Community Directory is also available online, while each community group’s individual website can offer an events calendar, contact information, a document archive and a unique e-mail address.

Steven Heddle, Orkney Enterprise’s e-business adviser, said: “It all combines to make orkneycommunities.co.uk a really attractive site to visit – one that people will want to come back to time and time again.

“That was a top priority for this project, as was the need to make it really easy to use. With just five minutes’ training, a community group can have their website up and running. A further half hour and they’ll have the skills they need to customise the site to suit their individual needs.”

The site was developed by Plexus Media and the venture is being supported and promoted by VAO.

Shona Flanagan, VAO’s development officer, said: “The Internet has great potential for community groups, but all too often the technical or financial aspects of developing a site can be off putting.

“With the orkneycommunities.co.uk site, we’re hoping to demystify the web a little and help groups unlock its many benefits.”

The hope is that up to 40 community groups will become involved during the first year of the project.

Among the first of the 13 groups that have already signed up for a website was Age Concern Orkney.

Co-ordinator Sue Ward said: “It was a great opportunity for our organisation to get a web presence at a very modest cost.

“I’m not a computer whiz kid, but this site is so easy to edit and update and the training answered any queries I had.”

(Picture courtesy Bill Fernie, http://www.caithness.org)
28 October 2003

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