The long term health of the Papdale Woods is being boosted with help from Pupils of Kirkwall Grammar Sschool.

Assisted by the Orkney Woodlands Project, a group of S3 pupils will be planting around 50 young trees including sycamore, beech, oak, elm, holly and hazel.

Pupils at KGS show off their handywork at the Papdale tree planting project

This will extend the lifespan of the wood and increase its diversity.

The new trees and species will gradually become established to replace existing mature trees when they finally come to end of their natural lifespan.

Kirkwall East Councillor Steven Heddle who attended the first planting session said: “It’s good to see work done to help the woods thrive for further generations to enjoy, and great to see the enthusiasm and effort shown by these young members of the community. I am sure they will remember the trees that they plant, and enjoy the opportunity in the future to tell their grandchildren about it.”

Ronnie Bruce, Project Director for Morrison Construction said: “We are delighted to support today’s planting initiative organised by Orkney Woodland Project who carry out a lot of good work in the local community to conserve and enhance our landscape.

“The range of species of young trees and shrubs being planted will add to the overall diversity within the Papdale Woods.

“Hopefully the children who have been planting with us will find it rewarding not just from their efforts today but in the future as they watch these saplings develop into mature trees over the years.”Similar Posts:

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Orkney Archaeologists may have discovered one of the largest stone circles in Britain.

A large stone circle may lay under the waters of the Loch of Stenness

A report in the New Scotsman on 9th October announced findings from Seismic images taken in the Loch of Stenness, which appear to show a large circular feature in the water south of the Ring of Brodgar.

Archaeologists are now planning to send a diving team into the area to investigate the findings.

Similar in size to the Ring of Brodgar, which to date is the third largest in Britain, Archaeologists are excited about discovering a much earlier structure.

Read more…Similar Posts:

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A plaque remembering the crew of the Rachel in 1786 has been unveiled in the Faroe Islands. Council Convener Stephen Hagan travelled to the Faroe Islandsto unveil a memorial plaque to twenty sailors from Stromness lost in a wreck off the islands in 1786.

Unveiling of the Plaque in the Faroe Islands

The plaque, presented on behalf of Stromness Community Council at a ceremony on Sunday (August 29), is in memory of William Melvin and 19 of his crew of the Stromness seal catcher ‘Rachel’, which was wrecked off the island of Svinoy on November 27, 1786.

Also present at the ceremony was the Mayor of Svinoy and Klaksvik, Gunva vio Keldu.

The ‘Rachel’ was sheltering from a storm in the bay of Svinoy, but its anchor failed to hold.  Of the 23 men on board, only three were rescued and subsequently cared for by the people of Svinoy.

Those who were killed in the tragedy were buried in the village.

Chair of Stromness Community Council, George Argo, said: “When the Stromness Community Council were first told about this tragedy we agreed it would be a fitting tribute to erect a plaque in the Faroe Islands in memory of those brave Stromness sailors who lost their lives there. “The motto of the Stromness Community Council is “Per Mare” which means by the sea.

Our community has always had a close connection with the sea and many of our town’s folk have made their living from it over the years with some succumbing to its mercies. “This is a fitting reminder of a crew who perished far from home many years ago and we are delighted that our Island Convener Stephen Hagan could unveil it on our behalf.”

While in the Faroe Islands, the Convener will also attend the North Atlantic Conference, which will consider a number of key issues interest to Orkney including renewables and the exporting of local produce. Councillor Hagan said:

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to unveil this memorial to the Orcadians who died in this long ago tragedy – and to remember the care provided by the Faroese for those who survived”.

“That reflects the close ties between island communities. We have always had much in common and many contemporary areas of shared concern will be discussed at this important conference.”

The following is from the Statistical Account of Orkney 1795 – 1798, United Parishes of Sandwick and Stromness, by Rev. William Clouston;

It was usual for a sloop to go once a year, about Martinmas, to the small isle or rock of Soulsketrry (sic), which lies W.N.W about 10 leagues distant, and there kill seals, which resort to that rock in great numbers.  The surge is so great around that rock, that it often happened, they could not effect a landing; or, if the men were landed, they, and the seals, which they killed, could not be got off but with great difficulty, and considerable risk.  In November 1786, a sloop upon this adventure, from the village of Stromness, was driven by tempestuous weather to the North Faro (sic) Isles, and there wrecked with 22 men aboard, 3 of whom were saved, and 19 perished.  Since that fatal accident, this perilous fishing had been abandoned. Similar Posts:

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A new eight mile circular walking trail has opened on Flotta, Orkney, Scotland.

The end of the trail at Stanger Head. Pic Scapa Flow Landscape Partnership

The Flotta Trail takes in an array of wartime archaeology including the Naval Cinema and the Port War Signal Station, as well as the moorland of West Hill and the dramatic scenery of Stanger Head.

The trail starts at the pier, runs along the coast and then returns along the island’s lanes.

Funding has been received for the Flotta Trail from Orkney Islands Council, the European Regional Development Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

In addition, Talisman Energy match-funded the interpretation panels and path work. A complementary leaflet, showcasing the range of interest to be found on the island – including the Flotta Trail – has also just been produced by the Flotta Partnership.

This new leaflet is now widely available, including at tourist information offices and the SFLPS office in Stromness.Similar Posts:

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Joan has been in touch, from Ontario in Canada, with details of a painting she thinks may be by the same painter as the mural at the Ness Gun Battery in Orkney.

Tower Bridge - by AR Woods

You may remember that towards the start of 2011, a worldwide search was launched to find more information about a World War II mural in Orkney.

Depicting rural England and painted on a mess hall wall, it is believed  to be a reminder of home and is signed AR Woods.

Also signed by AR Woods is this picture of Tower Bridge in London. Joan wonders if this could have been painted by the same artist.

Finding the Tower Bridge painting

Joan moved to Ontario, Canada, from the US, a few years ago.

Being a purveyor of fine and not so fine used goods, she began attending auctions.

At a small farm auction, she purchased the Tower Bridge painting,  initially for the frame and not for the painting.

AR Woods signature on the painting of Tower Bridge

Joan said: “The artist didn’t look like he/she had formal training at all, but clearly was fascinated with ships/boats”.

The signature AR Woods can be found on the bottom left hand side.

Similar painting style

Having a university degree in art and having studied art history, Joan thinks that the mural and the Tower Bridge paintings have been painted in a similar style.

One final comment

Any relationship between the paintings can not at this time be proved. However, having two painters with exactly the same name must be quite unusual.

If it helps any readers, Joan adds that written in pencil on the bottom of the inside of the frame is the following: ’7 BW 1949′.  She has no idea to what this refers or what it could mean.

Further information

BBC News – Search to find Ness Battery artist

Island Blogging – Inside the Mess Hall

UPDATE – 20:17 BST – 3 July 2011

Since posting the article a few hours ago we have had a lot of interest from the internet and Twitter.

We have become aware of an article posted on a website called Mercantile Marine that sets out a little bit of background to the Orkney AR Woods.

This suggests that AR Woods was connected to the River Thames, and so could indeed be the same as the Orkney painter. However, little is know as to how he came to be in the north of Scotland.

If you can add to the story then please use the comments area below or via the contact us form

Here is the article
- Albert John Rycraft Wood a.k.a A.R. Woods – WWII service? - from user Ness Battery

We are now fairly certain that this is the same man as the author of the autobiography “I Guarded The Waterfront” published in 1942. Different editions have him as A.P.Woods or A.R.Woods.

Here is a summary of what we know.

A.R.J. Wood b. Gravesend 1877

Descended from a long line of Thames watermen, he was a piermaster for the Port of London Authority, after serving in the Merchant Navy on ships including the Ophir.

He enlisted in a volunteer regiment and became a TA machine gun instructor while still working as a piermaster in WWI.

Looking for help finding out about possible service during WWII which might have taken him to Scapa Flow and the Ness Battery. I wonder if he might have had something to do with any of the vessels, floating cranes, barges etc which we know originated on the Thames and ended up in Orkney.

He makes no mention of service during the second war, but we have to bear in mind his autobiography was written no later than 1942 – and we do not have a date for the mural, so still possible he saw service later than that. Also, he may not have been at liberty to refer to his service.

I have found many Albert Wood[s] from various sources but none quite match.

If you can add to the story then please use the comments area below or via the contact us form

UPDATE – 14:03 BST Mon 4 July 2011

We have just received the following note from the Scapa Flow Landscape Partnership Scheme

This is so exciting. This is certainly by the same AR Woods that is our prime candidate for being painter of the Ness Battery mural.

The signature of this work is near-identical to that of the other painting by the AR Woods that worked for the Port of London Authority until 1947, and the painting is of a view he knew very well – he was Piermaster at Tower Pier in London.

We have not yet definitively linked him with Orkney during WWII, but seeing another work by this fine amateur artist takes us a step closer to solving this mystery.

It is wonderful to get this help from Canada! Thank you ever so much.

Julian Branscombe, Manager, Scapa Flow Landscape Partnership Scheme

julian.branscombe@orkney.gov.uk

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A PhD history candidate at York University is looking for anyone who can share their Orkney gardening experience to shed light on the Hudson Bay Company fur trader’s gardens.

Tankerness House Gardens

She is  writing her thesis on the fur traders’s gardens featuring the Hudson’s Bay Company from 1670 – 1770.

This means exploring how the early Orkneymen who arrived on Hudson’s Bay were expected to plant gardens and cultivate vegetables in a land where gardening had never been attempted.

She would love to hear from anyone in the Orkney Islands who can share the Orkney garden experience  (today and/or 1670 – 1770).

Are you an Orkney Gardener?

What are the challenges and or benefits of growing food in the islands?

Did your ancestors work for the Hudson Bay Company?

How do Orcadian’s view gardening?

What grows well and what do you struggle to grow?

If you feel you can help in any way, please contact us using the comments section at the end of this article.

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There seems to be a consensus of opinion that the place where the bodies of the SS Noss Head were washed ashore is Hangie Bay.

Hangie Bay

Hangie bay/geo is situated between Lea Taing and Rerwick Head in Tankerness.

One of our readers has pointed out that tankerness and deerness are quite often mistaken for the same place!

Washed ashore

Bodies of 2 of the crewmen of the SS Noss Head which sank in 1941 were washed ashore in Orkney.

The writing on one of the death certificates is difficult to understand and as our reader has already stated, Deerness has become mistaken with Tankerness, adding further confusion to the research.

The ocean has a strong westerly current in this region, pushing anything in the waters towards the coastline.

Many thanks for your help Collin.

More Information

View Hangie Bay on Google Maps

SS Noss Head – Reader’s research on the crew of the stricken SS Noss HeadSimilar Posts:

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One of our readers is trying to find out more information about the sinking of the S.S. Noss Head in 1941.

Deerness looking south toward the North Sea

Whilst researching a family tree, our reader discovered that her grandfather, Henry McIntosh Murray, a fireman on board the Merchant Naval vessel SS Noss Head, was lost at sea in February 1941.

A raft and two bodies identified as members of the crew, were washed ashore at Deerness on the afternoon of March 1st and a raft marked “Noss Head” was found in Tarracliffe Bay on the morning of March 2nd that same year.

A later report referred to a further body being cast ashore at Reiss near Wick.

Our reader is trying to trace anybody who may be able to provide further information about the sinking of the SS Noss Head and it’s final resting place.

A memorial dedicated to one of the crew, able seaman John Leitch McLeman can be found on the Scottish War Graves Project website. However, we would be interested to hear from anybody who has information about the sinking of the Merchant Navy vessel, SS Noss Head (Leith).

More information

Scottish War Graves Project – John Leitch McLeman, Able Seaman, SS Noss Head.

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Swathes of snowdrops attract early spring walkers and perhaps the most northerly of these is at Binscarth wood on the Orkney mainland.

Snowdrops brave the worst of weather to carpet the woodland in dainty white bells

One of Orkney’s most beautiful woodland walks can be found just outside the small village of Finstown.

Binscarth Wood was planted in the 19th Century and is a unique seven and a half acre woodland. The walk through the woods can be a little challenging, being a it wet underfoot but the reward of seeing the snowdrops in March and later the bluebells is well worth the visit.

Planted with sycamore, ash, beech and hawthorn, the woodland is home to birds and wildlife and makes a refreshing break from the vast expanses of flat heathland.

Perhaps this is the most northerly snowdrop walk in the UK…let us know if you know differently or send us your images using the comments link at the end of this post.

More info

Orkney Communities – Picture of the snowdrops at Binscarth Wood taken on 8th March 2010 by Stewart Campbell.

Flikr - Binscarth Wood Snowdrops 2008.

Walking Scotland – Binscarth Wood information

Binscarth Wood PDF

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A lunar eclipse on the winter solstice is a rare event that few will witness. The last lunar Solstice eclipse was 372 years ago.

The Orcadian newspaper astronomer, John Vetterlein of Rousay, takes a closer look with some images of the eclipse from Orkney.

lunar eclipse 2010

The eclipse was only visible up to mid eclipse in Orkney, as this is the point when the moon is almost on the horizon. A good clear morning gave a chance to obtain some pictures of this amazing phenomenon.

Of course, our wintry weather only added to the spectacle, with the UK and Scotland cloaked in white.  This brought to mind an old saying:  “The moon on the breast of new fallen snow, gives the luster of mid day to objects below.”

Whilst it is true that the night moon was exceptionally bright, the eclipse brings with it a copper glow as the earth casts her shadow over the moon.

The 2010 solstice lunar eclipse began on Tuesday 21st December around 7.00am (depending where in the  UK you live). Over a period of about an hour, the shadow of the earth gradually passed from left to right.  If you were observing the earth from space, you would see a fiery glow around the rim (every sunrise and sunset around the world).  This is the coppery glow that appears when the moon is eclipsed by the earth.

People living in the northern hemisphere are no strangers to lunar eclipses in the winter, but records dating back 2000 years show only one instance of an lunar eclipse on the winter solstice (21st December) and that was in 1638.

However astronomers say the next lunar eclipse on the winter solstice is only a mere 83 years away, on 21st December 2094.

More Information

Skynotes with John Vetterlein

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