Ross-shire Journal review of 2024 in front pages and photographs: December
AN inspiring story of a Ross-shire student who overcame sight loss to graduate from the UHI with help from a four-legged friend was amongst the uplifting stories making our front pages in December.
We also threw the spotlight on concerns about a biogas plant, an apparent rise in the number of parents seeking private tuition for their kids and the prospect of significant developments for the county town of Dingwall.
December 6
Alness Heritage Centre was gearing up to deal with dry rot in part of its bustling High Street hub.
The Alness Community Association group behind it is involved in several local initiatives including a minibus and local newsletter.
The inspiring story of UHI graduate Emily Gray from Strathpeffer also made it on to the front page. Emily lost her sight due to a medical condition but continued with specially trained guide dog April by her side, enjoying great support from staff at the university in her BA Hons Literature course.
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Review of the year January to December
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December 13
Acorn Energy, behind plans for a ‘green energy’ biogas plant near Fearn in Easter Ross submitted an environmental impact assessment as part of its bid to have a planning knockback imposed by Highland Council overturned. Deep concerns remain amongst objectors but the developer says it would provide an economic boost and feed in to wider efforts to embrace cleaner energy.
We also revealed a trend towards parents engaging private tutors for their children in response to what some perceive to be dropping standards in schools.
And in a nod to the festive season, we featured the Invergordon pupils organising their school’s Winter Ball.
December 19
It emerged that the premises leased by Fyrish Gymnastics Club had been sold to a higher bidder. The club had been fundraising to secure the premises itself.
The prospect of a major investment in Dingwall as part of a wider Highland Council masterplan was flagged again on our front page.
And there were pictures from Eilean Dubh care home’s Christmas party.
December 27
The prospect of the Macdonald Monument re-opening to the public is again being flagged as a a real possibility. Some see the iconic Dingwall landmark as wasted potential for the town which is on the much-trumpeted North Coast 500 route and close to Invergordon’s cruise line trade.
And in an exclusive story we revealed just how many vehicles have been abandoned across Ross-shire.
And courtesy of our photographer Callum Mackay, there was a a spread of pictures from Invergordon Academy’s pupil-organised Winter Ball to help round out the year on a high.
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