Shining example of teamwork as lights are installed at Wick fountain

A shining example of teamwork has resulted in new lighting being installed at Wick's riverside fountain.

The Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council has been working alongside a number of local groups, volunteers and businesses in an ambitious project to refurbish the historic attraction.

A grant was secured from the Caithness Beatrice Community Fund to carry out the necessary improvements and repairs. Work is ongoing but this week the new lighting was put in place and switched on with the help of the site team from SSEN Transmission and BAM Nuttall, based at the Noss Head HVDC switching station, and local electrical group G&A Barnie.

SSEN Transmission and BAM Nuttall also supplied all the lights and they were installed on the nearby trees with help from Highland Council staff who dug the cable trench.

So far, the paths at the fountain have been attended to by Wick Paths Group, picnic benches and a new pump installed by Highland Council, a new bench purchased and put in place, a wooden handrail repaired by the community payback team and regular litter-picks organised by Wick Riverside Volunteers and the paths group. The final stages of the project will see the fountain working again.

Community council chairperson Joanna Coghill said: "The new lighting has made a huge difference and gives the area real impact.

"This is a fantastic team effort, proving that 'Wick Works Weil' and giving this area a much-needed makeover for everyone to enjoy."

The fountain was presented to the people of Wick in 1906 by ex-provost W Paterson Smith.

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