Street pastors set to go on patrol in Thurso for first time on Mad Friday
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CAITHNESS Pastors are set to go on patrol in Thurso for the first time next week after four new volunteers were recruited and trained.
They were commissioned at a special service which was held in St Peter's and St Andrew's Church in the town last Friday and was attended by around 30 people.
Three of the new pastors will be on patrol in Thurso on Mad Friday on December 22 while a fourth will be joining the Wick team on the same evening.
Co-ordinator, Alan Finch, explained that at present, the group, which was formed a year ago, carries out patrols once a month on the streets of Wick on a Saturday night but will soon be able to include Thurso as well.
He said the new street pastors are: Colin Cleary, Andrew Carlisle and James Smith from the Thurso area while Henry Gunn is from Canisbay.
Mr Finch said: "The service was led by David Malcolm and the commissioning was undertaken by Sandy Gunn.
Colin, Andrew and James will be joined by team leader, Richard Sharp, and go out on patrol in Thurso starting on Mad Friday. As Henry is from Canisbay he will join the Wick team for the first time also on Mad Friday."
Mr Finch pointed out that in the past year the group has been patrolling the streets of Wick once a month between 10pm on Saturday and 1.30am on Sunday. "We have been really welcomed and most importantly, listened to people. Our relationship with the police has been really good," he said.
The Caithness Street Pastors can assist revellers who have drunk too much but also victims of sexual harassment and people with mental health problems.
The team operates in areas where bars and clubs are located and assist anyone in need. They carry first aid kits, gloves, foil blankets, tissues and water.
The Ascension Trust founded the street pastors scheme in 2003 and has a presence across Scotland.
