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Wick riverside area 'totally transformed' after combined effort





From left: Norette Bogle (Wick Paths Group volunteer), John Bogle (Wick Paths Group secretary), Evan Sinclair (Highland Council amenity services), Joanna Coghill (RBWCC treasurer and Wick Flower Baskets Committee volunteer), Allan Bruce (vice-chairman of both RBWCC and Wick Paths Group) and Willie Watt (Wick Paths Group chairman).
From left: Norette Bogle (Wick Paths Group volunteer), John Bogle (Wick Paths Group secretary), Evan Sinclair (Highland Council amenity services), Joanna Coghill (RBWCC treasurer and Wick Flower Baskets Committee volunteer), Allan Bruce (vice-chairman of both RBWCC and Wick Paths Group) and Willie Watt (Wick Paths Group chairman).

A popular part of Wick's riverside has been "totally transformed" after local organisations joined forces to carry out a range of improvements.

The combined effort was led by the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council (RBWCC) with the aim of enhancing the area around the historic fountain.

Much of the work began early in 2022 after a grant was secured from the Caithness Beatrice Community Fund.

The fountain was restored to working order, lighting was installed, benches were put in place, paths were improved, a wooden handrail was repaired and litter-picks were carried out.

As a finishing touch, the area now features a "monolith" containing the names from Wick's 100-year-old Distinguished Visitors plaque on one side and facts about the history of Pulteneytown on the other.

Wick Paths Group, Wick Riverside Volunteers, Wick Flower Baskets Committee, Highland Council and the community payback team all played their part in the various tasks, with support from businesses and individuals.

Joanna Coghill, treasurer of RBWCC and a Wick Flower Baskets Committee volunteer, said: "This now completed project was a combined effort led by the community council once a Beatrice grant was awarded, along with a good few voluntary groups, but not forgetting our local businesses and Highland Council departments as well as the criminal justice team.

"The end result has totally transformed this part of the riverside, with the fountain working again and the area lit up at night, additional seating, paths tidied and more spring bulbs planted.

"It certainly shows that 'Wick works weil' and has a strong community spirit, with volunteers and businesses willing to help when and where they can."

From left: Norette Bogle (Wick Paths Group volunteer), John Bogle (Wick Paths Group secretary), Allan Bruce (vice-chairman of both RBWCC and Wick Paths Group), Joanna Coghill (RBWCC treasurer and Wick Flower Baskets Committee volunteer), Evan Sinclair (Highland Council amenity services) and Willie Watt (Wick Paths Group chairman).
From left: Norette Bogle (Wick Paths Group volunteer), John Bogle (Wick Paths Group secretary), Allan Bruce (vice-chairman of both RBWCC and Wick Paths Group), Joanna Coghill (RBWCC treasurer and Wick Flower Baskets Committee volunteer), Evan Sinclair (Highland Council amenity services) and Willie Watt (Wick Paths Group chairman).

John Bogle, secretary of Wick Paths Group, said: "Wick Paths Group was delighted to join with RBWCC, other voluntary groups, Highland Council departments and local businesses to bring this area of the riverside back to life.

"The fountain had been lying disused for too long, so seeing it brought back into use and colourfully lit is a tremendous boost to the town.

"The riverside is well used by both locals and visitors. Upgrading the paths and providing another bench as well as refurbishing the fountain will be much appreciated by many, many people."

The recently installed monolith, made by Norse Stone, replicates the names on the original Distinguished Visitors plaque located in nearby Station Road and covering the period 1850 to 1923. Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, William Gladstone, David Lloyd George, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Henry Rider Haggard and General Ulysses S Grant, 18th president of the United States, are among those listed on it.

Community council member Roy Mackenzie advised on the historical information about Pulteneytown for the other side of the stone. It also highlights local attractions such as Pulteney Distillery, Wick Heritage Museum and the Seafarers Memorial.

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

Volunteers of all ages who carried out a range of tasks to enhance the Wick riverside fountain and surrounding area in July 2022. Picture: Wick Paths Group
Volunteers of all ages who carried out a range of tasks to enhance the Wick riverside fountain and surrounding area in July 2022. Picture: Wick Paths Group

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