In brief – 15 February, 2010

Scamnesty

THE FIGHT against scam mail coming through people’s letterboxes has come to Shetland with the arrival of “Scamnesty” bins.

The bins are being placed in shops and public buildings the length and breadth of the isles, including the outer islands. By dropping scam mailings in the bins, people can help local trading standards officers with future investigations.

It is estimated one in 15 adults fall victim to post, phone or email scams that cost consumers £3.5 billion every year.

The top five mass-marketed scam mailings in the UK last year were: deceptive sweepstakes; misleading prize draws; fake clairvoyants/psychics; bogus foreign lotteries; and ‘miracle’ health cure.

Library vans at Staney Hill

SHETLAND Library launched a new service on Friday when the mobile library called at Staney Hill hall between 2pm and 3pm.

Regular Friday sessions will take place from now on, after requests from the North Staney Hill Community Association.

WorldSkills

YOUNG Shetlanders aged from 16 to 23 who are in vocational education, training or work are being encouraged to sign up for the WorldSkills UK competition and represent the country on the world stage.

WorldSkills is the biggest skills contest in the world with more than 40 categories from bricklaying to beauty therapy. Last year Scotland brought home four medals in painting and decoraryin, restaurant service, electrical installation and mechanical engineering CAD.

Anyone interested in finding out more can visit www.worldskillsuk.org/scotland and www.worldskillslondon2011.com