News / In brief for 26 May 2010
Attempted break in
POLICE in Shetland have renewed their appeal to local businesses to secure their premises properly after yet another attempted break in.
A spokesman said that thieves had tried to gain entry to the offices of MK Leslie at Lerwick’s old North Road, overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday. Nothing was taken but the front door sustained some damage.
This is the fourth incident of its kind since the weekend, with money being taken from the premises of G&S Flooring and Monty’s Bistro, while an attempt to break in to RE Watt’s garage resulted in damage to a shed door.
Call for continued exemption
Shetland MSP and Scottish LibDem leader Tavish Scott is calling on party colleagues and new Scottish secretary Danny Alexander to introduce further tax exemption for aviation in the highlands and islands.
Currently air passenger duty (APD) is not levied on flights from highlands and islands airports.
The new coalition at Westminster plans to replace APD with a new per flight duty.
On Wednesday Mr Scott called on Mr Alexander to confirm that the current exemption will also apply to the new duty and also pushed for the exemption to be extended to flight to the highlands and islands.
Life saving advice
ISLANDERS are encouraged to participate in a campaign to reduce the high occurrence of bowel cancer in Scotland and carry out home based screening test.
All those aged 50-74 in Shetland are eligible for screening and will be sent a test kit through their letterbox during a rolling two-year cycle.
Scottish bowel screening programme director Professor Robert Steele said: “95 per cent of all cases of bowel cancer occur in those over 50, and the screening programme offers a real opportunity to identify and treat those at risk.”
Dr Susan Laidlaw, bowel cancer screening co-ordinator for NHS Shetland, added: “By October 2011, everyone aged between 50 to 74 should have received a test through the post. If you receive the kit I would encourage you to take the test.
“If you have any questions, please phone the freephone helpline on 0800 0121 833 or visit the website: www.bowelscreening.scot.nhs.uk.”
Family concert night
SHETLAND Interfaith Group are organising a family concert night this Friday in the Sandwick Social Club, starting at 7.30pm.
Organisers say that performers at the concert will be of all ages and talent, among others drumming group Aestawest; spiritual song and dance by pupils from P7 at Sandwick Junior High School, the recent winner of the music festival; the North Ness boys, and Piotr Bobisz, a Polish guitarist.
Entrance to the alcohol free event is free but donations are welcome. Any money raised will be split between the Shetland Interfaith Group and the Vaila Harvey Fund, set up in memory of Vaila Mae Harvey who died at the age of 16 in May 2008.
Business seminar
SHETLAND businesses looking to Europe are invited to a free lunchtime seminar at Islesburgh community centre from 12 to 2pm on 8 June run by Enterprise Europe Scotland.
The Routes to European Markets seminar will look at how to develop lucrative trading links with the continent.
“European markets are potentially extremely lucrative for local businesses and they are right on our doorstep” said Fiona Paton, senior development manager with Enterprise Europe Scotland.
“This seminar aims to help businesses in Shetland recognise what markets would be best for them, as well as covering some of the legal issues involved. We want our businesses to get the most out of trading in Europe and I would urge any who are currently considering breaking into new European markets to come along and see if we can help.”
Any local business interested should contact Enterprise Europe Scotland on 01463 715400, email enterprise.europe@highland-opportunity.com or book online at www.enterprise-europe-scotland.com
Carmichael hails Queen’s speech
NORTHERN isles MP Alistair Carmichael welcomed the announcement of the coalition government’s legislative programme in the Queen’s speech, saying it contained much of the Liberal Democrat manifesto, including a commitment to roll out high speed broadband in rural areas.
“The commitment to fair taxes and restoring the link between the state pension and average earnings are some of the most obvious examples of this.
‘The pledge that caught my attention, however, was the one to compensate fairly victims of the Equitable Life collapse. This is something which the previous Labour government had resisted despite numerous reports highlighting their role, and the justice of the victims’ case. I am delighted that these people are at last going to get fair treatment.
‘Locally, the commitment to high speed broadband rollout in rural areas is something that could make an enormous difference to people and businesses in the northern isles. I hope that we shall see early action on this commitment and shall be pressing colleagues in government to ensure that the needs of the northern isles are understood and satisfied.
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