In brief for 17 January 2011

Hamnavoe inspection

HAMNAVOE primary school has received a good report from HM Inspectorate for Education, highlighting a number of areas where the school has been successful, such as support for pupils who need help with learning and achieving national standards in reading, writing and mathematics.

Inspectors found a few areas where improvements could be made, such as better involvement of staff, parents and pupils, but said they felt confident enough to decide that no follow up visit was needed.

SIC education spokesman Bill Manson said: “The report overall is very pleasing and there are many positive comments within it which underlines the high quality of education being provided in Hamnavoe primary school.

“I know the points for action are already being addressed and am sure that, through this, the school will go from strength to strength.”

Daily freight

FERRY operator NorthLink is to launch a daily freight service between Orkney and Aberdeen, the company announced on Monday.

The announcement came as NorthLink’s new freight vessel Helliar was officially named in a ceremony in Kirkwall, on Monday morning.

The Helliar, a sister vessel to NorthLink’s other freighter Hildasay, joined the fleet as a replacement for the long serving cargo ship Clare.

NorthLink chairman Peter Timms said: “Our main freight customers – primarily those supplying the supermarkets – have been looking for a more efficient way to get produce on to the shelves in Orkney and they have been asking if we could assist them by enhancing our timetable to provide a daily Aberdeen to Kirkwall freight service.

“Well, today I can tell you that the Scottish government has agreed to our proposals and as of next Monday – using a combination of our two freight boats and the passenger ferries – we will be providing a daily freight service into Kirkwall from Aberdeen.”

Fish ‘n’chips

Frankie’s Fish & Chips shop, in Brae, was named among the UK’s 50 best fish and chip shops in Saturday’s Independent magazine.

Owner Valerie Johnson said: “This is great news for the local fish and chip cafe and takeaway as they are off to London this week as finalists in the national fish and chip awards, in the categories of staff training and development and best newcomer.”

Employee Carlyn Johnson, meanwhile, is one of five finalists in the National Young Fish Frier of the Year competition.