News round-up / Energy advice clinics, business branding workshop, local band’s US deal
THE LOCAL Citizens Advice Bureau is going on tour around Shetland in the coming weeks and months to help people with reducing their energy bills.
Energy advice will be given out on understanding tariffs, switching energy supplier, managing fuel debt, installing renewables and accessing loans and grants to make homes more energy efficient.
Shetland’s Citizens Advice Bureau has received £1,000 for the isles-wide clinics from Big Energy Saving Week, which is a national campaign to help people cut their energy bills and get the financial support they are entitled to.
Community engagement officer Isa Kristiansen-Bragg said: “Many of us feel the pinch at this time of year and worry about the cost of keeping our homes warm. If people drop in with a recent energy bill, we can help them explore ways to save money.”
The schedule of energy advice clinics is as follows:
- Mid Yell Hall, Wednesday 23 January, 4-7pm
- Citizens Advice Bureau, Market House, Saturday 26 January, 10-1pm
- Baltasound Hall, Saturday 2 February, 10-1pm
- Whalsay School, Wednesday 13 February, 3.30-7pm
- Ness Boating Club, Wednesday 20 February, 4-7pm
- Ollaberry School, Wednesday 27 February, 3.30-7pm
- Scalloway Hall, Wednesday 6 March, 4-7pm
A WORKSHOP on making your business’s brand stand out is being hosted in Shetland next month by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
The free event will take place at the Islesburgh Community Centre in Lerwick on 7 February.
Delegates should learn about how to “communicate the vision, mission and values of their business or social enterprise, while gaining knowledge of how to build a brand that reflects the company’s operations and the experiences of its customers”.
The workshop will be delivered by Lesley Thomson, managing director of communications consultancy Spreng Thomson, and Janice Kirkpatrick, creative director of design agency Graven.
Highlands and Islands’ head of business growth for Shetland Katrina Wiseman said: “The brand development workshop is a great opportunity for Shetland businesses and social enterprises to define their brand, learn how to use the tools of branding to elevate their message and engage more customers to grow in today’s constantly changing environment.”
LOCAL band Forgotten Sons have penned a record deal with a New York based label.
The group, who feature Sandy Middleton, Birdy Burgess, John Gair and John Valentine, are now on the roster of Manic Kat Records.
The band said they were “absolutely overwhelmed and buzzing” – and ready to make new friends across the pond.
Forgotten Sons have released a number of digital singles over the last few years, including Leave the Light On and Pennies in the Water.
In 2017 the foursome signed a deal with London based label Animal Farm Records.
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