News / Harry Wootliff at Screenplay, electoral registration, Todd on immigration, college merger consultation, SNP on the campaign trail
SHETLAND’s annual film festival Screenplay came to a close on Sunday night with the screening of Harry Wootliff’s debut feature film Only You.
Described as a Glasgow-set romantic drama the movie observes the relationship between Elena and Jake who meet by chance while fighting over a taxi on New Year’s Eve.
Wootliff introduced her film at Mareel’s screen one on Sunday night and answered questions after the screening with festival curator Mark Kermode joining via Skype.
THE LOCAL electoral registration office is writing to all households in Shetland in a bid to keep the electoral register up to date for future elections.
Householders are asked to respond as soon as they receive their form by following the instructions on the front page.
Depute electoral registration officer for Orkney and Shetland, Ian Leslie, said: “The issue of these annual forms comes soon after the recent Scottish parliamentary by-election, where two-thirds of Shetland’s electorate took part.
“We appreciate that it may appear excessive to ask electors to confirm the details for their property when they have just used that entry in the register to cast their vote, but legislation means that we need to issue canvass forms every year.”
Anyone who has questions regarding the registration process can contact the Electoral Registration Office at 20 Commercial Road, Lerwick, telephone: 01595 745700, email: ero@shetland.gov.uk
SNP MSP Maree Todd has backed calls for a devolved migration policy for Scotland after a report on Scotland’s Population Needs and Migration Policy warned that all of Scotland’s population growth over the next 25 years is projected to come from migration.
Without migration, the Highland and Islands could face a demographic crisis that could damage public services like the NHS, she said.
“The Tory government’s anti-immigrant obsession and narrow-minded Brexit rhetoric is currently driving people away from Scotland, and putting vital public services here in Highland and Islands on the line,” she said.
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“The best solution to all these issues is for the Tories to devolve powers over migration to the Scottish Parliament – and give us the ability to create a migration system that works for Scotland, and secures the future prosperity of Highland and Islands.”
ISLANDERS are asked to share their views on how best to meet local demand for education, training and research now that Shetland College, the NAFC Marine Centre and Train Shetland are merging to form one organisation.
An online survey is available at at HYPERLINK “https://ruthcampbell1.wixsite.com/newcollege” https://ruthcampbell1.wixsite.com/newcollege
Project manage Ruth Campbell said: “If you want to make an important contribution to the future, spend a few minutes to tell us your views.
“Future generations of learners and employers are all facing new challenges, so let’s make sure the opportunities in Shetland are as good as they can be.”
WITH one election over and the next already looming over the horizon, the local SNP branch kept its campaign on the road with a visit to the Yell show at the weekend.
Branch secretary Angela Sutherland said:“The Yell Show’s always a great day out and it’s also a really good way to meet folk and talk about how politics affects all our lives.
“We had our Brexit wrecks it and Put it to the people placards with us in Yell, and these messages were well received, because most farmers and crofters realise they’re likely to be among the worst affected by any kind of Brexit.”
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