Also in the news / Food awards, Royal Mail teams with SRT, science block progress, funding for carers, lecturer strike off
- Local food producers have enjoyed success at the first Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards. Thule Ventus’ salt cod pate and Uradale Farm’s beef sassermaet both won awards, while Lerwick Brewery’s Azacca Amarillo IPA bagged a bronze prize. Thule Ventus’ David Polson said he was “absolutely delighted” to see his pate win two awards.
- Royal Mail has begun using space at the Brae leisure centre, giving it a base from which to make deliveries in the North Mainland. Shetland Recreational Trust said that it should have “minimal impact” on the surrounding area, and it allows the organisation the opportunity to open facilities from 7am and invest in the leisure centre in the longer term.
- A change of use planning application has been submitted by the New Life Church for the science block at the old Anderson High School. The church wants to turn the redundant building into a place of worship and community hub, which would include a cafe and soft play space. The local church is going through the asset transfer process with the council building.
- Shetland Space Centre is launching its own podcast to “help spread the word about Unst’s proposed transformation into the UK’s home of space launch from next year”. The podcast will be hosted by Emily Strang and Bryden Priest, and the first episode will discuss Unst, Shetland and the new space economy – while there will also be music from fiddler Aly Bain. It will be available from 10am on Sunday 2 May from the Shetland Space Centre website or usual podcast outlets.
- Voluntary Action Shetland’s (VAS) carers project has been awarded £14,565 from Short Breaks Fund, which is resourced by the Scottish Government. This money will give support to families throughout Shetland by giving a break for the carer, and to offer support and guidance. VAS’ Laura Russell said: “We are delighted to have received this funding as it means we can continue our vital work with families with a child with additional support needs throughout Shetland. This will fund our Sibling Group and Parent Group, amongst others.”
- Strike action from lecturers was called off earlier this week after an agreement was reached on a dispute between union EIS-FELA and Colleges Scotland.
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