Also in the news / Islands parliament group, art display, Linga goes into dry dock and more…
THE SCOTTISH Parliament’s new cross party group on islands has been formally recognised.
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston will act as convener.
The Orcadian said: “I am delighted that, having got over the last procedural hurdle, the Scottish Parliament now has a group that can devote itself full-time to the issues that matter to our island communities.
“Our agenda will include the ferry network, the threat posed by depopulation, and the delivery of essential services such as health and social care.
“But I also want to ensure that other issues – particularly raised by communities themselves – are covered.”
A NEW art exhibition is due to open at Da Gadderie in the Shetland Museum later this month part of the Festival of Care.
It is part of the larger Home and Belonging project, which is an arts-based exploration of home and belonging founded on mutual creative enquiry by care experienced young people alongside their communities.
The core of Home and Belonging is the #ShetlandCrew: a group of young, care experienced people who are working to improve things for those who come after them.
The exhibition includes work the young people have made with film maker Rozi Peters, poet Jen Hadfield, Minecraft artist Adam Clarke, theatre director Tony McBride and socially engaged artist Professor Roxane Permar.
The exhibition opens on 18 February and runs until the Spring of 2022.
THE WHALSAY ferry MV Linga is departing for drydock today (Wednesday).
From 9.35am onwards, Whalsay will operate to a single vessel service for the rest of the day.
The Symbister bus transport will be in operation Monday to Friday as per timetable here.
This will be in operation from today through to February to 14 February, excluding weekends.
These bus runs will be delivered as long as there is not a requirement for the gritter. If there is, the gritting will take priority.
If it is frosty there will be an update posted on the public voicebank as early as possible.
From Thursday (3 February) the Whalsay service will be covered by MV Geira and MV Fivla.
SHETLAND UHI is introducing a new course called Introduction to a Career in Social Care to attract new staff to the sector.
This six-week online part-time course is said to be “ideal for those enjoying working with people, are compassionate, have a sense of fun and are seeking a new rewarding career helping others live their lives to the full”.
The course will begin on Monday (7 February) and people can contact study.shetland@uhi.ac.uk or call Susan on 01595 771421 to find out more.
THE SCOTTISH Government says it has a “firm intention” to hold exams in schools this spring.
It comes after exams were disrupted during the Covid pandemic.
Extra measures have also been announced by the government “to ensure our learners are fully supported in their learning and preparations for the exams this year.”
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