Also in the news / Queen of Harps, Cost of living payments, drama showcase tonight, playpark funding
A MUSICIAN originally from Shetland has reached the final four of a national BBC competition.
Queen of Harps, or Anise Pearson, was one of eight acts in the running for BBC Introducing’s Scottish Act of the Year 2023 prize, which aims to shine a light on upcoming music artists.
The public were able to vote online, and Queen of Harps received enough support to make it through to the final.
In the final four acts will perform live in Glasgow this week, with judging panel to decide the winner.
The final will be broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland on Friday (31 March), with video footage available from 4 April.
AROUND 1,800 households in Shetland eligible to means tested benefits are due to receive the first of three cost of living payments next month.
The first instalment of £301, part of a support package of £900 in 2023/24, will be paid between 25 April and 17 May.
An additional £150 disability payment and a £300 pensioner payment will be paid to around 2,100 recipients in the isles.
This means that some people could receive up to £1,350 in cost of living support paid through the department for work and pensions (DWP).
To be eligible for the cost of living payment, people need to have been entitled one of these benefits – universal credit, income-based jobseekers allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, income support, working tax credit, child tax credit, pension credit – between 26 January and 25 February 2023.
A DRAMA showcase of the school plays cancelled at the recent Shetland County Drama Festival has been rescheduled due to the weather will take place tonight (Monday).
The event will kick off at 7.30pm at the Garrison Theatre in Lerwick, with doors open 7pm.
Seats are not bookable, and people can pay donations on the door. There will also be a raffle.
SHETLAND Islands Council (SIC) is to benefit from extra funding for playpark maintenance from the Scottish Government.
The government has agreed to give an additional £50 million across three years to councils across Scotland for maintenance of playparks on top of what has already been pledged.
The SIC was given £28,000 in 2021/22 and £31,000 in 2022/23.
But that figure will rise to £61,000 in 2023/24, £91,000 in 2024/25 and £151,000 in 2025/26.
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