Also in the news / Tall Ships sponsor, lace knitting and more…
THE SHETLAND arm of global shipping & logistics firm GAC is to handle customs clearance for all vessels visiting Lerwick for this summer’s Tall Ships Races as one of the event’s sponsors.
GAC Shetland, the islands’ longest-established shipping agency, is offering the vital service as an in-kind sponsor for the four-day event this July.
It is part of GAC UK and GAC Group – a privately-owned company specialising on shipping, logistics and marine services.
GAC UK general manager Adrian Henry said: “The Shetland team is extremely proud to be supporting the Tall Ships Races to help showcase what our wonderful islands can offer.”
Shetland Tall Ships Ltd project manager Emma Miller said the support provided by GAC was “really important to us as it will ensure the arrivals process for the visiting fleet is easy and seamless”.
SHETLAND lace knitting has been given a new status on the latest Red List of Endangered Crafts.
It has been moved from critically endangered to endangered.
The Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts, first published in 2017, ranks traditional crafts by the likelihood they would survive to the next generation.
‘We can and will refuse travel’: bus operator reminds folk to behave on board
A LOCAL bus operator says there has been no “sudden change” in behaviour on its services after it spoke out on Facebook and in the media about vandalism and poor conduct from some young passengers.
It came after an incident involving a group of passengers on a board a bus was reported to the police.
R. Robertson & Son managing director Sonia Robertson said it will take time for change, given the issue is not a new one.
“Any change is something we all have to embrace and want to work towards – understanding, education and support are essential to turning the tides,” she said.
PEOPLE in Shetland are being encouraged to apply to be part of the BBC series Scotland’s Home of the Year in 2024.
Homeowners with a pad to show off can apply here.
The 2023 series is due to air from 15 May. In previously years properties in Shetland have featured.
NHS Shetland is asking anyone who has crutches on loan and no longer requires to return them as soon as possible.
They can be handed back to the Gilbert Bain Hospital.
AN EVENT is being held at the Shetland Museum next Wednesday (17 May) to explore the development and impact of machine knitting in Shetland.
The free event is related to the national project Fleece to Fashion: economies and cultures of knitting in modern Scotland, which is led by University of Glasgow.
It will feature Prof Lynn Abrams, Dept. of Modern History, University of Glasgow, and UHI Centre for Rural Creativity research fellow Dr Siún Carden.
It will take place next Wednesday between 7.30pm and 9pm, and whilst free booking is essential.
SALMON farmers have welcomed a Scottish Government commitment to consider their call for £10 million-a-year in licence fees going towards tackling housing issues in rural Scotland.
Mairi Gougeon, cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands, has now confirmed the government is open to trade body Salmon Scotland’s proposal for Crown Estate revenues being used to support housing.
Whilst some Crown Estate revenue is spread across the country, Salmon Scotland believes that a greater share of aquaculture contributions should be ringfenced to support coastal communities.
THE UNITE union has warned first minister Humza Yousaf and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities’ (COSLA) that there could be widespread industrial action on the horizon unless there is a significant increase to the current local government pay offer.
The trade union revealed that around 5,000 members have “emphatically” rejected the current five per cent offer for 2023 by 84 per cent.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The Scottish Government and COSLA need to improve upon the current pay offer or there will be trouble ahead.
“A give per cent pay offer when the broader cost of living index is now above 13 per cent is a punishing real terms pay cut. That’s unacceptable.”
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