Also in the news / New island games chair, praise for Loganair, dialect writing competition, NorthLink’s green credentials and more …
THE VICE chair of the International Islands Games Association, Andrew Inkster, is to take on the running of the International Islands Games Association (IIGA) following the resignation of its long serving chair Jörgen Pettersson from Åland.
Pettersson stepped down from the post after being elected speaker of the Parliament of Åland.
Inkster, who has been involved in organising islands games for almost 20 years, said he wanted to thank Pettersson for his contribution to the IIGA over many years.
During an IIGA executive meeting in Faroe last week the Faroese bid to host the games in 2027 was discussed. A final decision will be made during the organisation’s AGM in Orkney in July this year.
THE CHAIR of the council’s environment and transport committee has welcomed Loganair’s U-turn in its operational strategy to focus on delivery for island communities.
Councillor Moraig Lyall said she welcomed the airline’s announcement on Wednesday to take ‘decisive action’ in reducing the number of delayed and cancelled flights to Shetland and other island airports.
Loganair to reset priorities in favour of island communities
“It is heartening to see Loganair accepting that service performance has been less than satisfactory over recent months and taking decisive steps to improve this,” she said.
“The decision to focus on what they consider to be their core market in the Highlands and Islands is very welcome and we trust this will lead to noticeable service improvements in the months ahead, with fewer delays and cancellations.”
PEOPLE who plan to enter this year’s Rhoda Bulter Award competition only have a month left to write a short story, dialect promotion group Shetland ForWirds said.
The Bulter family run the competition in memory of their mother Rhoda Bulter who was one of the most significant dialect writers of the 20th century. This year’s theme is Anniversary.
John Bulter said: “It’s open to interpretation – it can be happy or sad, even happy and sad at the same time, it can be a true story or fiction. It can be set at any time – in the past, present or future.”
The competition is for adults, from the age of 16. The stories can be up to 2,500 words, or as short as feels a right length. The closing date is 31 May.
Entry forms and more information are available from Mary Blance at 01595 694104, 07831 817251 or at mary.blance@btinternet.com
FERRY operator Serco NorthLink Ferries has been recognised for its sustainability standards by the Green Tourism awards and has become the only ferry operator to currently have a gold rating.
The company has been praised for environmental and sustainability awareness throughout the organisation, including:
- The use of eco-lighting across all offices and port flood lighting;
- More efficient sailings to reduce emissions;
- Rainwater from the lairage being harvested to wash the building, and;
- Animal waste being delivered to local farms for use as fertiliser.
NorthLink has also be credited for achieving the first large commercial ship shore connection in Orkney.
Contract compliance manager Robert Smith said: “When it comes to tackling climate change, we all have our part to play, and we are incredibly proud of this achievement.”
SHETLAND MSP Beatrice Wishart is supporting the national campaign to break Multiple Sclerosis (MS) taboos during MS awareness week, which runs until the weekend.
15,000 people are living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Scotland and each week 14 people are diagnosed in Scotland alone, with a high prevalence of those diagnosed living in the Northern Isles.
The Lib Dem politician said: “Research continues into why there is greater prevalence of MS in the Northern Isles and for new treatments and therapies. We all look forward to the day when we can say we have found a way to stop MS.
“This year’s awareness week seeks to encourage and empower people with MS to speak up and get support. Organisations such as the MS Society can be invaluable in helping outline what support is available.”
TWO local tours of the Lerwick cemetery have been confirmed as part of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s war graves week next month.
Tours will be on Wednesday 15 May at 7pm, and on Saturday 18 May commencing at 12 midday.
Tickets are available via this link.
Two gardeners from the C.W.G.C. operational team will also be in Shetland undertaking work from 14 to 16 May.
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