Also in the news / Also in the news: bike week, crofting bill, joke contest and more…
A SERIES of free events and workshops will be taking place across Shetland to celebrate Bike Week 2025.
Throughout the week (9–15 June), the programme – organised by Cycling UK – will include led rides, maintenance sessions and e-bike tryouts.
These events are open to all and are designed to help people build confidence, learn new skills and enjoy the benefits of cycling.
Details and updates will be shared on the Cycling UK Shetland Facebook page.
As part of the week, two community-focused workshops will offer the chance to get involved in local campaigning and funding opportunities.
On Tuesday 10 June between 3pm and 5.30pm at Market House in Lerwick a campaigns workshop will offer tools and strategies for creating change on local active travel issues.
Alongside this, a Cycle Access Fund clinic will provide tailored support for organisations interested in applying for funding to help more people access bikes.
On Thursday 12 June at the Brae Hall between 5pm and 6pm a second Cycle Access Fund clinic will be held.
Dr Emily Ryder, Cycle Access Fund Programme Manager at Cycling UK, said: “Whether you’re part of a local group applying for funding or simply curious about e-bikes, our events are a great way to get involved.”
THE CROFTING and Scottish Land Court Bill will simplify legislation to make crofting regulation less onerous, the Scottish Government has claimed.
The government said the bill, published this week, will strengthen the role of grazing committees sharing common land and give farmers, and their communities, a greater say in how the land they work on is used.
The bill will also amalgamate the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland to create one cohesive body, the Scottish Land Court.
Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie said: ““Existing crofting legislation is complex and difficult to navigate.
“This bill allows us to make a range of simplifications and improvements to the way crofting is administered, which will benefit crofters and the Crofting Commission to better recognise the vital contribution they make to their communities and maintain unique local heritage and culture.”
A PRIMARY six pupil from Dunrossness Primary School has taking part in a national joke-telling competition at the Scottish Parliament.
Alec Colvin attended the event after being crowned the winner of the Shetland regional heat in the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists’ (RCSLT) VoiceBox competition.
A total of 32 of Scotland’s funniest primary school pupils – one from each local authority – competed for the title of VoiceBox Champion 2025.
Alec’s joke which earned a place in the final, was: “What do you call a clumsy wizard? Fumbledore.”
Although he did not win, all finalists received £100 worth of books for their school.
SHETLAND MSP Beatrice Wishart has shown her support for Volunteers’ Week 2025, which runs from 2 to 8 June.
It is an annual UK-wide celebration of volunteering, which has been running for 40 years.
Wishart has signed a Scottish Parliament motion lodged by Keith Brown MSP which recognises the vital role that volunteers play in supporting individuals, strengthening communities and improving lives.
She said: “We have a strong tradition of volunteering in Shetland. From sports clubs to community halls, there’s opportunities for volunteering right across the isles.
Volunteers make an important contribution to local communities, and volunteering can be a rewarding experience.”
ENVIRONMENTAL Standards Scotland (ESS) has launched a public consultation on a draft of its news Strategy that will set the direction of work for the organisation for the next five years.
The consultation will give organisations and members of the public in Shetland with an interest in ESS’ role the opportunity to provide their views and help shape the final strategy, which will be submitted to parliament later this year.
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