Also in the news / Also in the news – 31 March 2026
PEOPLE, community groups, schools and businesses have been encouraged to get their names in for this year’s annual Da Voar Redd Up.
The event, described by Shetland Amenity Trust (SAT) as the “flagship community environmental event” for the isles, sees volunteers play their part in cleaning up litter and debris.
This year’s Redd Up will take place from Saturday 18 to Friday 24 April 2026, with people across Shetland encouraged to sign up to protect the natural environment.
Last year more than 3,000 volunteers from around 200 groups took part, including sports teams, youth clubs, church groups, knitting circles and tour operators.
SAT natural heritage manager Rory Tallack said the Redd Up had “always been about community”, adding it was “inspiring” to see so many people come together to help.
“After the winter storms, a lot of litter and debris can end up along our beaches, coastlines and roadsides, and this event gives us the chance to make a real difference by working together to clear it,” he said.
“What makes Da Voar Redd Up so special is the range of folk who get involved – from schools and families to sports clubs, businesses and community groups.”
As always, people are encouraged to look out for any unusual finds during their clean ups.
To sign up, you can register online via the SAT website and choose a location to clean. Bags will be provided and during registration there is the option to specify a roadside collection point for bags after the Redd Up.
THE ELECTORAL Commission has called for the Scottish parliamentary elections on 7 May to be “free of abuse and intimidation”.
It said candidates have faced unacceptable behaviour while campaigning in recent elections, including harassment, threats and physical intimidation.
It found that over half of candidates felt they had experienced harassment or abuse following the 2024 UK general election.
Women were also found to be twice as likely, and ethnic minorities three times more likely, to report serious abuse.
The commission has published a set of principles to guide campaigning at the May elections, with a focus on maintaining respect, safety and honesty during robust debate.
Electoral Commission Scotland acting head Cahir Hughes said abuse and intimidation “should not be seen as part of the job for candidates, elected officials or electoral staff”.
THE MAIN worship space at Lerwick Methodist Church is set to reopen in time for Easter weekend after repairs.
Grants awarded by the National Churches Trust of £9,450 from the National Lottery, £4,000 from the Benefact Trust and £5,000 from the Shetland Council of Churches Trust have helped fund the work.
The violent storm of January 1993 caused water ingress in the walls, which had rotted the lath and deteriorated the plaster and nails.
The worship space has been closed since January, while Brydon Leask has carried out the repairs.
Senior circuit steward Val Turner said they were delighted to be able to use the area again.
“Now we can take the pressure off the downstairs hall, which we have been using for Sunday worship as well as for the usual activities including Food for the Way.
“Thanks to the generosity of the National Churches Trust, Benefact Trust and the Shetland Council of Churches Trust, we can stop focusing on the fabric of the building and get on with our mission of being a justice-seeking church in our community.”
YOUNG fiddlers are tuning up for the 44th Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year competition in Mareel on 24 and 25 April.
The competition will be judged by three well known Shetland fiddlers who were all prize winners at the competition in their youth.
Barry Nisbet and Laura Harrington are both returning as judges, and will be joined by Stewart Grains.
Junior fiddlers (P6 and under) will compete on the Friday morning and intermediate fiddlers (P7-S1) compete on the Friday afternoon. Senior fiddlers (S2-S4) compete on the Saturday morning.
The public are welcome to drop along the Mareel auditorium at any time to listen to the fiddlers perform.
The Shetland young fiddler concert will be held at 7pm on Saturday 25 April.
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