News / Looking back on the week – bowling alley, ferry fares and fishing hustings
YOUTH clubs and finding things for young people in Shetland to do have been among the stories dominating the news during the school Easter holidays.
A pilot project trialling a space for young people at the Islesburgh Community Centre on Friday afternoons and evenings failed to get off the ground due to unsuccessful recruitment, a meeting heard this week.
And the breadth of vacancies in youth work has seen a number of youth clubs unable to open this year.
Turning a vacant church building in Lerwick into a ten pin bowling alley was one idea to give young people a place to go, with one community councillor suggesting charitable trust funds could be used.
Meanwhile mediation could be offered as a way to ease reports of antisocial behaviour in the Bressay ferry waiting terminal.
The condition of Laburnum House in Lerwick has come under scrutiny this week, following a report by investigators which called the facility – used for Short Breaks for Children – “old and poorly maintained”.
‘Old and poorly maintained’ Laburnum criticised in inspection report
Council chief Maggie Sandison pledged to carry out a review into the findings, saying they would look at everything – not just the building.
NorthLink and the Northern Isles ferry service has been in the news this week, starting with a Shetland News FOI story about the removal of peak ferry fares.
Lauded as a political victory by at least three different parties, the story revealed that assessments on whether removing the fares was feasible was carried out after budget setting negotiations by the Scottish Government.
Another major story over the weekend was the travel disruption on the Hjaltland after a technical issue with her bow door.
The ferry only left Lerwick at 11pm on Friday night, arriving into Aberdeen at 5.30pm on Saturday.
Fishing took centre stage at the latest political hustings ahead of May’s Scottish elections, with Shetland News there to hear from the candidates and capture footage from the event.
And views are being sought on the future of the Brae hockey pitch, which comes as Shetland Islands Council continues to explore options for a future education campus in the area.
There were lighter stories throughout the week too. Inga Inkster told us about her first foray into the boxing ring, which helped raise money for a Glasgow cancer charity, while Christine Glaser is also raising money for a similar cause by strutting her stuff on the catwalk at Aberdeen’s P&J Live venue next month.
Thanks for all your support this week, with Shetland News continuing to provide news and views free of charge. Remember that if you like what we do and feel able to, you can become a supporter here.
More stories from the week:
- Concern at Living Lerwick levy increases
- Poet James Sinclair receives grant for new book
- Rab C Nesbitt and Still Game stars join Shetland cast
- Do you know a Kirsty (or Kirstie?)
- Eshaness cable plans meet with disapproval
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