Also in the news 26 August

MORE THAN 5,000 attendances were recorded during the recent ‘Summer of Sport’ programme as children, young people and families embraced an active summer.

A programme of free sporting activities across Shetland from basketball and football to fencing, skateboarding and dance was delivered in partnership with local clubs, coaches and volunteers.

Around 750 children and young people booked onto activities during the summer holidays, and the popular Picnic & Play sessions, which did not require to be booked, also attracted an estimated 2,400 attendances.

Ability Shetland’s summer programme offered inclusive sporting opportunities, including kayaking, boccia, curling, wheelchair basketball and goalball.

The programme was part of the national ‘Summer of Sport’ 2026 initiative, funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated through sportscotland, with local delivery coordinated by the SIC’s sport and leisure service.

The SIC’s active schools manager Louise Jamieson, said: “The demand for activities was incredible, and it was wonderful to see so many children, young people and families getting involved.

“We are grateful to the clubs, coaches, volunteers, and partner organisations who helped deliver such a diverse programme.”

Surveys are now open for people to give feedback on the programme.

SHETLAND MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad recently met with Openreach in Lerwick to see how “faster, more reliable broadband” is being delivered across the isles.

Nearly 3,000 homes and businesses across Shetland can now access full fibre broadband, with engineers continuing work to connect more communities.

Goodlad met local engineers to hear about the challenges of building and maintaining a broadband network across the islands, and the engineering needed to reach Shetland’s homes and businesses.

“Connectivity isn’t a luxury, in Shetland it is our lifeline, both physically and digitally,” the MSP said.

“It is vital that a full fibre network is rolled out to everyone in Shetland as soon as this is possible. There is no reason for Shetland to be at the back of the queue for such infrastructure, which is fundamental to modern living.”

HJALTLAND Housing Association says it is “privileged” to be part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library after iconic singer passed away recently.

Through the global scheme children living in Hjaltland properties can receive a free book each month until their fifth birthday.

Hjaltland previously said Parton created the Imagination Library as a tribute to her dad, who was unable to read.

More than 300 million books have been distributed across the world after the scheme was set up in 1995.

Director of housing Ian Bray said: “Just over 100 local bairns have benefited from this incredible initiative since we signed up six years ago.

“We estimate this will have resulted in the region of approximately 5,000 books being distributed the length and breadth of Shetland.”

Any Hjaltland tenants and with a child aged up to five who is interested in the scheme is asked to contact 01595 694986 or mail@hjaltland.org

A SHOW focusing on “ageing, resilience, joie de vivre and dancing” is headed to Mareel.

Revel, created and performed by Company Chordelia’s Kally Lloyd-Jones alongside Edinburgh dance artist and choreographer Steinvör Palsson, will take to the stage at the Lerwick venue on 23 September.

At the age of 61 and 67 respectively, they are both returning to the stage to perform for the first time since they trod the boards together in Dance Derby, Chordelia’s hit Scottish Opera co-production in 2014.

“As I was approaching 60, it felt huge and I was really questioning what my future in dance held, or if there even was one,” Lloyd-Jones said.

“I wanted to make this show to talk about the impact of ageing, which is particularly under-represented in dance, and to show the strength and beauty that experience, knowledge and older bodies hold.”

Tickets for the event, which is suitable for ages 12+, are available now.

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