It is an environmentally-focused episode this week as Shetland Island’s Councillor Ryan Thomson speaks about his campaign to encourage businesses to stop using single-use plastics.
Ryan explains to host Marjolein Robertson the dangers of plastics and the pair discuss different ways in which businesses and individuals can tackle this growing problem.
A family who lost everything in a devastating house fire have spoken of their immense gratitude after the community rallied to rebuild their lives.
The Tindall family’s home in Cheyne Crescent, Lerwick, was destroyed in a blaze on Tuesday, 1st April.
They lost their possessions and beloved pets while a neighbouring property was also damaged beyond repair.
But in a mere matter of days a crowdfunder had raised thousands of pounds to help the family get back on their feet.
As of today (Wednesday) the total stood at a staggering £22,915.
Writing to The Shetland Times to express her family’s gratitude, mother-of-two Jolene Tindall said: ”We wanted to take the chance to write this to acknowledge the past month.
“There are too many people to thank individually, so hopefully the following will reach out to everyone who has been there for us.
“Words can’t express how incredibly grateful we all are.
“We have been so touched and overwhelmed by the incredible kindness and generosity of our community, friends, and even strangers, following the devastating fire.
“The outpouring of support, including the generous donations of money, clothing, and belongings, has been truly remarkable.
Thank you all for reminding us of the strength and compassion that exists around us.
“We are deeply grateful.”
Mrs Tindall said she and her husband Neil, together with their children Eddie and Ollie were taking thing one day at a time.
“We are having days of mixed emotions but together with support of our family and friends we are getting stronger.
“We are incredibly proud of our boys for coping so well with the trauma and keeping us going.
“We lost everything so have been rebuilding the best we can.
“Coping with the grief that comes with losing our pets as well as the memories and sentimental things has been hard.”
The family was rehoused by the council the day after the fire.
Mrs Tindall said the SIC deserved a “lot of praise for the rapid response”
And she said the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service had also been “incredible” in providing help and advice.
At the height of the blaze, eight fire engines, including specialist resources worked to extinguish the flames.
A number of sailing cancellations and terminal changes have been announced as linkspan maintenance is set to get under way in Bressay and Whalsay.
Four sailings will no longer go ahead in Bressay on Sunday. These include the 4.30pm Lerwick to Bressay sailing, 5pm from Bressay to Lerwick, 5.15pm from Lerwick to Bressay and the 5.45pm Bressay to Lerwick sailing.
Normal service is expected to resume at 6pm for the Lerwick to Bressay sailing.
Essential maintenance will also be carried out to the Laxo linkspan on Wednesday 14th May.
As a result, a number of Whalsay’s sailings have been diverted to the Vidlin terminal. These sailings are now as follows: 5.45pm Symbister to Vidlin, 6.30pm Vidlin to Symbister, 7pm Symbister to Vidlin and 8.30pm Vidlin to Symbister.
The service is expected to return to normal at 9.15pm from Symbister.
A 44-year-old man has been locked up after carrying out a campaign of targeted abuse, break-ins and theft.
Stuart Campbell Duncan was handed a 31 month jail sentence after he admitted five charges at Lerwick Sheriff Court today (Wednesday).
Duncan, who appeared remotely from Grampian Prison, was also made subject to a 10 year non-harassment order.
The court heard Duncan broke into a property in Toab on 22nd November last year when a neighbour found him stealing electrical equipment including televisions and speakers.
He had also lined up car parts, a suitcase, frozen food and two candles to be taken.
In total he stole £600 worth of items, with a further £3,450 prepared to be taken at a later time.
The following month, Duncan broke his bail conditions by contacting the complainer whose house he had broken into.
Just an hour after he was released from custody on 18th December, Duncan called the complainer, who hung up, and then continued to send threatening messages over the festive period.
In January, Duncan also broke into a garage in Toab, which was owned by another person but used by the complainer.
A car key was stolen from the property – which cost £800 to replace, including the ignition.
A further £4,840 of damage was caused to the car.
A passerby found Duncan in the garage and, knowing the owner was away, contacted a neighbour for help.
Duncan gave the neighbour a false name and then became threatening, punched what remained of the broken glass window, which he had already broken to gain entry.
The court heard how the neighbour was hit in the face with debris, for which he required medical attention.
Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald described Duncan’s criminal record as “not particularly nice” and said he clearly had trouble with alcohol.
She said it was also obvious Duncan had a problem with the complainer.
Defence agent Tommy Allan told the court his client had no connection to Shetland and little desire to return.
Duncan was “sorry” for what he had done, Mr Allan said.
The solicitor said his client had been dealing with addiction and his spell in prison had “saved his life”.
He accepted he would have to pay a “serious price” for his crimes.
Sheriff MacDonald told Duncan he would serve consecutive terms of 18 months and 13 months in prison. In addition she issued a 10-year non-harassment order.
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