Walls Brownies’ leader Angela Leask speak to podcast host Marjolein Robertson about the Waas Up-Helly-A’. On Friday, 30th March, the Brownies will don their Viking outfits to celebrate the last Up Helly Aa of the season. Angela explains the origins of the 30 year old celebration on the Westside and talks about the benefits for the bairns involved and the community as a whole.
A Devon charity has gained the support of an isles couple who became a media sensation after befriending an otter cub.
Billy Mail and his wife Susan have officially been named ambassadors of UK Wild Otter Trust, which rescues, rehabilitates, and releases otters in need all over the UK.
It comes after a film which showcased the bond between Billy and an otter he named Molly aired on National Geographic this month.
The film, Billy and Molly: an otter love story, covers the chance meeting between man and otter in March 2021, when Billy spotted the emaciated cub in his garden and nursed her back to health.
“Molly arrived at our place dying of hunger,” said Billy. “She was weak, extremely thin, vulnerable, and on her own.
“Locals believe she had lost her mum and sibling to a road death when she was very young so she had struggled through winter on her own.”
He added: “Since Molly entered our world we’ve become very aware of the fragile environment that some otters live in and how vulnerable they can be to scarcity of food during winter months, traffic, and the lack of suitable crossings on busy roads that traverse the habitats they move amongst.
“The UK Wild Otter Trust is respected for its knowledge and expertise and is an influential presence and voice for otters in the UK.”
Otters typically need to stay with their mothers until they’re at least a year old, so their chances of survival are slim to none when a cub is abandoned at a young age.
Billy said his life has changed greatly since meeting the little cub.
“Molly represents so many things to us. Molly is a wee symbol of hope and an example of how humans can help wild animals in a time of need without interfering with the course of nature or having prior knowledge and experience of the species.
“She’s reminded us that the essentials of a simple, happy, fulfilled life don’t require the presence of material possessions.
“Meeting Molly has instilled in us a compassion for otters that didn’t exist before and the realisation that it’s not only otters that need human compassion and help in the UK but many other species – especially ones that are losing their natural habitat to human activity.”
Artisan butcher Jay Joubert will be a guest speaker at a Farm Advisory Service crofting cattle meeting, due to be held next weekend.
The driving force behind Shetland Biltong will provide a candid insight into Shetland’s meat supply chains.
Also appearing at the Skeld hall will be Lorna Shaw, a specialist ruminant nutritionist and a key member of the SAC national livestock team.
The cattle event will provide visitors the chance to visit a Culswick croft run by Sandy Fraser – and have a look at his 40-head herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus.
It is hoped the event will stimulate discussion on what works – and what needs to change – in order to shorten supply chains and work towards Shetland becoming more self-sufficient for beef.
The event is due to take place on 30th November. The invitation has been sent by Osla Jamwal-Fraser, of SAC Consulting.
• Read Osla Jamwal-Fraser’s views on the Whole Farm Plan and budget concerns in Landwise, featured in this week’s Shetland Times.
Fetlar and Unst will have a single vessel for the first two weeks of 2025 due to “unplanned changes” in the dry-docking schedule.
Both the Geira and Fivla will need to remain in dry-dock after the festive season ends.
As a result, the ferry service will run to the Saturday timetable with bookings available.
Shetland Islands Council says the delays have been caused by earlier hold-ups in getting the Geira and Fivla into dry-dock, after problems with the Bigga’s gearbox.
Alternative options had been “explored”, including providing a shuttle service, but none of these options met the “varying requirements” for island communities.
Some extra crossings may be possible, during mandatory staff breaks, if additional crew are available.
These would be unbooked sailings, for crossings between Yell and Unst only, as the council says there is insufficient time to provide additional sailings to Fetlar.
Work continues on a longer-term timetable review for North Isles ferries, taking account of regulatory changes to the lashing arrangements for larger vehicles.
The council has apologised for any inconvenience caused.
Join the The Shetland Times mailing list to get one daily email update at midday on what's happening in Shetland.
NO COMMENTS
Add Your Comment