In this week’s Shetland Times

In today’s (Friday, 9th May) edition of The Shetland Times:

• Crunch talks today over deepening Royal Mail issues;

• MUSIC: Full round of Folk Festival pictures and reviews;

• EXCLUSIVE: Naturalist Bobby Tulloch’s work released in audiobook form;

• POLITICS: Hannah Mary Goodlad’s vision as SNP candidate for Scottish elections, while Greens pitch for autonomy;

• EXCLUSIVE: HVDC power link goes down for more than a week;

• SPORT: Shetland takes Laurenson Cup with penalties.

Disruption to be caused to Whalsay and Bressay ferry service

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.

‘What do you call a clumsy wizard?’ Young comedian has judges ‘in stitches’ as he wins joke-telling contest

A young comedian has made it through to the finals of of a national joke-telling competition after his gag left the judges “in stitches”.

Co-op card machines working again following cyber attack

A cyber attack on the Co-op left some of its stores unable to take card payments.

Antenna upgrade is a potential ‘solution’ to Lerwick’s 4G problems

An upgrade of the antenna at Lerwick police station is hoped to improve mobile phone signal in the town.

Lerwick Community Council (LCC) agreed on Monday to ask contractors to clarify whether the work would benefit residents in the area.

Communication company WHP Telecom and digital infrastructure contractor Cornerstone wrote to LCC last month to make members aware of the upgrade proposals.

Cornerstone said: “There is a specific requirement for a radio base station upgrade at this location to provide mobile coverage and capacity in and around this area of Lerwick whilst also providing the latest 4G technology and new service provision to the local area for Telefonica UK Limited customers.”

It said this would ensure “high quality indoor service provision”.

The letter also highlighted the companies’ intention to consult with the community over its proposals.

Councillor Jonathan Duncan asked if the upgrade would solve the problem of  poor mobile connectivity, which has been a concern in the town for some time.

Chairman Jim Anderson said there was “no mention” of how the works would improve the situation for islanders.

However, as the work was on behalf of Telefonica UK Limited, which is owned by providers Virgin Media and O2, councillor Gary Robinson suggested it would likely improve signal for those companies’ customers.

Councillor Karen Fraser suggested asking the companies for more information about what the upgrades would entail for residents.

Members also agreed to seek confirmation as to whether the works would be for general connectivity or for emergency use.

Armagh man fined and disqualified from driving

An Armagh man who drove a car without a licence while high on cocaine was fined £1,200 and was disqualified for three years.

Martin Gerald Pierce McParland, 39, pleaded guilty to three charges at Lerwick Sheriff Court for the incident which happened three years ago.

The court heard how McParland — appearing remotely from Stranraer — was stopped on Lerwick’s Ladies Drive on 10th April 2022. At the time he was disqualified from driving.

Police officers found McParland had 26 microgrammes of cocaine in his blood. The limit is 10 microgrammes. He also had 480 microgrammes of benzoylecgonine — a chemical compound that is produced when cocaine is metabolized in the body — in his system. The limit is 50 microgrammes.

Cycling for the Samaritans Scotland fundraiser launched

Neil Beattie, a team leader with the council, will attempt to cycle between every Scottish Branch of the Samaritans this summer to raise money for the suicide-prevention charity.

Starting in late July, Mr Beattie expects the journey will take him two weeks – covering roughly 1,200 miles and racking up more elevation than Mount Everest.

Marathon cycling is no stranger to Mr Beattie, who has in the past wheeled across Vietnam and from Lands End to John O’ Groats. The inspiration for this adventure came in part from his Scottish cycles.

“It always amazes me when you cross a bridge there’s always a little Samaritans sign,” he said. “So I just thought I’d give it a go.”

The idea for this ride also came from a little closer to home.

“My mum used to be regional director for the Samaritans in Scotland, and she’d asked me a few times,” he said. “If I raise enough my mum might stop badgering me!”

You can support the cycle through Mr Beattie’s fundraising page here.

The route starts in Lerwick, catches the Northlink south and hits (in order) –  Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, Falkirk, Edinburgh, Selkirk, Dumfries, Hamilton, Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Greenock, Stornoway, Elgin, Inverness and Thurso – before hoping back aboard to Orkney and completing the loop.

On his way Mr Beattie will be camping out some nights and staying with Samaritans when he can.

Wilma Goodlad, regional director for Scotland and former Shetland Samaritans branch director said she was “delighted” Mr Beattie was taking on the challenge.

“Volunteers in the 19 branches across Scotland are looking forward to welcoming and encouraging him along his route,” she said.

“Neil will set off from the Shetland branch, and in 2 weeks cycle south to Selkirk and Dumfries then home via Caithness and Orkney. Thank you Neil, for your efforts to help Samaritans be there around the clock for people who need us.,” she added.

“Happy Cycling.”

Founded in 1959, Samaritans Scotland now field 60,000 hours of calls on average every year.

If you are feeling isolated or need support you can speak to a Samaritan anonymously by emailing jo@samaritans.org, visiting the Samaritans’ website or calling 116 123. Calls are free, fielded 24/7 and are not routed locally.