Liberation convoy will mark VE Day 80th anniversary

Plans are unveiled today for events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, including the visit by the “liberation convoy” – a flotilla of five historic vessels crossing the North Sea from Norway.

Weather permitting, the convoy will set off from Bergen on Sunday 4th May and is expected to arrive at Lerwick two days later.  

Ships will be open to the public from Wednesday 7th May, including the largest ship in the convoy, the 60-metre cargo ship S/S Hestmanden – known as the Norwegian War Sailor Museum.  

All vessels will remain open to the public until 5pm on Friday 9th May. 

Meanwhile, a procession made up of crews from all vessels, as well as veterans and guests, will be led by Lerwick Pipe Band from Lerwick harbour to the town hall, via Harbour Street and Fort Charlotte. 

Council convener Andrea Manson will then host an evening civic reception at the town hall for invited guests. 

Public commemorative events will be held in Lerwick and Scalloway on Thursday 8th May, the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Lord Lieutenant Lindsay Tulloch and convener Andrea Manson will lead the laying of wreaths, with national anthems played by Lerwick Brass Band and musicians from the Norwegian Naval Band.

A memorial service in Lerwick will take place on Thursday morning at the County War Memorial at 11am, with assembly from 10.40am. 

In Scalloway, a memorial service will also take place in the afternoon at the Shetland Bus Memorial at 3pm, with assembly from 2.40pm.  

There will be some road closures for traffic for a short period around the time of these events. 

In the evening of Thursday 8th May, musicians from the Norwegian Naval Band will perform at a concert in St Columba’s Kirk in Lerwick. 

The concert will begin at 7.30pm and will be free of charge, although donations are welcome and will be split equally between veterans charities.

Visiting vessels are expected to start to depart Lerwick harbour from Saturday 11th May, with some returning to Norway, while others will make their way to other Shetland ports, including Scalloway and Baltasound. 

Those vessels that remain in harbour will be open to the public from 11am to 5pm. 

Mr Tulloch said: “Plans are now coming together for the visit of the liberation convoy. This will be the first time that some of these vessels have crossed the North Sea since the end of World War Two and the convoy will be an impressive sight in the harbour. 

“I hope that the public will enjoy visiting the vessels, welcoming their crews and be able to attend some of the commemorative events to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe in 1945.”  

Ragnhild Bie, project manager and historian with S/S Hestmanden, the Norwegian War Sailors Museum, said:  “We’re looking forward to welcoming people on board during our visit to Lerwick as part of the liberation convoy. 

“We’re eager to share stories of the heroism of everyone involved in the Shetland Bus operations, that shipped resistance fighters to Norway and refugees back to Britain, and of Norwegian war sailors, who helped maintain supplies of food, fuel and weapons to the UK throughout the Second World War.

“Norway remains truly grateful to the people of Shetland and the rest of the UK, and we’re pleased to have this opportunity to celebrate our strong relationship.”

Surgical procedures called off at hospital

NHS Shetland has cancelled non-urgent surgical procedures as it tackles a continuing strain on resources at the Gilbert Bain.

The health board warns the hospital is operating at full capacity following a sustained period of high demand across both hospital and community services.

All available inpatient beds have been opened.

But NHS Shetland says maintaining this level of care requires careful consideration of which services it can safely continue to deliver based on available staffing.

It has therefore taken the difficult decision to cancel surgical procedures where it can.

Theatre lists will be reviewed throughout the week, and any patients affected will be contacted directly.

Cancelled procedures will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

Emergency surgery and urgent cancer treatment will continue as planned.

Outpatient clinics and other hospital departments remain open. But some may need to adjust their opening hours to support areas under increased pressure.

The health board says it is working closely with colleagues in community health and social care to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Joint efforts are ongoing to improve patient flow across hospital and community settings, reduce delays, and maintain patient safety.

Nursing director Kathleen Carolan said: “Over recent weeks, our hospital and community services have been under significant pressure.

“We are doing everything possible to manage the current demand, including bringing in additional agency staff to support us.

“We understand how disruptive it is when procedures are postponed, and we only make these decisions when absolutely necessary.

“Patient and staff safety remains our top priority, and we thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding.”

Meanwhile, anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms are asked to delay visiting the hospital until they are fully recovered.

Likewise, those who have experienced vomiting or diarrhoea should wait at least 48 hours after symptoms have passed before visiting to help protect patients and staff.

New Cullivoe road project open to tenders

The much-anticipated replacement for the Cullivoe road has moved a step closer.

Shetland Islands Council has published the contract notice for the new B9082, which stretches from Gutcher to Cullivoe.

Tenders are being invited from contractors keen to construct the two-lane, 4.5km-long carriageway.

The existing single-track road will be realigned and a new road constructed to a width of 6.3 metres wide.

It will connect the B9082 junction with the A968 Ulsta to Gutcher road and its junction with the road to Cullivoe Pier.   

The contract works also include associated drainage and landscaping, but doesn’t include road surfacing works, which will be done in-house by the council’s roads service.

The budgeted cost of the project is up to £7.44m, excluding VAT.

Chairwoman of the council’s environment and transport committee Moraig Lyall said: “I’m pleased to see this contract notice published, so that we can award this contract and for work to get under way soon to replace the Cullivoe road, which the community there have been waiting for for some time.”

Details of the contract notice can be found on the Public Contracts Scotland portal.