Urgent question on budget implications for farming communities
Shetland’s MP has led an urgent question in the House of Commons on the implication’s of last week’s budget on farming communities. Alistair Carmichael has…
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Young people invited to join sports panel
Young people are being invited to apply to represent their generation in sport.
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Free screening clinics offered amid big increase in mouth cancer
Dental teams are urging people to “get to know your mouth” to help tackle rising cancer rates.
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Man could lose licence after driving his girlfriend’s car when she was locked up at court
A 30-year-old man could lose his licence after driving his girlfriend’s’ car without insurance when she was locked up.
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Craft fair a huge draw
This year’s Clickimin Craft Fair has drawn hundreds through the doors.
Organisers say 800 visitors came to enjoy the flagship arts and craft event yesterday alone, with a record number of 111 exhibitors attending – so many that a handful even had to be squeezed into the main foyer.
It comes as a great way for Jennifer Tait, who is stepping down as secretary after this year’s event, to end her time in the role.
“It’s going fantastic,” she told The Shetland Times, adding there had been “loads and loads” of people attending.
“It was super busy last night – we had 800 folk through the door just in the two and a half hours that we were open.
“We’ve got so many crafters here and so many local folk that want to come along and support them.
“For a lot of folk, this is the start of their Christmas shopping. They come here specifically because they want to get Christmas presents or – for a lot of folk – they want to get some nice local treats for themselves.”
She said there were new exhibitors this year, including new artists doing original acrylics, new print-makers and one who had made work by up-cycling furniture.
The big interest from exhibitors, she said, had been “really exciting”.
“There are 106 stands, but there are 111 exhibitors. I think this is the most number of folk we’ve ever managed to squeeze into the Clickimin. We’ve even got four stands up in the main foyer.”
Nicole Simpson of the Scalloway-based Rosy Step was one of those first-time exhibitors, and was on hand with stationery cards and bespoke invites.
“It’s very exciting. It’s really good, and lots of positive comments.”
Also attending for the first time was 18-year-old Sparrow Howard, who was reaping the rewards after being named a student of the year in her National Certificate Art and Design course at the college.
The prize was to have a stall at the craft fair, and Sparrow was eager to tap into the demand for Christmas presents, with a range of wooden decorations, and prints developed from a painting of Bain’s Beach in Lerwick.
Despite the busy scene, there was plenty of opportunity to relax – not least from watching Anne Barron paint a beautiful picture of a raven against a blue moon background.
“He’s just a very handsome gentleman,” she said.
Just as impressive was the moon, which changes when viewed from different angles.
“I’m trying to put some detail in now, but a lot of people have been debating whether I should finish him or not. He kind of has a look. There are some amazing paintings where it fades away.”
Suze Walker of Island Botanicals was showcasing a range of herbal teas, medicinal vinegars and elderberry syrups.
She has been running the business for the last “five or six years”, but has worked as a herbalist for much longer.
Over the years she has developed an interest in providing remedies made from garden plants.
Suzanne Shearer of Soapery 21 was on hand, too, with a selection of soaps, balms and soaks – all made by Suzanne herself and blended with her own essential oils.
“They’re all natural, plant-based, and I make it all from scratch,” she said.
“It’s been a really lovely fair so far,” added Suzanne, who was exhibiting at the Clickimin for the third time.
“It’s been really busy, and really sociable. It’s really lovely to meet customers as well. I sell online, and I sell into shops, but it’s really lovely when you get to sell face to face to people as well.”
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Musical impresario Jeff ‘Dr Jazz’ Merrifield dies
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Fire at Gremista grid supply point
A fire broke out this morning (Friday) at the Gremista grid supply point (GSP).
Two fire engines attended the Lower Blackhill Industrial Estate at around 8.30am.
SSEN Transmission said it was a small fire affecting a mobile compressor and was quickly brought under control with no one hurt.
The company said construction work was able to start up again later in the morning and the network supply was unaffected.
Once completed next year, the GSP will allow Shetland’s energy network to connect with the mainland National Grid for the first time, reducing its reliance on the diesel fuelled Lerwick Power Station.
SSEN is assessing the damage caused by the fire but said there was no effect on the overall construction timetable.
In this week’s Shetland Times
In today’s (Friday, 1st November) edition of The Shetland Times:
- Investigation launched into Viking turbine damage.
- Schoolboy wins national accordion competition.
- Latest Up-Helly-A’ committee member elected.
- Sex offender jailed for 35 months.
- New police area commander speaks to The Shetland Times.
- Ghost hunter to resurrect paranormal television show in the isles.
- Reaction to budget as questions remain over Fair Isle ferry funding.
- New consultation on large energy project applications.
- Read our Shetland Food and Drink feature.
- Youth Voice makes a return.
- SPORT: Report and pictures from Shetland men’s volleyball victory.
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Ferry disruption expected after new heavy vehicle guidance
Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes now need to be secured at all times while travelling on council ferries, the SIC announced.
This comes following an investigation was launched into an incident where a concrete mixer overturned on the Unst ferry.
A car was crushed and a person treated for shock after a mixer overturned and crushed a car on the deck of the Bigga on Bluemull Sound last month.
Now, Shetland Islands Council has been told by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, that all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must be secured on the deck of vessels, irrespective of weather and tidal conditions.
Previously, the master of the vessel could apply a discretion based on the type of vehicle and the conditions on the day. Under this new direction, this discretion can no longer be applied on this route.
The SIC has been told to implement this new guidance with immediate effect.
Other inter-island ferry routes, including Fetlar, remain unaffected, and existing arrangements can continue.
Council staff are currently working to assess the implications of this change and how best to minimise the disruption to ferry services.
The effect of this new direction is that there will be some ongoing disruption to ferry services on Bluemull Sound while longer term arrangements are formulated and agreed.
In a statement the council said: “It is inevitable that this will impact on ferry timetables, with extra time needed for larger vehicles to be lashed. Lashings will also reduce available deck space for other vehicles travelling at the same time.”
Investigation into wind turbine blade damage
A probe is being carried out to determine the cause of damage to a turbine at the Viking Energy Windfarm, near Vidlin.
Pictures posted on social media revealed showed the extent of the damage at the controversial Viking Energy Wind Farm, with part of the blade hanging off.
Windfarm owners SSE tried to ease concerns, saying it had disabled a turbine after receiving reports of damage.
“The wind turbine has been disabled and access to the turbine and the surrounding area has been restricted and made safe,” the renewable energy provider said.
“No one was injured or in the vicinity at the time the damage was sustained.
“We are working closely with the turbine manufacturer, Vestas, which has initiated an investigation into the cause of the incident.”
People expressed their anger over the incident on the Stop More Windfarms on Shetland Facebook page, with some highlighting the potential threat to traffic or passers by.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of tomorrow’s Shetland Times.
‘You have beautiful sunsets, seals and lobsters’ says commercial diver as he is handed a year’s driving ban
A commercial diver who crashed his car and then failed to give a breath sample has apologised to the people of Shetland – praising the isles for their beautiful sunsets, seals and lobsters.
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Fisherman ordered to pay £3,500 compensation after knocking man unconscious at Trench Bar
A fisherman who assaulted two men, knocking one unconscious and breaking his collarbone, has been ordered to pay £3,500 compensation.
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Rigger threatened to rape police officer’s wife and daughter
A 20-year-old rigger who threatened to rape a police officer’s wife and daughter has been told to “face up to what he has done” and return to Shetland for sentencing.
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Man who carried out ‘sustained and pre-planned’ sexual assault is jailed for almost three years
A 28-year-old Lerwick man who carried out a sustained and pre-planned sexual assault has been jailed for almost three years.
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UDATED: NorthLink bookings now available
Folk looking to finalise their festive travel plans have been advised NorthLink is expecting to open its new year bookings “very soon”.
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Jewellers up for sale for around £350k
A jewellers with almost 60 years’ history has gone up for sale.
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