Alistair Carmichael is urging folk to “shout loudly” and oppose SNP moves which he says could threaten civil liberties.

Public consultation on Scottish government plans to expand access to an NHS central register to 120 public bodies is due to close tomorrow.

It is feared the move could see each individual assigned with a unique citizen reference number to accompany their data stored on one central database.

The Shetland MP says the plans would pose a “significant intrusion” on rights to privacy. He has highlighted comments from Baroness Shirley Williams which urged care to avoid a “sleepwalk into authoritarianism.”

Mr Carmichael said: “People in the Northern Isles will be alarmed to see a further centralising project from the SNP government in Edinburgh.

“Their ill-conceived proposals to expand access to the NHS central register would pose a significant intrusion on our rights to privacy.”

Successive Westminster governments have had previous form on planning similar legislation which may have threatened to impinge on civil liberties.

The previous Labour government planned to introduce ID cards. Mr Carmichael highlighted proposals since then from the Conservatives to bring in a “Snooper’s Charter”. He said the Lib-Dems had blocked the plans from their coalition partners which threatened to keep records of texts, emails and websites visited.

“I know from my own mailbag that many local people were concerned about the Snooper’s Charter. These plans to establish one massive central database shows that the SNP are no friends of civil liberties, either.”

He urged anyone concerned to make their voice heard by completing the consultation.

The draw was made for this year’s football competition at the Parish Cup Association’s annual general meeting on Monday evening.

Holders Whalsay, who defeated Delting in last year’s final, have been handed a tricky draw. To progress to the final they will have to see off Whitedale in the preliminary round, Southend United in the quarter-final and either Unst or Delting in the semi-final.

The other half of the draw would seem to favour Westside United, who memorably won the trophy for the first time two years ago. They are drawn against Cunningsburgh in the preliminary round with a possible meeting with Yell or Sandwick in the quarter-finals and Bressay or Burra in the last four

The full draw is – preliminary round (Saturday 16th May): Yell v Sandwick; Westside United v Cunningsburgh; Whalsay v Whitedale.

Quarter-finals (Saturday 6th June): Bressay v Burra; Unst v Delting; Westside United or Cunningsburgh v Yell or Sandwick; Southend United v Whalsay or Whitedale.

Semi-finals (Saturday 18th July): Westside United, Cunningsburgh, Yell or Sandwick v Bressay or Burra; Southend United, Whalsay or Whitedale v Unst or Delting.

The final is scheduled for Saturday 15th August at Gilbertson Park in Lerwick.

There was a lengthy discussion at Monday’s meeting regarding the future of the under-21 tournament, which in its current seven-a-side one-day tournament format, has not taken place since 2009 due to lack of participating teams.

Spokesman John Rosie said: “Effort is therefore being made to resurrect the 11-a-side knockout format for the 2015 season and all member clubs are currently investigating if this is a viable option in terms of numbers of eligible players.

“In this regard, any such tournament in this format is likely to result in some neighbouring parishes joining forces to enter combined teams as has happened in previous years.”

This year’s four-a-side indoor tournament is to take place at the West Mainland Leisure Centre on Sunday 29th March with a 1pm start.

Occasionally a friend passes on to me a copy of The Shetland Times which brings back happy memories.

My wife and I were the Salvation Army officers at Lerwick from 1972 to 1974. Our son Mark is a “peerie” Shetlander, although at the age of 42 is not so peerie any more!

I was particularly interested to read in your 16th January issue of the sterling work being undertaken by Angela Nunn and her supporters in attempting to support those who find themselves in need of food parcels.

All those years ago we commenced the first senior citizens’ luncheon club in Lerwick. Our aim, then, was to tackle loneliness which, we were told, did not exist in Shetland; the fact that others swiftly followed disproved that theory.

We never, then, envisaged that there would ever be a need for food banks on any scale either in Shetland or elsewhere in the UK. True, we occasionally gave out a food parcel but the recipients were largely those with alcohol, drug or other internal problems … even more rarely the emergency need that can arise anywhere.

But on a bigger scale … no way. Our nation had, at last, abolished primary poverty; and we were convinced that it would never return to our shores. How wrong we were as your article shows.

It is a national disgrace that that one of the top 10 richest countries on earth; that can sell racehorse foals with a starting price bid of one million guineas, which imports Merc’s as if they were the price of Dinky toys and can pay bankers a seven-figure sum plus bonuses, of course should have people queuing for food handouts.

Nor are the recipients feckless scroungers who are unwilling to work but those, who through no fault of their own cannot meet their day-to-day expenses.

Those whose benefits have been delayed, those on minimum wage, on zero hours contracts, who have been made redundant as a conglomerate “improves” its standing by taking over a rival and closing it down.

Political? Of course it is political … not party political, but political nevertheless. Politics is about how society deals with people. The Christian Gospel is in the midst of that.

To feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, assist in rehabilitating the addict, to care for the poor and unfortunate of earth’s children are all political acts.

If one part of society creates a problem, then it behoves a caring part of society to aim to redress the balance, however the odds are stacked.

Those valiant workers are doing just that. My prayers and thanks go to them. Keep up the good work.

But, alongside that, my prayer is that right-thinking people of all faiths and none will raise their voices in protest at a system which makes it necessary.

Far better to have fences at the top of the cliffs than ambulances at the bottom; but when those fences are removed, thank God for those manning the “ambulances”.

Alan F Hickman
Major, Salvation Army
(Lieutenant when appointed to Lerwick)
1 The Farm,
Keighley Road,
Skipton.

Oh, what all these people who are supposed to be running our affairs do in the name of silliness. I would think that half of them would not be needed.

Do the councillors know that the cuts should come from the top and not from the bottom?

Rest assured, the new Anderson High School will be costing £52 million by the time it is finished.

The Shetland Charitable Trust should give the council no more money as they just throw it away.
Why is that while there used to be two good men who looked after the roads and the ferries, it is now just a shambles.

These are the worst bunch of councillors we have ever had. They were all on about stopping the Christmas bonus but I didn’t hear any of them shouting about the failed Bressay bridge and also two tugs at Sella Ness, which were no use, costing £14 million. And now they are trying to sell them!

What about these shares in the Norröna cruise ship? What happened to them?

As the saying used to go, if you can still use it that is, there are far too many chiefs and not enough indians!
They should be trying to pay off their outstanding debts before getting themselves into even more debt.

Nicol Thomson
Burravoe,
Yell.

This is not an SNP manifesto.

“I do not like the word devolution as it has come to be called. It implies that power rests at Westminster, from which centre some may be graciously devolved. I would rather begin by assuming that power should rest with the people who entrust it to their representatives to discharge the essential tasks of government.

“Once we accept that the Scots and Welsh are nations, then we must accord them parliaments which have all the normal powers of government, except for those that they delegate to the United Kingdom government or the EEC.

“I find it difficult to see how, if the case for Scottish and Welsh self-government is accepted at all, any powers can be reserved to the UK government except foreign affairs, defence, and the wider issues of economic policy linked to the common currency and common trade policies.

“So when we consider parliament we must think of three parliaments and of a much restricted Westminster parliament.” (Jo Grimond, A Personal Manifesto, 1983).

Alistair Carmichael recently professed that “home rule” had been achieved by his acceptance of the Lord Smith Commission findings on further Scottish devolution.

Liberal voters in Orkney and Shetland, loyal to Jo Grimond’s memory and party, should consider whether his vision of “home rule” accords with the current LibDem’s definition.

Mr Grimond would, surely, have vehemently disagreed.

The LibDem party has distanced itself from original Liberal ideals but the SNP still stands behind what Mr Grimond said on “home rule” in A Personal Manifesto, 1983 .

George Pottinger
Isles View,
Hamnavoe,
Burra.

Police are investigating after a parked vehicle was damaged in the Toll Clock Shopping Centre car park.

The force has described it as a “hit and run road accident” with PC Alex Lumsden saying it was believed another vehicle had caused the damage, between 1.30pm and 2pm on Friday 13th February, before being driven away.

Anyone with information should contact the police.

A man has been remanded in custody after being accused of being in a house with intent to steal.

Jamie Neill, 39, of Sandveien is charged with being found in another address in the Lerwick housing estate without lawful authority, and while on bail. He denied carrying out the offence when he appeared from custody at the town court before honorary sheriff Eric Peterson.

Trial was fixed for 2nd April, with an intermediate diet taking place on 18th March. An application for bail was refused.

Shetland Islands Council is set to save about £11 million pounds from its budget this financial year including £5.5million from its general fund for services.

Councillors at the SIC’s policy resources committee, and later the full council meetings were given the news on Wednesday.

The projected saving of £5.523 million on the council’s general fund is largely attributed to savings in children’s services and community care departments. The council is expected save £11.254 million overall.

The council’s general fund also includes money for corporate services, infrastructure and development. It forms part of a revenue saving of £7.480 million. Capital savings of £2.105 million also make up the overall figure.

At the policy and resources meeting social services committee chairman Cecil Smith warned about spending cuts impacting on services.

Cecil Smith: Concerned over the impact cuts will have on services.

He said the savings were good news but he had a huge concern about “forcing directors into efficiency savings” and the impact continued savings would have in future.

Afterwards, he said: “We are still delivering the service [social services] but we are having to put a lot of pressure on staff to deliver the service and we are having an issue recruiting.” That issue had improved, he said, but staff had been asked to take on extra shifts.

With an ageing population and demand increasing, he added “I do have concerns, that we never know what’s on the other side of the horizon and could come at us some day.

“I think there’s a corporate approach to this, not just social services having to make savings.”

Mr Smith said he would like to see more people coming back into “this very valuable service”.

Shetland’s economy was “booming at the moment” but Mr Smith would like to see the council taking on workers through apprenticeships. Three years ago school leavers went to college to do training in social services and a number of them remain with the council, he said.

But competing industries, including the oil and gas industry, was offering larger hourly rates of pay. He encouraged people to make enquiries about the service and employment in the council.

SIC political leader Gary Robinson said he was encouraged by the predicted saving.

“It’s £5.5 million less that will be taken out of reserves if we manage to hold that figure through to the end of the financial year.

“Clearly we are still expected to have made savings next year in order to balance our budget but the progress that’s been made this year will help offset the savings that are required next year.

“Some of those will be savings that have been brought forward.”

The biggest issue the council faced back in 2012 was getting the finances under control, and the council had come a long way towards doing that, he said.

Gary Robinson: Recruitment and retention of staff is a “big issue”.

But savings and impact on services was something that needed to be monitored, said Mr Robinson.

“I think the big issue now for the council is around the retention and the recruitment of staff in the current climate.

“I think it’s actually vacancies and our inability to recruit particularly in social care and social services that’s impacting now.

“We have the budget there, we could recruit people but we are just not getting the people coming forward for jobs and that’s particular in social care but also in social work as well and I think that’s why its impacted across children’s services and the social services sector.”

Apprenticeships was something the council was looking at, he said.

“We certainly already have a high number of apprentices in Shetland as a whole and within the council but it’s definitely the case we would encourage folk to work up through [the council].”

“I think we are doing everything we possibly can,” he added.

“But when the unemployment figure in the islands is at or below one per cent it’s difficult to see where the people are going to come from.

“Again this is another area where the lack of affordable housing is impacting on us.

“We are trying to address that as quickly as we can and we’re supporting Hjaltland Housing Association in the work that they’re doing.”

But Mr Robinson said, when it came to building houses, there wasn’t a quick fix and “it’s going to take a bit of time”.

Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Dean Owens will return to Shetland in April to promote his new album.

Dean Owens returns to Shetland with The Whisky Hearts Band.

Owens was last in the isles to perform his sell-out show inspired by one of his musical idols Johnny Cash.

But his association with Shetland goes back further when he and his then band The Felsons played at the Shetland Folk Festival.

Now he returns to help launch his new album Into the Sea, recently recorded in Nashville and produced by Neilson Hubbard and featuring such musical luminaries as award winning guitarist Will Kimbrough and famed stateside vocalists Kim Richey and Suzy Boggus.

On Friday 10th April Dean will perform a show in the Muckle Roe Hall accompanied by Arthur Nicolson.

For his Mareel concert the following day he brings with him The Whisky Hearts Band, an incendiary new live band featuring the likes of long-time collaborator and Felsons’ band-mate Calais Brown on guitar and backing vocals,

Jim McDermott (ex Simple Minds and Justin Currie) on drums, Amy Geddes (fiddle), Sean Pugh (keyboards) and the late Jack Bruce’s (Cream) nephew Nico Bruce on bass.

Shetland Arts music development officer Bryan Peterson, said: “It’s splendid to be welcoming Dean back. His last visit to Shetland proved to be extremely popular, and I’m really looking forward to hearing his new material with

The Whisky Hearts Band. With such a crackin’ line-up of musicians it’s sure to be a memorable night.”
Support for the Mareel gig comes from the Sheila Henderson Band.

Owens’ album is set for release on 27th April, but there will be advance copies for sale at his Shetland shows.

Brought together by their music (from left): Kris Drever, Willie Campbell and Arthur Nicholson.

Three singers from three islands have come together in a new collaboration which celebrates the art of songwriting.

The Between Islands project has produced a collection of songs, fusing diverse styles from three different island backgrounds.

Guitarist and singer Arthur Nicholson provides the Shetland link to the project, along with Orcadian Kris Drever who is living in the isles. The third member of the collaboration is Willie Campbell from Lewis.

Their work will be heard for the first time in public this summer when it is premiered at the Hebridean Celtic Festival, which is marking its 20th anniversary.

The collaboration project was devised by an Lanntair, the arts centre in Stornoway, and will start the centre’s week-long programme of events during HebCelt from 15th to 19th July.

Nicholson released his debut album Sticks & Stones in 2013 to significant acclaim and the following year won a coveted award for outstanding artists at the Danny Kyle Open Stage at Celtic Connections.

He was back at Celtic Connections last month providing support for American singer Allison Moorer – the appearance was part of his prize for winning a “Danny”.

Nicholson said, of Between Islands: “It’s great to be involved in a project involving the different outlying Scottish islands. I’m not sure if something like this has ever been done before.

“The writing process went pretty smoothly, especially considering none of us had worked together before. We’ve ended up with a good mixture of different sounding songs. Our voices seem to blend really well together.”

Drever is well-known to isles audiences as a solo artist, collaborator, and member of folk superstars Lau who appear at Mareel later in the year. At the same venue he recorded an EP alongside regular musical side­kick Eamonn Coyne. He has also produced several solo albums and had successful collaborations as a trio with John McCusker and Idlewild’s Roddy Woomble and as a duo with Eamonn Coyne from Treacherous Orchestra.

Lewis-born Campbell, formerly of guitar pop outfit Astrid and Glasgow group The Reindeer Section, has produced a number of albums, both solo and with evolving local collective, The Open Day Rotation. He has also collaborated with award winning poet Kevin MacNeil and, more recently, Calum Martin on Dalma, Willie’s debut Gaelic album.

Head of performing arts and cinema at an Lanntair, Alex MacDonald, said: “Between Islands came about because of an idea I had about celebrating the wealth of talent the islands have collectively; an exploration of our ties rather than our differences.

“It seemed to me that we could make something very special happen by pairing the right people, and I certainly think we have struck gold with this first project. So much so that we plan to extend the idea and include other art forms such as film or craft in the future, as well as aiming for a musical collaborative project each year.

“In fact I am already planning the next one – based on the fiddle tradition – and this time featuring three very talented young island women.

“Opening the HebCelt with this concert feels entirely appropriate. Both organisations are of course celebrating significant anniversaries this year, and this project is a clear illustration of our continued close relationship and in particular our shared aim of promoting island talent.”

The centenary of the Great War and the rich traditions of shinty played on Scotland’s west coast, will be explored in the production Curaidhean na Camanachd (Shinty’s Heroes) being staged at an Lanntair on 16th July.

Musical director Gary Innes and writer, broadcaster and shinty historian Hugh Dan MacLennan will be joined by singer Kathleen MacInnes, piper Duncan MacGillivray, and musicians Ewen and Allan Henderson.

The programme will revolve around the impact of World War One on shinty-playing areas, including the Hebrides, and detail the early traditions of the game in the islands, from St Kilda to North Uist, Barra, Scarp and Lewis, using a combination of wartime and sporting images, including many previously unseen.

The HebCelt audience will also see a return to the stage of Shine, a three-girl group formed originally in 1998.
The group is made up of Corrina Hewat, one of the world’s leading harp players and sought-after as a player, composer, arranger and teacher; Mary Macmaster, considered to be one of the most innovative players of the metal-strung harp in the world; and Lewis-born singer Alyth McCormack who tours extensively across Europe, the Americas, and the Far East with acts such as Paddy Moloney and The Chieftains.

Caroline Maclennan, HebCelt’s director, said: “Once again we have compiled a diverse, and we hope, thoroughly engaging programme for an Lanntair during the festival. It will showcase the best of our traditional music and present our cultural heritage in modern and engaging ways whilst celebrating the ongoing collaboration between our respective organisations.”

HebCelt, which was voted Best Event or Festival at the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards in November, has already announced the first additions to an international line-up set to celebrate its landmark year.

This includes Grammy-nominated Afro Celt Sound System, Glasgow-based Treacherous Orchestra and Highland outfit The Elephant Sessions.

They will be joined by singer songwriter Chastity Brown, from Minneapolis; Canadian folk group Le Vent du Nord; Indian singer-songwriter, producer, and film score composer Raghu Dixit; Michigan roots ensemble Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys; and Jamie Smith’s MABON, an inter-Celtic band from Wales.

Renowned Scottish singer Karen Matheson, will be heading her own band which will include husband and fellow founder member of Capercaillie, Donald Shaw; and is joined in the festival line-up by singers Siobhan Miller and Iain Morrison; electro/techno group Halcyon, new band Malin; indie pop and folk-rock six-piece Sunshine Social; and Earths, a folk and punk four-piece from the Borders.

The council’s political leader has criticised a Scottish government deal which calls for local authorities not to cut teacher numbers in exchange for cash.

Gary Robinson dismissed Shetland’s £300,000 share of a £41 million Holyrood pie as a “drop in the ocean”, and less than 10 per cent of the cost of maintaining teacher numbers.

He is now waiting on an islands education summit before Scottish government minister Angela Constance, and possibly fellow island leaders from Orkney and Western Isles, to help address the problem.

Mr Robinson said the problem emerged after a nationwide 13.5:1 pupil to teacher ratio target was narrowly missed.

Talks between the Scottish government and Cosla duly followed, with the government eventually insisting an “absolute number” of teachers should be maintained.

“Whatever the number of teachers you had in the [schools] census last year is the number you have to keep, regardless of whether your school roll is going down, as ours is,” he said.

Asked if he considered it worth the bother, Mr Robinson added: “For us, it really isn’t. And the simple reason for that is the money for schools and for teachers goes through the local government funding formula, and that ensures the money follows the pupils and not the teachers.

“In Shetland we’ve got the highest pupil to teacher ratio in the country, at 10 pupils to one. We’d met the target by some considerable margin and the amount of money on the table for us is just over £300,000.

“We argued that was a drop in the ocean, because the difference between the 10:1 ratio that Shetland Islands

Council has and the 13 and a half to one ratio that was acceptable to the Scottish government is somewhere between three and a half and four million pounds. We were being offered less than 10 per cent of the cost of maintaining the teacher numbers that we have.

“John Swinney tried to say that this was a fair deal. I’m sure it was a fair deal for some people, but in our case it was actually a very unfair deal.”

He said there were many instances where the government was failing to maintain teacher numbers, while authorities like Shetland had more than “met the match” and were not being adequately compensated.

The problem has come against a nationwide shortage of teachers. Mr Robinson said Aberdeenshire Council was busily trying to recruit 148 teachers, while Fife was looking for 88. Other authorities, such as Aberdeen City, had been offering “golden hellos” to any new teachers they could recruit, the political leader said.

He added Shetland had pretty much a full complement of teaching staff, but there were fewer youngsters to fill the classrooms.

“Overall, our pupil numbers are declining and we would have liked to have retained the ability to reduce teacher numbers – by no more than the amount that pupil numbers are reducing.

“We argued until the last minute with the Scottish government, because when they couldn’t reach agreement with Cosla they turned to individual councils and put pressure on each council then to accept a deal.”

However, he said the education secretary had agreed to meet the council to discuss the issue. He said he hoped it would take place before September.

“That is a welcome concession from the government,” he added.

Secondary 5 pupils from the Anderson High School who are studying Arthur Miller’s The Crucible for their Higher English qualification have been given the chance to interview one of the stars of a live production of the play.

A live screening of a performance of the classic tale based around the Salem witch trials will be screened in Mareel this weekend, starring Richard Armitage (The Hobbit). In collaboration with promotion company Cinemalive, Shetland Arts offered the excited pupils the chance to ask Armitage’s fellow performer Marama Corlett, who plays Betty Parris, about her involvement.

Michael Thomas and Marama Corlett in The Crucible.

Q) Do you feel the play has something to teach modern society?
A) The Crucible is essentially a play about what humans are truly capable of doing to each other, a reminder in a way. Although set in 1692 it draws parallels to today’s world encompassing our relationships with one another in time of complete madness and turmoil. It’s a timeless piece that resonates with any person reading or watching it. I believe it will continue to affect us for years to come.

Q) Is it emotional trying to act in such a horrific tale, especially since it is based on real events?
A) It’s an absolutely heartbreaking story and extremely excruciating to watch. It was hard at times to fight the emotions. It grabs your heart from the very first scene. Choosing to live the story or better being chosen to recreate these characters, I personally found a certain unconditional love and appreciation for my character. As an audience you want to reach out to them and hug them, you want them to make better choices, you want them to live but as an actor you sort of accept their journey and respect it and then everything starts to happen and they live again. Like an ancestor or a lost loved one I think of Betty from time to time.

Q) How did you get into the mindset of playing Betty?
A) Our director Yaël Farber wanted to explore the physicality of the characters. Betty is believed to be possessed by the devil at the start of the play and we experimented with different types of body contortions, playing around with different, strange unnatural movements. As a company we became united, spending long hours in the rehearsal room finding our characters and the right pace for the play. Once you do your homework and rehearsals it becomes almost natural to get into the mind set of Betty.

Q) Do you think the character of Betty, and the rest of the girls, set out at the beginning to intentionally hurt as many people as they did?
A) These children lived under extreme fear, restricted and suppressed by their society and belief system. Truly I believe they longed for love and understanding. One event which most probably started out as a innocent longing for freedom was quickly misunderstood and shadowed by fear and ignorance. I believe nothing was done intentionally. It felt like we took one breath at the start and only exhaled at the very end. A situation that got out of control.

Q) What was it like being involved in such a major production?
A) We have been so happy and humbled by the reviews and the many people that made the performances or are now watching it at the cinema. Yael Farber’s direction and Arthur Miller’s genius writing have together created a very beautiful visceral piece. It’s a very special play and each and every actor brought something unique and beautiful to their performances. It’s been a wonderful journey and I am truly grateful to be one of the story tellers.

• The Old Vic’s The Crucible is showing at Mareel on Sunday afternoon.

Apply in writing to: admin@dawheel.co.uk

We are looking to recruit an experienced person to manage Shetland’s largest nightclub.

The role includes the responsibility for the preparation and operation of the 3 bars within the premises.

This includes stock control, ordering, and the management of staff, including rotas and performance.

The suitable applicant must have the drive and determination to meet the necessary standards the trade requires.

Previous management experience is essential. Applicant will preferably be experienced to a supervisor level or equivalent, be confident, proactive and efficient with forward thinking and fresh ideas. Would prefer applicant to be a personal licence holder, however, full training will be given.

This is a salaried position.

Temporary Fixed Term 12 Month Contract

A vacancy exists within Shetland Amenity Trust for the above full-time post. Shetland Amenity Trust hopes to develop an SQA accredited customised award in traditional Shetland boat building. The post-holder will be responsible for the development of the course materials in conjunction with experienced traditional Shetland
boat builders and the Project Team.

Duties will include liaising with the SQA on structure and content of the course, working closely with Train Shetland and Shetland College UHI and exploring funding opportunities for the delivery of the course once approved.

Applicants must have experience in the formulation or execution of vocational qualifications and have an interest or knowledge of traditional Shetland boat building. They must be self-motivated and have an ability to prioritise and work to deadlines, as well as having excellent communication skills and a creative flair.

The salary offered is on the Scottish Council for Local Authorities Services salary scale AP3 (spinal column 23-26) and is within the range £20,931-£22,968 p.a. In addition an Islands Allowance of £1,928 p.a. is payable.

For further details of the post, together with an application form, contact:

Shetland Amenity Trust,
Garthspool,
Lerwick,
ZE1 0NY.
Tel: 01595 694688,
E-mail: info@shetlandamenity.org

The closing date for applications is Friday 13th March, 2015.

The Shetland Amenity Trust is a registered Scottish charity, No:SC017505

The Coastal Communities Fund is funded by the Government with income from the Crown Estate’s marine assets. It is delivered by the Big Lottery Fund on behalf of UK Government and the Devolved Administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Four bedroom properties for sale. Includes fitted kitchen and white goods. Under fl oor heating throughout.

Conveniently located, with easy commuting to both Lerwick and Sullom Voe. Fully landscaped, fenced and with tarred driveway.

For viewing and further information contact:

D.I.T.T. Construction Limited
Holmsgarth Road,
Lerwick
Tel: (01595) 692733
Email: Office@DITT-shetland.co.uk

The Shearing Shed is currently looking for an Experienced Stylist to rent a chair in a welcoming friendly salon.

Tel. Sandra on 01595 880483
or 07900 054943

This is a great opportunity to learn software development in a professional environment and produce marketable products.

Candidates should possess a degree in Computing or Computer Science, have graduated within the last 4 years, and have an understanding of Object Orientated Programming and Databases.

For full details see mhapps.com/scotgradScotGrad

Closing Date 121312015

We are looking for enthusiastic, trustworthy and motivated individuals who thrive on new challenges and enjoy working as part of a team to join our growing jewellery manufacturing and retail company.

RETAIL MANAGER

A full-time retail manager to help develop and promote sales, deliver an extremely high standard of customer service and undertake general managerial duties.

RETAIL ASSISTANTS

Retail assistants to work alongside our manager to assist in the daily duties – hours to be negotiated.

Please send your application in writing – along with your CV to:

Steven Cooper,
Aurora,
Old Finstown Rd,
St Ola
Orkney
KW15 1PY
info@aurora-jewellery.co.uk
Tel. 01856 871 861

The latest Marinewise feature in today’s Shetland Times includes a variety of positive news concerning different aspects of the aquaculture and fishing industries.

Featured on the front page is the development of a new £15 million salmon smolt hatchery at Girlsta.

The Shetland branch of Grieg Seafood is developing the site, with local contractors involved in its construction.

Also featured are several new appointments at the NAFC Marine Centre in Scalloway.

Andy Glen, from Sandwick, was recently appointed as new head of training and skills at the centre, with responsibility for all training including the three-year Merchant Navy Cadet programme.

Independent quality assurance company SSQC, based at the NAFC, is looking to the future and aims to support the next generation of scientists working for the industry, with the appointment of three recent graduates.

The board of trustees at the centre have been bolstered by six new members, including Shetland Fishermen’s Association executive officer Simon Collins, Adenia skipper George Anderson and fishing industry stalwart John Goodlad.

Mr Collins, in the latest of a series of columns, bemoans the situation in the fishing industry whereby a regulatory nightmare has come about through people who know the least making the rules.

Two new scallop boats for the isles, Norman Nisbet’s Merlin and Stanley Gray’s Askari, are featured, while in his editorial Peter Johnson states that there is growing confidence in different sectors of the seafood industry.

A new accommodation ship making its way to Lerwick this weekend to house gas plant workers is the 169-metre SNAV Toscana.

The vessel will provide accommodation for 500 workers from around 6th March, bringing the workforce on the Total gas plant project to 2,000.

She is due to leave Naples, where she is currently berthed, over the weekend.

The former ferry’s arrival in Lerwick will bring to four the number of accommodation vessels berthed at the port.
Chief executive of Lerwick Port Authority, Sandra Laurenson, said the vessel would be berthed at Holmsgarth 5 near the Bibby Stockholm and the Kalmar.

It comes after final 2014 results showed Petrofac made a cumulative loss of around £160 million on the delayed Laggan-Tormore project.

Petrofac spokeswoman, Sarah Fowler, said the company hoped to complete the project by the end of the third quarter of this calendar year.

“We’ve got three barges at the moment. Then we’ve got a liner in Scalloway and now this new liner, so it’s essentially three barges and two liners.

“With the new liner it will bring staff numbers up to over 2,000. We are around about 1,400 at the moment.”