News / In brief – 19 January, 2010
Power brokers
SCOTTISH energy minister Jim Mather met energy regulator Ofgem and the National Grid yesterday (Monday) to try and persuade them to reduce transmission charges in remote areas.
Power generators in the western isles have been quoted an annual charge of more than £21/kilowatt, while in Cornwall they receive a subsidy of more than £6. The government wants to even the playing field.
Viking Energy partners Scottish & Southern Energy were at the talks, which concern a critical issue for the viability of Shetland’s proposed wind farm. At the moment no figure has been decided on for transmission charges from these islands.
Oscar Charlie release
SHETLAND band Oscar Charlie have just released their first single on download after moving to Glasgow in 2008.
The four piece, formerly Black Bic Biro, have also taken on a new drummer after the departure of John Gair at the end of last year. Tom Hoare joins Reuben Quinn (guitar/vocals), Jim Bevington (bass) and Jamie Miller (keyboards).
The new single “The Dos” is the band’s first since the release of “Heartless Manipulator” on Shetland’s Bleatbeat Records two years ago, and is their third release so far. The band are planning to bring out an EP in March, when they return to the stage with a new set.
“The Dos” was recorded in Manchester with producer George Atkins, who is building up a formidable reputation in the industry. It is available on iTunes, eMusic, Napster, Tunetribe, HMV Digital, Nokia Music and most mobile networks.
Patient survey
NHS SHETLAND is taking part in a national survey of patients to find out if they can improve the service based on comments about people’s personal experience.
Last Friday the Better Together In-Patient Survey was launched, with a questionnaire being sent to randomly selected patients who received care in Shetland between October 2008 and September 2009. Participation will be entirely voluntary and information will be kept confidential.
Information will be used by the Scottish government and the local health board to try and improve the overall service.
Anyone wanting more information can contact the survey coordinators Quality Health Ltd on 0800 7831775 or local assistant community nursing director Edna Mary Watson on 01595 743377.
Reach out
SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott is urging anyone eligible to receive a satellite broadband connection under the Scottish government’s Broadband Reach project to act fast as the scheme closes to new applications next month.
Mr Scott said: “It may be that everyone living in a broadband ‘not spot’ who wants a connection has already signed up, but if not, they have just over a month to get a connection through this scheme.”
He added that project operators Avanti will shortly offer upgrades at no extra charge to all its Broadband Reach customers, after the launch of a new satellite.
Anyone eligible for a satellite broadband connection through the scheme who wants to apply can contact the Avanti sales department on 0207 749 1666 or broadbandsales@avantiplc.com
Canadian visitor
AITH lifeboat station has been playing host to a visitor from the Pacific coast. Wayne Bowie, a volunteer lifeboat crewman from Secret Cove, on British Columbia’s Sechelt Peninsular, has been visiting his daughter and grandchildren in the west side village on his first trip to the isles.
As part of his holiday, Wayne joined the Aith crew on an exercise with the Sumburgh-based coastguard helicopter. In return for the thrill he handed Aith coxswain Hylton Henry a painting of a Canadian inshore lifeboat.
Althing on Afghanistan
FOUR young award-winning speakers will be talking part in the Althing debate
next Saturday tackling the subject of British involvement in Afghanistan.
The motion under debate is ‘British forces should be removed from Afghanistan now’.
Speaking for the motion will be two speakers from Brae High School, which won the 2009 Althing Schools Trophy – Drew Manson and Shaun Alderman. Speaking against will be Siabh Finlayson and Ceidiog Saxelby, from Sandwick Junior High, which won the trophy in 2008.
All four speakers are new to the Althing, although they are already proven and accomplished speakers. The debate starts at 7.30pm in the Tingwall School on Saturday.
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