News / In brief for 2 November 2010
Mid Yell school opens
THE NEW £8.75 million junior high school at Mid Yell finally opens on Wednesday morning after receiving a temporary completion certificate for the new building.
The schools 80 children were due to start their winter term on Monday but were told the new building could not be opened because there were some minor works that still needed to be carried out.
On Tuesday afternoon Shetland Islands Council said the outstanding work had been completed and term could begin. The opening ceremony due to be held on Monday will take place later in the month.
Energy minister
SCOTTISH energy and tourism minister Jim Mather congratulated Shetland on being voted sixth best destination in the world by the Lonely Planet travel guide.
Mr Mather said: “This is extremely welcome and well-deserved acclaim which confirms Shetland’s standing as a world-class destination and highlights the stunning land and seascapes, abundant wildlife and incredible welcome which bring visitors from far and wide to this part of Scotland.
“I am delighted to congratulate the communities and tourism businesses of Shetland on this remarkable achievement. This recognition, which follows recent news that readers of Conde Nast Traveller magazine rate the Isle of Skye among the top ten European islands, will further boost the important contribution that both of these leading destinations are making to growing Scottish tourism and strengthening Scotland’s economy.”
Extra Xmas flights
LOGANAIR has added extra Sunday flights on its Aberdeen-Sumburgh route in the run-up to Christmas in response to high demand for flights.
The additional services will operate on Sundays 28 November, 5 December and 12 December where the airline is already reporting strong advance bookings on its existing schedule of flights.
The extra services will leave Aberdeen at 12:50pm, arriving in Sumburgh at 1:55pm. Return flights will leave Sumburgh at 2:25pm and arrive in Aberdeen at 3:25pm. These flights are in addition to Loganair’s core schedule of three roundtrip flights every Sunday during the winter season.
Bumper year
LAST FRIDAY’S annual charity ball and raffle in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution heard that last year Shetland raised £55,980.89 for the service.
This amount included £21,980.89 in donations and £39,271 raised by the Lerwick Ladies Lifeboat Guild through their shop, collection boxes and fundraising events, marking an increase of £4,500 on the previous year.
The guild is already on its way to matching this figure and is hoping to round off the year with a good income from its Christmas shop which is open on Thursdays and Saturdays until 18 December, with a visit from Santa Claus on 11 December.
Gray’s come top
LOCAL wholesaler JW Gray & Co has beaten competitors nationwide to scoop two prestigious awards at a national awards ceremony in Cardiff.
The company has been named Landmark wholesaler of the year and depot of the year for the whole of the UK.
Company director Iain Johnston paid tribute to his staff for winning the award for the company. “These awards are testimony to the hard work and commitment shown by our loyal staff at J.W. Gray & Co. Its always satisfying to see a local company recognised in this fashion.”
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