News / In brief for 9 May 2011
Carmichael praises Tavish
FOLLOWING Shetland MSP Tavish Scott’s decision at the weekend to step down as leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, party colleague and isles MP Alistair Carmichael has praised Mr Scott for his contribution to Scottish politics.
“Obviously the election result last week was disappointing for everyone associated with the Scottish Liberal Democrats and I am saddened that Tavish has resigned as leader in these circumstances.
“As a close colleague and a friend I have worked with Tavish for many years and I know this was not a decision that he took lightly. I was chair of his leadership campaign and since his election he fulfilled the high expectations I had of him in the role.
“Tavish provided strong leadership at what has been a difficult time for the party and I know that he is still held in extremely high regard by our activists and party members.
“I fully expect that Tavish’s focus now will be on continuing to serve his constituents, but I know he still has a substantial contribution to make in Scotland’s national politics,” he said.
Shortlisted
A SHETLAND based large-scale outdoor theatre project has been shortlisted for a £175,000 performance award from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
Inspired by the untimely death of Stuart Henderson, a promising member of the Shetland Youth Theatre who died in a road accident in 2007, Ignition was conceived by local director John Haswell and will explore Shetland’s close relationship with the car.
Mr Haswell said he envisages a performance date of either March or autumn 2013 somewhere in the Delting area in which actors and the audience would go on an emotional as well as a physical journey.
The proposal, put forward by the National Theatre of Scotland, has been chosen from 62 bids submitted and is one of only six shortlisted.
The winner will be announced in late June and work will start immediately to develop the production with a £75,000 grant. The final production in 2013 will be awarded a further £100,000.
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