News / In brief for 7 June 2011
Torchbearers wanted
TWENTY local champions are being sought to carry the Olympic torch when it arrives in Shetland on 10 June next year on its way from Orkney to the western isles.
To qualify as a torchbearer people must live or have an address in Shetland, with half of the successful candidates aged 12 to 24 and the rest having a story that could inspire young people.
All participants must be able to run with the torch for 250 to 300 metres at about 4mph, unless they are in a wheelchair, in which case the speed can be adjusted.
Shetland Islands Council sport and leisure manager Neil Watt said: “Shetlanders should think carefully about the folk who have inspired them or who they think might be inspirational to others.”
Nominations can be made at www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay providing details of the person along with a 150 word story about them. The nominee must have given their permission and the closing date is midnight on 29 June.
Record lifeboat fundraiser
THE LERWICK lifeboat annual open day last Saturday raised a record £10,350, with 438 people boarding the popular NorthLink trip around Bressay on the day.
Lerwick Ladies Lifeboat Guild president Moira Leask described the occasion as “a great success”.
She said: “We were blessed with great weather and Victoria Pier was buzzing with live music and the usual range of attractions to satisfy young and old. The girls in the tea tent and barbecue were kept busy with a steady stream of visitors throughout the day, while a number of reluctant lifeboat men were called upon to take part in ‘Dunking the Lifeboat Man’ which drew an enthusiastic crowd ready to spend their money!”
Mrs Leask thanked everyone at NorthLink for their support and added: “The lifeboat service is at the heart of our community and, thankfully, the people of Shetland recognise this and always show their generous support at events such as these, for which we are very grateful.”
Mysterious death
A GOTHIC tale of magic, madness, murder and mystery comes to Shetland next week when two Scottish theatre companies join forces to bring up their performance of The Mysterious Death of Netta Fornario.
The real life death occurred in Iona on 17 November 1929 when the 32 year old practicing Golden Dawn magician was found lying on a cross cut from turf wearing nothing but a necklace, a sheaf of incomprehensible letters in her hand and with no visible injuries aside from cuts on her heels
Writer and director Chris Lee has created his own Gothic tale from the scant facts available about the case. “It shamelessly borrows from those classic stories that have gone before, to make a new play that is immersed in madness, murder, magic and decay, that has at its heart, a truly memorable character,” he said.
This is the first collaboration between Mull Theatre and Wildbird and comes to Walls public hall on Monday 13 June, with performances on the following two nights at Lerwick’s Garrison Theatre.
The play is deemed suitable for anyone aged 14 or over and tickets are available from Shetland Box Office on 01595 74555 or www.shetlandboxoffice.org.
Positive report
EDUCATION inspectors have given a positive report on Lunnasting primary school and nursery, highlighting the enthusiasm and confidence among the children and the strong community involvement.
The report follows an inspection in April where nursery children were described as “happy, settled and enjoy their learning”.
About the primary children, they said “most children are keen to learn. They feel safe in school and understand the importance of leading a healthy and active lifestyle”.
The report called for improvements in developing Curriculum for Excellence, supporting progress in learning, raising attainment in English and maths and reviewing the layout in the nursery as numbers increase.
There will be no follow up visits, and SIC education and families committee chairwoman Betty Fullerton praised the school and its staff for their achievement.
The full HMIe report is available at http://www.hmie.gov.uk/ViewEstablishment.aspx?id=7922&type=2
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