News / In brief for 23 August 2011
NorthLink sponsorship
FERRY operators NorthLink are inviting bids from people and groups in Shetland and Orkney for sponsored trips to and from the Scottish mainland.
Since 2003 the company has helped 28,000 people with free or discounted travel worth in excess of £1 million.
Individuals, organisations and clubs wanting sponsored travel between 1 October and 31 March must apply by 14 September via marketing@northlinkferries.co.uk of 01856 885500.
Commercial director Cynthia Spencer said: “We’re keen to use the ships’ frequency of service and the opportunity for travel that they provide, to support a wide range of events, community groups and individuals as they travel to and from the islands.
“We will also consider the offer of travel vouchers for clubs, charities and organisations to use as fund-raising raffle prizes and the like.”
More information is available at http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/sponsorship.html.
Football results
COUNTY Shield semi finals saw Celtic beat Spurs 2-1, Jordan Webb scored for Celtic while Sean Maver delivered for Spurs.
Whalsay lost to Whitedale 1-0, the only scorer being Lorne McNiven, leaving the west side team to face Celtic in their first final of the season.
The two finalists met in the premier league at the weekend, Whitedale winning 3-2. The result damaged Celtic’s chances of winning the league, with Friday.s match against Whalsay likely to be a title decider.
The other weekend league result was Thistle v Scalloway (4-1).
Celtic Bs beat Spurs Bs 1-0 after extra time to win the Bloomfield Cup for the second year running after a Spurs own goal.
In the Shetland Chiropractic reserve league Whitedale beat Unst 6-1.
Housing improvements
SHETLAND Islands Council is welcoming a positive report from the national housing regulator.
In a 26 page report, the Scottish Housing Regulator says the council has made several improvements to its housing service since its first and only inspection in 2007.
Two thirds of empty council properties are being re-let within four weeks, higher than the national average of 50 per cent, with 96 per cent of repairs now completed on time. This marks a 20 per cent improvement and is reflected in 96 per cent satisfaction from tenants.
Inspectors noted efforts to match applicants with suitable housing, converting larger properties into one bedroom flats, allowing childless couples to apply for two bedroom homes and encouraging people to consider living outside Lerwick.
Housing spokesman Allison Duncan said he was delighted by the report. He praised housing staff for their hard work, adding: “We will be tackling the issues the regulator has pointed up as needing attention especially lets to homeless people, repairs inspections and asset management.”
Tropical Lerwick
LERWICK turns tropical on Friday when Co-op superstore staff dress up for an in-store summer beach party in aid of charity.
Staff will raise funds for the Co-op charity of the year, ENABLE Scotland, which helps transform the lives of 20,000 young people with a learning disability.
No glens in Shetland
SHETLAND is to feature in VisitScotland’s new ‘Grab a Glen’ campaign, even though it doesn’t have a glen to grab.
Travel writer Robin McKelvie is visiting Shetland as part of his three month tour of Scotland, which is being featured on an interactive diary at www.visitscotland.com/grabaglen.
In Shetland McKelvie will go fishing and scuba diving as well as exploring its historic past.
VisitScotland island manager Steve Matheson said: “Although Glens are in short supply in Shetland, we still have wonderful walking routes and fantastic activities that any would-be traveller would be truly impressed by.
“I’m sure readers will enjoy learning about Robin’s travels around our wonderful islands and will want to get active and visit here for themselves.”
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