Also in the news / New commodore, SIC is ‘carer positive’, netball donation and more…
LERWICK man Shayne McLeod has been confirmed as the new commodore of the town’s boating club.
He is taking over at the helm of Lerwick Boating Club from Frankie Valente, who had held the position since September 2020.
Valente said she has stepped down due to other commitments.
“Shayne is an enthusiastic and committed member of the boating club and he will be a great commodore,” she said.
“He takes over just as the club is recovering from the downturn in finances, but as we are now gearing up for a busy summer of rowing, sailing and welcoming visiting sailors.
The club will host an open day on Saturday (14 May) for yoal rowing and it would like to invite anyone to come along between 2pm-5pm to have a go.
It will also have live music on Saturday 4 June in the evening as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and also during the forthcoming Bergen Race.
SHETLAND Islands Council has been recognised as a ‘Carer Positive Employer’ after achieving the first of three levels of the Carer Positive award.
Carer Positive is a Scottish Government initiative developed by Carers Scotland to help employers support staff with caring responsibilities and to raise awareness of the challenges facing working carers.
Human resources manager Denise Bell said: “We are delighted to have achieved the first level of the Carer Positive award.
“We are committed to supporting our employees with caring responsibilities and this is an important step forward in delivering our Workforce Plan.”
THE VIKING Energy wind farm team supported the Shetland intercounty netball team with a donation of £750 as they competed in their annual competition against Orkney.
This was a return to competitive netball after the two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic. The cash sum helped with travel, umpire fees and training costs.
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Viking’s Haydn Jamieson presented a cheque to the team and said: “We know how much the intercounty, and the opportunity to take part in competitive sport once more, means to everyone in the community.”
A NEW round of funding to support fishing businesses and wider marine organisations in Scotland’s coastal communities is open for applications.
Now in its second year, the Marine Fund Scotland has an overall budget of up to £14 million.
It was introduced by the Scottish Government to replace the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, which UK businesses no longer have access to following Brexit.
More information on how to apply can be found here.
A BANK of England economist was in Lerwick recently to discuss the opportunities and trading conditions for local businesses, at an event hosted by law firm Harper Macleod.
Will Dowson, the Bank of England’s agent for Scotland, visited Harper Macleod’s office in St Olaf’s Hall.
Dowson met with members of the local business community in a roundtable discussion, focusing on the business conditions in Shetland, as well as the local labour market and the island’s key industries.
Jenni Gear, partner at Harper Macleod, said: “We were privileged to host Will, who was able to provide us with an insight into the Bank of England’s latest economic forecasts for the UK, and Scotland, and the opportunities for business.
“As well as having the chance to listen to those predictions, it’s also important for us to create a platform for the Bank of England to engage directly with local businesses, so they can hear first-hand what they are experiencing.
“From Harper Macleod’s perspective, the Shetland economy is buoyant, with a range of sectors experiencing a busy trading period.”
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