Also in the news / Intercounty football, visitor levy concern and congratulations to Hannah and Sheila
AHEAD of this weekend’s football intercounty, Shetland recorded two convincing victories in the girls football intercounty a week ago.
The under-13 squad beat their rivals from Orkney 5-0 at the Clickimin Lochside pitch on Friday morning with Poppy Gair, Roma Robertson (2), Freya Morrison and Madison Jozwick the goal scorers.
The under-17 girls added a 7-0 victory later the same day. With no U15 fixture this year, one of the Shetland U15s, Emma Duncan, broke the deadlock with powerful shot low into the Orkney net to make it 1-0 to Shetland.
The other scorers for Shetland were Kayla Shearer, Lisa Goudie (3) and Inis McIntosh (2).
Shetland Girls chairperson Michael Duncan thanked Orkney for making the trip north, praised the attitude of all the players across both fixtures and made special mention of appreciation to referee Daniel Mainland who refereed both fixtures back-to-back in the heat.
MEANWHILE, Radio Shetland will provide live coverage of the men’s intercounty football clash between Shetland and Orkney on Saturday afternoon.
The broadcast begins at 2pm on 92.7FM and online on the station’s Facebook page, with a pre-match discussion featuring Caroline Moyes and special guests.
Danny Peterson, Stuart Smith and Adam Harcus will then provide real time commentary on the match from 2.50pm.
THE FEDERATION of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned that the concern from small accommodation providers must be carefully considered in the consultation on the proposed introduction of a visitor levy.
The organisation says that adding the tourism tax to the cost for accommodation could push some smaller operators over the VAT threshold with all additional admin burdens that implies.
Highland and Islands development manager David Richardson said: “Government has committed to reducing the cumulative regulatory burden as part of its New Deal for Business, so it’s crucial the Visitor Levy is implemented in a way which reflects this commitment – and that means really listening to small providers at every stage.
“One of the key concerns we’re hearing from small operators is that adding these charges to customers’ bills may push them over the VAT threshold, thus incurring significant extra cost and admin.
“As a result, some might well scale back their operations to keep below the threshold, and that would be bad for fragile local Highlands & Islands economies and communities.”
A PARLIAMENT motion has been lodged congratulating Hannah Fennell, head of the Orkney Fisheries Association, and Shetland Fishermen’s Association executive officer Sheila Keith on their new roles as president and vice-president of the Scottish Fisherman’s Federation.
Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael, submitted the motion recognising their experience at both fishing associations in the Northern Isles, and thanking outgoing president Ian Gatt for his 10 years of service.
The motion also acknowledges the importance of the Scottish Fishing Federation, and the 400 vessels it represents, in its 50th year.
Carmichael said: “Fishing remains a cornerstone of our economy in the Northern Isles, and the election of representatives from both Orkney and Shetland to be president and vice-president of the Federation is a vote of confidence in our place at the heart of the industry.
“I look forward to continuing to work with both Hannah and Sheila to support our fishermen and drive better engagement from our governments.”
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