Also in the news / Also in the news: Footpath vote results, go-ahead for prosecco and more…
A PATH around Hellister Loch in Weisdale has come out top in a public vote on possible footpaths in the Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale area.
A total of 268 people took part in the consultation, which was run by local group Win Furt.
The group has now started more detailed discussions with the landowners involved and will be talking to potential funders, with a view to producing a design and costings for the path.
Win Furt chair Andrew Archer said: “It was fantastic that so many people took part in the vote. There is clearly a lot of interest in this and, now that we have the community’s view on which of the options they would like to see happen, we can move on to the next stage.
“There are still plenty more challenges ahead, and this is definitely a longer term project so we won’t see results overnight, but we hope the end result will be worth it.
“Hellister Loch will be regarded as more of a recreational option than what would be termed active travel, i.e. getting people out of their cars, which means that the funding options will be trickier, so that will be one of the next challenges for us.
“We always knew that this would be a long process, but the community vote takes us one step nearer so thank you to everybody who took part.”
SHETLAND’s licensing board met on Monday morning to approve an application to allow a Lerwick catering business to provide prosecco with afternoon teas.
The occasional licence application from Blyde Welcome was for the period between 30 March and 12 April, for 12pm to 5pm.
The application said: “Due to the success of our afternoon teas we would now like to offer a glass of prosecco with the teas.”
Councillors were happy to approve, saying Blyde Welcome – which opened a premises on Commercial Street last year – was a well-run business which also offers hospitality training.
Meanwhile the board also approved the latest iteration of its gambling policy statement.
A draft version had gone out to consultation but no feedback was received.
Under national legislation the board is required to publish every three years a statement of the principles that it proposes to apply in exercising its functions under the Gambling Act 2005.
Again there were no objections from councillors.
SALMON company Scottish Sea Farms says a new “high tech data hub” at its recently upgraded processing facility in Lerwick is reaping rewards.
Dubbed ‘Mission Control’ by the IT and Digital team behind the installation, the hub includes banks of screens showing everything from production throughputs to water consumption and energy usage.
Scottish Sea Farms’ head of processing operations Donald Buchanan said in the company’s latest newsletter: “I wanted an immediate overview, with data that’s relevant, accurate and demonstrates how well the facility is running.
“Instead of having monthly meetings to review performance against targets, we have dynamic reports and constant monitoring.”
SHETLAND Arts has announced the return of singer songwriter nights at Mareel, which will take place on a monthly basis.
People of all abilities are encouraged to bring their instruments along and showcase their talent – “beginners, dabblers and seasoned musicians alike”.
New and original music will be welcomed along with covers of classics and improvisations. People wanting to watch in the audience can attend free of charge.
Dates currently planned are:
- Thursday 25 April 7.30pm – 9.30pm
- Thursday 30 May 7.30pm – 9.30pm
- Thursday 20 June 7.30pm – 9.30pm
- Thursday 1 August 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Musicians are asked to email singersongwriter@shetlandarts.org to secure a slot, although participants are also free to simply show upon the night if preferred.
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