Also in the news / Local hero wanted, relay nearly here and more…
MSP Beatrice Wishart has launched a new search for ‘Shetland’s Local Hero’.
The person will join MSPs and other local heroes from across Scotland at a special commemorative event in Holyrood on Saturday 29 June to mark 25 years of the Scottish Parliament.
Wishart launched a similar search in 2021 to mark the opening of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament, with care worker and charity fundraiser Anita Georgeson nominated to attend the event.
To nominate a ‘Local Hero’ email beatrice.wishart.msp@parliament.scot or phone 01595 690044 with your reasons for the nomination.
Wishart said: “Many people in Shetland give their time and energy selflessly to their local community, making a positive contribution to the lives of others and often without recognition.
“With fellow MSPs, we will celebrate the achievements of our Local Heroes across every constituency and region in Scotland to mark the significant milestone of the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament.”
THERE is still take to register to take part in this year’s Relay for Life fundraiser for Cancer Research UK, which takes place next Saturday (25 May).
The relay will begin with the survivors lap, a moment of celebration and reflection. Anyone who would like to take part, and attend the lunch, should email shetlandsurvivors@yahoo.com.
After the relay has been opened a fun day will get underway with games, stalls, bouncy castles, a tea tent and the relay BBQ. The stalls and bouncy castles will be open 1pm to 5pm with the tea tent and BBQ open for the full event.
There will be musical accompaniment throughout the day with sets from bands including the Plonkys, Just Another Cake Fridge and the Revellers.
Meanwhile volunteers are always needed especially on the Friday to help get set up, and the Sunday to help the committee to get packed away. Anyone with even a couple of hours to spare should contact shetlandrelaychair@yahoo.co.uk.
Relay for Life chair Kerry Llewellyn said: “Relay For Life celebrates the power of community fundraising to make breakthroughs happen.
“Teams of friends and family fundraise for world-leading cancer research then unite as a collective at a festival to remember loved ones, honour everyone affected by cancer and celebrate the progress we’re making.”
NORTHERN Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has called on transport ministers to use their financial clout to ensure that search and rescue helicopter crew continue to have fair pay and conditions in their dispute with Bristow Helicopters.
Members of the BALPA union working for Bristow have been engaged in strike action in a dispute over pay.
Speaking in parliament during transport questions, Mr Carmichael said that as Bristow’s customer through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the government should encourage a fair settlement for crew.
Transport minister Anthony Browne said: “I know how important search-and-rescue services are for his constituency and he has been a great champion for them. Clearly industrial relations are very important to make sure that they operate effectively and I am sure that the MCA will keep that in mind during their review.
“I should also add that just this very morning I agreed to meet the management of Bristow.”
PASSENGERS travelling through HIAL airports such as Sumburgh will be able to bring liquids in containers of up to two litres in hand baggage from 1 June thanks to changes in UK scanning regulations.
However, these will need to be removed from hand baggage and placed in trays for screening.
People will also be able to leave electronic devices in their hand baggage for screening.
HIAL is also investing in body scanners to enhance the security experience for departing passengers, and these will be in place at Benbecula, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Sumburgh. Passengers who do not wish to use the body scanner are able to request an alternative search method.
The total investment is approximately £1 million for the introduction of the security equipment.
Darren MacLeod, director of safety, compliance and security at HIAL, said: “Our security procedures are a necessary requirement to ensure the safety of all. The introduction of this new equipment will further improve safety but should also mean a simpler and more straightforward security process for passengers.”
PROMOTE Shetland was amongst many tourism organisations and businesses that took part in more than 7,000 meetings with travel intermediaries at a recent event in Aberdeen called VisitScotland Connect 2024.
Promote Shetland’s Adam Civico said: “It was pleasing this year to catch-up with those we met last year and discover they’ve already taken tourists to Shetland or have plans to do so in 2024.
“It’s exciting to pick up people’s enthusiasm for Shetland as a destination – and I hope we’ll see many of the same people again next year.”
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