Also in the news / Böd sale, planes out of action and more…
SHETLAND Amenity Trust is inviting expressions of interest in the B-listed Voe House in Walls, which previously operated as a camping böd.
The trust said it will prefer to work with interested parties who will make use of the building to “meet an identified community need, which celebrates the history of the building, the heritage of the local area and promotes community use”.
It added that it would prefer to sell the property. More information can be found here.
The amenity trust has run a network of camping böds as low cost accommodation for number of years, but it is not taking any bookings for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
The charity has been reviewing its estate, including exploring whether buildings like the camping böds can be taken on by communities.
BOTH of Shetland’s inter-island planes are out of action at the moment due to technical problems.
Operator Airtask – which flies to Fair Isle and Foula – said one developed a landing gear fault on Friday, with engineers attending on Monday.
The team is currently awaiting information from manufacturer Britton Norman but indications are it will not be a “quick fix”.
A fault with landing gear was also found with the second plane during a statutory inspection in Leeds.
Parts were ordered but the delivery date was given as November. Airtask said in the meantime it will be renting a set of landing from America.
Meanwhile the plan is to use one of Airtask’s Oban planes in Shetland from Monday to Thursday – with a hope that the normal schedule will resume on 9 September, if one of the faulty planes is fit again for service.
However, Airtask said if it is not ready for service then the Monday-Thursday schedule with the Oban plane will be repeated.
Airtask has apologised for the inconvenience caused.
SHETLAND Library will soon be hosting a new weekly knitting group with a charity focus which will result in the creation of a special centrepiece in the library at Christmas.
‘Da Toorie Tree’ will be made of all shapes, sizes and patterns of mainly green hats.
People will be able to take a hat without having to show any need or ask for permission.
Team leader Catherine Jeromson said: “The idea for Da Toorie Tree came last Christmas when one of our staff saw a similar project down in England – with over 100 hats being distributed to local charities. Some of our craft-loving staff have been keen to re-establish a ‘Mak & Yak’ group and thought that having a charity focus that benefitted local folk might be of interest.”
The new Shetland Library Makkers group, open to all, will meet weekly in the Lerwick Library on Wednesday mornings, 11am to midday, starting on Wednesday 18 September.
Local businesses have already donated some green yarn to get the project started and there is a wide selection of craft books in the library for patterns and inspiration – just bring wires, pins or hooks.
Da Toorie Tree will go up with the Christmas decorations in the library and if there are left over hats in the New Year these will be handed to organisations in Shetland who can distribute them anyone in need.
Those who cannot attend the library on Wednesday mornings can still participate in the project. Anyone wishing to contribute a hat to Da Toorie Tree is asked to drop it in at the Lerwick Library, the mobile library or at the Baltasound, Brae or Mid Yell community libraries.
THE UPPER east car park at the Gilbert Bain Hospital will be closed to all vehicles from 5pm today (Friday) to late on Sunday to allow survey work to be undertaken on the external of the building.
A spokesperson for NHS Shetland said: “All staff, patients and visitors are kindly asked to find alternative parking locations during this time, being mindful not to block any accesses both on the Gilbert Bain Hospital site or any of the surrounding roads.
“Please also note, the steps from the lower east car park off Gilbertson Road up to the upper car park will also be closed for the duration of the works. NHS Shetland apologises for any inconvenience during this time whilst we undertake this vital piece of work.”
THE CAKE fridge and tea room in East Burrafirth is to compete in the UK-wide National Bakery Awards after being announced as a ‘county winner’ for Shetland.
All of the county winners in the UK will be in the running for regional prizes at the awards in London on 25 September, as well as the main national bakery of the year award.
LOCAL MSPs have been signing up to the Scotland Loves Local pledge, supporting local businesses.
Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart signed the pledge recently after visiting some businesses in Lerwick, as did Highlands and Islands member Ariane Burgess.
It comes during the Scotland Loves Local Week campaign. To mark this locally the Spend at Da Street loyalty card scheme will offer an extended prize pot.
Living Lerwick project manager Emma Miller said: “The business owners and staff in our town centre work really hard to provide a great service for the Shetland public with a fantastic range of products and services, available on our doorstep, with no expensive courier fees or delivery delays.
“During Scotland Loves Local Week, we’d like to encourage local shoppers to sign up to the Scotland Loves Local pledge and pop into town if they haven’t been for a while – or if they have, invite a friend to join them for coffee, cake and a bit of shopping.”
MAREEL is set to become the latest premises in Shetland to have a Changing Places toilet.
Shetland Arts is looking for interested parties to carry out installation work at the Lerwick arts venue.
Changing Places toilets are larger than standard accessible toilets with extra features and more space to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
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