Also in the news / Sail trainee award, Loganair ‘wage win’ and more…
A YOUNG man from Eshaness has been named the Swan Trust’s sail trainee of the year.
David Abernethy collected the Vevoe Trophy for 2024, which is given to the trainee or volunteer aged between 15-25 who has shown outstanding dedication and teamwork during the season.
The trophy was awarded to the trust by the family of the late Willie Simpson, and is named after the family home – Vevoe in Whalsay.
Willie o’ Vevoe, as he was known, first went to the herring fishing in the early 1950s aboard the Swan, a vessel his family were closely involved with for over 50 years of her herring fishing career.
The Vevoe Trophy is a replica of Swan’s original wheel, and was made by the late Lowrie Robertson of Unst.
It is usually presented at the trust’s end of year gathering, along with a cold bronze casting of the Swan under sail, made by Terry Atkinson, Tingwall, which the trainee keeps.
Swan first mate Scott Sandison said David’s first trip on the Swan was part of Tall Ships as a trainee.
“Although he was one of the younger of the group that didn’t matter and he was involved with everything on board and learning fast,” he added.
“Over the next few seasons David has volunteered to help with the maintenance arriving every morning keen to find out what the day’s work will be.
“He has become a trusted volunteer crewmate and a joy to have aboard.”
David’s mother, Liane Nicolson, said that working with Swan has really boosted his confidence.
In 2022 he sailed from Harlingen on the Tall Ships Cruise in Company, and then on to Lowestoft with Swan. He was also on board for the herring trail trip to Anstruther in 2023.
David said: “I really enjoy being part of the Swan crew – everyone is so encouraging of people.”
THE UNITE union says it has delivered an “inflation busting pay deal” for Loganair workers across the UK.
More than 120 Loganair cabin crew will now benefit from the 18 month deal which was negotiated by Unite.
The pay deal amounts to an average basic pay increase of 23 per cent, which then rises to 26.7 per cent when other pay benefits and allowances are included.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has delivered a substantial pay win for Loganair cabin crew workers across the UK and Ireland. It’s further evidence that we are securing better pay packages for workers throughout the aviation industry.”
Sumburgh in Shetland is among the many airports in the UK and beyond which Loganair flies from.
ORGANISATIONS across the north of Scotland are being urged to apply for a share of £2 million from SSEN Transmission’s first ever community benefit fund.
The deadline for applications is on Friday 22 November, and with less than two weeks to go SSEN is encouraging people to apply.
Projects can earn a minimum amount of £40,000, all the way up to £500,000, for initiatives which aid skills development, support cultural projects, and help alleviate fuel poverty.
SSEN said there had been “strong initial interest” in the fund, which opened at the start of September.
People can find out more by following this link.
DONALD Trump’s recent election victory in the United States was brought up at a meeting of Shetland Islands Council’s (SIC) pension board on Monday morning – with a question raised over the impact on financial markets Stateside.
The SIC pension fund is part of a national local government scheme and money paid into by people employed in Shetland is invested globally.
A report presented to the board highlighted that at the end of September the value of investments sat at £779 million.
During the meeting Shetland South councillor Robbie McGregor asked: “I’ve no political comment to make about Donald Trump’s election in America, but the market seems to be moving very, very fast in a positive manner in North America.
“Can I seek assurance that this movement will be maximised over the next few months?”
SIC finance manager Paul Fraser replied that generally the market likes stability.
“I think the recent period in the run up to the election has been a period of uncertainty,” he added.
“Now there’s a result and on that basis I think things settle almost regardless of the outcome.
“We would certainly hope that regardless of what the future brings we would be seeking our portfolio to perform well and our managers will react accordingly as they see things happen.”
Members of the pension scheme include people who work for the SIC and some other local employers, such as Shetland Recreational Trust, Shetland Arts and UHI Shetland.
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