Also in the news / Transport drop-ins, hospital work, theatre project and more …
MORE than 1,000 responses were provided to an inter-island transport survey carried out by the council, as it looks to map out the future of connectivity across the isles.
Public drop-in sessions will take place early next month to update residents on the progress after people responded in their droves about their current travel experiences.
Shetland Islands Council said the headline responses for each individual outer island would be shared at face-to-face and online sessions in March.
People will also have the opportunity to provide additional feedback and ask any further questions. The information received will help form a “robust strategic business case”, the council said, which councillors will consider later in the summer.
Elected members will be asked to make decisions on which options will go forward for more detailed appraisal.
The drop-in sessions will take place as follows:
- Mon 3 March – Bressay Hall – 3.30pm-7.30pm
- Tues 4 March – Mid Yell Hall – 3.30pm-7.30pm
- Wed 5 March – Fetlar Hall, 4.00pm-7.00pm and Baltasound Hall, 3.30pm-7.30pm
- Thurs 6 March – Symbister Hall – 3.30pm-7.30pm (for Whalsay and Skerries)
Online events are being arranged for Foula and Papa Stour following discussions with those communities.
Environment and transport committee chairwoman Moraig Lyall said it was “critical” that the council worked closely with island communities as the project moves forward.
“We need to be sure that the earlier online survey has satisfactorily captured as much information as possible on the current experiences of islanders and ferry users, as this helps us build our ‘case for change’, so I’d encourage folk to take some time and drop by the events,” she added.
SERVICES that were temporarily relocated at the Gilbert Bain Hospital due to investigative and remedial work have now returned to normal.
NHS Shetland said on Tuesday that the outpatient department was now back on the ground floor.
Further remedial work may be needed later in the year, with the health board now “carefully reviewing the findings from several surveys”.
“We will continue to keep patients and the community informed as we progress with the planning of this work,” NHS Shetland said.
“Thank you for your patience, support and understanding over the last four weeks whilst this essential building work was undertaken.”
FIFTEEN young Shetland theatre-makers will travel to Liverpool in April for a unique opportunity to hone their skills.
The ALICE Theatre Project will take a team to Merseyside for dedicated training with director Chris Tomlinson and award-winning movement director and choreographer Grace Goulding.
Both will also visit Shetland in May to support the group to create a site-responsive piece at Jarlshof in the South Mainland.
Students will spend the next term exploring and experimenting with Norse, Shetland and Viking Sagas, myths and folklore.
This will provide a framework to create their new production, entitled The Saga Stanes.
The Saga Stanes will result in two contemporary theatrical productions – a site-specific theatre film devised and delivered by the young team of volunteers at Jarlshof and an end of year live theatre production to be held in June at Mareel.
The group has been supported by the Viking Community Benefit Fund, Shetland ForWirds and Historic Environment Scotland on the project.
ALICE Theatre managing director Stephenie Georgia said this was a “unique and incredible opportunity” for the group’s young theatre makers.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support from the Viking Community Fund to make this project possible,” she said.
“This investment will enable us to future-proof the legacy of ALICE Theatre Project by investing in the theatre makers of the future and supporting them to realisetheir creative potential.”
PUPILS in Shetland will be offered the chance to gain deeper insights into the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through a new collaboration.
Highland-based Science Skills Academy, a project led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), has teamed up with energy company Equinor.
They will extend the roll-out of the pop-up Newton Rooms to schools in Shetland, starting in the spring.
The Newton Room concept helps to engage more young people in STEM activities, and is an international concept that stretches across 14 countries.
Over the next two years more than 1,000 pupils in Shetland are expected to benefit from the project – which will also create a full-time job in the isles.
Nine potential Newton Room locations have been identified in Shetland, including in Unst, Yell, Foula and Fair Isle.
HIE’s senior STEM engagement officer Scott O’Hara said they were “delighted to be bringing this exciting initiative to Shetland”.
Feedback from pupils who took part in Newton Room activities in the Highlands found more than 80 per cent said they found it “exciting and interesting”, while 100 per cent of teachers said their class had a “positive, exciting and inspirational learning experience”.
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