Buoyed by an upsurge in global markets, Shetland Charitable Trust gained a record £50 million in its investment funds in the financial year 2009/10.

A week ago I posed the following open questions to those that oppose a future renewable energy export industry for Shetland:

The vote in favour of Viking Energy’s current windfarm proposal is hardly a ringing endorsement. As you have reported, only nine of the 21 councillors eligible to vote actually supported it. That’s democracy and those of us who failed to persuade them otherwise must accept the decision. However, your readers may find it useful to see the full text of the amendment that I proposed at the meeting on 14th December, seconded by Gary Robinson. It read as follows:

SIC councillors have voted by a wide margin to give their backing to Viking Energy’s controversial 127-turbine windfarm, rejecting the recommendations of the local authority’s own planning department.

So what’s the odds that the SNP will claim they will restore their leadership in Scotland next year by erecting even more wind turbines?

The European Union is to consider sanctions against Faroe and Iceland as the dispute over mackerel quotas intensifies.

Young people from Shetland are being asked by the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) to stand up for what they believe in and make a difference in their communities by putting themselves forward as candidates in the March 2011 Youth Parliament elections.

The decision to close Scalloway School is lunacy! The Anderson High School is currently not fit for purpose for the numbers of pupils it has never mind adding more.

The coalition government at Westminster has plans to close Shetland’s coastguard station as part of its massive ongoing cost-cutting drive, The Shetland Times has learned.

SIC convener Sandy Cluness has made a special ruling to allow reports on the economic benefit and ornithological impact of Viking Energy’s controversial windfarm to be included on the agenda for tomorrow’s crunch meeting to determine the local authority’s stance on the project.