PODCAST: Behind the curtains of Islesburgh Drama Group

Plans for new Eela Water treatment works

Scottish Water has submitted multi-million pound plans for a new water treatment works next to its existing site by Eela Water in Northmaven.

The project will renew the main infrastructure which produces drinking water for around 5,500 customers in the north and west Mainland, as well as a number of significant businesses and industrial sites.  

It is proposed that the new water treatment works would use ceramic membrane technology to treat water which would continue to be drawn from both Eela Water and Roer Water, further to the north.  

Most of the new plant is expected to be assembled and commissioned off-site, before being broken down into modules for transport to Shetland. 

This approach has been widely used by Scottish Water, working with its specialist partner RSE, and helps to reduce disruption on site, as well as bringing carbon and cost savings.

Scottish Water’s project manager John Shaw said: “We would like to thank members of the local community, landowners and crofters who have already contributed to the development of our plans.

“We would encourage anyone interested to look at the details of our proposals online and provide any further comments via the planning process.

“The existing plant has been serving local communities for over 45 years – and we hope the project we are preparing will ensure the continued production of clear, fresh and great-tasting drinking water for many decades to come.

“We look forward to continuing to engage and work with the local community over the course of the planning process and beyond.”

Full details of the planning application can be found on the Shetland Islands Council website under reference 2024/078/PPF, where representations can also be made during the statutory consultation period.

Photographer’s work documenting demolition of old Anderson High School to feature in exhibition

An exhibition of photography documenting the demolition of the former Anderson High School is set to open next month.

Shetland Arts said photographer Dave Donaldson’s work would go on show at Twageos Road and Mareel’s Upper Cafe Bar from 1st May.

The photographs at Twageos Road will focus on the demolition and infrastructure, while the portrait series in Mareel will celebrate the people who came to Shetland with Central Demolition to carry out the work.

Creative project programmer Jane Matthews said: “These striking black and white photographs document a valuable element of Shetland’s history and provide a wonderful insight into the work and the people involved in clearing the Knab site.

“As a place that holds so many memories for so many people we’re delighted to have had the opportunity to commission this archive of images.” 

Titled Dispecta est Thule the exhibition takes its name from the Anderson High School motto: “Thule is seen”, referencing the Greek and Roman name for the most northerly known land in the Atlantic.

The photos were taken during the demolition of the old school buildings as part of the Knab redevelopment.

The SIC and Shetland Arts commissioned Donaldson to document the demolition, and chart the latest stage of buildings’ evolving history.

Lerwick Community Council has also supported the project.

The Twageos exhibition will run until 1st June while the photos in Mareel will be able to view until November. 

Former teacher jailed for abusing pupils

A former Shetland primary school teacher has been jailed for historic sex offences against six of his pupils.

Stephen Tait, 41, was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Aberdeen Sheriff Court today (Monday) after being found guilty of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour towards six boys.

A jury took just 30 minutes to find Tait, who had denied the charges, guilty at a trial last month.

After the verdict was returned, it was revealed that in 2012 Tait was convicted of sexually assaulting two boys while he was a teacher in Fife.

And in 2013 he was convicted at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court after 57 indecent images of children were found on his computer.

The offences took place at a Shetland school prior to those crimes.

All six boys gave evidence during the trial either in person, by pre-recorded video or via remote link from Lerwick Sheriff Court.

Tait was jailed for 30 months and put on the sex offenders register.

Today, Sheriff Ian Wallace described his offending as “ongoing, planned behaviour against children”.

He told the serial sex offender: “It was made more serious in that it was committed by you, a teacher, against young children who were in your care.

“It was a serious breach of trust and the seriousness of it and the potential harm caused would have been obvious to you.

“The evidence against you was clear and compelling and the jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty.”

Tait’s defence solicitor Colin Neilson had earlier told the court that his client’s offending was “serious for a number of reasons … not least the breach of trust” and the impact on his victims, which he said would be “lasting”.

“Though hopefully, they will be able to go on to live productive lives,” he added.

Mr Neilson said Tait had been living “a rather isolated existence” and that it had been 12 years since his last conviction in 2012.

“Mr Tait accepts that it’s inevitable that a custodial sentence will be imposed today and perhaps that will be sufficient,” the solicitor told the court before he was sentenced.

Speaking after today’s sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Craig Still said: “Stephen Tait abused his position of trust as a teacher, and I would commend the victims for coming forward and reporting his behaviour to us.

“Investigating events that have happened in the past can present challenges and it can sometimes only be with hindsight that people recognise that what happened to them was abuse.

“Police Scotland has highly trained, specialist officers, across the country who can investigate such offences and, working with partners, ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

“We are committed to investigating all reports regardless of when abuse happened, where it took place or who was involved.

“We will listen, we will investigate, and we will take prompt action to ensure that no-one else is at risk of harm.‎

“We would ask anyone wishing to report abuse to contact us on 101.”