Sally Shaw

A statement from SIC chief executive Mark Boden and NHS Shetland chief executive Ralph Roberts said Ms Shaw had “been offered a new post which she expects to take up over the summer”.

NHS Shetland and SIC were working on the assumption that, with annual leave, she would be leaving her current post around the end of June/early July.

Mr Boden and Mr Roberts stated: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Sally for all the work she has put in over her time in Shetland, and we want to wish her well in her new post.

“We recognise this is a very busy time for both NHS Shetland and Shetland Islands Council’s community care services, and we are actively reviewing the options to provide leadership and management to these services.”

Among other issues Ms Shaw was involved in the decision to close the Freefield Centre lunch club in Lerwick. Her description of it as a “waitress service” came in for much criticism, including a strongly-worded letter from Unison representative Brian Smith.

That is the vision of Busta House Hotel proprietor Veronica Rocks, who spoke about the idea at Shetland Museum and Archives last night.

The possibility of Shetland being highlighted in this way stemmmed from the concept of cities being named capitals of culture, and Mrs Rocks said Shetland, with so much to offer and a “never-ending feast” of events, was already “halfway there”.

At present, she said, the isles were in a period of uncertainty, poised somewhere between hope and fear – hope from oil and gas developments, and fear with council cutbacks.

But Shetland has so much going for it, she said, with the biggest oil terminal in Europe on the doorstep and 2013 seeing the biggest growth ever in the oil and gas industries.

In a different area, she said that Shetland had recently been named as the European Community of Sport, but “we didn’t know” about it as not enough fanfare had been made. Events such as the island games already gave Shetland a platform to be an island of culture, but all aspects of culture would have to be brought together.

And the concept would need a “hook”, such as inviting Olympic medallists Chris Hoy and Andy Murray as ambassadors to Shetland. “They should come up here”, Mrs Rocks said. “That’s their job.” She named other ambassadors as naturalist Simon King, novelist Ann Cleeves and film critic Mark Kermode, and mentioned the more quirky areas in which Shetland had benefited recently. 

She said 3 Mobile, which made the advert with the dancing pony, could be approached for sponsorship of the island of culture idea and ideas such as the pony in the Shetland jumper should be tacked onto a campaign.

But it was important, indeed vital, that any idea of a campaign for an island of culture should come from the grass roots, and cited Living Lerwick, as a good example. This has united the business people of the town centre to promote the area, with considerable success.

Mrs Rocks was speaking at the occasion of a return visit to Shetland of Dr Michael Kelly, the man behind the Glasgow’s Miles Better campaign.

His slogan had been vital in that campaign and Mrs Rocks had devised her own, as a suggestion: <i>Shetland’s For Sharing</i> – referring to the links to be made within the isles and externally.

The Shetland’s for Sharing logo suggested by Veronica Rocks

The year of culture Glasgow had enjoyed had created civic pride and vastly improved Glasgow’s image, Dr Kelly said. The same could happen in Shetland, but the initiative must come from the private sector and the community.

Joe Rocks of the Busta House Hotel said that council imposition had often been the “death knell” of projects, and councillor Alastair Cooper said that this had been the biggest failure of the council over the last 30 years.

However Dr Kelly said the council, with its expertise, could provide leadership for a project, and he had already been impressed with Shetland’s private sector on his previous visit. He also remarked on the fact that Sullom Voe Terminal had “wanted to be involved in a community campaign”.

Leadership and funding were vital for a campaign, but it must be based on facts, itemising Shetland’s selling points – these could be the “happiness index”, in which the isles fared well, and areas such as the amount of leisure or life expectancy.

Long-term, he said, in a idea that has often been aired by the council, the isles need more people of working age. This number is at present “dangerously low”, and the isles need help in this area from the Scottish and UK governments to create infrastructure, including housing.

It is a “big jump” from civic pride to sustainable population growth, he said, but it could be achieved.

Friday, 24th May 2013 at 12:09

HEADLINES

TODAY: Becoming dry and bright. Light winds.
TONIGHT: Cool and dry.
TOMORROW: Mostly dry. Little wind.
DAYS 3-5: Some rain or showers. Stronger winds later.
DAYS 6-10: Mainly dry with moderate winds. Cool.

SUMMARY

After a cloudy start with some showery rain in places today will be mainly dry and bright with sunny spells. A light N’ly breeze dying away. Dry tonight with clear spells and little or no wind, so rather chilly with the chance of a ground frost.

Saturday dry and bright with a light S’ly breeze picking up later as cloud increases. Cloudy on Sunday with the chance of some rain.

Cloudy on Monday with strong SE’ly winds and outbreaks of rain later. Bright with showers on Tuesday and lighter E’ly winds.

Perhaps mainly dry and bright during the remainder of next week and following weekend. Moderate or fresh SE to E’ly winds backing light NE to N’ly. Possibly cool by night with the risk of a local frost away from coasts.

GENERAL SITUATION AND SYNOPSIS 06:00 UTC

With pressure high to the west and a depression that had been close to Shetland now moving south over the North Sea an easing N to NE’ly airflow will soon become light and variable as a ridge to the west moves in over Shetland.

Pressure is expected to remain high over Scotland during the weekend, though an occluded front to the west may edge closer on Sunday.

After the weekend low pressure in the Iceland area is forecast to slip south to the west of Scotland and then southeast over southern parts of the UK. At the same time pressure is expected to remains relatively high across the north. As this happens we will a moderate to fresh SE to E’ly airflow developing early in the week as fronts get pushed north across Scotland, gradually backing to a cooler and lighter NE’ly later.

FORECAST FOR NEXT THREE DAYS

Confidence level: Confidence level: Weather type –medium. Timing – medium.

A high 11° or 12° Celsius today with a low tonight of about 4° Celsius. On Saturday and Sunday, 12° or 13° Celsius by day down to about 7° Celsius overnight.

FRIDAY 24^th: Perhaps some early showers otherwise mainly dry though rather cloudy at first. Feeling less cold as F3-4 NNE’ly winds back N to NW’ly and then light and variable. Some sunny spells developing through the day. A dry night and, with little or no wind and clear spells, a rather chilly one with the chance of a ground frost.

Sea State: Moderate becoming moderate to slight, with a 2 metre N or NE’ly wind-swell decreasing 1 to 2 metres and turning SW’ly later.

SATURDAY 25^th: A cool bright start then a dry day with sunny or clear spells and little wind. A F1-3 S to SE’ly breeze developing later as cloud thickens from the west. The chance of some light rain or drizzle overnight.

Sea State: Mainly slight to moderate, with a 1 to 2 metre S to SW’ly wind-swell becoming S to SE’ly later.

SUNDAY 26^th: Rather cloudy at first with the chance of a little light rain. Otherwise mainly dry with brighter interludes and some sunny spells. F2-3 S’ly winds.

Sea State: Mainly slight to moderate, with a 1 to 2 metre SW’ly wind-swell turning S to SE’ly.

10-DAY OUTLOOK

Confidence level: Weather type – medium/low. Timing – low/medium.

Temperatures 10° to 12° Celsius by day down to about 4° Celsius overnight.

MONDAY 27^th: Cloudy with outbreaks of rain and strong SE’ly winds.

Sea State: Moderate to rough, with a 2 to 3 metre SE’ly wind-swell.

TUESDAY 28^th: Brighter and drier with showers. Moderate or fresh E’ly winds.

Sea State: Perhaps mostly moderate, with a 2 metre E’ly wind-swell.

WEDNESDAY 29^th – MONDAY 3^rd: The remainder of the week and following weekend perhaps cool with scattered showers and lighter N to NE’ly winds.

Sea State on Wednesday: Possibly mainly slight, with a 1 metre N to NW’ly wind-swell.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

DISCLAIMER

Be aware that the weather over north-west Europe – and especially around the Northern Isles – is part of an ever-changing and dynamic system. Therefore regard the ’10-Day Outlook’ as a guide only – there are times when any outlook going beyond about 36 to 48 hours is likely to prove
unreliable.

Always check the latest forecast from the UK Met Office before undertaking any weather-dependent activity.

All forecasts are for planning purposes only.

Neither Dave Wheeler, nor any employee of Fair Isle Weather Services, accepts any liability for the accuracy of this forecast.

Dave Wheeler MBE FRMetS

Field

Fair Isle

Shetland, ZE2 9JU

Telephone: +44 (0)1595760224

Mobile: 07545822376

E-mail: dave@davewheelerphotography.com or dave.wheeler@fairisle.org.uk

Photography: www.davewheelerphotography.com

Weather: www.northisles-weather.co.uk

Fair Isle: www.fairisle.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dave.wheeler3

Twitter: twitter.com/dawadderman

Shellfish operation Blueshell Mussels is poised to relocate the processing outfit to the Ronas fish factory in Northmavine.

The news follows this week’s announcement by Meridian Salmon Group that it will breathe new life into the North Isles plant, which has been run by the Shetland Norse Preserving Company since the 1960s.

Eight new jobs will be created in Yell when Meridian expands its operation into the building.

A new business, Shetland Crab Ltd, is meanwhile set to emerge from the deal and operate in Heylor as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blueshell.

The former Ronas Fish Factory is to re-open as a new processing unit. Photo: Dave Donaldson

Significantly, most of the “ experienced” and “highly-skilled” workers at the old Shetland Norse Preserving Company (SNPC) have secured their jobs and will work from the new plant.

Blueshell’s managing director, Michael Laurenson, said he was delighted a way had been found to protect the crab business and that Shetland’s crab-processing sector had been safeguarded.

His company aims to produce a “wider portfolio” of shellfish products, all of which will be recognised by the Marine Stewardship Council as having been caught using sustainable practices.

“We will be creating a number of efficiencies to develop the business – the most significant of which is moving to smaller, yet more efficient premises, at Heylor.

“The premises are currently being refurbished to a very high standard to allow high-care crab processing to meet the stringent quality stand­ards expected by our customers.

“It was vital to us that SNPC’s very experienced and highly-skilled crab processing staff moved to the new facility, so we are delighted that the majority of the current workforce will re-locate to the new premises.

“We are confident that we can develop the business through Blue­shell’s existing customer base by providing a wider portfolio of MSC accredited shellfish products.”

On Monday it emerged Meridian plans to fit out the Yell factory, which lies close to its existing base, with “ultra modern” and “highly-efficient equipment”, in time for a September opening.

North Isles councillor Robert Hen­der­son welcomed the news.

“Any job in the outlying communities, especially a place like Yell, is always welcome,” he said.

The good news marks a positive turn of events for Yell in recent weeks.

Earlier this month it emerged the island would be granted a grid connection by SSE which will pave the way for a community-owned windfarm gen-erating up to £1.3 million of electricity every year.

Mr Henderson added: “It’s basically too good to be true. We just hope that it continues. It is two very important plus stories for the outlying areas of Shetland.”

SNPC dates back to 1968 when it was established by businessman Henry Krantz, who sought to leave a legacy to the isles in light of the Shetland Bus war-time operation.

He wanted to provide a livelihood to as many local people as he could.

Anders Offerdal of SNPC said: “When Michael Laurenson approached the owners over a year ago, Blueshell Mussels was considered a tentative good fit as a potential pur­chaser.

“Blueshell already enjoys a good rep­utation, gained over 15 years of oper­ation, for fairness, consistency, strong local employ­ment values and with a proven track-record in shellfish catching, growing and processing. Michael also had a passion and a vision for the future of the industry.”

Mr Laurenson added: “We look forward to building on the legacy and foresight of Henry Krantz and the SNPC crab processing business, where product is value-added in Shet­land, and this allows the maximum returns possible to remain within the wider local economy.”

More in today’s Shetland Times.

ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT

(Job Share)

Salary £19,209 to £20,001 inclusive of Distant Island Allowance (pro rata)

An Administration Assistant is required to support the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer in the compilation of the Electoral Register, Valuation Roll and Council Tax List.  Experience in the use of computer systems and Microsoft Office is essential. Applicants should also be accustomed to dealing with the public as well as undertaking general administrative and reception duties.

The job share pattern is structured on a five days per fortnight basis. Hours of work are 37 hours per fortnight.

For an application form or further details, please contact Ian Leslie, tel. 01595 745705 or email ian.leslie@shetland.gov.uk.

Closing date for applications is: 5pm on Tuesday, 4th June 2013.

Tel. 07818 876892.

An exciting opportunity to be involved in an innovative and entrepreneurial creative organisation; Shetland Arts based in Mareel.

EVENTS ASSISTANT

(Front of House)£7.50 per hour

You will work as part of the Box Office and Customer Service team to deliver a professional, customer focused service representing Shetland Arts in Mareel, the Garrison Theatre, Bonhoga Gallery and at external events.

CLEANER

£7.15 per hour inclusive of Islands Allowance

Cleaner required for Mareel & the Garrison Theatre, to work as and when required. Immediate start preferable. Duties will include: vacuuming, mopping floors and cleaning toilets.

APPLY

Application by email only to:jobs@shetlandarts.org Deadline: Mon 3 June 2013 @ 10am For more information & downloads: www.shetlandarts.org/opportunities

Lerwick Health Centre – Fixed term for 12 months

Band 3 – Salary Range £16,271- £19,268 per annum (pro rata)

Part Time – 22.5 hours per week

If you don’t have access to the internet or would prefer to receive a job pack by post, please contact the Human Resources Department, Brevik House, South Road, Lerwick, Shetland or telephone: (01595) 743067 (24 hour answerphone), quoting the appropriate reference number.  All applications must be on our standard application form – CVs will not be accepted.

In promoting equal opportunities, we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Tel. 01595 695865 or mobile 07810 013000.

This is a spacious one and a half storey family home built c. 2004. There are 2 livingrooms and 4 bedrooms including a master bedroom suite with a walk-in dressing room and an en-suite bathroom. There is a large enclosed garden and a detached one and a half storey garage. Set in the centre of Hamnavoe, it is close to all local amenities and approximately 10 miles from Lerwick.

Viewing is highly recommended to fully appreciate this property.

Accommodation: Ground Floor: Vestibule, Hallway, Open Plan Livingroom / Kitchen / Sunroom, Utility Room, Bathroom and 2 Double Bedrooms. First Floor: Second Livingroom, Bedroom and Master Bedroom Suite with a Walk-in Dressing Room and En-suite Bathroom.

To view: Telephone 01595 859345 or 07775 915021.

OFFERS OVER £230,000.

Home Report Available.

Further particulars from and all offers to:

Neil Risk,
Solicitor & Estate Agent,
Nordhus,
North Ness Business Park,
Lerwick,
Shetland,
ZE1 0LZ.
TEL: 01595 695262
FAX: 01595 695331
website: www.neilrisk.com
e-mail: mail@neilrisk.com