‘Despicable’ vandals scratched swastika into wall around VE Day

Vandals who scratched a swastika into a wall around the time of VE Day have been branded “despicable”.

Bergen-Shetland Yacht Race to arrive in Lerwick next week 

Around 150 crew are expected to take part in the 37th Bergen-Shetland Yacht Race which will arrive in Lerwick next week,

Green light for £13.3m Cullivoe road – but questions about ‘frustrating’ procurement delays to be kept private

Work is finally set to begin on the long-awaited Cullivoe road after councillors today gave the £13.3m project the green light.

UHI Shetland appoints Stephen Leask as chairman of management board

Lerwick North and Bressay councillor Stephen Leask has been announced as the new chairman of the board of management at UHI Shetland.

The board were “delighted” to make the announcement as Mr Leask brings a “wealth of experience”.

As well as his role representing the town and Bressay ward, Mr Leask also had a successful career as regional manager and advisor and consultant at Harbro.

Speaking to The Shetland Times, the new chairman said he was “pleased” and “honoured” to take on the role.

“I look forward to working in close collaboration with staff, students, and our wider community guided by the UHI Shetland principles of openness, respect, and excellence,” Mr Leask said.

He said the role of a leader was to turn a vision into reality, and through “effort, efficiency, and effectiveness” the board could continue to build a college that meets the training and industry needs at the heart of the community.

The outgoing interim chairman Mason Robbins said it was a “privilege” to hold the role temporarily.

Mr Robbins said the new chairman would be a “valuable” asset to have and had a “genuine passion” for the isles and its future.

He added: “With Stephen’s leadership, I believe UHI Shetland is well positioned to strengthen its role in the community, support our students and staff, and grow as a centre of learning and innovation for the islands and beyond.”

Two hundred attend heart screening event

Over 200 people attended a free heart screening event in Lerwick at the weekend, and the wheels
are in motion for it to return to Shetland next year.

The screenings took place at the Clickimin Leisure Centre for people aged 14 to 35, and were carried out by the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young, whose team of eight travelled to Shetland from the mainland.

The event’s was made even more special by the screening of Robbie Anderson, who turned up on his 14th birthday on Sunday.

Robbie is the youngest person ever screened by Cardiac Risk in the Young in the UK.

Over 10 people have been referred for further checks following the event.

Shetland Heart Screening is made up of three committee members: Siobhan Pirie, Fern Johnson and
Andrea Laurenson.

The group formed a few years ago when Ms Pirie’s husband John unexpectedly died in 2017 at the age of just 29 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The trio are so delighted to be able to facilitate the screening and are incredibly grateful and overwhelmed by the support received to date, made possible thanks to a fundraising drive in the community, as well as support from some local sponsors.

Each event costs £14,000 and the team also want to thank NorthLink, Bolts Car Hire and Clickimin for sponsorship and support for the 2025 event.

To enable future screening events to be scheduled, the team at Shetland Heart Screening are
currently running a lucky squares fundraiser.

Bike week brings group rides and funding workshops

Cyclists experienced and new have been invited to take part in a programme of events for Bike Week starting this Monday.

Organised by nationwide charity Cycling UK, the plans in Shetland include guided rides, a bike maintenance session and funding workshops for businesses and organisations hoping to access grants for bikes and storage.

Cycling UK’s development officer for Shetland, Andrew Campbell, said the week was primarily planned “to share the joy of cycling”.

“Cycling has loads of physical and mental health benefits, is an affordable way to travel and ultimately it’s great fun” he said.

“We want to support communities to become cleaner and greener and achieve that goal by helping more people walk, wheel and cycle for short everyday journeys.”

The week begins with a North Ness at noon on Monday that offers free bike safety checks provided by the Shetland Community Bike Project, a short guided ride and the chance to find out more about the range of free support available.

On Tuesday, cyclists can meet at Market House in the afternoon with two cycling advocates travelling up to the isles to kickstart a community effort to advance the conversation about cycling.

They will be discussing the Cycle Access Fund –  a grant available in Shetland to support organisations interested in getting their members onto bikes. Mr Campbell also offers free e-bike loans for a month at a time.

“The idea is to bring together people who are interested affecting change in the local area,” said Mr Campbell, “better understanding what local issues are and addressing barriers to participation.”

A free bike maintenance session is available at the Clickimin Leisure Centre on Wednesday at noon. Another group ride is planned from Brae on Thursday.

Cycling reached a peak UK-wide during the pandemic and has gradually declined since then, according to statistics compiled by Cycling UK. The isles also come with their own challenges for would-be wheelers.

“Obviously, Shetland is windy and a wee bit hilly, so e-bikes can really enable more frequent cycling,” he said. “Anyone that tries an e-bike becomes an instant convert.”

Frequent cyclists will also know that Shetland is not rich in bike paths.

Under its active travel strategy Shetland Islands’ Council has promised a “pipeline of projects”, from a broader cycling strategy, to a feasibility study for a cycle path linking Lerwick to Scalloway.

“I feel as if the council are doing the best job that they can when it comes to developing routes,” said Mr Campbell.

“There is a lot of development work involved in the process and it can take a lot of time before building can happen.”

“Ultimately we want to help more people discover that cycling for short local journeys can not only be practical, but fun and good for you.”

A full programme for next week can be found here.

In this week’s Shetland Times

In today’s (Friday, 6th June) edition of The Shetland Times:

• Freight-flex procurement begins.
• EXCLUSIVE: Walker will complete 2,000 mile charity event in Unst next month.
• Rosebank developers uncertain of electrification at oil field.
• COURT: Stuart Hill ordered to complete 75 hours of unpaid work.
• Two child benefit cap criticised by councillors.
• Officials deny knowledge of plans for major offshore development.
• SPORT: Island games previews begin with look at lawn bowls.

Stuart Hill ordered to complete unpaid work

Sovereignty campaigner Stuart Hill has been ordered to complete 75 hours of unpaid work after he failed to pay a £500 fine issued in 2017.

Appearing from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court yesterday Hill told the court that he did not recognise the name on the letter addressed to him, which stated he was due to appear before the sheriff.

When asked by the court’s clerk to clarify his name, the 82-year-old said he was “Stuart of the family Hill”.

He also told Sheriff Ian Cruickshank that he was superior to him, because the sheriff “stepped” down to his position, while Hill was a man.

Sheriff Cruickshank told the court the fine in question related to Hill’s candidacy at the 2017 general election.

He had failed to submit documents containing expenses and statements of all payments made, which were to be submitted to the appropriate election officer within 35 days.

Kirkwall Sheriff Court ordered Hill to pay the fine at a rate of £10 per week –  however, nothing was paid.

Hill said he was not the person who was responsible for paying the fine although he was aware of the case.

“That’s because you were there,” Sheriff Cruickshank said.

However, the sovereignty campaigner maintained he was not “S-T-U-A-R-T A-L-A-N H-I-L-L” but “the man” Stuart Alan Hill.

The sheriff asked Hill if he was willing to pay the fine or was going to ask for an extension. Hill refused.

Sheriff Cruickshank said there were different options available to him to impose on Hill, one of which was a 14-day prison sentence.

Hill objected to this, claiming it was not appropriate according to the Criminal Justice Scotland Act book, which he had in the dock.

After hearing Hill’s claims and quotations, the sheriff said none were “relevant” to the fines inquiry which Hill was facing.

“I did not say I would send you to prison, I said it was an option,” the sheriff said.

Sheriff Cruickshank said he would instead order Hill to complete 75 hours of unpaid work, which would be to the benefit of the “Shetland community”.

When asked if he would comply with the order, Hill said he “would have to consider it”.

A warrant was issued on Wednesday to apprehend Hill after he failed to appear in court. He was arrested that afternoon.

Procurement begins for new ‘lifeline’ freighter-flex vessels

Procurement has begun for the much sought after freighter-flex vessels which are hoped to enhance the lifeline ferry service.