Sandwick: Crash attended by emergency services

Two vehicles have crashed on the A970 near Sandwick this afternoon (Tuesday).

Police and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended the collision.

A fire crew was called by police to try and make the scene safe.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 3.10pm on Tuesday, 9 August, 2022, officers were called to a report of a crash involving two vehicles on the A970 near Sandwick.

“Emergency services are at the scene.”

There is no indication to the well being of the people in the vehicles.

Police Scotland have been contacted for more details.

Exam joy for pupils as results are out

Joy for pupils as exam results show that pass rates are up in Shetland compared to the rest of Scotland.

Pass rates for National 5, Highers and Advanced Highers are all above the Scottish average, with increases in pass rate for National 5 and advanced Highers.

Exams returned for the first time since before the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2019.

The A to C pass rate at National 5 is 86.6 per cent. In 2019, this figure was 82.3 per cent with the Scottish average this year at 80.8 per cent.

A to C pass rate at Higher is 79.5 per cent.  In 2019, this figure was 81.9 per cent and the Scottish average this year is 78.9%.

Finally the A to C pass rate at Advanced Higher is 88.2 per cent.  In 2019, this figure was 78.2 per cent while the Scottish average this year is 81.3 per cent.

Davie Sandison, Chairman of the Council’s Education and Families Committee said: “I’d like to congratulate all the pupils on their achievements, after sitting exams for the first time in three years.

“They’ve shown remarkable resilience in the face of the uncertainty and disruption caused by the pandemic.

“I would like to thank all the teachers, head teachers and support staff who have helped prepare our young people for exams this year and who have provided them with the health and wellbeing support to help them achieve their potential.”

Care homes facing greater pressures than at the worst of the pandemic

 Care homes are “stretched to capacity” as the service battles with pressures not seen since the height of the pandemic. 

The SIC has asked for the public’s support as services struggle with a period of “extremely high pressure”.

It said the problems had arisen due to rising demand, coupled with the continuing pressures of Covid, the holiday period, and ongoing difficulties with recruitment.

Services have moved to a business continuity mode, meaning the focus is on directing resource towards the highest risk areas.

The council said similar pressures were being felt throughout the country with the impact reportedly going “beyond that during the worst of the pandemic”.

“We would reassure families and friends of those receiving care that our priority is their safety and support, and we ask for their patience and understanding,” the council said. 

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NorthLink pod petition sent to ferry boss

A petition to replace the pods on the NorthLink ferries has been submitted to the managing director after more than 1800 people supported the cause.

Sarah Stove, from Lerwick, sent the petition to Stuart Garrett for consideration last week and is waiting for a response.

Ms Stove said that despite the support she has for the petition she felt nervous because of the responsibility.

She said: “I just wanted to get it done, I felt like I was on autopilot really. 

“I am proud and my friends are too but at the same time I’m also nervous, I feel like it’s a big responsibility.” 

The aim of the petition is to take away the pods which are “not fit for purpose” and replace them with something more suitable.

Many people have commented on the petition, detailing why they have signed the document and many are not willing to use the reclining sleeping station.

Alan Tulloch, of Orkney, commented: “They are absolutely rubbish. I often sleep on the ground in front of the pod.”

Mary Watt, from Lerwick, also said: “I’m not a good sailor so have to be in a horizontal position to cope, which isn’t possible with the existing pods.”

In recent times, the ferry service has been criticised for overcrowding, with pictures being branded “unacceptable” by Isles politicians.

A ban on shared cabins has also led to solo passengers feeling like they are being treated like “second class citizens” while they travel, having to use pods or sleep in corridors.

Ms Stove’s petition is mainly to replace the pods with something that is more comfortable and acceptable.

However, in her petition she suggested a couchette may be a better option than the pods currently used.

Mr Garrett has went on record in the past supporting the controversial sleeping facilities which are used in the passenger ferries.

In December, Stuart Garret highlighted figures showing the popularity of pods.

He said they were a “competitively priced alternative” to cabins, adding: “So despite what some people might say there is a demand and we have significant satisfaction ratings for both cabins and pods.”

NorthLink have again been approached for comment.

New Saxa Vord base station planned to help coastguard ‘save lives for years to come’

A new communications tower is planned for an old RAF base as part of a “significant investment” in replacing the coastguard radio network.

Whalsay win Fraser Cup after 2-0 victory over Thistle

Whalsay lifted the Fraser Cup after a fairly comfortable 2-0 win over Thistle in Scalloway.

Neil Laurenson gave the islanders the lead in the first half with a superb solo goal, before Lee Irvine sealed the win in the second period with an instinctive finish inside the box.

Thistle tested Whalsay keeper Kyle Duncan, mostly in the second half and from long range, but Whalsay held out resolutely to win the trophy.