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Winners announced at Shetland Sports Awards

December 1, 2023 | 11.15pm

The winners of the Shetland Sports Awards 2023 were revealed tonight (Friday) – with Seamas MacKay named sportsperson of the year and hockey sweeping the boards in several categories.

Seamas had a magnificent year, topped off with a silver medal at 1,500 metres at the Island Games in Guernsey this summer. Runners-up were athletes Katie Dinwoodie and Michelle Sandison.

Hockey was prominent at tonight’s awards ceremony held at the Clickimin Leisure Centre in Lerwick.

Shetland ladies hockey team were named team of the year after a hugely successful year, winning the Scottish District Cup and beating rivals Orkney 6-0 in the inter-county after 20 years. Runners up were the men’s football team and table cricket.

Derek and Brenda Leask won coach of the year as a result of hockey’s success, with football’s Neil Fenwick and girl’s rugby Tommy Robertson coming in as runners up.

Hockey also saw success in the young team of the year, beating Orkney in the inter-county.

Runners-up were Lerwick Rangers under-18s and the under-16s girls’ rugby team.

Young sportsperson of the year was Erin Spence, who had a brilliant netball season including being selected for the Scotland under-15 team. Annie Mowat (netball) and Ross Drakeford (table tennis) were runners-up.

Volunteer of the year was won by Bob Kerr and Lesley Hutchison, who put in an unbelievable amount of hours and work in organising Team Shetland for the 2023 island games.

Inga Geddes (Lerwick Amateur Swimming Club) and Alan Smith (outdoor bowls) were unners up.

The inclusivity award went to Phill Hibber, who puts inclusion at the forefront of everything he does with the Shetland Fencing Club. Runners up were Shetland Canoe Club and Bressay Parkrun.

The Lifetime Endeavour Award was given to Mandy Henderson for her work in numerous sports over the years.

The Shetland Times supports the awards, along with Shetland Recreational Trust, SIC sports and leisure, and sportscotland.

This year’s sponsors were: Morgan Sindall (Underground Cable Team); Morgan Sindall (Substation Team); Enquest; DITT Shetland; Ability Shetland; Harper MacLeod; Northlink Ferries; and RSM UK

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Abduction and attempted murder charges for man at Sheriff Court

December 1, 2023 | 2.26pm

A 31-year-old man has been charged with abduction and attempted murder at Lerwick Sheriff Court.

Rhys Chan, of Leicester, appeared at court today (Friday) where he entered no plea.

He was also charged with carrying a blade in public and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Chan is the fourth person to be charged with abduction and attempted murder in the last week.

He has been remanded in custody and will appear at court again at a later date, yet to be determined.

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  • Best Days with Shetland's Birds - Paperback

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Two-man crew of sunken creel boat rescued

December 1, 2023 | 10.26am

The two man crew from a fishing boat were rescued this morning (Friday) after their creel boat sunk off Skerries.

A call to the coastguard was made around 6.30am after a mayday call about an 11-metre vessel striking a submerged rock around two nautical miles west of Out Skerries.

The two crew on board had taken to a liferaft as the shellfish boat quickly sank below the waves.

A nearby salmon vessel recovered them from the liferaft and took them on board.

The lifeboat made good speed to the scene of the incident arriving about 45 minutes after launch.

Sea conditions were flat calm, with light winds, although the air temperature was close to freezing on one of the coldest nights of the winter so far.

The lifeboat came alongside the salmon vessel and the two rescued crew were transferred to the lifeboat.

With neither of them needing any medical attention, the lifeboat took them to Symbister pier in Whalsay at 8.45am.

Stephen Manson, Coxswain said: “This outcome of this sinking could have been much worse. With a liferaft on board their vessel, the crew did the right thing by contacting the coastguard and then taking to their liferaft.

“With cold sea temperatures right now, a liferaft was the best option and we’re grateful that a nearby vessel was soon able to pick them up. We’re pleased to have been able to safely land the casualties in Whalsay after their ordeal.”

The coastguard search and rescue helicopter was also tasked but later stood down.

The lifeboat returned to Lerwick harbour for around 9.15am and was refuelled and made ready for service.

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In this week’s Shetland Times

December 1, 2023 | 6.40am

In today’s (Friday 1st December) edition of The Shetland Times:

  • Light at the end of the tunnel as fixed links receive momentum boost.
  • Concerns raised as £5 million overspend on social care is revealed.
  • SIC to review speed limits in rural areas.
  • Hydrogen essy kerts “green the fleet”.
  • Man pleaded guilty to assault in “trivial” rows.
  • Girls football team “highly commended” at awards ceremony.

Laeverick make a welcome return

November 30, 2023 | 3.47pm

Popular country band Laeverick make a welcome return to Shetland at the weekend after being a big hit at this year’s Shetland Folk Festival.

Former Shetland Times news editor Jim Tait gives his verdict on their album, Laeverick 01, ahead of their performance at the Burra Public Hall on Saturday, at 7.30pm.

Do you have a fondness for harmonies as sweet as a lark, contemporary country music (Americana, as it’s commonly known) and also want to boost local talent? If so, the debut album by Laeverick should be a must-buy.

The seven-piece band cut its teeth a number of years ago now, both in the modest surroundings of the Burra Methodist Chapel and also at the acclaimed Thomas Fraser Memorial Festival.

The centrepiece is the three-pronged vocal attack (all outstanding) led by the multi-talented Jenny Keldie (née Napier), now domiciled in Orkney.

She is joined by two others who also hail from musical families. Mhari McLeman’s father and uncles are the famed Pottinger brothers, and dad Geordie actually came up with the group’s name.

Rhonda Simpson meanwhile, is the daughter of May and granddaughter of Thomas Fraser himself, no less.

The other quartet are no slouches themselves. Ivor “Fred” Polson has been a consistently good bass player for many years, guitarist Trevor Smith burst on the scene with Shoormal and is such a fine songwriter, and Erik Laughton from Orkney provides steady drumming throughout.

And keeping the pot bubbling nicely is a veteran of more Shetland bands than you’d probably care to remember. Jack Robertson used to be better known for his guitar and double bass prowess, but is now without doubt the best pedal steel performer in the isles. There are 11 tracks in all, mostly all written by the band members themselves, and I would find it impossible to give any of them less than seven out of 10.

At the top of the tree in my opinion is Smith and Simpson’s beautiful Wild Heart, for “the restless hearts out there”, which has an absolutely sublime contribution from Robertson.

Immediately following that is the equally impressive Feet Fly, an up-tempo number from Keldie and Simpson, where the former displays her fiddle prowess as well as some formidable vocals.

The same pair also pen the opening track Trouble In Mind, with harmony and slide playing setting a standard that does not falter.

On Private Jack, Keldie switches to piano with great effect for her lament about a sister waiting for her brother to return from the First World War. Poignant words come from the late Shetland poet Jack Peterson, about the brutality of fighting and the trenches.

The band might not have built a reputation for rocking, but they come closest on Simpson and Smith’s Don’t Go, which has an upbeat melody and features Polson moving to mandolin. The Whalsay man does likewise on Bring Us The Bottle, with songwriter Simpson taking lead vocals, upright bass from Robertson and tidy lead guitar work by Smith.

The Keldie-Simpson double act contribute another two offerings in Dance For You, a country ballad said to be inspired from the “Nashville” box set, and the catchy Friday Night. The latter is about “high heels and high hopes”, or bad girls dreaming of bad boys. Say no more.

Keldie apparently presses a button on her new Roland keyboard and, hey presto, she’s playing jazz organ.

A guest in our house was asked during the first playing of the album for their thoughts of the origination of the band.

“Well obviously America,” she replied. Might they take that as a compliment? I guess they would.

Rise Up, written by Keldie for her boys Jamsie and Sam, evokes memories of a famous old country ballad, which I won’t name but should be fairly recognisable.

All through the harmonies never waver and the standard never drops. Simpson leads again with Too Far Gone, written by herself and Smith, and the contributions by McLeman and Keldie are immaculate. And finally, the third standout track for me is Keldie’s Morning Star, which features words by the late Jeanette Nowak. It’s a fitting end to a remarkably good album as it makes you long for more. Hopefully a follow-up won’t be long in the making.

Laeverick 01, by Laeverick. CD recorded and mixed by Tim Matthew, Mareel. Mastered by Gordon Gunn, The Caithness Mix Room.

• Tickets for tomorrow’s performance are available from eventbrite.com or by calling Rhonda on 07826 060054 or Jem on (01595) 859295.

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WATCH: Runners enjoy Spiggie 10k in sunshine

November 12, 2023 | 1.15pm

Dozens of runners took part in the Spiggie 10k run in the South Mainland today.

Athletes started off at the Dunrossness Public Hall at 11.30am and took in the brilliant route around the Spiggie Loch in glorious sunshine, before finishing at the hall again.

• Full report in this week’s Shetland Times.

WATCH: Large crowd pay respect on Remembrance Day

November 12, 2023 | 12.34pm

Massive crowds lined the streets around the war memorial at Lerwick Town Hall this morning to pay their respects on Remembrance Day.

A loud gun salute at the King George V playpark signalled the beginning of a well-respected two-minute silence.

This was followed by the laying of wreaths from various organisations, led by Lord Lieutenant Bobby Hunter on behalf of King Charles III.

He was followed by MSP Beatrice Wishart and representatives from the armed forces, emergency services as well as cadets and school pupils.

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WATCH: Dawn chorus in Whalsay’s Daalamist 

November 7, 2023 | 4.03pm

Daalamist glided throughout Shetland this morning (Tuesday) with footage taken in Whalsay by Angela Irvine featuring the dawn chorus of birds in the distance.

This follows last night’s showing of the Northern Lights which was spotted across the isles for the third night in a row.

WATCH: Tom Kitchen protege makes surprise appearance at food and drink festival

November 2, 2023 | 5.17pm

Shetland-born chef Adam Sandison made a surprise guest appearance at last weekend’s Taste of Shetland food and drink festival.

Adam, who worked under famous chef Tom Kitchen at his Michelin-rated restaurant in Leith, delighted the crowds with an Asian-style salmon dish.

He is currently back in Shetland for a visit before going to live in Portugal with his young family, working locally at the Lerwick Hotel for a short period.

Adam said: “It was fantastic to be part of the event and showcase local produce.”

• Buy Friday’s Shetland Times for a full report and photos on the event.

Who’s the scariest this Halloween?

October 31, 2023 | 11.42am

If you think you have the scariest or best Halloween costume why not send us your photos, and the best will be printed in this week’s Shetland Times.

Send your photos to editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk or post them on our Facebook page.

Rare yellow warbler spotted

October 13, 2023 | 10.51am

The image of this rare American Yellow Warbler was taken in Hoswick yesterday [Thursday] by Mark Rayment.

This is just the fourth Shetland record, and the second this year after one was found in Foula back in September.


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