In brief - 2 July 2008

Robbie’s a record visitor

THE NEW Shetland Museum and Archives have welcomed their 100,000th visitor since opening on 31 May last year.

Robbie Jamieson, from Whalsay, was visiting the Hay's Dock building with his grandparents, Ian and Ruby Sales, last weekend.

To mark the occasion the museum is giving Mr Jamieson a fishing trip on the Pilot Us, a model of the vessel from the shop and a copy of the new Shetland Museum and Archives guide.

Visitor numbers to the museum have exceeded all expectations, roughly three times higher than anticipated.

Trust cash plumps up Millgaet

SHETLAND media business Millgaet Media is to feel the benefit of a substantial investment of public funds to allow it to expand its interests.

Local investment firm Shetland Development Trust yesterday (Tuesday) confirmed it was investing £250,000 into the company, based at Lerwick’s North Ness Business Park.

The trust added that local businessman Bobby Hunter will be the trust's appointee on the Millgaet board.

Millgaet Media publish the popular monthly 'ii Shetland' magazine, provide coverage for Scottish Television, and specialise in photography, film and graphic design.

The company's managing director Malcolm Younger said he was looking forwardto growing the business in a sustainable fashion by securing "larger contracts within the media and creative industry sector in the UK".

Safety event for crofters

THE HEALTH and Safety Executive is urging Shetland's crofters and farmers to attend a safety awareness course, to be held in Lerwick later today (Wednesday).

The practical ‘hands on’ event at Shetland Marts has been planned specifically for those working on crofts and small farms.

Instructors will take participants through six different scenarios like quad handling and safety involving children on a croft.

HSE will run two seminars, each lasting three hours. The first will start at 1pm, with the second starting at 4.30pm.

Those who have not received an invitation but would like to attend are being asked by the HSE to contact Nikki Jack on 0131 247 2109.

Boys are back on board

THREE local businessmen have been appointed to the board of Lerwick Port Authority for three years following an election.

Harry Jamieson, Brian Anderson and Ronnie Gair represent the business ratepayers’ section on the 11 strong board, which also has members representing ship owners and Shetland Islands Council.

Votes were cast by postal ballot with a high turnout of 74 per cent of the electorate in the business community.

Emergency campaign

EURO MP Elspeth Attwooll has put her name behind a campaign to raise awareness of the European emergency contact number 112, through which emergency services in all 27 EU member states can be contacted, apart from Bulgaria.

However, in Britain only 20 per cent of the population is aware of the service, the LibDem politician said yesterday.

"The 112 service was set up in 1991 when there were 12 member states. Today there are 27 and more and more people are travelling to newer resorts in different parts of the union. So it's important that we are aware of its existence," Ms Attwooll said.

Best kayaking in Europe

SHETLAND has been called the best place to go sea kayaking in Europe by a Welsh expert writing in the Guardian newpaper.

Co-author of Welsh Sea Kayaking, Jim Krawiecki, said Shetland’s ocean swell had shaped a “rugged coast with sea cliffs interspersed with small beaches and coves”.

He added: “The main distinguishing feature of the Shetland coastline is the number of sea caves which are huge and often complex structures hundreds of metres long with side passages and collapsed roofs where shafts of sunlight shine into the crystal blue waters from above.”

Shetland beat Scotland’s west coast into second place and the Isle of Man into third, followed in order by Anglesey, Scilly, Brittany, Norway, Sardinia, Croatia and Greece.

Small grants for part time students

PART-time students in Shetland can apply for a £500 grant from the Scottish Government as of yesterday (Tuesday).

The grant will be available to new and existing higher education students earning £18,000 a year or less and studying at 50 per cent or more of a full-time course.

Schools and skills minister Maureen Watt said: "The enhanced support for part-time students marks the first step in the move from loans to grants and highlights our determination to ease the financial pressures on learners young and old.”