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Orkney Islands Council is reminding local families and young people that anyone aged under 22 is eligible to travel for free on buses in Orkney - and right across Scotland - if they have an up-to-date National Entitlement Card or Young Scot Card with the free travel included on their card.

The Scottish Government recently launched a new website www.freebus.scot  to help guide young people and their families through the process of applying for the free travel.

A number of parents have spoken of the delight felt by their children who took part in the Inclusive Cycling and Activities Event at Orkney’s Picky Centre at the weekend.

OIC Sport and Leisure worked in partnership with Inclusive Orkney, Ability Shetland, Picky and Cycling UK to arrange the event, with the sessions on Saturday being open to all children and adults with additional support needs and their families.

Calling all youngsters - do you want to meet a big, friendly dinosaur at the County Show?

Come along to the NSPCC stall at Bignold Park on Saturday 13 August and have your photo taken with Pantosaurus – and take part in the local competition to win Grooves vouchers and copies of the Power of PANTS books. There will also be free parent guides on the Talk PANTS campaign, keyrings and bookmarks to take away.

To be in with a chance of winning the top prize of a £50 Grooves voucher or two runners up prizes of £25 Grooves vouchers – and a copy of the book – youngsters will be asked to design a pair of pants for Pantosaurus. All the materials will be there, so just pop along, take a seat and get your artistic flair on. The winners will be announced at 3pm, but don’t worry if you aren’t around, we will be in touch to arrange your prize.

Orkney Islands Council is advising that applications are now open for assistance towards the cost of supporting young people to continue their studies.

There are two types of grants available through the Council:

You could be forgiven for thinking you have landed in an Asian country if out and about on Westray these days -thanks to the long-awaited arrival of a couple of brand new bespoke tri-shaws – Fattie Cuttie and Fitty Fitty Bang Bang!

Named following a poll on the island, the three-wheeled semi-electric cycles are getting a regular outing while the “pilots” (the person cycling the bike) become competent in using them before taking out passengers.

Lots of Council staff have already been out and about cycling as part of the Cancer Challenge fundraiser – and there’s all the more reason for others to join in on Thursday 4 August - Cycle to Work Day!

It’s the cycle scheme’s 10^th birthday and it’s been a massive success in getting thousands of commuters across the nation to make the switch to cycling to work.

Given Dounby Show day is a local holiday, it means that Hatston, Bossack and Garson Household and Waste Recycling Centres and the St Margaret’s Hope and Cursiter Recycling Centres will be closed on Thursday 11 August.

They will be open as normal on Friday 12 August.  Kerbside collections will be carried out as normal.

The Cathedral welcomed the 100,000^th person since the new vestibule was opened on 1 April earlier this year.

Jacqueline Noguera is from the Philippines, and she is one of the crew members off the cruise ship MSC Poesia, which is visiting Orkney today, 28 July.

Visitor Services Assistant Ross Flett was on hand to present Jacqueline with a small bag of Orkney goodies to mark the occasion.

The Council is reminding the Orkney public that evening bus services are now serving in the East Mainland, West Mainland and Kirkwall and Orphir areas on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Council’s Library team is helping pilot an initiative aimed at helping more people tap into ‘Near Me’ for their online health-related appointments, through their local library.