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Howard and Zander McQuaid, from Stronsay, smashed both their time and fundraising target during a log pull to raise money for repair work to the community’s First Responder antenna.

They achieved five miles with a 28kg log (it gained a kilo when they left it out in the rain!) in 1 hour 31 minutes. The donations are still coming in but are over £730 – well over their £500 target.

Fellow islander, Roger Neville-Smith, accompanied the young lads on the route and managed to capture some lovely photos along the way.

Sanday School pupils smashed the ‘Swim to Ukraine’ challenge and have raised £590 through sponsorship -not bad for a school of 60 bairns!

Pupils from P1-S4 and staff from the school swam to Ukraine – thanks to the island’s swimming pool – raising money for the DEC Ukraine Appeal.

Principal Teacher, Kristen Muir, said it’s around 2,200 miles to Ukraine so they scaled the sponsored swim accordingly and counted all swimming lengths during the school and public sessions

The Council’s Catering Manager, Scott Pring, has been named a Food for Life Scotland Ambassador for his work promoting healthy, sustainable and locally sourced food in schools.

Scott attended an event in Edinburgh last week (10 May) alongside a select group of catering staff from across Scotland to receive the accolade – which follows on from the Food For Life Served here Bronze Award achieved by Scott and his team in schools in the county in 2020 and reaccredited last year.

He has been selected for his work within schools, the community and local authority to push forward the “good food” movement.

The re-opening of the campsite at the Point of Ness in Stromness has been delayed until May 23.

A group of Kirkwall Grammar School “climate champions” are hoping to disprove the myth that trees don’t grow in Orkney!

Since COP26 and thanks to Scottish Government funding, KGS climate ambassadors have been bringing their environmental plans to life.

After getting the backing of the Council, it was proposed that a small woodland be created within the school boundary – initially the plan was to plant 70 trees - in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of HM the Queen.

Our Arts Development team are leading the search for an artist or creative collaboration to help develop a COVID-19 memorial for Orkney, as part of the national ‘Remembering Together’ programme.

A bus leaflet with a free Orkney DayRider ticket, worth £7.70, will be sent to all households across Orkney at the end of this month (May) thanks to Council funding.

It is hoped the offer will encourage people to use more sustainable modes of travel, particularly if folk are finding the price of fuel and cost of living a strain at the moment. 

The leaflet also promotes the Stagecoach Bus app which is a fantastic way to track your bus as you are waiting.

Update on road works already underway or starting next week (week starting 16 May), including on Pickaquoy Road in Kirkwall which will also affect public bus services:

The power of being at home in familiar surroundings should never be underestimated, according to Laura Wood, the Occupational Therapist who led the Home First year-long pilot in Orkney.

With support and guidance from Ruth Lea, the Occupational Therapy Lead – Adult Services, Laura and the Home First team ?have been able to transform people’s lives, ensuring the right care, at the right time is in place relevant to each person’s needs.

The Home First team, who work in tandem with social care, Care at Home staff and physiotherapists have supported patient’s home, and in some cases prevented people from going into residential care.

Wilson Learmonth has described the Home First care model as “tremendous” for it has allowed his wife, Irene, to remain with him at home despite being dealt a number of devastating health diagnoses.

Irene, 74, a retired primary school teacher from Kirkwall led a fit and healthy lifestyle.

But the family’s world was turned upside down with a diagnosis of Parkinsons around four years ago and then a further blow when they were told Irene also had related Dementia.