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Orkney Islands Councillors observed a minute’s silence at today’s Special General Meeting in memory of George Stevenson, one of Orkney Islands Council’s first Councillors, who passed away in August.

Extensive upgrading work plans for the Longhope Lifeboat Museum moved a step closer this week after Councillors agreed to provide a grant of up to £100,000 towards the project costs from the Council’s Community Development Fund.

The Longhope Lifeboat Museum Trust’s preservation plans for the Museum building and exhibits will cost around £288,000. The Trust plans to contribute around £48,000 of its own resources and they await the outcome of match funding applications.

After the disappointment of cancelled events in 2020 due to the pandemic, many turned out at the Kirk Green on Sunday 12 September to witness the return of the historic and ceremonial Riding of the Marches.

Councillor Gwenda Shearer welcomed back those on horseback and the crowds who had gathered to watch the annual custom.

With schools having been back for nearly four weeks, I want to commend the care, commitment and courage shown by everyone in playing their part in keeping our communities safe.

The number of cases of COVID-19 across Orkney have been rising of late and have affected a small proportion of adults and young people who attend at some of our schools.

Orkney Islands Council resolved today to fund the full cost of constructing a roadway in Bignold Park to enable year-round use by the community.

Orkney Islands Council is set to start holding some of its meetings in public again from 1 October, following consideration of the issue at today’s Special General meeting.

Orkney Islands Council will be writing to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care seeking confirmation that a full island communities impact assessment will be undertaken with regards to National Care Service proposals.

Roads in Kirkwall will be closed to vehicles at times over coming weeks as important flagstone repairs take place.

Local poet, Lydia Harris, will be reading her poetry inspired by artefacts on display in theOrkney Museum this Satruday 18 Seotember as part of the national Doors Open Day festival.

Orkney’s Local Heroes Neil and Sarah Taylor have first-hand experience of flooding and are urging others to do all they can to make their homes flood resilient.

Sarah, who is a lifeguard and swimming instructor at Stromness Swimming Pool, said they will be attending at one of the Scottish Flood Forum’s (SFF) planned engagement events in Orkney next week to hear how they can further protect their home from future flooding.