Local repair work on the MV Eynhallow’s seized engine is continuing.  The spare parts that are required for the repair arrived today (21 December).

It is expected that work will continue into next week, with the earliest return to service the 30 December. However, this will be updated as required.

Stromness Primary School pupils who wrote sympathy letters and messages of support to King Charles III after reflecting on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II – are delighted after receiving a reply from Buckingham Palace.

The P4/5 class say it’s like “Christmas come early” after the Royal delivery this week.

It is estimated that there are over one million cases of food poisoning in the UK every year, and without attention to food hygiene, this doesn’t stop during the festive season.

To save your loved ones from a nasty bout of food poisoning over Christmas, follow these top tips to keep your festive season truly the most wonderful time of the year.

A plea from the President of the Sandwick Community Association was answered by the Council’s gritter team at the weekend – meaning around 55 over 70s from the area were able to enjoy a hot, tasty, free Christmas lunch.

President Steven Sinclair said: “The wintry weather left the car park at the Sandwick Hall a sheet of ice and it would have been too dangerous for folk to have attended at the dinner on Sunday, or for the onward delivery of meals on wheels.

Pupils from Papdale Primary School are pictured being recorded for BBC Radio Orkney’s “Radio Church” carol service - to be broadcast at 6pm tonight, Monday, evening.  

The programme also includes music from pupils at Westray Junior High, as well as a re-telling of the Christmas story with Susan Kirkbride and John Butterfield, and contributions from well known voices from people from churches around the parishes and isles.