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Rockin’ Around the Orkney waters just became that bit safer for Kirkwall RNLI crew and seafarers thanks to the generosity of Council staff who raised around £800 through a festive raffle and Christmas jumper day.

A donation was made to the crew today, Wednesday, on behalf of the Council by the Democratic Services team, who organised this year’s festive fundraiser.

Orkney Islands Council has been advised by the Scottish Government today (21 December) that they have approved planning permission for a six-turbine Council owned wind farm on Faray in the North Isles. 

The project is part of the wider Orkney's Community Wind Farm Project, with similar developments also under consideration at Wee Fea in Hoy, and at Quanterness, just outside Kirkwall, both of which received planning approval in December 2021.

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.  

A young Orkney woman is intending to put the sporting community in Orkney firmly on the map thanks to becoming one of two island representatives for the first time ever on sportscotland’s Young People’s Sport Panel (cohort 6).

Sports coach and volunteer Megan Clouston, 19, from Orphir says the appointment is the highlight of her sporting achievements to date and the keen footballer has several goals in mind!

Letters are being sent to all Orkney Islands Council’s council house tenants seeking views on the rent they are charged for 2023-2024, as part of the annual consultation process.

These will also include an explanatory leaflet and survey forms to complete based on three options

Orkney may have looked like a winter wonderland recently, but the ongoing snow and icy conditions caused significant disruptions to travel, schools and nurseries.

Thankfully, these wintry blasts are relatively uncommon in Orkney, and while we know most bairns love a snow day, it can cause a major headache for some parents and carers if a school/nursery closure is required.