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Whatever the weather next September, Orkney is guaranteed a ray of golden sunshine for at least a few days, as the stunning art and science installation SUN comes to St Magnus Cathedral.

Hosted by the Orkney International Science Festival (OISF), the 6m diameter inflatable sphere will be suspended inside the Cathedral crossing. It will be lit up from within, and the projected images shown will be based on data taken from NASA’s recordings of solar activity. A gentle soundscape and some mist effects will complete the spectacle.

The thrill of never quite knowing what great archaeological find may quite literally be unearthed next is certainly going to be missed by Julie Gibson, who recently retired as Orkney Islands Archaeologist.

It’s a role Julie has held since the late 1990s, but she has now passed the mantle on to Paul Sharman, whose archaeological links with Orkney stretch back to the 1980s when as a fledgling archaeology student, he first got a glimpse of the treasures to be found all over the island.

The high performing Building Standards Service in Orkney has, once again, been reappointed as building standards verifier in Orkney for a further six years.

The Council was notified of the news by letter from the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights, Patrick Harvie MSP who commended the service for its “continuous improvement and wider commitment across the authority”.

Orkney’s Local Emergency Coordination Group (OLECG) is encouraging local householders to take some time now to ensure they’ve got all they need to hand if there are power cuts over the winter months.

The week starting 14 November will see drainage survey works in central Kirkwall starting Monday, festive lighting work in central Kirkwall, Stromness and the Hup from Tuesday, and ongoing road closures on Brodgar Road (with a move to Phase 2 and closures between Ring of Brodgar car park and Buckan Cottage expected early in the week).

If you are aged 14-25 and would like to know more, please contact the Council’s Community Learning Officer Richard.smith@orkney.gov.uk

Nominations to put yourself forward as a candidate will be open until 2pm 11 November.

Former MSYP for Orkney, Jack Norquoy, says young voices are vital for the future wellbeing of our nation.

Orkney Occupational Therapist Sarah Poke is championing a national online campaign during Occupational Therapy Week (7-13 November) to give an extra helping hand to folk who may need a lift in everyday life. 

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists is leading the campaign – “Lift up your Everyday” - to try and give people a boost through life hack top tips – with the things they love or need to do every day.

Sarah, who has been an OT for eight years – six of those with Orkney Health and Care – agreed to get involved as she feels it’s the little things in life that can make a big difference.

Orkney’s Angus Robertson is one of 11 local athletes benefiting from the sportscotland Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS) this year.

Name: Angus Robertson

Age: 15

Sport: Olympic Weightlifting

Orkney’s Finlay Scott is one of 11 local athletes benefiting from the sportscotland Athlete Travel Award Scheme (ATAS) this year.

• Name: Finlay Scott
• Age: 19
• Sport: Squash

Have you dealt with our customer services teams lately – whether that be through phone, email, online or face to face? We’d love to hear what you think of the service they provided.

You can fill in a short survey here – one for Kirkwall and one for Stromness and these will remain open until Wednesday 30 November at 5pm: