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Orkney Islands Council is advising changes dates previously publicised in relation to car park closures in Kirkwall.

As Returning Officer for the election, I hereby give notice that the election expenses returns, declarations and all accompanying documents of candidates at the above election may be inspected between the hours of 9am to 5pm except public holidays at the Elections Office, Orkney Islands Council, Council Offices, School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NY for a period of two years after receipt by me.  To inspect, contact the election office using the details below to make an appointment. 

Notice is hereby given that Orkney Islands Council has made an order in terms of section 62 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to ensure the safety of the public and road users while the Orkney Vintage Club Ltd. hold a Bike Show event.

The order will be in operation on Saturday 18 June 2022 and its effect will be to close Broad Street (from its junction with Castle Street to its junction with Palace Road) and Broad Street car park, Kirkwall, between the hours for 12 noon and 5pm.

Traffic signs will be erected to indicate when the road is closed.

Notice is hereby given that Orkney Islands Council has made an order in terms of section 62 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to the effect that, between the hours of 7.15pm and 8.30pm on Saturday 18 June 2022 , in connection with the Firth Gala Day Fancy Dress Parade, vehicular traffic using the roads specified in the Schedule hereto will be subject to delays and a speed restriction, and parking in these roads will not be permitted. The alternative route for vehicular traffic between Kirkwall and Stromness will be the public road A964 via Orphir.

Twin students Arthur and Benjamin Derrick have taken a distinctive Orkney feathered favourite and turned it into an enterprising business opportunity – bagging a catalogue of national awards.

The brains behind the Orkney College UHI Young Enterprise team “The Three Puffketeers”, Arthur and Ben combined puffins, known as “tammie norries” locally, with an idea for creating embroidered tech bags.

Ukrainian refugees Olena Katsy and Natalia Simonova have been presented with free ActiveLife memberships thanks to the Council and the Pickaquoy Centre Trust agreeing that all refugees arriving in the county will be given the opportunity to benefit from free membership for a six-month period.

Olena, who arrived in Orkney on 17 May, said: “We are very grateful for the free passes and given I love exercising it will be really nice to take advantage of this when we can.

“It’s wonderful to have the opportunity.”

A Ukrainian refugee has secured a job less than two weeks after arriving in Orkney - not only a shining example of a welcoming community but also the determination of a mother to do the best for her family.

Olena Katsy is a credit to her war-torn nation, and her spirit in the face of adversity echoes that of which continues to be shown by her fellow countrymen and women fighting against the Russian invasion.

Olena arrived in Orkney on May 17 with her six-year-old daughter, Athina, and, despite speaking almost no English, incredibly started work on 29 May as a housekeeper in the Murray Arms Hotel.

Staff and P4/5 children at Firth School held a mouth-watering community local produce café on Friday last week – which went down a treat with the wider community and raised £500 for WaterAid.

Thanks to the generosity of local businesses who donated products for use, the youngsters, with the help of staff, were able to offer up Orkney beef burgers, beremeal and Orkney cheese pizza, Humes smoke salmon salad, cheesecake and Orkney ice-cream, traybakes and Orkney Roastery coffee.

Families of pupils came along to sample the goods on offer.

Orkney Islands Council's Leader James Stockan has paid tribute to the special relationship Orkney enjoys with Heriot Watt University as the educational institution celebrates its bicentenary.

Ruby Ionides, a P6 pupil from North Walls Community School, has won the Primary-Age category of the Scottish Civic Trust ‘My Place’ photography competition, for her photo entitled ‘White Wood Window and Reflections’.