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Having just logged off the very last Council meeting of this year – an online meeting of the Full Council – we felt it the right time to put pen to paper for our traditional Christmas message.

An Orkney couple are celebrating becoming first-time parents to a precious peedie boy they called Ronnie.

Little did they know that they would opt for Orkney’s most popular name for a baby boy in the county.

Granted the numbers are fairly small in Orkney – with Ronnie coming out on top with three. However, there was no clear winner for the girls, with two each for Georgia, Orla and Bella.

OIC has finished road works for 2021 - here is a look ahead to works starting in the new year.

The Willow Tree Nursery will be closed today, Wednesday and tomorrow, Thursday, as a result of all staff having been contact traced.

Parents were notified of the closure on Tuesday evening and advised of the latest Scottish Government guidance in relation to COVID-19 and a reminder to stay vigilant for symptoms of the virus.

Orkney is to feature in the first two episodes of BBC Scotland’s The Adventure Show in the new year – and two of our very own Development and Infrastructure team will be featuring.

Inga Antonio who provides admin assistance to operational support and Jean Roi, a civil engineer, are members of the Orkney Wheeled Sports Club and will be part of the first episode to kick off the show’s new series on 6 January at 8pm with presenter Lauren MacCallum looking at the thrills the local skatepark has to offer.

Kirkwall Police are investigating two separate instances of vandalism at the Council-run St Magnus Lane Public Toilets this week.

All dispensers in the male and female toilets were damaged by being kicked or ripped from the walls and a special lock to the accessible toilet was also broken – for at least the third time this year. It would appear that an attempt was also made to break into the shower rooms.

Folk in Orkney have answered a plea for help to ensure some of the county’s most vulnerable folk are cared for over the festive period.

Orkney Health and Care have been overwhelmed with offers of assistance from family, former and present members of care staff, other Council employees and members of the public.

Orkney Heath and Care Chief Officer, Stephen Brown, said staff are now working their way through all the offers.

The children from P1-4 at Stromness Primary School have been spreading a little festive cheer.

They visited Hamnavoe House on Friday to pass on their handmade greetings cards with the residents and they walked around the care facility stopping at their sitting rooms and singing Christmas songs.

Hamnavoe House manager, Sarah Kirkness, said it was a joy to see and hear the peedie ones not just for residents but also staff.

No new positive lateral flow tests or outstanding PCR test results have been reported.

All schools are now closed for the festive break and are due to return on Wednesday 5 January.

Here are some things to remember as we go into the festive season and beyond