Stromness couple Karl and Andrew Kemp are ‘Ooh Aah….Just a Little Bit’ excited about the upcoming Eurovision in Liverpool!

They had no difficulty in “Making their Mind Up” on whether or not to head south to be part of the 2023 extravaganza – and they have matching rainbow suits and shades for the occasion!

After the victory of Kalush Orchestra in Turin, Ukraine should traditionally host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. But due to the ongoing invasion of the country, the contest will instead be held in the UK as runner-up winners in 2022 with Sam Ryder’s ‘Space Man’.

The Council is reminding motorists of the potential for delays in the coming months as a major programme of roadworks is now underway in Finstown (A965).

The necessary work on the A965 stretching from Heddle Road to Grandon Road, which began on Friday (5 May), is being split into three separate areas with the first involving the junction with the A966 Evie Road. This is being controlled by temporary traffic lights.

A Q&A session focusing on the financial help available to Further Education students in Orkney is being held at The Hub at 2 Albert Street, Kirkwall on Tuesday 16 May from 6-7pm.

Did you know that local funding is available for people applying for a full-time further Education course up to and including NC level?

Heads Up - a new drop-in safe space for “older young people” will get off the ground at The Hub, 2 Albert Street in Kirkwall on Tuesday evening, from 7pm-9pm.

Young people, aged 16-25, can head to The Hub to relax with peers and take part in some of the activities on offer – from panini and toastie making to cactus planting, Jenga or gaming on the big screen.

In a bid to keep the Kirkwall town centre main thoroughfare looking tip top, slab repair work will be carried out from Tuesday 9 May.

The works will affect Albert Street, Bridge Street and Victoria Street, Kirkwall, over a three-week period.

Here’s a round-up of roadworks underway or soon to start in the county from Tuesday 9 May.

Scottish Water are currently working on the A960 in Toab, traffic will be controlled by traffic lights for the duration of the work. 

Here’s a reminder that we have moved into the summer opening hours for the Household Waste and Recycling Centres.

The Council is advising motorists of the potential for delays in the coming months as a major programme of resurfacing works gets underway in Finstown (A965).

The necessary work on the A965 from Heddle Road to Grandon Road, starting from Friday 5 May, will be split into three separate areas with the first involving the junction with the A966 Evie Road. This will be controlled by temporary traffic lights.

In all, the works, which are required to keep the roads maintained, are scheduled to take around 16 weeks.

Sarah Norquoy cares for her mum, Liz, who is living with Dementia.

Sarah has been carrying out increasing levels of family care since 2019 and earlier this year made the difficult decision to give up her job.

“It was just impossible to keep managing the two,” Sarah said.

Communities throughout Orkney have shared their plans for a royal get together in celebration of the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May.

We have set up a special page on the Council website - www.orkney.gov.uk/Coronation - if you want to see what’s on or add in an event.

This is the UK’s first Coronation in more than 70 years when the King will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort.