Many across the county – from schools to care homes, households to local businesses – will be marking the Coronation of King Charles III.

The UK’s first Coronation in more than 70 years will take place at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday 6 May when the King will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort.

Orkney’s Lord Lieutenant Elaine Grieve will be a guest of Their Majesties at this historic occasion.

A young Orkney swimmer – who recently started on the Performance Development Programme (PDP) run through Orkney Islands Council and Sport Scotland - has been making a splash at a national event coming away with three medals – two gold and a bronze.

Eve Wood, 15, from Sandwick, won gold in both the 100 and 50m freestyle events and a bronze in butterfly at the Scottish National Age Group Swimming Championships on 12-16 April held at Aberdeen Aquatics Centre.

It’s been a long time since Orkney had a gold winner on the big screen at the event so for Eve to come away with two is quite an achievement.

St Rognvald House Manager, Shirley Miller may have retired following 30 years dedicated service at the care home - but she has pledged to be a regular visitor as a volunteer!

She said: “The thing I will miss most is the camaraderie with the staff group, all the laughs and of course the residents. One dear lady of 101 told me the other day that she will miss me, makes it all worthwhile really. I have promised her that I will visit her.

“My plan has always been to retire once I reached state pension age, which happens next Friday, and hopefully still young and fit enough to enjoy the next chapter in my life.

Kirkwall BID have teamed up with digital experience company High Street Safari to run a free family trail in Kirkwall celebrating King Charles III’s coronation. In this innovative experience, the animal kingdom is having a coronation of its own and who else would be crowned king but Sir Lawrence the Lion.

Families get to meet 10 of the King’s best friends on the trail and see what they each suggest he wear for the coronation – spoiler alert, they’re not all very sensible! As players scan QR codes at each stop they get to do mini challenges, see the suggested item and try it on themselves in the ‘selfie studio’. When players have met them all they get to see the fully prepared King in augmented reality and download a free e-book of the story’s conclusion.

Council Leader James Stockan has said that questions need to be answered across the board around last night's  grounding of the MV Pentalina off of St Margaret's Hope - and the ongoing provision of safe and reliable ferry services across the Pentland Firth.

Annabel Bews joined the Council more than three years ago but never imagined at that point that she would be able to progress in her career without what she thought was an “all important degree”.

Annabel recently accepted a progression post as an Economic Development Officer – something she never thought would be possible.

It is with great sadness that we reflect on the tragic deaths of two young people within our community.

We're sure you will join us in saying that our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with all their friends and families at this unimaginably difficult time.

The children at Burray Primary School are appealing for folk to help out in the school kitchen – “We love our school lunches, they are tasty.  Please come and work at our school.”

There’s 63 bairns at the school and Head Teacher, Catherine Mackenzie, says: “School lunches play a crucial role in ensuring that all children get to eat healthy and nutritious foods - which in turn supports their ability to learn at school.

Today (28 April) is International Workers' Memorial Day. Held every year,, International Workers' Memorial Day sees the trade union movement remember all workers who lost their lives to workplace illness or injury, highlighting their commitment to fighting to keep workers safe.

Here’s the latest round-up of roadworks underway or soon to start around Orkney, from Monday 1 May 2023.

Scottish Water are currently working on the A960 in Toab, vehicles will be controlled by traffic lights until the works are complete.