An update on roadworks underway and starting soon in the county:

Historic sailing vessel the Swan, LK243, is to visit Orkney this month to offer sail training days for young people, and two day trips for the public, one exploring the coasts around Kirkwall and the other sailing from Kirkwall to Westray.

Described as one of the finest boats in the Scottish fishing fleet when launched in 1900, the Swan was one of hundreds of Fifies to be found fishing around Scotland and further afield.

1st Rousay Rainbows, Brownies and Guides took part in Bag the Bruck recently. The volunteers tidied up around Rousay pier and the Heritage Centre ready for all the visitors due this year. Ten bags of bruck were collected!

Well done to all!

The Council has established a working group to plan for and support the arrival of refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan into Orkney.

The Ukraine and Afghanistan Refugee Resettlement Working Group is made up of members from the Council, Police Scotland, NHS Orkney, the Third Sector and Orkney Housing Association Ltd and meets fortnightly at present.

Frances Troup, the Council’s Head of Community Learning, Leisure and Housing, is chair of the group, she said: “Orkney Islands Council, like all other local authorities throughout the UK, will play a vital part in the resettlement of refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan. While our finance and staff resources may be limited, the will and drive of us all to help is plentiful.

The Council’s Summer Transport Guide will be available for use from Sunday 8 May.

The guides will be available from operators as well as Kirkwall Travel Centre, Stromness Travel Centre, Orkney Library and Customer Services in Stromness and Kirkwall.

The summer timetables for both ferry and bus services starts on Sunday 8 May and will also be available online at www.orkney.gov.uk/transport.

If you have any queries please contact the Transportation Service on 873535.

Historical links between Orkney and Norway have been reaffirmed with the digital resigning of the twinning agreement between Orkney and Vestland county.

Parents, carers and young people are being advised of a number of changes to testing, contact tracing and isolation that comes into effect from Sunday 1 May.

Latest advice on the way COVID-19 is being managed by Public Health means that from 1 May a “stay at home” message replaces self-isolation for people who have symptoms or have tested positive for COVID.

Orkney residents – including young people aged 16 and above - are being urged to use their vote on Thursday 5 May as the county heads to the polls to elect its new Council for the next five years.

The Council’s Interim Chief Executive, John Mundell, is Returning Officer for the Scottish Local Government Elections in Orkney – meaning he holds responsibility for ensuring the election and this Friday’s (6 May) count is one that everyone can have confidence in:

“Our elections team will put in place all the correct procedures and checks to ensure you can carry out your vote efficiently and in privacy, and have it counted.

A private ceremony in the Council Chamber yesterday marked International Workers Memorial Day.

Staff within the Council’s Building Standards department have been playing their part in helping raise some funds towards the creation of The Peedie Retreat – a holiday home for residents affected by cancer and Multiple Sclerosis.

Anna and Reuben Johnston are behind the plans and are raising funds to create a retreat at Inganess beach.