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As a moderator and for the sake of transparency, it would be remiss for me not to mention I'm a candidate for Shetland South. (in the interests of impartiality: please note that other candidates are also available)

You got my vote Bryan. You will, hopefully, get many more... despite not launching your campaign on the "chaining your bike to a lampost is vandalism" ticket. You missed a big vote winner there.

There seems to be a lack of Police presence in Da Toon about the nights. I suspect a lot of the cars would be illegal if stopped. Noisy exhausts, dodgy number plates and a fair bit of speeding. Not that I would like to see any speedtraps outside the town . Being in a position of some responsibilty I have tried to call the local constabulary, late at night, to ask them to intercede or even fly the flag, following complaints received and been unable to get a response by calling 101. I didn't feel 999 was a suitable option. I understand they have been having manpower issues and they may have more important things to see to.

It's not the ignition, and it's not a backfire from the cylinders, the real reason is a probable de-cat and/or straight through exhaust. When coming off the accelerator from high rpm the intake vacuum is still high but with the fuel cut off, you get a lean mixture that doesn't ignite in the cylinders, that unburnt fuel will make it's way into the exhaust, when enough builds up, it ignites on the hot exhaust surface and you get that tell tale pop and crackle from the exhaust and the much prized flaming. Some cars do this on purpose from the manufacturer, obviously the more sporty models but still from the likes of Ford and VAG, e.g. Ford STS 24V6. Still, quite illegal to de-cat but not to remove a silencer, and has been for quite some time, but if this does not get policed in an urban environment, which I can state that it does not except for when the rozzers are using it as a tool to disperse supermarket car park meet-ups, other than MOT checks, then I think you're on a hiding to nothing here in Shetland. I used to live many years ago for a time in a town centre near to the police station and county hospital across from a major dual carriageway and so now have nothing to complain about nowadays other than rabbits sneezing and the sheep yelling at each other. I have also typed a lot more waffle than I originally set out to do...

Putting temporary signs on a lampost for an upcoming elelction is not illegal unless a council specifiacllay bans it. Many Scottish councils have banned them.

We hold different opinions on whether attaching a bicycle to a lamppost is vandalism, but I'm prepared to explain why I hold my opinion on why it isn't vandalism: namely that it doesn't damage or prevent the lamppost from functioning, that it's the equivalent of parking a car, and that it's not vandalism in a legal sense. For all your bluster, you haven't yet explained why you think it is vandalism.

I feel the same @Wheelsup. In my case it's an instinctive reaction, and having reflected on it, it's because this individual doesn't seem to have an understanding or interest in the nuances of UHA of someone who had grown up in the "Lerwick Up Helly Aa Community" (to quote @Muckle Oxters). UHA is more than an event to many men and women - it's a lifestyle, and a strong part of their identity. By attacking UHA from various 'legal' angles, and trying to play down folks wishes and concerns as sexist, misogynistic and backward, he is likely to do more harm than good to his crusade and is unlikely to win the 'hearts and minds' of the Lerwick Up Helly Aa Community. This individual seems to be trying to portray people who do not agree with him as xenophobic or anti-incomer, when most people I know who don't agree with him don't care where he came from - it's his lack of understanding and empathy they resent. I only know what he has written in letters, but there also seems to be an element of virtue signalling and wishing to be a knight in shining armour. I'm quietly in favour of women's involvement in squads, but it's not my decision, and I agree that the avenues he is pursuing is likely to result in heels being dug in and divisions being strengthened.

We're still not there! Mortgages take such a long time :/. Hopefully, we'll be in by the start of May. Exactly one carload of stuff is coming with us. There are direct-ish flights to Manchester from September, I don't know whereabouts you are right now, but maybe that helps ^^.