Windwalker

You have to wonder how long it will be before someone drives into the splitter island they are proposing

Completely agree Quattro. Typical of this council, undertake weeks of work then within a week or two decide that they should do something different and dig up some of the newly laid tar. Surely it would have been cost effective to have done it all at the same time. When will this council learn to think things through before they start rather than after they finish.

Just watching a programme on BBC2 regarding a local authority who are changing all their street lights over to LEDs. They quote that the initial pay back time is expected to be 5 years, but it will reduce the annual cost by 80% Now surely that type of investment would be a wise one for our council. But no, they spend a fortune having all these reports written up with complicated, questionable results, which will no doubt change over time resulting in less savings than originally quoted whilst at the same time causing a blooming nuisance to rate payers. For heavens sake council, bite the bullet and install LEDs saving around 80% and if need be turn off lights where practicable. That will show some immediate savings and within 5 years you will be more than meeting targets. Is there no one in our council with any common sense, or is it a case of making things complicated to keep as many seat polishers in a job as possible?

Having the same problem, can see new posts in the right hand column, but when I click on them they are not in the thread. Was working fine first thing this morning but I did notice it was taking ages to save the post.

I may be wrong but I think the Bixter garage does Skoda. Tel 01595 810303

Yeah I guess so. I've been pounced on/bitten by dogs when jogging, but by far the worst is delivering parcels. You can be half way down someones path then suddenly one or more growling dogs appear and no owner in sight, very dangerous and happens frequently. I can understand that those delivering to houses need to be cautious, as dogs loose in a garden can appear from nowhere and some can be quite alarming. I had to pick up an item in town, and just through the gate was greeted by a mastif type dog who was not happy to see me. The owner came out with all the mad barking, just to shout, "oh it's ok he'll not touch you" I thought, I'm not sure the dog agrees. I would have been happier if the owner had come over and controlled his dog. I do try to take my dog in if I see someone going to deliver, not because he will bark, but because he will climb over anyone who he thinks is coming to play with him. I appreciate that some folk are not comfortable with dogs jumping up at them, no matter how friendly they are. I don't think there is an easy answer as owners need to let their dogs out in their gardens, but I do have signs on the gates asking folk to close them as dog running loose. Hopefully this helps warn people that a dog could be around.

The problem with having anything that could debilitate an attacking dog is that it could also be used on humans. So I would hope nothing is available for general purchase.

Not withstanding the current proposed cuts, are country areas benefiting from other subsidised services, tis all swings and roundabouts. Perhaps then, if you need a service, you pay for it before you get it. As country areas live further away from central areas, they do get the benefits but at an increased cost to the council. Many services are like that, if anything, Lerwick has other disadvantages some who chose to live in the country have not, as with any area, life expectancy can vary as with quality of life. Rates are higher in Lerwick, it is the main town and international sea port. Many areas may not be able to do with out light, as highlighted in the restrictions, unless of course you want to be selective with the restrictions. I am not sure of the figure now, but from 2007 to 2011 there have been no claims against the issues around streetlighting on council insurance policies. there is your bench mark.What say the majority of other country dwellers? You seem to have difficulty in understanding a simple factor. Rates previously set for town and country. Services cuts greater in country areas thus a poorer service for country areas in comparison with the town. If you lived here you would be feeling it,. Pete why do you insist in breaking down everything someone posts then cherry picking bits to tear apart like lord judge and jury. Then reply with issues that have little to do with the point. Fed up, I give up on this issue. I can understand why other closed their accounts. By the way do your best as I have no intention of replying.

I'm all for reduction in street lighting, especially throughout the night, but as I said I think that Lerwick could do with a lot less lights in various places. As for reduction in rates, the bands were set both in town and out with prior to the reductions in schools, gritting, skips, street lighting etc that in the main affect country areas. Hence the country areas are getting a raw deal.

Yip as expected, very little happening in the town. Isn't that a surprise. I'm sure more areas of Lerwick could do without lighting throughout the wee sma hours. Can't wait to see the reduction in country areas rates next year with the constant reduction in services we suffer when compared with the town.

I always carry a small led torch with me in the darkness, well I have since I fell in the ditch. There will be a lot of torches needed in the town to allow the tipplers to get home, or is this just another cut for country areas.

Thank you for the comment, hopefully this explains why I can't understand why people think Shetland isn't suitable for large dogs, it's like everything else, you make best use of what you've got around you. The majority of my neighbours also have dogs and they seem to have no problem walking them here or issues with sheep. In general dogs who grow up with sheep through the fence don't cause them much concern. The crofters next to me puts his sheep in the field adjacent to my house for lambing and tells me that the sheep are well used to my dog looking over the fence. There are always the odd dog and sometimes owner who give the majority a bad name, but most seem to manage fine. I do sympathise with the OP though, as despite being a dog owner, I'm a bit wary when strange dogs off leads approach us when were out, especially when their hackles are up and the owner is getting over excited shouting them back like Fenton

I think most sensible people don't walk through the hills with dogs when they are heavy with lamb. And the neighbouring land owner allows me to run the dog on fields with no sheep in them. I do occasionally go up over the hill, outside lambing time, but the dog, being as daft as he is is more frightened of sheep than they are if him. He has never chased sheep and is very good at coming back when told to.

Neither, I'm speaking from experience of owning dogs and walking them in Shetland all my life. I cannot see why anyone would find Shetland unsuitable for walking large dogs. When near sheep I keep mine on a lead and only let him off the lead when it is safe to do so. Simples

My my, I wonder how I've ever managed to walk my "large" dog every day, sometimes twice a day in Shetland, plus all the dogs I've had since I was wee. What a load of tosh! Shetland is no different from anywhere else. It's the dog owners responsibility to walk their dog without causing concern to sheep or folk that may feel uncomfortable around them. This means a lot of time they have to be on the lead and will return to you when told to be put back on the lead in certain areas. The problem is not he dog, it's the owner, who has likely not been able to train it properly.

I agree with you Kavi that there are a lot of irresponsible owners who do not know their dogs as well as they think they do, but I don't believe that 99% of owners don't know that a dog can be unpredictable. My dog is the biggest softie you can meet, but I keep him on a lead where other folk are walking, just incase they are not comfortable around loose dogs, and I also get annoyed and concerned when other dogs, some quite aggressive approach us so I do understand your concern. But I do get a bit scunnered when people tar all dog owners with the same stick.

You miss the point that if a responsible owner has their dog on a lead under control than they are not a risk to those who are uncomfortable in their presence. So 99% is way off the mark. And as for Shetland Pete's 100%, well that's just the level of garbage I've come to expect from him. You forgot to tell us, what happens where you come from.

What could be better than Shetland in a beautiful day, been for a long walk with the dog, good for him and me, the scenery was brill and we stopped several times to watch seals and an otter. We are so lucky to live in a place like Shetland and often don't appreciate what we have.

99% where have you got that statistic from? or do you just exaggerate to add value to your post. It is unfortunate that you have had a bad experience with an uncontrolled dog, but please do not suggest that 99% of dog owners don't know their pets, nor control them around people who are obviously uncomfortable or frightened. I am fed up with people suggesting that the majority if dog owners are irresponsible.

Yes, but, one mans tat is another mans treasure

I'm sure The purpose of the scrap store amongst other things is to provide paid employment for those with disabilities. This will also require employing others to guide and assist. Like all charities Cope's fundings have been cut and they need to ensure they break even at the end of the day. I'm sure their prices must still be a lot cheaper than buying new, plus you are supporting a very good cause.

Ghufar, it's sad that you should have felt you had to come on here and defend your position. The glass houses belong to you and it is your business what you ask for or sell them to. However, the points you have made may help ease the pain of some who make comments prior to knowing the full story. As for the Bargain Centre, you, your father and your grandfather before him, have provided a great service over many years to us customers in Shetland. I have bought lots of small item and most of my furniture from you over the years and will continue to do so. I worked with your Grandfather Wally Mohamad when he first arrived in Shetland and bought lot of clothes from him when he first opened his shop in Hancie Smiths old place. From that small beginnings your family, through hard work, have built up a good business, providing a great service to us all. Many thanks for that. As for being a Shetlander, I always thought you were born here, but even if you weren't I think you have earned the title by now

I can assure you my wheelie bin IS MINE. I had to buy it from the council as they do not provide them for free. As stated above lots of councils provide the wheelie bins or black bags. Now I also have to buy the black bags to put in the wheelie bin! And Shetland is one of the richest councils in the country. You couldn't make it up. I think some of those making these decisions should be put in the wheelie bins, I would happily loan my bin for the purpose.

Ok before you all jump on me, I've just noticed one is "breath" and one is "blood". Sorry had a busy day

Is it any wonder folk get confused regarding limits when news reports today, containing two incidents of drink driving, use different scales......... "with 220 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The limit is 80 milligrams". "with 52 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms". Why the need for two different scales. Surely using one all the time would be clearer. Anyone know?