owre-weel

Interesting how he fails to mention the words he used to describe the shop keeper and the way he went about dealing with the issue. Luckily some of the comments below the article clear this up and give a fuller version of events. I wonder if the guardian tried to get the other side of the story? Despite everyone's right to voice an opinion, it is clear to me that Mr Sissay went about this all wrong. By being a bit sneaky and by verbally attacking the shop keeper in his blog rather than have an adult discussion he vastly reduced any support he may have got to his strong views and instead showed himself to be a person who I for one would now be concerned to meet for fear of being misquoted and ridiculed. It was a clear example of someone being two faced.

The same could be said about the tyres on every second hand car bought!

You say that branding whole communities will definitely happen, as thought this is acceptable. The point is that it shouldn't. To suggest it happens elsewhere doesn't excuse the fact that it is a form of racism in itself. But I suppose we can pick and chose what we see as acceptable and question everyone else. Interestingly, I've had many friends and relatives up from the mainland this year, all of who have been through the sooth end o da street. Not one made any comment about shops selling Gollys. Its a pity us Shetlanders have a couple of wee things that we can't see the wider context off, perhaps were all not as clever as you, or maybe that's what makes us awesome

Or perhaps how much folks can afford!

Weel hae less o da auldjins (-: The problem I see with your post is the term "Shetlanders" you are suggesting all are the same, with the same views and opinions. It also suggests that all replies are from Shetlanders. I think you might find a lot of the veiws posted are from people not born on these islands. My own previous post, for one, did not say Mr Sissays view were wrong, just that they differ to mine. But perhaps as a Shetlander my veiws don't count and I should bow to the superior view of someone visiting the isle from the big smoke, who clearly went around his intentions in an underhand manner, name calling and being abusive. Now maybe if he had an adult conversation he may have got a bit more interest in his opinions. Your attempt to suggest that Shetlanders are racist says more about you than it does Shetlanders. Don't brand a whole community because you disagree with the actions of a few.

Having read through this thread, and mr Sissay's blog, I am sad to feel things have come this far. I can understand and accept some people may find Gollys offensive, just as I understand and accept that some people see them as a harmless, meaningless toy which they never associated with racism. I had one as a child, in fact it's still in the loft somewhere. For a while it was my favourite toy and it never left my side, being hugged and cuddled just as my teddy was. Does it make me racist to having loved my toy, or still having it in the loft. I don't think so. Mr Sissay is entitled to his views and to feel offended by the toy, however he's not entitled (in my oppinion) to use the offensive and hurtful description of Mrs Leask which he's posted for all the world to see. In my view his behaviour is offensive and he wants to hang his head in shame that he stooped so low to get his 5 minutes of fame. He questions Mrs Leasks behaviour, yet believes he's free to do/say what he wants. Some of the posts on Mr Sissays blog, suggest he would not be welcome back in Shetland. My view is the opposite, I would welcome him back anytime, particularly if he would like to apologise to Mrs Leask. Then and only then would I be willing to sit down and listen and debate his veiws and feelings on Gollys. Mr Sissay I respect your right to feel offended but feel the way you have gone about this has done your cause no good. Mrs Leask, Its unfortunate that your name has been dragged all over the Internet but you have not broken any laws and have a right to your views on Gollys. Do not be deterred by people who act in such a manner. For the record I have never been in Magpies, nor do I know Mrs Leask.

Wow! How do we manage? With so little skills

Cargton, I don't think anyone wishes you to fail, but there are many who consider moving to Shetland, who have done little homework about the place. Glad to see you have a job lined up and hope you and your partner can find suitable accommodation. Good luck.

Ooowwww! Dats de telt

Ahh! You don't see the full picture! Although I do see what your saying regarding removing two people from the list. What if the person who has been on the waiting list for years is looking for a small property. If it was me I wouldn't be happy if a smaller property was given to someone who has recently applied for a transfer, if I had been waiting for years. Maybe like them, I couldn't afford the extra bedroom tax on a larger property. This would feel like cue jumping to me!

Perhaps you should not be so quick to jump to conclusions, most spammers on here spam in the first post. I have bought many tyres off people advertising on Shetlink, a good check prior to purchase will show up any signs of concern. Not everyone can afford a new set of tyres.

The word du's looking fir is "greth"

It will be 11p dearer as Shetland receives the governments 5p subsidy or what ever its called! Considering it is only supposed to cost 1p extra per litre to get fuel here, you have to wonder where the extra 10p goes

Noo silvercloud, Du's no though dis wan throo

Pete Du's got an echo again!

And you winder why the pet shop is closing

ha ha ha ha! I nearly fell of my chair when I read the above Sorry Pete but that coming from you, just made me laugh out loud

Where u going Turtle, the debates only getting going

We've had several roof cleaning vans running around and now the "tar your drive" crowd. They see Shetland as rich pickings and I'm sure you I'll find that the local established firm can be as competitive and they will be here in six months if things go wrong. I don't trust any south company who comes knocking at my door. Get the local boys and lasses in!

I don't know if we still need the Amenity Trust to pick up scrap vehicles, but lets not condemn them for the service they have carried out over the years clearing our countryside of scrap vehicles. It's not so long ago that you didn't need to drive far before you came across many " steptoe's" yards. Anything that encourages people to clear scrap from their property has to be a good thing. It's all very well saying that people should take responsibility and pay for it to be removed, but when there is little that's being done to force them to clear up, I'm glad the Amenity Trust has been providing a useful service, especially when you stay next door to "steptoe"! You may see it as a "nanny state" but I see it as an excellent service which has helped make Shetland a more beautiful place.

It is a sad day when graveyards and items of a sentimental value are tampered with. The people who did this have given little thought to the hurt they would cause folk close to those who's graves have been vandalised. Big lad, I agree that a few parents seem to have little control over their offspring, but its important not to tar all young folk with the same stick. I doubt if Shetland has suddenly become such a bad place as some have suggested, due to the careless actions of a minority of idiots. Lets hope they are brought to rights.

Just like a dog marking it's territory by pishing against a post.. Just trying to make us feel 'included' before the referendum... du's absolutely right Colin, the only thing is that this dog is liable to turn around and bite us in da ers, when it suits him!

Awh come on lifes to short not to have a bit of sillyness every now and again and it's not as if the ponies were in any distress. As a Shetlander I thought it was a bit of harmless fun which will do Shetland no harm. It certainly made me smile "It was all in the best possible taste"

Its years since i had a pond but as far as i remember, they tend to go green when the pump has not been running regularly. You should ideally have a filter box in the line somewhere and it's worth checking its not blocked up. You can get stuff to treat the water and help remove the algae, but if its really bad, I would tend to drain, clean out and refill. The fishbowl in Lerwick might keep the stuff needed and may be able to give more advice.