bigdandancingman

I'm never been tae it, lang time fae I wis in Orkney but is yun true, £20 per person...??? I think you'll fin dats not true £20 per lane! On sunday you even got a free Pizza, Fries an Juice for £20!!! Heard a rumor dat da folk who own a hotel in Shetland wir thinkin o buyin da equipment?

well folk tomorrow is the final deadline!! So far da folk dat I know have declaired are: Bill Manson, Alastiar Cooper, Barbara Cheyne, Kenny Hughson and maybe me?? Anybody ken of anyone else wi-in da Nort end?

Do you think I could get away with Bidandancingman on that ?

Yes tis a possiblility I might have been in da hostel at one point

Sorry I got this wrong its also now 18 for the Scottish Parliament! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/6511111.stm

Ok firstly I hate doing these kind of things because it make people think that your bragging about yoursel so instead I'm posting an article which a reporter wrote about me, about a month ago. Bigdandancingman is living proof that giving young people a political voice early on helps to form them into active citizens. At school he was elected onto the school council at 14. From there he progressed onto Shetland Youth Voice, and has been on its executive since there was an executive. He became involved with Young Scot which, in 2003, hosted the first online election for the Scottish Youth Parliament. Voter turnout for that election was 63%, which is significantly higher than for the adult Scottish Parliament election. “Our headmaster at Brae High School listened to what young people had to say. It all started from there,†explains Bigdandancingman. “Since then, I’ve always followed “politicsâ€. I’ve always believed in youth empowerment within the political system.†In March 2006 he received a Young Scot of the Year award, and later that year an Award of Excellence for his work within the different organisations. The critical difference between Bigdandancingman and disenfranchised young people is that at an early age Bigdandancingman discovered he could make a difference. “I remember when I was 15 I had to give a presentation to a group of ministers in Dunblane. They were all in their suits and ties, and I was there in my scruffy jeans – but it was just an achievement to know that they were listening to me and at the end of my speech I received a standing ovation, the feeling is like nothing I can describe.†He helped set up a national website on mental health issues written by and for young people (www.talking2ourselves.com) and went on to organise a national health conference in Scotland specifically addressing young people’s health issues – the only one of its kind in Europe. He plays a major part in his community; he currently sits as a Director of the Northmavine Development Company that currently holds Initiative at the Edge Status and leads up a Youth Group looking at young people and the future for Northmavine, the only group of its kind within the Initiative at the Edge areas. Bigdandancingman is part of the initiative to make Mavis Grind a more attractive area for locals and tourist. Mavis Grind is an area in Shetland where you can throw a stone across from one side (North Sea) to the other (Atlantic), it is also where the boundaries of Delting and Northmavine lay. By then end of 2005 Bigdandancingman became employed as a skillseeker by the ***************** and by the time he joined UNISON (trade union) at the age of 17, he was already a seasoned campaigner. But having got in touch with his Young Members contact, he quickly became Young Members Officer for Shetland and almost immediately was elected onto the Scottish Young Members Committee and the National Young Members’ Forum. “Getting involved in UNISON was one of the best things that I ever did,†he says now. “All the issues around the minimum wage, equal pay and lowering the voting age are the things that I’ve always been interested in.†In June 2006 Bigdandancingman spoke at UNISON’s National Conference for the first time asking over 3000 UNISON members and MP’s to support to campaign for lowering the voting age to 16, his motion brought the most new speaker to the conference that year. Minimum wage issues are very pertinent to Bigdandancingman who, as an 18 year-old Modern Apprentice, is exempt from the National Minimum Wage. Modern Apprentices, and all 16-17 year-olds, are even exempt from Age Discrimination legislation which was introduced last year. “It’s about getting consistency and fairness for young people when they turn 16,†he says. “Its major terms and conditions issue and we’ve got to step up our work to do away with the age differentials in the minimum wage.†It seems pretty clear that with experienced and committed young people like Bigdandancingman, consistency and fairness for young people could be just around the corner. This way it lets other people make their own judgements and I am not bragging about mysel. So am I worthy of council?

Yesh now dat really wid be amusing - I can see the headlines already! Funny enough I had a phone call from a friend of mine today, a guy called Sunny Moodie who is standing in the Highland Council election at 18 to, and found out that there is an 18 year old standing in the Scottish Parliament Election. I'll be standing in the Shetland North Ward

Yes thats true, in my case I offically have no job at the end of May/early June so I would see it as a win win situation. My nomination papers arrive in the post yesterday so I think I will go ahead and stand.

Well i think I may consider...it is myself...and I really am seriously considering but not sure with the effect it could have on my job as Drew Ratter, Bill Manson and the possible Candidate Alastair Cooper are my "bosses" and I would be standing aginst 2 of them...if I lose quite worried about what may happen.

No not anymore! 18 for local council but 21 for Scottish Parliament!

What if I told you an 18 year might be considering standing for council?