Scorrie

I hope my post makes sense, reading it back (now that its too late to edit) there's some pretty duff grammar in there. Post in haste an' all that Anyway: http://dabonxie.com/culture/812-5-best-things-about-up-helly-aa/

What about quiffy blonde hair implants and orange skin grafts?

Phatboy I don't think that anyone has said that they don't enjoy UHA, or want to see the back of it. The sticking point is the attitude of those who continue to excluding wimmin from taking major on the ground roles in the proceedings. UHA is on the world stage now and, at the moment, some elements are sadly still in the same league of sexist idiocy as those 'men only' golf clubs that many people treat with amused contempt. If this was a historical re-enactment of Norse tradition, with the men taking mens roles and the women taking womens roles whilst accurately portraying Norse culture - such is in historical re-enactment societies like Regia Anglorum or The Vikings - then you'd get no argument from me at all. But it isn't, is it? And never has been. It's a great celebration that I would say the vast majority of people in Shetland are quite rightly proud of, no doubt about it. I know that I certainly am. But 'no women' in this day and age? Really? You're embarrassing yourselves.........

One mans lies are another mans truths. We can all bang on about that ad nauseum as politicians on all sides are prone to bullpoopery. But that doesn't make the system that elects them wrong.

JustMe: If the Brexit vote had swung marginally in favour of remaining in Europe - would you have posted the same as you have above? Thought not..... There's no mileage whatsoever in criticising the rights or wrongs of a US or UK voting system, because everyone who takes part in it lives or dies by the same rules.

Oooh, get you, ducky

I hope this doesn't lead to a stampede North to Marys shop at Aywick on UHA day. I don't want all them Tooneys coming up here with their big shiny cars and queer ways, nicking all the buns and talking funny

Blimey. I never knew that they built the galley, made all the kit an did all the rounds of 'ospickles, orphanages, homes for the dangerously daft and New York all in just one day. This has changed my stance on the subject completely, Roachmill. If it's only for one day then I'm sure that we can all happily endorse the slightly embarrassing, early-20th-century-throwback 'no gurls' misogyny that is being hotly defended by the party faithful. I'm glad we got that sorted out quickly Now.......what else can we whinge about?

If you use the Parcelforce website quote facility, it comes up with exactly the same prices to post a 5kg package from Shetland to either Wick, Northampton or Plymouth: £12.98 The price from Plymouth to Shetland is also the same as above - and the price from Shetland to Shetland is the same as well. Also, the price from Plymouth to Northampton is exactly the same price as quoted above so, as far as I can see, sending a parcel internally in England is no more costly than sending a parcel internally in Shetland, or from Shetland to the UK and vice versa. http://www.parcelforce.com/price-finder

'Equality Street' Oh, the absolute irony

......What most people just do not grasp is that there is discrimination, and there is unfair discrimination. The law defines precisely what is deemed acceptable. Lerwick UHA ticks all the boxes. Legally correct. But we all know there's a massive chasm between what is law and what is perceived to be right by the majority. And the negative publicity is only going to build up......

Virtually all the chippies I've been in across the UK (and believe me, I like my fish and chips) use vinegar before salt, otherwise the vinegar just washes all the salt straight off. The other way round is heresy.

Good God, Urabug. Couple this with your gurning about fun fairs being too expensive and I get a distinct impression that one isn't full of New Year goodwill.........

Make sure you compare prices with Planwell - they supply square profile sheeting and are well known in Shetland for being reliable. The last time i priced up, there was virtually no difference per sq/m between galvanised corrugate supplied locally and Planwells stuff. And, to me, the square profile coated stufff is miles better. http://planwell.co.uk/

http://www.galgonews.com/2010/04/hearless-brits-abroad-abandon-their-dogs-boobalubes.html

I've just remembered something: Back in 2005-ish, Tescos built one of their larger type stores in Wick - where we were living at the time. A very good store on an edge of town location. The car park was absolutely massive compared to Lerwicks' and taxis used to queue just outside the store front (about 3 or 4 cabs at a time - nothing excessive) waiting for hire. After a few weeks they were politely requested not to wait for hire on Tescos property as there were concerns about pedestrians having negotiate stationary vehicles not in specific bays. Immediate pickup and dropoffs were still OK, mind. Also, even though there was ample room, a bus stop was not incorporated into the parking area during the build. A layby had to be constructed off-site on the short section of public road that went from the main A99 road to Tescos own car park. A complete pain in the futtocks for any pedestrian shoppers as they had to negotiate the Tescos filling station with their shopping prior to accessing the layby. Also, the trolleys were set to 'lock' as you got to the filling station.....Oh how the pedestrian shoppers laughed...... So, I would say that could possibly be a company policy to keep public transport off site and not necessarily a situation unique to Lerwick

But Brian, it's not as if the coach sits there all day, this is a pick-up of people's shopping - often never a full bus load of people - then it moves on... come on... But it does cause a major obstruction right at the choke point for pedestrians entering and exiting the store. Couple this with cars trying to get past and you have a fairly high risk of someone stepping straight out into the path of a car. Let's face it, the store operators have a duty of care towards their customers. Anyone doing even a cursory risk assessment at the store would pick up on the potential for a rather nasty situation developing. A pisser for those using the bus service, agreed, but avoiding physical harm to the public on their site is right at the top of their safety Christmas tree......

I have my own opinions, but what do others think about this idea? http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2016/10/28/sumburgh-gills-bay-john-tulloch

As usual the focus is on the gun instead of the person pulling the trigger. Rather than adopting a blinkered and parochial attitude towards the supply of alcohol, I'd be more impressed if more effort was focused on the root causes of alcohol abuse ie: poor education, macho binge drink culture, poverty and stress/personal issues. But nope, it's much, much easier to adopt a sanctimonious, temperance tambourine bashing stance - that will do nothing to alleviate the problem - than it is to tackle the very real (and bloody obvious) issues that surround us. Shove yer 'reforms' up yer muckle sphincter.

There's persuasive and very valid arguments on both sides of this discussion, but I'll just leave this here: How many people who find themselves overboard without a lifejacket are pleased that they are not wearing one?

You're comparing the incomparable. Putting that aside and going back to my original question, I can see why there would be (in some people's eyes) more sense gambling with the money by keeping it in. But, as I said in my previous post, £137k pa is not that much money if we've got better use for it elsewhere. I'm not saying I have the right course of action in mind, just posing the question.

Setting apart dreaming about floods of folk disembarking off the Norrona to spend untold wealth in the fair city of Lerwick, the issue is about whether Shetland is better off keeping its investment in Smyril or cashing in whilst the share price is apparently good. We've no say on the board (as far as I know) and are a minority shareholder, so have no control over its future. So, are we better off gambling on getting a divvy that, at present, is less than the Cooncil tax for 100-ish houses or should we cash in and invest the lump sum in our own infrastructure? BTW: Does anyone know how much Shetlands' share is worth? I can't seem to find a share price online or how much the total is.

My apologies, you're absolutely right. Good luck and I hope there's sufficient interest to form a viable club.

I believe that the correct interpretation is that the licence "might be conditioned to allow possession only, and should that be the case you would not be allowed to fire them". At least that way you get to keep your guns legally for now, and can get involved by forming a shooting/air weapons club in Shetland - then re-apply to shoot on club ranges. Or sit on your collective arses and do nothing.

Being a member of a shooting club is just one of a number of 'justifiable reasons' for owning an air weapon. But effectively, it could be the only route for any air weapon owners who live in an urban area and have no access to suitable land to shoot on - unless you run out and buy about 20 old airguns and say you collect them......