Local News for Tuesday 30th April 2019

WESTERN ISLES SHUT OUT SCAMMERS CAMPAIGN

Recently, CNES Trading Standards Officers participated in the Police Scotland multi-agency Shut out Scammers campaign. The campaign targets doorstep and bogus crime and raises awareness of offenders who cold call people and scam them out of money.
As part of the campaign, officers from the Comhairle took the opportunity to provide timely advice to local traders to stop them from falling foul of the law, particularly when selling away from business premises. Advice was also provided on Business Names legislation and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
A spokesperson said:
“We are reminding local businesses about The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation & Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 which require that Traders provide certain information in writing, or e-mail, at certain times before and after a contract is made.
“In some circumstances when Traders are providing goods or services costing over £42 in a consumers home or place of work, they must give a 14 day cancellation period.
“Under this legislation, failure to provide a consumer with a notice of their 14 day cancellation rights may be a criminal offence.
“Advice was also given regarding the necessity to keep good business records, and model cancellation forms which comply with the legislative requirements were provided to Traders.”
Businesses can access free, impartial legal guidance at https://www.businesscompanion.info/ or by contacting Stornoway Trading Standards on 01851 822694.

Read more: Local News for Tuesday 30th April 2019

Local News for Friday 26th April 2019

OUTER HEBRIDES FOR SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE MARCH TAKING PLACE ON SATURDAY

Stornoway is set for its first ever pro-Scottish Independence march this Saturday and local SNP MSP Alasdair Allan is excited to be taking part.
In recent years hundreds of independence marches have taken place all over Scotland. This Saturday’s march, organised by the group Outer Hebrides For Independence, was created to allow pro-independence supporters from the islands to take place in an independence march closer to home.
Everyone who wishes to attend is more than welcome. The march has been planned as a family-friendly day with live music, speakers, stalls and face painting.
The 35 piece Indy Pipe Band Saor Alba is coming up from the mainland and this will be their first march here in the Islands. Ceilidhs for attendees will also be held in the evening, with the ceilidh at the golf club being pay on the door.
Commenting, Alasdair Allan MSP said:
“It’s really exciting to see an activity of this kind taking place in Stornoway. It promises to be a fun day out for everyone, and I hope that as many independence-supporting islanders as possible will be able to attend.
“With marches for independence now taking place the length and breadth of Scotland, the UK Government can be in no doubt of the significant and growing appetite there is for Scotland to take control of its own affairs.
“I passionately believe that Scotland will flourish as an independent country free to make its own decisions, and I think we are at the point where a majority of people in Scotland believe that too.” The gathering point for the march is Old Acres Rugby Pitch across from the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar offices on Sandwick Road. People will be able to gather from noon onwards with the march itself to begin at 2pm. The march will be using only one lane of the road on Sandwick Rd onto Matheson Rd and from the Spar roundabout to the bottom of Kenneth St. The march will then have a full road closure from Kenneth St up to castle St where it will return to being a single lane closure back to the Rally point. The march will have a police car leading at the front and one following behind. Stewards will walk with the march to help ensure safety.

Read more: Local News for Friday 26th April 2019

Local News for Monday 29th April 2019

HIE LOOK AHEAD TO GRINNEABHAT DEVELOPMENT

Rachel Mackenzie, Highlands and Islands Enterprise Outer Hebrides Area Manager was among those who met at Grinneabhat in North Bragar recently to look ahead to the start of the redevelopment of the former Bragar School.

HIE is supporting UCBA, the Bragar and Arnol Community Trust and Mrs Mackenzie said:

“We are delighted to be in a position to help UCBA finalise their funding package. The group has ambitious plans to revitalise the community and improve the location as a place to live and work. The centre has been used as a base for community engagement since the school closed and plans to refurbish the school will enable it to become a quality modern community hub with a focus on Gaelic and cultural tourism serving the area and creating employment and sustainable income for the community. We are pleased to work with the group and to support this project.”

In addition to HIE, the project has also received support from a wide range of local and national organisations including the COSLA Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (with support from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar), Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and also the Western Isles Development Trust.

Work on the redevelopment of Grinneabhat will be undertaken by O' Mac Construction Limited with Tighean Innse Gall as Project Managers and will begin on Tuesday 7th May.

Read more: Local News for Monday 29th April 2019

Local News for Thursday 25th April 2019

STORNOWAY’S PEPPA PIG MUDDY PUDDLE WALK IS BACK!

Peppa Pig is in training for this year’s Stornoway Muddy Puddle Walk which will take place on Saturday May 4th in aid of Save the Children.
The first Peppa Pig Muddy Puddle Walk in Stornoway last year raised over £1,000 for children in need.
The walk is being organised by local mums in conjunction with the Lewis branch of Save the Children. The event is also being supported by the Bayhead Community Association and with sponsorship from the Western Isles Lottery.
The Multimedia Unit at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are also assisting this year by providing a Gaelic element to some of the resources for the event.
Michelle Macleod, Organiser, said:
“We are very excited to be holding another Peppa Pig Muddy Puddle Walk in Stornoway and we hope that families will come along on May 4th for a fun morning in the park while also raising vital funds for Save the Children.
“We are very grateful for all the support we received at last year’s event from the community and also local businesses.
“The sponsorship from the Western Isles Lottery means we can have our very special guests Peppa and George Pig leading our walk once again and we are very grateful to them for that support.
“Entry is by donation on the day so please come along and join us!”
This year’s Walk will set off from Bayhead Playpark at 11am and will follow the same route as last year – proceeding to Porter’s Lodge and turning left into the Castle Grounds along to the YM bridge and then back to the Park. The route is suitable for all ages and abilities.
A JustGiving page has also been set up for the event for those who wish to sponsor their little ones:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michelle-macleod5

Read more: Local News for Thursday 25th April 2019