Stephen Clackson

The big event of this month was, of course, Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.  I was given the honour of reading out The Proclamation at Sanday’s Beacon Lighting.  A big thanks must go to Sanday Community Council for organising the celebration—my part was merely to provide a little pageantry and add some pomp and a bit of circumstance to the occasion.

At the West Manse, we flew the Union Flag for the four days of the celebrations, and in the Council Chamber a new portrait of The Queen now hangs.  On the 14^th June, the length of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II overtook that of King Rama IX of Thailand, and she became the second-longest reigning monarch in history.  She had overtaken Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein to move into third place back on the 9^th May, but we’ll have to wait until the 27^th May 2024 before she reaches pole position ahead of King Louis XIV of France. 

At the first Education, Leisure & Housing meeting of this council, I was re-appointed to the Orkney College Management Council, the Education Quality & Standards Consultative Group, the Highlands & Islands Science Skills Academy, and the University of the Highlands & Islands Foundation.  I am delighted to have been given the chance to continue my work on these bodies.  In particular, I am pleased to be back in a position to be able to defend our (OIC-owned) college and hopefully encourage the nurturing and development it deserves.  As I said in my manifesto, I wish to make the College’s courses more accessible to Isles’ residents.  Meanwhile, at the first meeting of the Development & Infrastructure Committee (of which I am not a member), although proposed and seconded, I was, regrettably, not elected onto the Harbours Sub-committee.  

“Induction” sessions for councillors continued.  Other things I’ve attended include: Monitoring & Audit Committee; Policy & Resources Committee (with over a ream of papers!); confidential members’ briefings; a meeting with Liam McArthur MSP about gaps in primary medical care cover on Eday, North Ronaldsay and Papay; and an operatic performance by the primary pupils at Sanday School.  An attempt by me to attend Westray’s Parent Council meeting via Vscene unfortunately didn’t work. 

The other big event of this month was the North Isles Sports, the first in three years, hosted by Sanday.  It was a great opportunity for me to catch up with folk from a large part of my ward, many of whom I hadn’t seen in person for a long time.  It’s a shame no spectators or competitors came over from Eday or North Ronaldsay (despite the generous 12 point handicap each of these islands enjoys!).  Below is a photograph of the scoreboard.  The final scores were: Westray 109, Sanday 62½, Stronsay 56, and Papay 36½.  Well done to everybody who competed, especially Grace Muir (Best Girl), Connor Harcus (Best Boy), Erland Risbridger and Tim Ross (jointly Best Man), and Ivy McEwan (Best Woman & Best Adult).  Stronsay won the tug-o’-war, notwithstanding Sanday’s rope breaking ….. again!  A huge thanks is owed to all those in Sanday who made the day possible and to Orkney Ferries for laying on the ferry links to get everyone there and back.

Oyez, Oyez, Oyez !