Chris Cope examines the dilemma that he and other graduates face after college or university: return to Shetland or stay away?

It seems that after years of hesitation the council may finally be pressing ahead with school closures in the islands.

This month, hundreds of Shetlanders and Shetland families from across the world will be arriving in the islands to take part in the Hamefarin celebrations, 50 years after the first such event (see James W. Irvine’s article).

The occasion is a useful reminder of just how much things have changed here since the days when many thousands of islanders were forced to emigrate, often to the other side of the world, escaping poverty and hardship, leaving behind family, friends and homes. Today Shetland is a prosperous community, with jobs, opportunities and amenities. Today people leave only through choice, not necessity.

James W. Irvine recalls another Hamerfarin, 50 years ago, and the part he played in organising that celebration.

Even at my age I am extremely pleased to see in The Shetland Times that preparations for this year’s Hamefarin, from 14th to 26th June, are going ahead with clear enthusiasm and considerable ambition. This time there is a very significant number of people coming from all over the world. I have no doubt that this period of nearly a fortnight will be a time for the visitors to treasure, but it will also be an occasion for Shetlanders to recall with a great deal of pleasure. I say this with certainty for I have very clear and pleasant memories of the first Hamefarin, 50 years ago. At the risk of boring some of my readers, I will share some of my memories with you.

Marsali Taylor visits Whalsay to learn more about the island’s fascinating history.

Approaching Whalsay’s south-west corner, you see a rounded, green island with a long scattering of houses across it, and, in front, the metallic white superstructures and coloured bows of boats behind the breakwater. The houses are mostly new-looking; above them, to the left of the fishing boats, is Symbister Mansion House. On the right of the island is a squared, greened-over quarry, where stones were taken for the breakwater. Before it, the long cream building is the fish factory.

There seems to be a bit of an ‘80s revival going on right now. Bands like Franz Ferdinand are tapping into early eighties trebly guitars, blipping Casios and prosaic lyrics to produce perfect pop parfaits. Most big cities in the UK sport some kind of Reflex ‘80s Retro bar full of hen nights and works dos slouching away to ABC and Spandau Ballet. All over TV there are documentaries about the music, the clothes, the sexual politics and the hair. In fact BBC Four could do six weeks of documentary series just about the hair. The windows of Topman and other high street stores are displaying mannequins wearing a mish-mash of random bits of clothing pilfered from various fashion movements with no cultural grammar whatsoever – total ‘80s. Even the new Doctor Who companion Amy Pond is partial to the odd bright orange Benetton sweater.

I niver tocht dis Hamefarin wid come wi wird o a freend I lost contact wi twa hunder year ago. Jeemie wis wan o my few human freends. As a bairn I wis ey weel warned tae bide clear o dem. So wir freendship wis a weel kept secret.

Da year wis 1803, an aabody faered da sight o a press gang ship. Da press gang forced young men tae join da Royal Navy. Dey wid raid hooses tae fin strong, fit men tae help da Navy fecht Napoleon. Maist wir niver seen agaen.

Huxter,
23rd March, 1864.

My Dear Cousin,

I write you these few lines to let you know that we are all in our usual good health, and thank God, and I hope you and your husband and dear child are enjoying the same blessings.

THREE B.B.C. T.V. experts arrived for Hamefarin – but without any equipment. They just wanted “to have a look at it so we can do it properly in 1961”!

As though the havoc wreaked by the Eyjafjallajökull volcano last month were not enough to convince us, two more disastrous events have since unfolded that demonstrate precisely how vulnerable we in the West have allowed ourselves to become.

There is a large unmet demand for affordable housing in Shetland which must be tackled urgently, according to Hjaltland Housing Association property services manager Bryan Leask.

The hairst issue of The New Shetlander catches the eye with its bright cover design of puffins, by Howard Towll. Inside, the accent is on writers, with features on three Shetland poets.

Shetland Country Music Club starts its programme later this month with a visit by the Thomas Maguire and Fhiona Ennis Band from Ireland.