Following recent computer problems, the Brae Medical Practice has now been issued with a new dedicated email address for anyone wishing to request their repeat medication using this method.

Unfortunately staff at Brae cannot reply to confirm receipt of emails and would like to ask anyone sending a request using this method to attach a “request delivery receipt” or “request read receipt” option. This will enable patients to know that their prescription request has been received by staff at the practice. Staff would also remind everyone to leave at least two working days between ordering and collecting medication.

The new email address is: shet-hb.braeprescriptions@nhs.net

MORE thanks

The recent musical evening, “MORE Musical Favourites”, at the Garrison Theatre was a huge success raising £1,712 for the eating disorders charity Beat. This event would not have been possible without the help of so many people.

Rebecca Cheriyan would like to thank the company, musicians and crew for all their hard work and dedication and everyone else who so kindly supported the event.

Light Labs

Light Labs are being held throughout Shetland in the next few weeks by artists Nayan Kulkarni and Roxane Permar, to inspire people to use light as though it was an artist’s paintbrush.

At a series of locations, including Brae and Ollaberry, anyone interested can learn how to create dynamic, colour “light scores”, which will become part of Mirrie Dancers’ Festival of Light in 10 places throughout Shetland this winter.
Later they will form part of the illuminations for Mareel – Shetland Arts’ new cinema, music and education venue.

There are 24 sessions altogether. Nayan and Roxane are encouraging people to go to just one session or as many as they like in any of eight locations all over Shetland. Each Light Lab is free, equipment is provided and everyone is welcome, no matter what level of experience.

The North Mainland sessions will be held at Ollaberry hall next Sunday from 12-1.30pm, 2.30-4pm and 4.30-6pm. The Brae hall sessions takes place on Tuesday 28th July from 2-3.30pm, 4-5.30pm and 6.30-8pm.

For further information contact Roxane on (01595) 859 202 or email roxane@mirriedancers.com

VE views wanted in Delting

Delting Community Council wish to ensure that the representation they make to the Energy Consents Unit, on behalf of the people of Delting, regarding the proposed Viking Energy windfarm, fairly represents the views of the community. In order to aid this process, an open day and public meeting has been organised on Sunday to give folk the opportunity to record their views.

Members of the community council will be available at the Brae hall from 2-5pm to listen to the views of Delting residents. Folk will be able to access the Viking Energy planning documents as well as information from Sustainable Shetland and Planning Aid Scotland to help them reach an informed decision regarding the proposal.

A visitors’ comments book will be open to residents and this will be used as part of the submission.

A public debate, chaired by Drew Ratter, will be held at 6pm on any aspects of the planning application, relevant to Delting, that residents feel they would like to raise. Again this will be included in the submission, so anyone speaking will be asked to give their name and address.

Although as a director of Viking Energy community council chairman Alastair Cooper is precluded from involvement in the meeting, he is still keen that people go along on Sunday. He said: “I would encourage folk in Delting to go along to the hall to make their views known on the Viking Energy proposals, whether they are positive or negative.”

A further opportunity will be available for people in Delting to express their views when Shetland Islands Council holds its series of public hearings. Details of these meetings will be publicised at a later date.

Come Nort Trow

The stunning landscapes at Fethaland and Uyea in North Roe both see a huge number of visitors during the summer months. Recently, apart from the entrepreneurial insight of one local resident to provide Fethaland Tours, there was no economic benefit to local people or the area. There was also little in the way of facilities for visitors, with local sheep crös often being used as make shift toilets by tourists. This changed to some extent last year when a group of local volunteers opened Nort Trow at the North Roe and Lochend Hall.

Nort Trow is a summer exhibition which will run until mid August this year. The exhibits and photographs depict the culture of the area and help to inform the visitor of the rich history. Organisers have also included an eclectic range of crafts and knitwear, produced by local people, many of whom did not previously have access to the market. In addition there’s also a chance for visitors to have a cup of coffee, a cool drink or a calorie-laden cake as well as the all important comfort break.

The exhibition is open Sunday 11am-6pm and Monday to Wednesday 11am-5pm. The exhibition will close for the season on Wednesday 12th August.

Big Bannock baked again

Recent work to increase car park space at the North Roe and Lochend hall can only mean one thing – a Big Bannock will be in the oven this year again. The charity fundraising extravaganza will take place on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th August and the jungle drums state that the theme this year is Under the Sea. Mermaids take note.

Maree Hay

The Muckle Roe hall committee is continuing its year of fundraising by having a family barbecue which will take place next Saturday from 4pm till late, at the hall. The event was originally planned for the 18th but has been changed due to other clashes.

As well as some delicious local food from the barbie, there will be a licensed bar, ice-cream bar and teas and coffees. Music will be provided throughout the event by a host of local session musicians. During the day lots of activities are planned for bairns, including a bouncy castle, badge making and balloons. The committee hope the weather will hold for some fun, games and races for the bairns in a field near the hall. Organisers would like to remind folk that children should be accompanied at all times and that proof of age will be required at the bar. Everyone is welcome and the committee hope folk will go along and have a great day out in Muckle Roe.

Celebrations at Eshaness

It’s now almost two decades since a former church at Eshaness became a community centre. The committee plan to mark this special anniversary by hosting a buffet dance in the centre next Saturday night from 7.30pm. Music for the dance will be provided by the Waas band and a prize draw, for which tickets are available locally, will be drawn during the evening. Tickets for the buffet dance are available from Emily on (01806) 503219.

Shetland Nature Festival

Organisers of the second Shetland Nature Festival, which kicks off this weekend, have ensured that there is something to interest everyone in locations all over Shetland. There will be a number of events in the North Mainland including a “Braewick geology day” at Eshaness on Thursday. The event, which will help highlight the stunning geology of the area, takes place between 10am and 5pm. The geology day will be led by Robina Barton of the Shetland Amenity Trust and friends. Walks will leave the Braewick café at 10am and 2pm or the Eshaness Lighthouse at 10.15am and 2.15pm. Art and activities will take place throughout the day at Braewick Café. For further details phone (01595) 694688.

Thursday is also the day to “Go wild with your child” in Hillswick. The RSPB is hosting a morning of activity at the wildlife sanctuary from 10am-12.30pm. For further information please phone (01950) 460800.

Shetland Amenity Trust woodland team is having a walk and talk session at the plantation near the Loch of Voe next Saturday from 11am to 4pm. The team will explain how our trees evolve “from seed to sawdust”.

There are lots of additional events happening from Sumburgh to Unst and all points in between during the festival and further details can be found at www.shetlandnaturefestival.co.uk. Most of the events are free and do not require prior booking, but a few need to be booked and have a small admission charge, so to find out more please log on to the website.

Successful Sunday teas

The recent Sunday teas and car boot sale at the Ollaberry hall raised almost £1,000 for hall funds. Organisers would like to thank everyone who helped at the event, especially the bakers and all the folk who turned out to support the day. Fans and followers of Sunday teas should note that the next teas and car boot sale in the Ollaberry hall will be next Sunday from 3-6pm.

Great day at joint sports

Lunnasting and Olnafirth Primary schools held their annual joint sports day last Friday. Parents, friends and pre-school children came along and joined in to help encourage the competitors. Various games including the sack race, egg and spoon, throw the welly and tug of war were all played on what turned out to be a glorious day. Both schools would like to thank Elspeth Spence, PE teacher at Lunnasting and Olnafirth, for planning and organising such a successful event. The children were divided into three teams.

Viking invasion at Mavis Grind

To complement the theme of the Johnsmas Foy this year, the annual Mavis Grind Foy was raided by a hoard of hardy Vikings this year, complete with a galley. Visitors needn’t have worried about their safety – it turned out the Norsemen were rushing to get to the delicious food being served by Lowrie and his barbecue team!

The glorious weather brought a large number of visitors to Mavis Grind who lined the shore on the Atlantic side of the isthmus to watch the daft raft race. First across the line was a team led by Lorraine Johnson of Muckle Roe, followed by Keith Doull of Muckle Roe in second place. The prize for the most novel raft went to Kieran Hurson of Muckle Roe, while Daryl Titcombe of Hillswick ensured the isle of Muckle Roe did not claim all the prizes, when he won the prize for most effort. After refuelling at the barbecue and the teas tent, most folk browsed the craft tents, bairns took part in the activities or had their faces painted and many folk sat around yarning in the sunshine. Organisers of the event, the Sullom hall committee, would like to thank everyone who helped in any way and extend a special thanks to all those who supported the event.

Photos and teas at Hillswick

This Sunday the Hillswick hall committee is having afternoon teas at the hall from 3-5pm. There will also be a display of photos from prolific local photographer, Alex Williamson of North Roe.

Film premier at North Roe School

Last Wednesday was a much anticipated day at North Roe as everyone turned out to the primary school dressed in their best threads for a movie premier. Guests were treated to cocktails and nibbles on arrival while they waited for the arrival of the stars of the film – pupils from primaries five, six and seven.

Daina Murray, Jim-Duncan Feather, Lewis Calderwood, Shona Robertson and Stuart Clark all looked every bit the celebrity as they made their entrance on the red carpet to a rousing round of applause from the invited audience.

Once everyone was seated in the auditorium (classroom), head teacher Hazel Cranie thanked everyone for coming along and the first film of the afternoon began. This film – rated H for hilarious – highlighted a fabulous day pupils had spent at Dunrossness during a horse riding trip. The bairns were able to pay for the trip themselves as a result of income earned by the school enterprise company “Angel Enterprises”. Pupils produced a calendar depicting the history of the North Roe School which sold extremely well and part of the funds were used to enable the bairns to go on a trip of their choice.

The giggles from the audience subsided as the horse riding film finished and the main feature began. The Little Tramp was an after school drama club production which the pupils of primaries five, six and seven rehearsed, performed and filmed with the help of Izzy Swanson and Mrs Cranie. The silent black and white movie featured the hilarious antics of waiter Jim-Duncan Feather, upper-class diners Shona Robertson and Daina Murray, hapless police officer Lewis Calderwood and a hungry little tramp, played by Stuart Clark. As the movie was silent, the actors relied solely on facial expression and body language to help portray the story and the atmosphere during the film. Each actor did a fantastic job in putting across the story and drawing the audience into the film. The final scenes where the penniless little tramp manages to scoff his way through several main courses in the restaurant and is chased by both the waiter and the policeman as a result had the audience in stitches. The entire cast put in excellent performances and were rightly proud of their achievements.

Pupils at the North Roe School might be small in number, but they are certainly benefiting from a hugely rounded, confidence-building education. Well done to everyone involved and we hope to see the film available to a wider audience soon.

Enterprising Lunnasting pupils

This year at Lunnasting Primary, the pupils of primaries five to seven decided to produce Eco-bags and a Year Book for their enterprise projects. The class was divided into two groups who quickly came up with company names, “Vidlin Bags Forever” and “DDSH Books” – this title uses the first name initials of the group members.

Both groups applied for, and received, funding from Shetland Islands Council to aid the development of their projects. This involved submitting business plans and filling in the required forms. Everyone was then kept very busy planning, designing and producing their final products. Pupils chose to sponsor a tiger with the profits from the enterprise projects. Congratulations to all the young entrepreneurs.

New clerk at Delting

It’s the end of an era at the Delting Community Council as Vera Clark, who has held the post of clerk for a long number of years, has set down her dictation pad and retired. Vera was an integral part of the community council and we wish her a happy retirement. The new clerk is Alison Foyle, Grace Dieu, Skellister, South Nesting, ZE2 9PP, and she can be contacted on (01595) 890213.

Summer fayre

The Urafirth School Summer Fayre held on Sunday was a very successful event which helped raise well over £900 for school funds. In addition to the usual side stalls, visitors also had the opportunity to sample the Gladiator challenge, have a jump on the bouncy castle and take a run with the quad bike. The Parent Staff Association were particularly pleased that Ewen Balfour from Brae came along to demonstrate the art of kishie making and they would like to thank everyone who helped make the day so enjoyable.

Maree Hay

Dunberry Marine, a local company which specialises in maritime works, is going from strength to strength and is about to launch a second workboat soon.

The company was formed in 2007 by brothers Chris and John-Henry Duncan of Ollaberry who launched their first vessel, Northern Falcon, in September 2008. The vessel was built by Neptune Marine Services in the Netherlands and is a Euro-carrier model 2209 with twin caterpillar C18 main engines with John Deere auxiliaries and a 140t/m Heila crane.

Dunberry Marine specialises in anchor handling, barge handling, towage, transporting of equipment, fuel and water transfer and survey work. The company also provides support services to projects such as pipe installation, harbour construction, bottom levelling, dredging and renewables programmes.

The Shetland crew aboard the Northern Falcon has been continually busy since the boat was launched, with a six months barge handling contract in the centre of Stockholm and further work on a Danish offshore wind project. Barge handling opportunities are prevalent world-wide and with the prospect of an increasing amount of contracts on the horizon, the company commissioned the build of a second boat. Much of the design of the new vessel will mirror that of the Northern Falcon, although Dunberry Marine has redesigned the wheelhouse and this revised layout will now be used on all future Neptune Euro-carriers.

The vessel is due to be launched in late July.

Mavis Grind Foy

The annual Mavis Grind Foy will take place on Sunday. The afternoon will begin with a daft raft race at 1pm followed by Sunday teas, local crafts, a barbeque and live music. Entries for the raft race should register with Ann Doull on (01806) 522284 and all entrants must wear lifejackets. Motorists are asked to park in the parking areas at Mavis Grind and keep the area near the Virdins Quarry clear of cars.

Delting marina opens

The next few weeks will be a busy time for the committee and members of the Delting Boating Club and Marina Users Association. Drew Ratter will officially open the Delting marina tomorrow and next weekend the 80th Annual Regatta will take place at the club.

The official opening of the marina, which will take place at 2pm, has been long awaited as it is now more than two years since the berths were first occupied. The marina users committee decided to wait until the access road, car and caravan parks and boat storage areas were all complete before going ahead with an official launch.

Proceedings will kick off at 1pm on Saturday with a flotilla of boats led by the Aith Lifeboat. After Drew has performed the opening ceremony there will be an afternoon and evening of entertainment suited to all ages and tastes. As well as all the maritime attractions, and hopefully a fly past by Oscar Charlie, the new boat storage area in front of the clubhouse will provide the venue for a host of attractions. Lowrie Johnson and his willing band of helpers will be providing some succulent barbecued food and May and Mackie will be performing in the beer tent. A second marquee, the “Spreckel Tent”, will house a wide range of attractions including stalls, sideshows, competitions and face painting. Tickets will also be on sale for a grand raffle which will be drawn the following Saturday at the Brae Regatta. The evening will be rounded off in the clubhouse with a Filskit Disco.

A number of caravanners have already made use of the new facilities and the club has received some very positive feedback from the visitors who were especially attracted to the setting alongside the marina and the club and by the range of activities such as junior sailing instruction, windsurfing, diving, yachting and fishing. A few caravan pitches are still available for this weekend and next and Joe Irvine is taking bookings on (01806) 522418.

The 80th Annual Regatta begins at the boating club on Wednesday night with the round Linga race for yachts. This year the club hope to better last year’s record entry of 17 yachts and the race begins at 7pm. Pico dinghy races begin at 7.30pm from the club. On Friday night yachts will take to the water again in a course race at 7pm with further yacht racing on Saturday morning from 10am. There will be plenty of onshore entertainment on Saturday with the barbecue and the Spreckel tent being given another airing. The Corbies take to the stage at 9pm to finish off a packed day of activity with live music. Sunday sailing starts at 1.45pm with dinghy races followed by a mirror race at 2pm and the dipping lug at 2.15pm.

The regatta will finish with a barbeque and prize giving in the club house on Sunday night. Members and guests will be made most welcome at all the events over the next couple of weeks.

Family fun at Voxter

The Brae Church of Scotland is holding a family fun day at Voxter tomorrow from 10am-4pm. Everyone will be encouraged to take part in a range of activities during the day that will include kite flying, games, a treasure hunt and woodland adventures. Folk are welcome to drop in at any time during the day.

IT problems at Brae Medical Practice

The Brae Medical Practice would like to apologise to anyone who has recently used the repeat prescription email service without success. The server which operates the email system has recently suffered a failure and staff at Brae along with IT technicians have spent the past few days trying to get the system up and running again.

The email address covering the repeat prescription service needs to be changed as a result of the fault and staff will let folk know the new address as soon as the system is repaired. In the meantime folk are asked to phone with any repeat prescription requests.

TNT praise service

A growing number of 11-15 year olds in the North Mainland are part of a young, vibrant church group. Thursday Night Thing (TNT) meets on Thursday nights from 7-8.30pm during term time in the Brae Youth Centre and has seen an increasing number of members since the club began.

In conjunction with TNT, a youth praise service will be held in the Brae Church of Scotland on Sunday night at 7.30pm and everyone is invited to attend. Every aspect of the service including the content, delivery and music has been arranged by members of TNT and will include a number of contemporary arrangements.

Brae church teas and car boot

The Church of Scotland manse at Brae is currently vacant and in need of a number of repairs to bring the building up to modern standards of living. The Brae Church of Scotland is holding Sunday teas and a car boot sale in the Brae hall next Sunday to help raise money towards a manse repair fund. The event will be held from 2-5pm and anyone who would like to book a sales space can phone Isobel on (01806) 522230.

Sullom Songs of Praise

As part of the Good News Festival the Church of Scotland is holding a Songs of Praise evening in the Sullom hall at 7.30pm next Friday. The evening will include a varied programme with music from Andrew Nicolson and Gillian Isbister, Loris MacDonald and the Northmavine Fiddle and Accordion Club.

Orgill open days

The Lunnasting History Group, which operates from the Orgill Family History Centre in Vidlin, is holding an open weekend tomorrow and Sunday from 2-5pm. The group has a vast collection of photos, and artefacts, as well as information about the area. They also hold lots of information which is useful for anyone interested in finding out more about genealogy and their own family history. During past open days visitors have been pleasantly surprised to find previously unseen photos of family members and organisers hope that once again folk will uncover family gems. The photo collection also houses a large number of school photographs reaching back to the early 20th Century. The centre is situated near the Gillside houses in Vidlin.

Vidlin farmers’ market

Following on from the success of the first farmers’ market in Vidlin, organisers are holding a second in the Vidlin hall next Saturday from 10-2pm. A wide variety of local produce and crafts will be on sale as well as teas, coffees, rolls and plenty of home bakes. If anyone wants to book a table, they should phone Arlene on (01806) 577235. The final market of the summer will be held in the hall on Saturday 29th August.

Urafirth Toddle

Urafirth nursery and Northmavine under fives gathered at Urafirth Primary school for their annual sponsored toddle. Babies, toddlers, nursery bairns, mams and one dad toddled around the cycle track to help raise funds for each group and Barnados.

As it was such a fine day, the toddle was followed by a really enjoyable play session out on the grass pitch with Fraser Cluness and the playvan where bairns were able to crawl through tunnels, jump in the soft play area and generally let off steam. The day ended with a picnic in the school grounds and a presentation of certificates and medals to all the bairns. The toddle raised a large amount of money and staff would like to thank everyone who took part, especially the bairns.

Maree Hay

The recent night of food and entertainment in the Muckle Roe hall, organised by the men-folk of the island, was a huge success. Those attending the event might have been forgiven for thinking they had accidentally walked in to The Hilton Hotel, such was the standard of decor, food and entertainment the men provided – with the assistance of one lady, Julie Balfour, who provided the beautiful corsages for ladies on arrival at the hall.

Everyone, young and old, appreciated all the effort that had been made, and a splendid evening was had by all – although one or two of the men looked slightly the worse for wear at the clean-up the following day! Special mention must go to the Northmavine Fiddle and Accordion Club who provided music for dancing until the last dancer retired, exhausted. Organisers would like to extend special thanks to the sponsors of the raffle and the auction – Busta House, Malakoff Ltd, Shetland Wind Power, Seafood Shetland, Kelly Opticians, Delting Boating Club, BP, Shetland Products, Brae Building Centre, Brae Hotel, Brae Garage and Frankie’s. Thanks to their generosity, the raffle and auction raised over £1,000. The auction featured two groups of five men whom bidders could purchase to carry out any tasks of their choosing, within the realms of the law. Building skills were at a premium and both groups received bids of £150. The last word on the evening goes to one of the ladies: “Can’t wait until next year!”

MORE Summer Nights

With just under two weeks to go, young people from Northmavine led by Rebecca Cheriyan are intensifying their rehearsals for “MORE Musical Favourites for Summer Nights”. This performance follows on from a very successful show last year.

The group will perform for one night only on Wednesday 1st July at 7.30pm at the Garrison Theatre. All the profits are being donated to b-eat (www.b-eat.co.uk). This charity aims to help people suffering from eating disorders, a condition that affects many young people and adults throughout the UK.

The team would greatly appreciate everyone’s support in raising money for this charity and invite everyone to come along for a family night out to enjoy their favourite musical songs. Tickets are available from Shetland Box Office, Islesburgh Community Centre, on (01595) 745555 £7/ concessions £5.

Crofters have a ball at Hillswick

The Crofters ball at the Hillswick hall at the end of May was a great hit with all ages of the community. The hall was packed with people and the evening began with a variety concert featuring local folk of all generations. The event was rounded off with a superb meal from the men of Hillswick and a spot of traditional Shetland dancing.

First to take to the stage during the concert was Rachel Ann Williamson who entertained the audience with her superb skills on the accordion. Next to perform were the bairns of the Urafirth primary school. Pupils were invited to take part in the concert following their recent work in dialect singing with singing instructor Maria Millar. Maria, who works for the schools service, has been working with schools throughout Shetland for the past two years, teaching dialect singing.

The Urafirth bairns, who looked resplendent in their Shetland allovers, sang Da Trowie Sang, Peerie Lavericks and The Rabbits’ Lullaby accompanied with percussion egg shakers and rabbit finger puppets during their performance. The audience really enjoyed the songs and Maria and staff at Urafirth primary were very proud of all the bairns. The pupils also helped decorate the hall and the walls were adorned with Trowie pictures of “da peerie heathen wi joost da wan claa”.

After the Urafirth bairns, Joan Tait of North Roe took to the stage and treated the audience to a Shetland poetry reading in her own inimitable style. Joan could bring humour to a reading of the telephone directory and folk were delighted to see her on stage. The Morton family, including Tom, Sandy, James and Martha were next on stage with some music.

The group played and sang their way through a varied repertoire, including a great version of Johnnie B Goode.

Next on stage was ex-Ronas Drama group veteran Anna Irvine, accompanied by Laureen Manson and Stuart Johnson who had the audience in stitches with their hilarious interpretation of “A trip to Eshaness”. The concert line-up was completed with some foot-tapping, high-quality Shetland music from young group New Tradition, led by Bernadette Porter and Jim Leask.

After the concert, organisers dished out a feast which included stew and tatties, followed by bannocks and home-made rhubarb jam. The meal was a hit with everyone in the hall, but especially the tourists who joined in. After the meal, the tables were cleared away and everyone worked off their food with some traditional dancing to music by the Northmavine Fiddle and Accordion Club. Organisers would like to thank everyone who took part in the concert and helped to make the event the success it was.

Claes and Taes for CLAN

A few women in the North Mainland have got together to organise a Claes and Taes event for CLAN 1,2,3 in the Sullom hall on Saturday 11th July from 2-6pm.

The idea behind the event is that folk donate good quality clothes which can include ladieswear, men’s clothes and outfits for bairns as well as accessories. Folk then come along and purchase the donated goods to raise funds for CLAN 1,2,3. The organisers are looking for donations of clothes already as they are keen to build up a good selection for sale and raise lots of money for the appeal in the process.

Organisers hope to make this a real family day out with lots to see and do for everyone. As well as the clothes sale, there will also be a sale of teas and home bakes along with a range of activities for bairns. Anyone would like to help provide bairns activities or donate clothes can phone Rosie Doull – (01806) 522433, Norma Peterson – (01806) 522772 or Angela Mowat – (01595) 890242.

Car boot Sunday in Northmavine

Sunday will be a great day for bargain hunters in Northmavine. The Eshaness Community Centre is having a car boot sale in the centre from 1-5pm and the Ollaberry hall is hosting Sunday teas and a car boot sale from 3-6pm.

Hope for sunshine for da bikers

It goes without saying that bikers travelling to Shetland this year for the annual Simmer Dim rally at Vidlin will get a warm welcome from folk here. Many have been coming to the rally for over 20 years and have built up a large network of Shetland friends. Here’s hoping that the weather will be as warm as the welcome, although from past experience the odd drop of rain does nothing to dampen spirits. All the best for a safe and fabulous weekend to all involved.

Vidlin’s active centenarian

There can’t be many communities in Shetland that can enlist the help of a centenarian at their events, but not only did Ruby Lindsay provide pancakes for the recent Vidlin SWRI and Women’s Guild Sunday teas and car boot sale, she also helped on a stall!

Mrs Lindsay, who will celebrate her 101st birthday next month, helped organisers raise the tremendous sum of £869.83. The SWRI and the Women’s Guild would like to thank everyone who helped in any way and thanks also to all who supported the fund-raiser. They would also like to extend a special thank you to Laura Sandison who added donations from her recent birthday party. This means that a magnificent total of £1106.74 will be handed over to the CLAN 1,2,3 appeal.

Maree Hay

The annual Northmavine Cattle Compensation Society Sunday teas, usually held in the Ollaberry hall, will be at Sullom hall this year. As well as teas, coffees and a stomach-stretching spread, there will also be a sales table, tombola, raffle and a range of garden ornaments and items from Stonecraft at Voe. Teas will be available from 3-6pm on Sunday.

Car boot at Vidlin

Vidlin SWRI and Women’s Guild are holding a joint Sunday teas and car boot sale in the Vidlin hall on Sunday. The event, which will run from 2.30-5.30pm, is in aid of CLAN 1,2,3.

Back to Tuesday

While the Brae High School has been using the Brae Youth Centre for student exams, the Good as New shop, usually open in the centre on Tuesdays from 2-4pm, has been opening at the same time on Saturdays instead. As the exams reach an end, tomorrow will be the last Saturday opening and the shop will revert back to Tuesday openings from 17th June. The shop is proving popular with folk from all over Shetland and the recent 50p sale resulted in the sale of 190 items, which has made room for lots of new stock on the rails. The regular last Saturday of the month opening will be on 27th June from 2-4pm, after which the shop will close down for the summer holidays.

No way for slipway

Last Sunday, Hillswick Eshaness Area Regeneration & Development Association (HEARD) community group held the annual general meeting in the Hillswick hall. After the general meeting and election of office bearers, the group went on to look at existing and future projects.

The group is extremely disappointed at the lack of progress in their attempt to have a slipway built near to Swarthoull, Hillswick. Planning permission was obtained in 2007 but grant funding for the project, which was promised by Shetland Islands Council, has so far failed to materialise. A 50 per cent grant from the SRDP is possible but this requires match funding to be in place before it can be awarded. The slipway facility, which would replace an old slip that has been eroded by the sea, would be of huge benefit to the community as well as to visiting clubs and tourists. But without council support the group finds it difficult to see the project ever happening.

Simmer Dim teas

The Ollaberry hall committee has organised Sunday teas and car boot sale in the hall on Sunday 21st June from 3-6pm. Tables cost £5 and anyone who would like to book one should phone (01806) 544203.

Oily Muggie

A weekend of conferences in Comrie and Dunblane meant I was unable to take advantage of an invitation to drop along Oily Muggie last Sunday. Oily Muggie is the latest business to open in Hillswick, and owner Fiona Cope, assisted by husband Nick, has worked incredibly hard over the past year to transform an extension to their house into a space that now sells arts, crafts and creative gifts.

It’s encouraging to see enterprising spirit in Northmavine and to have folk in the area who are willing to take what is a huge step. Oily Muggie will add to the existing services and facilities Northmavine has to offer and this will undoubtedly encourage visitors to spend more time – and hopefully money – there. Congratulations to Fiona and Nick.

Gunnister Man

Two local men casting peats at Gunnister, near Nibon, Northmavine, in the early 1950s came across the remains of a person who would become known as the Gunnister Man. Although the man had died in the late 1600s, his peaty grave had preserved much of his knitted and woven articles of clothing as well as coins and the remains of wooden implements.

The artefacts are now housed in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, but later this year they will return on loan to be displayed at the Shetland Museum and Archives. Currently, the story of the Gunnister Man is also interpreted at Tangwick Haa museum in Eshaness and curators there are often asked the whereabouts of the gravesite. Until recently little more than a lemonade bottle marked the site, but now in a nearby passing place, the Northmavine History Group has erected an interpretation board that gives details of the story. A simple stone, a little further up the road, pinpoints the spot the peat casters, Messers Bigland and Johnson, made the discovery.

Website updated

Out of date information is often worse than no information and websites can be notorious for hosting pages that were last updated years ago. After a prompt that some of the day-to-day information on the Northmavine website should be updated and a need to change some of the content to reflect the new era the NCDC has moved into after the end of Initiative at the Edge status, some updating of site content has taken place.

Old favourites such as Northmaven Community Council and NCDC minutes as well as the Northmavine skip rota remain. New articles include news of Northmavine Community Powerdown Officer Colin Dickie and information on the three areas the NCDC intends concentrating on for the next five years, namely renewables, social enterprise and housing. There’s also visitor information, a business directory for Northmavine, an opportunity to purchase A visitors’ quick guide to Northmavine and the much-read forum that includes some superb photographs from contributors.

Administrators of www.northmavine.com always welcome new contributions from folk including stories, information and business adverts from the area. Comments and suggestions for updates and improvements would also be welcomed so anyone with ideas should contact the NCDC office – email ncdcoffice@northmavine.com or phone (01806) 544222.

Maree Hay

The North Shetland Training Group (NSTG) is a training provider for the Mainland of Shetland from Nesting northwards, and includes Whalsay and Skerries.

The group organises training courses in agriculture and aquaculture, at times and locations to suit the attendees. Jim Robertson from Weisdale has been the course organiser for a number of years and has recently retired. Members of the group wish him a long and happy retirement and welcome his replacement, Jeff Gaskill.

Jeff, who has recently moved to Shetland, has set up home in Culswick in the West Side of Shetland and will be arranging a number of training courses for the agricultural industry over the next few months. This will include a sheep dog training course during July and August which will last two hours on the dog-owner’s croft. A trainer will demonstrate dog and sheep handling followed by instruction to the trainee on dog and animal control.

In order to allow attendees to get the most out of NSTG courses and help ensure they are economically viable, organisers usually require a minimum of eight people to register for each course. This means the process of organising instructors, venues and facilities can then begin. The NSTG has a diverse range of classes available and Jeff would be happy to advise folk on forthcoming and possible events. For more information or to sign up for the sheep dog training, please e-mail gaskelljj@btinternet.com or phone 07530 597 588.

Men for hire in Muckle Roe

The Muckle Roe hall committee is committed to improving community facilities in the island with a view to providing all local people with opportunities to access social and educational functions in the future. The committee is also committed to ensuring that such improvements are sustainable and environmentally friendly. To those ends it is currently in the process of raising funds to provide a wind generator to help heat the hall.

As part of the fund-raising efforts, tomorrow night the community will enjoy an evening of food and entertainment provided by the male “volunteers”. The men will be responsible for all aspects of the evening, from sourcing the food and drink to decorating the hall, cooking and serving the food and entertaining the guests – in fact everything through to tidying up the next day.

Tickets for the meal are sold out, but guests who wish to enjoy the entertainment and dancing only can go along to the hall after 9.30pm. Music will be provided by The Northmavine Fiddle and Accordion Group and everyone will be made welcome.

During the evening a raffle and an auction will be held with sponsorship so far from Malakoff, Busta House, C Kelly Opticians and Shetland Products Wildwater Range. The auction will offer the opportunity to buy or hire some Muckle Roe men for an afternoon to do anything you wish (so long as it’s legal!).

Eshaness Simmer Dim

Judging from the fantastic sunsets in Eshaness lately, the area could be a great place to spend the Simmer Dim. The Eshaness community centre has organised a car boot sale in the centre from 1-5 pm on Sunday 21st June and anyone who would like to book a table should phone (01806) 503709. It would also be a good opportunity to combine the visit with a trip to Tangwick Haa and Braewick Café. Perhaps you could take a tent or hire a wigwam and spend the weekend exploring Northmavine?

The Eshaness community centre will also celebrate its 20th Anniversary in July and the committee is organising an event on 11th July to mark the occasion. More details will be available soon.

Fantastic fiddlers

Since 2007, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) Scottish Traditional Music graded exams have been held twice a year. According to their website, the programme promotes traditional Scottish performance skills and the best of traditional repertoire by the establishment of a specialist, performance-based series of assessments true to the artistic integrity of Scotland’s musical heritage.

Recently, 12 confident and accomplished fiddle pupils from Brae High School, Mossbank Primary and Whalsay Junior High, accompanied by tutor Bernadette Porter, travelled to the music department at Sandwick Junior High school to sit these prestigious exams.

In the past pupils have had to travel to Glasgow, but due to the large number of entrants, an examiner travelled to Shetland on this occasion. Every pupil passed, ranging from grade one to grade five, with flying colours and a thoroughly delighted group returned home with five distinctions, two merits and five passes.

Bernadette Porter is delighted with the results each pupil gained in the programme. “It’s a terrific achievement that all of the 12 participants have passed the exams and it reflects the hard work they have all put in to achieve these grades. The children are thrilled with their results and I’m very pleased and happy for them.” Bernadette added: “We would also like to say a special thanks to Margaret Leask, head teacher Stuart Clubb and the staff of Sandwick Junior High for allowing the exams to take place there.”

Northmavine Christian Aid thanks

The recent Christian Aid house to house collection in Northmavine, organised by the Northmavine Church of Scotland, has resulted in a total donation of £1,082.20 for the fund. Organisers would like to thank the folk in Sullom, North Roe, Hillswick, Eshaness and Ollaberry for their generous donations and say a special thank you to all the volunteer collectors who gave up their time so willingly. Through Christian Aid, donations are used to support people in some of the world’s most needy communities.

Nort Trow sponsored walk

Members and friends of Interpretation Nort, organisers of the Nort Trow summer exhibition in the North Roe and Lochend hall, took part in a sponsored walk to raise funds for the group. The warm conditions and light winds last Sunday gave walkers a chance to top up their sun tans during the 10 mile walk from John Brown’s former herring station at the South Haa in North Roe to the former herring station at the Blade, Heylor.

Judy launches Maddrim

In glorious sunshine last Sunday, Nesting Rowing Club launched their new yoal Maddrim (Shetland word for hilarity/fun). In less than two years the committee has raised the necessary funds to have their own yoal built by Whalsay boat builders Tammy Williamson and Charlie Hutchison.

The committee, made up of mostly Nesting teenagers, has raised the money in a variety of ways including Sunday teas, car boot sales, car wash events, an auction, various raffles, a GTL disco and a competition to name the new yoal.

Shetland businesses Malakoff, JHB Ltd, Ocean Kinetics, Shetland Catch, TP Gifford and Robertson and Read as well as the Nesting School and individuals, have all made donations to the fund. Shetland Islands Council and the community council have also helped financially.

Committee members have worked hard over the past few weeks to sand and paint the yoal and add her finishing touches. Local girl Judy Hamer, five, a pupil at the Nesting Primary School, won the competition to name the yoal. Judy performed the naming ceremony at the Catfirth slip where a large crowd gathered to see Maddrim take her maiden voyage. The ceremony was followed by a barbecue and refreshments on the pier.

Nesting Rowing Club would like to thank everybody who has supported them with the project in any way, including a special mention of thanks to Sandy and Sheila Peterson as well as the Vidlin rowing club, who have all been of great support and help. The yoal project has been a real community effort and the result is a beautiful new yoal for everyone to enjoy during the years to come.

Tomorrow the first ever Nesting rowing regatta takes place at the old air station at Catfirth. Refreshments and food will be available all day, followed by a dance in the marquee with County Rock in the evening. Organisers are sure the event will be a fun day out for all the family and hope as many folk as possible will come along to enjoy the first Nesting regatta.

Mavis Grind Foy

It’s official – the Mavis Grind Foy will take place on Sunday 28th June and Neil Doull’s muckle sign has gone up at Mavis Grind to advertise the event. This year to tie in with the Johnsmas Foy theme of Vikings, the Hillswick galley will be on display during the day and organisers hope that a few of the North Mainland’s hardy Vikings will make an appearance. The raft race will kick off the day at 1pm.

Maree Hay

Tuesday was such a boannie day that I left the confines of the office at Collafirth and headed to Vidlin for a look round The Cabin.

Ann, daughter of the late Andy Robertson, founder of this peerie treasure of a museum, met me at the door with the same friendly welcome her dad gave to folk.

As we wandered round the various artefacts depicting not just the war but the real folk behind the war stories, we also looked at items from the croft calendar of yesteryear and yarned about how Andy had mastered the computer in his 70s and had spent months meticulously cataloguing the thousands of items on view.

We also discussed the finer points of accessing funding and raising money in order to give Andy’s collections the warm, dry premises they required and how delighted and proud he was to spend last season in his new premises at Packin.

Andy would be delighted to see that Ann, Lowrie, Jacqueline, Stanley and their families are continuing The Cabin, and that his passion has transcended the generations.

The premises are open on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm and the family is happy to open at other times for groups and individuals by prior arrangement. Telephone Lowrie on (01595) 694891, Stanley on (01806) 577232 or e-mail hughann@btopenworld.com

Good as new 50p sale

Following on from the success of previous sales, the Good as New shop in the Brae Youth Centre is holding a 50p sale tomorrow from 2pm to 4pm. Everything in the shop will be sold for 50p per item, so nip along for a bargain.

Under-fives teas and photos

Vidlin has a very active under-fives group at the moment. Not content with resting on their laurels after the successful publication of the Vidlin phonebook as a fund-raiser for the group, the organisers are holding Sunday teas in the Vidlin hall on Sunday from 2pm to 5pm.

As well as stalls and a raffle, the screen and projector in the hall will be put to good use to display photos of past and present members of the under-fives group over the past 20 years. It should be good fun try to work out who’s who!

Kirk sale success

The recent Delting Parish Church of Scotland sale raised the tremendous sum of £1,537 and the organisers would like to thank the local Good as New shop in Brae Youth Centre for the generous £50 donation.

The church folk are also very appreciative of the generous cash donations and for the donated items for the silent auction and various other stalls. They would also like to thank all those who brought home bakes and everyone who supported the sale, bought from the stalls and gave so generously.

A number of competitions ran throughout the day, with the following winners: Name the doll – won by Anne Macgregor from Brae with the name Hayley.

The sleeping dog was dreaming of chocolate buttons – won by Margaret Spall, Mossbank.

The bear had quorn for lunch – won by Julie Hardy, Mossbank.

The treasure hidden in Shetland map was a box of chocolates – won by Anne MacGregor, Brae.

The food hamper was priced to within 1p at £24.36 – won by Winnie Balfour, Busta.

Brae storms Europe

Brae High School secondary pupils have just returned from a very enjoyable and informative school trip and Martha Morton and Rowan Johnson kindly provided the following account of the visit: On 12th May, a group of secondary 1-3 pupils from Brae High School set off on their educational trip to Paris. In Paris we visited the Eiffel Tower as well as going on a cruise up the Seine river. We also visited the all-important Disneyland for two days.

However, one of the most interesting aspects of our trip was the history. On the way to Paris, we briefly visited Ypres in Belgium. This was one of the worst-hit towns in the First World War. Just outside of Ypres lies Tyne Cot cemetery. This is the biggest cemetery concerning WWI in the world, with 11,954 graves of which 8,367 are unnamed. We also visited other, smaller, WWI cemeteries and a preserved field hospital near Ypres.

The last place we visited had perfectly preserved and unchanged trenches on hill 62, found by a farmer who turned them into a museum. We got to stand in the trenches and see shell holes first hand. It was incredible experience that we will all never forget.

The trip was a very enjoyable experience and all the pupils on the trip would like to thank everyone who helped with fund-raising. Also big thanks go to Robert Jamieson for all his help in organising the trip and driving us to Paris. Most importantly, we’d like to thank the teachers for all their hard work and dedication, as well putting up with us lot for 10 days.

Hillswick plant sale

Fund-raising events to help with hall refurbishments at Hillswick continue with a plant sale and afternoon teas in the hall on Sunday from 3pm to 5pm.

Pounds for plants

Last Sunday began slowly after rounding off Saturday night celebrating Walter and Kenny’s 40th birthday at the Collafirth hot-tub party.

I was unprepared for the scene of vast swathes of folliage that awaited me as I arrived, in the afternoon, at the Sullom hall to man the raffle books at the plant sale and Sunday teas. I was even less prepared for the sight of the queue of folk that waited to get into the hall at 2.30pm, prior to the 3pm opening.

The hall was crammed with plants for sale, all lovingly and carefully grown by members of the North Mainland Gardening Club over the winter. The plant sale is the main annual fund-raiser by the club and over the years they have raised many thousands of pounds for a huge variety of local charities. This year CLAN 1,2,3 and the Nort Trow Gairden at North Roe were the chosen beneficiaries.

The ladies of the Sullom hall provided Sunday teas and a delicious spread to feed the hungry plant-shopper. Judging from the variety of area codes and familiar faces at the raffle stall, folk from all over Shetland and a number of tourists had made the trip to Sullom.

By 6pm the plant stalls, homebakes sales table and the tea stall were all vastly depleted by the sheer number of customers. Winnie Balfour of the gardening club announced that members had raised the tremendous sum of £1,600 from plant sales. Another £751.05 was also raised from the teas, homebakes stall and the raffle for the hall refurbishment fund.

The winner of the Nort Trow Gairden anagram was drawn and a £20 garden voucher went to Mary Smith of Brae for correctly guessing all the gardeners – including Sven Wombwell! All in all it was an extremely successful day and a testament to voluntary effort.

Rowing regatta

The rowing season kicks off in Northmavine at the Collafirth Pier tomorrow. All yoals need to be in the water by 3pm with the first race at 3.30pm.

Refreshments and a barbecue will be available during the day, as will the Nort Boys’ hot-tub. So if you fancy a dip in something warmer than the North Sea, mind and bring a towel. The prize-giving presentation will take place at 8pm followed by the sounds of Scaldin Bragg from 9.30pm to 1am.

South to north

Emma, Sophie, Hannah, Laura, Elliot, Cameron and Sarah, currently in class seven at Cunningsburgh Primary School, accompanied by Michael Hannah and Karen Osborn, have recently spent three action-filled days in the North Mainland.

After settling into Voxter House on Monday, they spent the day exploring the area including the plantation and the Valayre burn, ending with a trip to the Mossbank playpark in the evening. Many were delighted to spend time in the trees at Voxter, because, as one pupil said: “We have nae trees near wis.”

Pupils were also able to find similarities in the geology from both parts of Shetland when they came across an outcrop of soapstone during their walk up the Valayre burn. This stone is similar to that at Catpund in Cunningsburgh.

Tuesday was an action-packed day which began with a trip to the Back Sands at Ollaberry to check out the visible appearance of the Great Glen Fault and the group were able pick out the differing rocks of granite and schist. There was also an opportunity to paddle in the water, although some said it was colder than it looked! Then it was on to Collafirth Hill. The bairns were amazed by the numerous bright red boulders, signifying the Ronas Hill granite and many pupils thought it was like “being on the moon”.

After lunch at Hillswick it was on to the Eshaness Lighthouse where they were able to grasp the depth of the blowhole at the Kirn of Slettans by throwing stones into the cavern and waiting for the sound of the stone hitting the water below.

Everyone walked out to the Hols o Scraada and found frogs near the mill ruins near the Broch of Houlland. Next stop was Tangwick Haa where the Laird’s parlour, the wedding dress and a 3D “thing” they were able to look through were popular favourites among the group. The gift shop was also very popular.

The pupils rounded off Tuesday with a trip to the North Mainland swimming pool where I was able to catch up with them for a yarn. Highlights of the visit were the trees at Voxter, Eshaness Lighthouse, the gravestone at Eshaness which tells the tale of the man poisoned accidently at Sullom, the Hols o Scraada and the frogs. Some of the group were also vexed that they had “nae wigwams” in the South Mainland.

As I left they were heading off to Frankie’s chip shop for a well-earned tea and asking their teachers if they could stay an extra night.

Before leaving for home on Wednesday they headed up to Scatsta Airport for a tour of operations and a visit to Muckle Roe to view the dramatic cliff scenery.

I would like to say thanks to the Cunningsburgh bairns for sharing their experiences with me. Some had been to the area before and they all agreed they would like to come back. I was very impressed by the sheer amount of information they had learned and retained about the landscape, the geology and the history of the area. It was a pleasure to meet such a friendly, articulate group of young folk and I hope it’s not long before they all come back again.

Maths society funding

Patricia Batty at Brae High School has added an amendment to the article published two weeks ago regarding the Maths Fun Day at Brae.

Funding of £358 for the event was provided by The Edinburgh Mathematical Society, not the Maths Association as stated.

Nort Trow re-opens

Volunteers from the Interpretation Nort group in Northmavine are making final preparations for the second season of the Nort Trow exhibition in the North Roe and Lochend hall.

The displays will feature the natural, historical and cultural aspects of life in North Roe, Lochend and the surrounding area.

Teas and local crafts will also be available and the group look forward to welcoming visitors once again. Nort Trow opens tomorrow from 11am to 5pm to coincide with the Northmavine Rowing Regatta and will be open on Sundays from 11am to 6pm and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11am to 5pm.

Maree Hay

As the lambing draws to a close, crofters in the North Mainland can treat themselves to a well deserved night out at the crofters’ ball in the Hillswick hall next Friday night.

The evening will begin with food at 7.30pm, followed by music, song, poetry and rounded off with a dance.

Tickets are available from any committee member or Laureen on (01806) 503246. They will also be on sale tonight at the Golden Kitchen takeaway evening in the Hillswick hall from 4pm to 9pm.

Explosive north trail

Any visitor to Shetland or local person with a geological bent is always amazed by the geodiversity Shetland has to offer. A range of rocks and landscapes that would take the visitor a week to visit on mainland Scotland, can be accessed in a few hours in Shetland.

In a bid to help highlight the diverse landscape and encourage more visitors to experience what Shetland has to offer, Shetland is hoping to become a Geopark and join a network of over 30 Geoparks throughout Europe.

In order to join the Geopark network, areas must protect, interpret and promote the geology and landscapes for the benefit of the community, with a view to encouraging sustainable tourism.

In conjunction with Geoparks throughout Europe, Shetland will hold a number of events to mark European Geoparks Week, which begins on 23rd May. In Northmavine this will mean the launch of an exciting new self-guided trai – Shetland’s Volcano – which begins at Mavis Grind and includes an explosive tour around Eshaness.

The launch will take place on Wednesday at 11am in the Braewick Cafe at Eshaness and the organisers would love to see as many folk as possible at this event. It is suitable for anyone, but people working with tourists in Shetland may find it particularly useful to come along and find out what it’s all about.

Light refreshments will be provided by Geoparks Shetland (including teas, coffees and geological treats).

Visitors will receive a copy of the trail leaflet to take away in order to explore for themselves. People will be available from 11am to 2pm at the cafe to answer any questions and there will also be a chance to get hands on with a range of rock specimens.

Information about further events can be found at www.geoparkshetland.org.uk.

Visitors without access to transport may also be interested to note that Allen Fraser of Shetland Geotours will be offering his Northmavine/Eshaness Tour next Wednesday, departing Lerwick at 9.30am. To book, contact Shetland Tourist Centre on (01595) 693434 or email info@shetlandgeology.com

Mirrie dancers site tour

Mirrie Dancers is an ambitious, new creative venture that invites people of all ages from across the isles to join two artists and help temporarily transform places using light.

This exciting project was conceived by artists Nayan Kulkarni and Roxane Permar and commissioned by Shetland Arts.

It is the first time that light will be used as a major art form in Shetland. The artists began developing the project with Shetland Arts in early 2008, and they expect to complete fund-raising next month.

To complete the development process, the team is inviting anyone who has an interest in the project to take part in selecting sites for a series of temporary illuminations that will form a “Celebration of Light” throughout Shetland starting this autumn and finishing in March 2010.

On Saturday, 6th June you can join the artists in a bus tour of Northmavine followed by food and discussion to help choose sites for the Celebration of Light. During the day the group will make a short list of sites and also nominate a Northmavine representative to join the selection panel to make the final selection of sites throughout Shetland. The Northmavine tour departs from the Hillswick hall.

Sunday, 7th June is a chance for people from Delting, Lunnasting, Voe, Nesting and Whalsay to scout for sites in their areas. Again, food and discussion of the sites will follow. This tour departs from Vidlin hall.

The Mirrie Dancers team are inviting anyone to join them on the tour, whatever your age or special interests. Even if you can’t join them on the bus tour, you are very welcome to join them later in the day to contribute to the discussion and selection process.

To declare your interest in the Northmavine or North Mainland Site-Selection Session, book a place on the tour or find out more about the project, contact Roxane Permar on (01595) 859 202 or email roxane.permar@btinternet.com

Teas and plants at Sullom

The annual plant sale and teas organised by the North Mainland Gardening Club last year was such a success that the venue at Muckle Roe overflowed with folk all day and the single track road could not cope with the volume of traffic.

The organisers decided to switch venues this year and so they held the bulb show, which usually takes place at Sullom, in the Muckle Roe hall, and have moved the plant sale and teas event to Sullom.

The plant sale and teas takes place on Sunday from 3pm to 6pm and there will be an excellent selection of bedding plants, plants, shrubs, indoor plants as well as some vegetables.

Everything is potted and rooted and started life here in Shetland as a seed, so there is a good chance that the plants will continue to flourish and grow.

Sunday teas will be provided by the Sullom hall committee, with the proceeds of the teas being put towards the hall refurbishment scheme. The main beneficiaries from the plant sale will be the Nort Trow Community Garden in North Roe and the CLAN 1,2,3 appeal.

Helpers needed for marina

After an unenviable volume of work undertaken by volunteers involved in the Delting Marina project, and some excellent input from contractors including staff at FLJ and those daring truck drivers who helped construct the breakwater, the Delting Marina will be officially opened on Saturday, 27th June.

The organisers hope to provide a full day of events and activities which will include a barbecue and live music. Such a day requires a lot of input from volunteers and the committee would welcome as many helping hands as they can muster. Anyone who is interested in volunteering should go along to the Delting Boating Club on Thursday at 8pm to discuss the launch day events.

Sponsored walk for CLAN

The annual fancy dress sponsored walk from Muckle Roe to Delting Boating Club, a distance of almost five miles, will take place tomorrow night with over 100 walkers signed up to take part.

Buses, operated by Johnson Transport, will leave Delting Boating Club at 5.30pm to ensure that all walkers reach the start line in Muckle Roe for the 6pm start. All sponsorship monies from the walk will be donated to the CLAN 1,2,3 appael.

Back at Delting Boating Club, a hearty night of entertainment will take place. The organisers hope that, as in previous years, local musicians will bring along instruments to get folk up on the dance floor and stop the spaegie setting in. Live sets will also be interspersed with disco music and a barbecue will be available to help nourish hungry walkers.

The main organisers, Alice and Louise Ratter, are delighted and overwhelmed by the response of local businesses to their requests for raffle prizes and donations of food and charcoal for the barbecue.

The money raised at the boating club will be donated to local cancer charities such as Cancer Shetland, so with the fantastic number of donations received, the lasses have ensured that any money raised goes directly to the charities rather than having to be used for expenses. Here’s hoping they have also organised a great night of wadder, as they seem to have taken care of everything else.

Alice and Louise are keen to hand the money from the walk over to CLAN as soon as possible and would ask that all sponsor money is handed in to either of them by the end of May.

North Haven sales day

Staff at North Haven organised an impromptu sale of bric-a-brac at the centre last month.

Rosie and Barbara raided their garages and lofts and raised over £130 in just over an hour for the CLAN appeal.

On Sunday from 2pm to 4pm North Haven is having a second bric-a-brac and home bakes fund-raiser for CLAN and the organisers hope this event will be just as successful. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the afternoon. All donations would be gratefully received on Sunday morning.

Maree Hay

Last Thursday, most of the 39 primary seven pupils from the North Mainland who will move to Brae School in August, met up at the Brae Hall to get to know each other and experience the fun of maths.

Staff had organised a series of challenges with a mathematical theme and there was four rounds during the day. Round one began with a team round where pupils had to work as a team to solve the booklet of puzzles.

A practical round followed where bairns moved around the hall solving anagram puzzles, countdown challenges, jigsaws, problem solving money issues and a whole lot more.

Round three was the model round. Everyone made paper aeroplanes from paper and straws then launched them to see if their feats of engineering had been successful and the planes were able to fly.

The final round of the day was a fast and furious round where pupils were encouraged to run around the hall solving questions and gaining as many points as possible.

Judging from the comments at the end of the day, it was a really enjoyable experience. Everyone had very positive comments and one pupil said: “I really enjoyed myself and it was good to meet new friends.” Another said the day was “challenging but really good fun”.

Everyone who took part received a certificate and the top three teams received prizes for their efforts.

Staff at Brae High School would like to thank the Maths Association for funding towards the cost of expenses. They would also like to say thanks to everyone who helped to organise the event and to Johnson Transport for providing transport for all the bairns.

Road grant deadline

Delting Community Council would like to remind folk in the Delting area that the closing date for the return of applications for unadopted or peat roads is Monday, 25th May.

For anyone who has not yet made the transition to the metric system and only has the measurement of the road length in yards, fear not – the clerk has a conversion table and is happy to convert your yards to metres upon application of the form.

Splinters reminder

Organisers of Splinters youth drama group would like to remind members that a meeting will take place in the Brae Youth Centre on Sunday to finalise casting decisions for this year’s pantomime.

Primary members will meet from 1pm to 2.30pm and secondary members from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

Members of the cast currently on the Brae school French trip should not panic about missing the meeting. Mike and Di are aware which folk are away and will see everyone in Brae Youth Centre for the final day on 31st May.

Times for this meeting are the same as those held this Sunday.

Brae toddlers meet in Roe

During the Brae High School exam period, the toddler group have decanted from their base at Brae Youth Centre and will meet in Muckle Roe hall each Thursday from 10am to 12.30pm until 4th June.

The annual Trondra farm trip will take place on 11th June and the group will move back to the Brae Youth Centre the following week. The organisers would like to remind folk that they would welcome all babies, bairns and their carers.

Ollaberry teas

The highly-regarded Ollaberry teas will be available this Sunday from 3pm to 6pm. The event will also include a raffle and a sales table, so there will be an opportunity to purchase a few tab-nabs to take home for supper.

Minibus tasters

A recent conversation with Maureen Stewart, community learning and development officer for North Mainland and Whalsay, revealed that a number of free community minibus taster sessions will be run in late May and early June.

Shetland Islands Council is keen to encourage more folk to be able to drive the community minibuses, as this would enable groups to have cheaper and more convenient transport for their community activities.

Minibuses can be hired for 77p per mile and this is calculated on the departure point and venue distance, meaning travel distances from the community office departure point are not included.

In addition to holding a full driving licence which should have a D1 entitlement, proposed drivers should be over 21 and need to complete a MiDAS test, hence the taster sessions.

Sessions will take place on Saturday, 30th May in Lerwick at 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

Three further sessions will be held on Tuesday, 9th June at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm. For bookings or further information call 01595 745301.

North Roe plant sale

The recent spell of good weather has resulted in a wealth of work going on in gardens.

Anyone with a few gaps in those borders should go along to the North Roe and Lochend hall tomorrow night for the annual plant sale. The sale begins at 7pm with all proceeds going towards hall funds.

Northmavine road grants

Northmavine Community Council is now inviting grant applications for unadopted and peat roads and request that all grant forms are returned by Friday, 26th June.

Application forms are available from the clerk’s office at Greenbrae, South Collafirth, Ollaberry. Telephone (01806) 544222 or e-mail northmavencc@yahoo.co.uk

Fire officers in the saddle

Most of us are familiar with the names Loch Rannoch and Schiehallion in connection with the oil industry, but as many folk will be aware, they are in fact also areas of Scotland in stunning Perthshire.

Four fire officers from Scatsta Airport will be very familiar with this area after John Gold and Mark Webb of Brae, Derek Edwardson of Muckle Roe and Mark Moncrieff of Lerwick take part in the MacMillan Cancer Support Etape Caledonia cycle challenge on Sunday.

A total of 3,500 cyclists have signed up for Etape Caledonia, Scotland’s only closed road cycle challenge, which begins and ends in Pitlochry and winds through an 81-mile course.

The route will take in Lochs Tummel and Rannoch in the areas of Atholl and Breadalbane and includes a total ascent of 1,949 metres as cyclists ascend the Schiehallion Climb, among others.

Although John, Derek and both Marks are regular cyclists, they have undertaken additional training sessions in the lead up to the event.

John regularly cycles from Brae to work at Scatsta via the Lang Kames to join up with Mark Moncrieff who cycles to work at Scatsta from Lerwick.

Each cyclist has increased their daily mileage over the past few weeks to ensure they are ready for the event.

All four are looking forward to the challenges the Etape Caledonia will provide and would like to thank those people that have already supported them by donating to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Anyone else who would like to sponsor them can fill in their individual sponsor sheets and, in addition, John Gold has a just giving site www.justgiving.com/johngold1

Maree Hay

Next Saturday, the first ever Vidlin farmers’ market will take place in the Vidlin hall from 10am to 2pm. The organisers have sourced a wide range of local produce and crafts from the area and hope people will come along to the market to see what is on offer and pick up something fine.

Tea, coffee, rolls and home bakes will be available in the hall throughout the day as sustenance for hungry shoppers. There are still a few spaces available for anyone with local produce or crafts for sale. To book a table phone Arlene on (01806) 577235.

Teas for Tamil Nadu

The last Sunday in April saw a very successful Ollaberry hall teas event raise nearly £1,000 for schoolchildren in Tamil Nadu.

Shetland has been linked with communities in Tharamgambadi, a tsunami affected fishing area on the coast of Tamil Nadu in South India since 2005.

Over the past four years the local Tamil Nadu-Shetland community group has regularly raised funds to support efforts to rebuild schools and the local economy. The most recent success was the school bus, paid for by Shetland funds, which is now busy collecting bairns from villages all over the surrounding area.

With regard to the fund-raising Sunday teas at Ollaberry, the group is extremely grateful for the massive support they were given by the indomitable women of the hall committee, who steered them through the perilous waters of running the superbly efficient teas. It is no wonder these teas have a fine reputation across Shetland, and happily, the quality on this occasion remained superb.

Those involved would like to thank Jeanette Spall in particular, who introduced the novices among the local Tamil-Nadu-Shetland community group to the military precision involved in organising the smooth running of the teas.

The group would also like to thank all others who assisted and gave generously for this good cause.

Samuel Thomas, who runs the Hope Foundation Schools in the area, was delighted to hear about the extra resources for the children. Full details of what the money is being spent on will be available soon.

Ollaberry fish and chips

At this time of year, with so many folk involved in the lambing season, home cooking often has to take a back seat as it is all hands on deck to ensure that both ewe and lamb are safe and well.

Full-time lambers – and anyone else – will be able to pop along the Ollaberry hall tomorrow night to the ever-popular fish and chip night. Food will be available from 5.30pm to 8.30pm and folk can eat in or take away.

For anyone who isn’t lambing, and has a bit of spare time, a games night will follow. The bar will be open and under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Garden slide show

The Brae hall was the venue last Thursday for a successful slide show and talk by Sue Hayward, designer of last year’s double award-winning Shetland Croft House Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Sue now regularly gives talks on the inspiration and ideas behind the story and as she was coming up to Shetland on holiday, kindly offered to give a presentation. The evening was superbly hosted by the North Mainland Gardening Club and all proceeds from the evening were donated to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Sue explained how the garden idea first came from Martin Anderson, co-founder of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. After spending time in Shetland on holiday, he was inspired to attempt to recreate a 1940s Shetland garden as an entry in the small gardens section of the Chelsea show. His motivation was to raise awareness and funds for Motor Neurone Disease.

Martin sketched his vision for the garden on a piece of scrap paper and Sue was tasked with the job of making his idea a reality. Competition for places at the show is fierce with over 1,000 applications for 10 places in the small garden section, but the entry from Martin and Sue was accepted and the real work began.

Martin and Sue travelled to Shetland in January last year to source plants and materials for the show in May and were overwhelmed by the help, support and advice they received from people and businesses. Sue speaks fondly of people by name during her talk and it is obvious that Shetland and the people she met now have a place in her heart.

From a horticulturalists’ point of view, Sue was amazed at how many of the plants people sent from Shetland to be included in the display had adapted to survive their harsh, windy, salt-laden climate. She noted that in comparison to the same species found in gardens in England, many of the Shetland plants were smaller, hardier with often a more leathery appearance.

The talk was rounded off with an explanation of how the plants returned back to Shetland after being on display to such prestigious visitors as the Queen and Princess Anne to name a few.

The garden also took a gold medal in the small gardens section and captured the hearts of folk who awarded it The People’s Choice award.

The evening ended with tea, coffee and a magnificent selection of home bakes supplied by members of the North Mainland Gardening Group. Donations from the audience and a raffle during the evening raised £400 for Motor Neurone Disease and Sue was delighted that folk had enjoyed the slide show and given so generously.

Non-domestic waste only

Complaints have recently been received of people dumping black bags in skips. The ground surrounding the skip at Assater has had to be cleared of an unsightly mess including correspondence, calendars, plastic bottles and fruit juice cartons.

Northmaven Community Council would like to remind folk that skips provided in the area are for the disposal of non-domestic waste only.

A reminder that the Ollaberry Youth Club Voar Redd Up takes place tonight (weather permitting) and helpers should meet at the hall at 6pm for a 6.30pm start.

After all the hard work of the redd up is over, there will be a barbecue with a bar at the hall for everyone. Contact Marie on (01806) 544321 or Genene on (01806) 544337 for further information.

Christian Aid collection

In line with 300,000 people from 22,000 churches from across the UK, collectors from the Northmavine Churches of Scotland will take part in Christian Aid Week’s house-to-house collections to raise money that will help transform the lives of people living in poverty across the world.

Collections throughout Britain raise more than two thirds of the amazing £15 million total collected each year to help people such as 15-year-old Jimmy who lives on the streets of Kinshasa.

Jimmy is determined not to cave into the values of life on the street, where robbing and thieving are common occurrences for survival. Instead he visits a drop in centre operated by Humanité Nouvelle where he can get a good meal, advice and skills training to help fulfil his hope of becoming a driver or a mechanic.

Volunteers from all five areas of Northmavine will be collecting from next Sunday until 16th May and hope that local people will give as generously as in years past.

KSC sponsors Brae hockey team

Kevin Sutherland, owner of local building company Kevin Sutherland Construction (KSC), is the new sponsor of Brae High School primary and under-14 hockey teams.

The teams play in leagues run by the Shetland Junior Hockey Development Group at the Midway Astroturf pitch from April through to July on alternate Wednesday nights.

Pupils are delighted with their new strip, courtesy of Kevin and would like to say a huge “thank you” to him for making that possible. It would seem that the new KSC strips have brought luck to the primary teams – they played in the new strip for the first time last Wednesday and walked away with two wins and a draw.

Maree Hay