Walls Brownies’ leader Angela Leask speak to podcast host Marjolein Robertson about the Waas Up-Helly-A’. On Friday, 30th March, the Brownies will don their Viking outfits to celebrate the last Up Helly Aa of the season. Angela explains the origins of the 30 year old celebration on the Westside and talks about the benefits for the bairns involved and the community as a whole.
The Shetland Youth Music Festival has secured a major award from Shetland Charitable Trust.
The £5,000 grant provides the funding needed to run this year’s busy programme, from 17th to 20th March, in Mareel.
Chairwoman and event manager Sioban McGregor has been involved in the festival for the last 12 years.
“We are delighted that the festival, after the setback with Covid, has had such a successful few years, especially now we are self-funded through sponsorship and donations,” she said.
“We had over 600 young musicians involved at the junior festival in 2024, and we would like to welcome musicians from all backgrounds to enter the 2025 festival, and to come and join in the fun.”
This year’s is a secondary festival, open to all young people of secondary school age in full-time education in Shetland.
The grant, together with support already secured from Shetland Arts and the Lerwick Port Authority, has given organisers the financial backing needed to keep the festival operating.
Anne MacDonald has agreed to adjudicate the festival. An examiner for Trinity College London and violinist with Scottish Ballet Orchestra, she was last in Shetland in 2017 to judge the entrants.
The festival syllabus and entry forms are available online. Closing date for entries is Monday 24th February.
Plans are gathering pace for the return of the Rising North Festival, which was held for the first time last year.
Organisers say a first headliner announcement will be made this weekend.
More news is expected tomorrow evening at 7pm.
Last year’s Rising North was praised as an outstanding three-day musical highlight.
The headteacher of Sandwick Junior High School will leave his post later this year.
Andrew Hunter has notified parents of his decision in a school email, describing it as a “very hard decision to take”.
Mr Hunter, who also has responsibility for Fair Isle Primary School, will leave at the beginning of the summer holidays.
He was appointed to the role in 2023, when he took over from acting headteacher – now director of children’s services – Samantha Flaws. He was previously employed as a headteacher with City of Edinburgh Council.
Join the The Shetland Times mailing list to get one daily email update at midday on what's happening in Shetland.
NO COMMENTS
Add Your Comment