North Mainland Notes 26.09.08

New members wanted
MOSSBANK Guides, Brownies and Rainbows have started again after the summer break.

The groups meet every Thursday evening in the Mossbank School from 6.30pm to 8pm. Rainbows are for girls aged five to seven years, Brownies for seven to 11 years and Guides from 10 years and upwards. The groups have a varied programme each week and would welcome new members.

Lightweight buggy fund-raiser
Splinters are having a fund-raising afternoon in Brae Hall on Sunday from 2.15pm to 4.30pm.

Traditional afternoon teas will include entertainment throughout the afternoon with a tropical theme.

This will be a light and happy event and the Splinters group aim to raise as much funds as possible to enable them to assist with the purchase of a much needed lightweight buggy for five-year-old Caitlin who lives in the Delting area.

Splinters hope to see as many folk as possible.

Marathon woman
A former Ollaberry lass now living in Glasgow and working as a physiotherapist in Gartnavel Hospital, is to run the New York Marathon in November to raise money for the Breast Cancer campaign.

Lesley Ann Ramsay has completed four half marathon events in Glasgow but this is the first time she has attempted a full marathon and she would really appreciate support for the very worthwhile cause.

If anyone would like to sponsor Lesley Ann, there are sponsor forms at the Ollaberry Shop and Brae Garage or online at www.justgiving.com/lesleyannramsay She has also organised a ceilidh in Glasgow on Sunday and if anyone has family or friends in Glasgow who would like to go along they can e-mail lesleyannramsay@yahoo.co.uk for tickets.

Brae Good as New
The Good as New shop in the Brae Youth Centre will open tomorrow for the monthly Saturday opening from 2-4pm.

A large selection of clothing in various sizes and styles will be on offer at bargain prices.

Fund-raiser for CLAN
The ladies of Brae are holding an 8 o’clocks in the Brae Hall on Wednesday in aid of CLAN 1,2,3 from 7-10pm.

There will be a range of activities for all the family including side stalls, face-painting, guessing games, teas, sales tables, a raffle and a silent auction.

As an alternative to the car boot sale, the ladies have come up with a “bruck in a box” idea where people pay £5 to sell a box of unwanted or unused items.

During the evening there will also be a demonstration of the Papa Stour sword dance as well as music from local musicians. The hall will be open from 3pm to accept goods.

For further information contact Irene on (01806) 588269 or Isobel on (01806) 522566.

Community care update
The open evening held last week in the Brae Hall club room to help recruit community care workers in the North Mainland was hailed a success.

Several people took the opportunity to meet staff on a one-to-one basis in order to gain further information about the employment opportunities and how their skills could match the opportunity.

Help was also on hand to guide people through the job application form, which many can find daunting.

Anyone who is interested in working with older people in their communities, but was unable to go along to the open evening, can still contact Pauline or Kerry at North Haven Care Centre on (01806) 522136 for further information.

Frankie’s – a dream for Andy
This has really has been a dream year for Ollaberry tiller driver Andy Stephen.

Not only did he race his way to his first ever victory in the Merry Tiller Grand Sprix at the Big Bannock this year, but the chip shop opened in Brae last week, ensuring that his favoured double king rib suppers with six crab sticks are within a more sustainable driving distance. Seriously though: congratulations to Gary, Valerie and all the staff on the opening of Frankie’s Chip Shop last Tuesday. It is encouraging to see new employment opportunities being developed in the North Mainland . . . and it’s saved me makkin da tae three nights already!

Cards on the table
Along with the robin feeding outside our office window, another sure sign that winter is on the way is the beginning of the card night season in local halls.

Card nights will take place in the Ollaberry Hall on the first Wednesday of every month until lambing time and 500 will be played every third Wednesday in the Hillswick Hall.

South Nesting Sunday teas
After a successful rowing season, fund-raising to build a yoal for Nesting has begun in earnest.

The Nesting Rowing Club is hosting teas and a car boot sale in the South Nesting hall from 2-5pm on Sunday. All proceeds will go to the club.