Isles Views 07.11.08

Uyeasound poster

FOLLOWING the success of last year’s “drive on dipped” poster campaign, the pupils of Uyeasound School have come up with a new poster.

They distributed this year’s poster through the council email system last Thursday. Anyone who wants a copy emailed to them should contact the school directly.

The poster entitled “Be Safe – Be Seen” has the message: “Out Walking this Winter – Carry a Torch!”

The clever bit is the picture to illustrate this message. In glorious technicolour are four guizers from last year’s Uyeasound Up-Helly-A’ procession carrying flaming torches. The photo was chosen by Sam Jamieson of Primary Two.

The children hope that the use of humour and the Shetland content will help get the message over to folk that you need to be seen when out walking in the dark.

So far the pupils have received many messages of support and encouragement from council staff.

North Isles on a plate

Last Saturday the Guardian newspaper featured two North Isles businesses in an article by Matthew Fort.

Mr Fort had been in Shetland to promote the food festival and had travelled north with Alastair Hamilton as his guide.

His visit took him to Baltasound to visit Penny Sandison at Skibhoul Stores and Bakery where he sampled Oceanic Oatcakes, which are baked using seawater to replace salt. He said that he bought several packets to take away with him.

The Wind Dog Cafe in Gutcher was described as “bright and warm” while not “modern metropolitan design chic”. It was said to be too practical for that. The article went on to describe the menu of crofters’ lunch, lamb bannocks and said that the soup was “a rollicking, warming, homemade concoction”.

Several other food-related businesses throughout Shetland were mentioned in what was a very positive and somewhat glowing article about Shetland and its food.

Hallowe’en in Fetlar

Fetlar Primary School had a Hallowe’en themed day last Friday. The pupils from classes six and seven came in from Baltasound for a fancy dress party and to take part in various Hallowe’en activities. The school, which normally has only two pupils, grew to having 15 and the playground was busy for once.

The lunch had a major Hallowee’n theme with Revolting Rice, RATatouie, Slimy Spaghetti, Stuffed Bat Wings & Goo-ey Eye Surprise all being prepared by the school cook.

There were many competitions including the Scariest Screech, Pass the Corpse and many other ghoulish games.

All staff and pupils came wearing a variety of costumes from Darth Vader, Spiderman, Vampires, a Transforming Tractor and a variety of witches and ghouls. They even had our fortunes told by the “world famous” mystic Septic Peg.

Bluemull Sound timetable

The ferry winter timetable is in operation now until 26th April 2009 and folk intending to travel to Unst and Fetlar on Sunday mornings should be aware of changes.

All Sunday morning ferries on Bluemull Sound up to 11.30am from Hamars Ness are operating on a bookings only basis. Bookings can be made up to 30 minutes prior to departure from Belmont and 45 minutes before departure from Fetlar. Bookings should be made by phoning (01957) 722259 up to 4.45pm on Saturday.

Thereafter bookings can be made up to 7.45pm on Saturday and on Sunday by phoning (01957) 744249. Please note that this is an answer-phone service. You should leave your name, type of vehicle, number of passengers and contact number. This number should not be used for any booking other than Sunday morning ferry runs to Unst and Fetlar. Vehicles arriving at Gutcher will be carried on the next timetabled departure.

Christmas coming early to Cullivoe

This December there is an invitation to come and join singers and musicians from all over Shetland on the first weekend in December at a free variety event in the Cullivoe Hall.

There will be two days for singers and musicians on 6th and 7th December, starting with registration at 9.30am on each day. Saturday is open for anyone to join in with songs and carols, and Sunday is for younger folk (under 18). People are welcome to bring instruments as well as voices, and musical experience is not necessary. Soup and sandwiches for lunch and refreshments throughout the day will be provided.

On Sunday, after a session in the afternoon, everyone is welcome to join in for a mini-concert. This will start shortly after 3pm and mulled wine and mince pies will be served afterwards.

If singing is not your cuppa, there will be a craft fair on Sunday showcasing local makers, complementary therapies, including massage and laughter workshops. If anyone wants to make a weekend of it, staying up in the North Isles, Burravoe Hall is holding the annual Christmas dinner dance on Saturday night, a guaranteed evening of dancing and merriment, and the Cullivoe Hall is hosting a club night.

Please book for the events for catering purposes. You can contact the organisers at Initiative at the Edge (01957) 744394) or the CCI (01957) 744355).

Da Gutcher geese

Ferry users and Gutcher residents will no doubt have noticed that in the last few years the famous and much photographed geese that are resident in Gutcher are sadly reducing in numbers.

Now only three geese are surviving and the future of the flock is not looking good. There is now no gander in residence and so for the past few years there have been no goslings.

The geese have been a part of Gutcher for more than 30 years since a local crofter who had to leave the isles for medical reasons inadvertently left behind one solitary goose. That goose survived for a few years on her own until a gander that had been blown in during a gale joined her. The pair reared two families the first year and went on to build up a flock, which at times reached a dozen.

How much longer the geese will survive is questionable. They are firmly part of the scenery around the ferry terminal especially in winter when there is no grass for them to eat and the chance of a tit bit from a waiting motorist is welcome.

French and German speakers wanted

Anna Timby from Bonhoga, Mid Yell, would be interested if any French or German speakers from Yell, Unst or Fetlar would like to join an informal conversation group.

She also would be pleased if anyone from Wales or with an interest in Wales would contact her with a view to forming a society. She can be contacted on (01957) 702389 or 07879 631455

Manson Grant returns

Next Friday night Baltasound Hall is holding a cabaret supper dance from 8.30pm until 1am with music from Manson Grant and the Dynamos.

This popular group makes a welcome return to Unst. Their concert last year was rated by many as one of the best nights in the hall for years.

Tickets are available from local Unst shops or you can take a chance on tickets being available and pay at the door.

Skerries news

It is heading up for a busy weekend in Skerries with the Guy Fawkes bonfire due tomorrow night, weather permitting.

Then on Sunday the Remembrance Day service will be conducted by Jean McBride. The Skerries folk have responded to the annual shoe box appeal and have sent 20 shoe boxes.

Last week a presentation was made to the family of the late Laurence Henderson. Laurence had completed 20 years in the coastguard service before his untimely death earlier this year.

Church’s thank you

Members of St Colman’s Church in Burravoe wish to thank everyone who contributed to their afternoon teas, those who gave their time to demonstrate their skills and those who contributed home bakes, raffle prizes and items for the sales table. A spokesman said it was pleasing that on such a miserable rainy day that £410 was raised for the church.

Lifeboat shop at Burravoe

The Old Haa will be having a craft fair and a visit from the lifeboat shop in the Burravoe Hall tomorrow from 11am till 3pm. There will also be soup, sandwiches and home bakes available.

Margaret Tulloch