North Mainland Notes 19.12.08

Vidlin concert thanks

MEMBERS of the Methodist Church in Vidlin would like to thank all the artistes who took part in the recent Christmas concert in the Vidlin hall.

The event was a real success with donations totalling £400. Members of the church would also like to extend a big thank you to everyone who supported the concert in any way.

Carol service at Brae

The Church of Scotland and the Baptist Church in the North Mainland are joining forces to organise a carol service in the Brae Hall on Sunday night.

The evening starts at 6pm and promises a wide selection of Christmas Carol favourites.

The service will be a real social evening and the audience will be asked to join in the carol singing to accompaniment from the Brae High School orchestra.

The choir from the Brae Church of Scotland will give a performance during the evening and the night will be rounded off with tea and home bakes. The organisers hope people will come along and join in.

Santa in Northmavine

Rudolph and the other reindeer will be busy this weekend as they transport Santa round Northmavine to various bairns’ Christmas parties.

Tonight the Ollaberry bairns’ party starts at 5pm in the hall, while in Hillswick the fun begins at 5.30pm at the Hillswick Hall. Tomorrow night he will be making his way to the North Roe and Lochend Hall for their Christmas party.

Christmas supper dance

If you gorge on too many calories over Christmas, there’s a chance to work some off at the Ollaberry Christmas supper dance next Saturday.

The dance starts at 8pm and everyone is very welcome. During the evening there will be a raffle in aid of the CLAN 1,2,3 appeal. Entry is pay at the door and costs £5 for adults, £3 for under-18s and admission is free for under-5s. Bar facilities will be available, so under-18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Hamefarin in sight

The 2010 Hamefarin may seem a long way ahead, but 2009 is now almost upon us.

I have to say it certainly doesn’t seem like almost 25 years since the last Hamefarin; when, among other things, I waited to be “rescued” from the Clickimin Broch by a “merry” bunch of fearsome Vikings. Perhaps the less said about that the better, but I do remember the entire event was superbly organised and plans are already well under way to ensure that the 2010 version is just as exciting for visitors.

Around 500 people have already indicated a desire to travel to Shetland and programmes are already being scheduled. Day trips to various locations in Shetland are beginning to take shape, including a visit to the North Mainland.

So far, the Northmavine History Group and the NCDC have both had initial ideas regarding an outline programme for a day trip to the North Mainland and they are keen to involve individuals or groups in the area who may be interested in helping to put together a day of planned events and visits.

If you feel you could help organise a day in the North Mainland or if you have ideas on where and what visitors should see, please get in touch. For initial enquiries, please contact me at the NCDC office on (01806) 544222 or e-mail maree@northmavine.com

Ozzy the Otter

Brae Young Enterprise Company members are putting the final touches to their Ozzy the Otter colouring book.

The book is written both in English and Shetland dialect – following the originally created birds and animals of the Shetland seashore through four tales that each have a moral or message that young people can easily identify with.

The characters are beautifully illustrated by Advanced Higher art students Kirsteen Mullay and Clare Laurenson and cleverly based on the names and personalities of those pupils who form the company such as Hannah the Hermit crab, Tom the Tern or Paul the Puffin.

Each book has a set of colouring pens and an accompanying CD also spoken in Shetland – by Sandwick raconteur and wit Maurice Smith and in English by Brae High art teacher Mairi MacDonald. An easy-to-use website with ordering information can be accessed at www.ozzytheotter.co.uk

Maree Hay