Isles Views 08.05.09
Symbister hall meeting
The Symbister Hall in Whalsay had its annual general meeting recently. The committee now has 14 members and all their office bearers have stayed in place. Chairwoman Iris Anderson said all the painting and decorating had been completed and the hall was looking really good.
The committee has decided to have Sunday teas every week throughout the summer. They are offering other committees and clubs the opportunity of providing the teas and home bakes as a source of funding for themselves.
It is hoped that the provision of teas will encourage more folk to visit Whalsay. There is nowhere else on the island serving teas on a Sunday afternoon and the hall seeks to fill that vacuum. They also intend serving lunches on, at least, some Sundays and this will be advertised.
Last Sunday the hall gave Wendy and Fraser Thompson the chance to show off the bairns’ clothes called Outdoor 4 Kids and there are a number of other events in the pipeline.
Saturday, 27th June is to be a huge day for bands. It will all start at lunchtime with the peerie Whalsay accordion players and ending with discos and bands at night. There will 10 or 12 bands in all including one from Edinburgh.
Food will be served throughout and the organisers hope that plenty of folk will turn out to enjoy the big day. The hall will share the proceeds of the day with other charities.
Telephone directory
For some time now the Yell Youth Cafe has been working on a new and updated version of the local Yell and Fetlar telephone directory.
The old version was put into local shops some weeks ago so that everyone could check their entry and make any necessary changes.
These alterations/additions have been made and the updated draft has been put to the local shops once again for everyone to double check that their number is correct before the final printing starts.
Changes should be made on or before Friday, 15th May. Any alterations will be updated and the final version will be ready soon after.
The draft version can be found in Aywick Shop, Linkshouse Stores, Ulsta Shop, RS Hendersons, Burravoe Post Office and the Fetlar Shop.
If anyone has any queries or comments they can call the North Isles Community Work Office on (01957) 702040.
Chairman resigns
Whalsay Community Council chairman Gilbert Hutchison has resigned, saying the main reason for his leaving is because of work commitments.
He is now working long hours, six days a week at Sullom Voe and has had to miss two community council meetings recently. He feels that he cannot give the position the time and effort that is required and therefore it is only fair that he resigns.
Mr Hutchison, who has served as a community council member for 20 years, said it was the late Henry Stewart who asked him to consider becoming a member. he was co-opted by the members and he became Chairman in 2006. He said the chairmanship had brought added responsibilities and to do it justice required more time and effort.
“I am still very interested in community issues and for the most part I have enjoyed my time on the community council,” he added.
Saxa Vord open day
The first meeting concerning the Saxa Vord Feasibility Study was held last week.
Members of Unst Community Council, Unst Partnership and local councillor Robert Henderson met members of The Pool, a group set up by the Development Trust Association (Scotland).
Toby Johns, Alan Caldwell and Phil Brown explained to the local representatives how the study would take place.
It was agreed to hold an open day on Saturday, 23rd May at Saxa Vord for people to view the site and see the changes that has been made at the former RAF base. If there is to be any community involvement at the complex it is important that everyone has the chance to see what that involvement would be.
The complex will open from 11am to 3 pm with guided tours available and a lunch featuring local produce from 12.30pm. Everyone visiting will be encouraged to record their questions, ideas and comments.
The consultants, the Unst Partnership and the community council will be there and available for discussion and local agencies will be encouraged to attend and to add their thoughts to the debate.
A summary of the day will be prepared and publicly available and everyone will be encouraged to stay involved as the study proceeds.
Yell yoal launching
The Yell yoal Yala is about to be launched in time for the coming rowing season.
The launch will take place on Sunday afternoon at the Burravoe pier. That same afternoon the club is holding a “Gie It a Go” session when anyone can try their hand at rowing.
The Yala has undergone a facelift during the winter. She has been given a fresh coat of paint, and the varnish has gone. Anyone with an interest in rowing is invited to come along to the launching.
Rowing team representative Patricia Odie said: If anyone out there would like to be part of the rowing teams please contact me on (01957)722315 or Fiona Stirling on (01957) 702239.”
Farmers’ Market
The next Farmers Market to take place in Yell is on Sunday, 17th May in the Mid Yell Hall from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
Refreshments will be provided by the Yell Youth Cafe and if anyone wants to book a table phone Michelle on (01957) 744394.
Bottle message
Last week we heard the news that Bruce Thomson of Haroldswick had found a bottle message during Da Voar Redd Up, put into to the sea by a Dane, Jorgen Sonderkaer, west of Orkney.
Ian Towriess from Burravoe tells me that he found a bottle message on 2nd March 2003 from the very same man. Ian is a great man for going about da banks and over the years he has found no fewer than seven bottle messages, from many different places.
Plants galore
Now that the voar is here and early summer is approaching it is the time when gardeners are looking for plants to set.
Anyone interested need look no further than to Helena Nicolson. She will be showing trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, herbs, alpines, hostas, ferns, patio plants and bedding plants in the Mid Yell Hall tomorrow and Sunday, from 10am until 6pm both days.
Lawrence Tulloch
