Views from the Scord 15.05.09

Scalloway anglers

The sea angling competition season began on Sunday in Scalloway, a week later than intended due to the unfavourable weather the previous weekend.

The angling season usually begins with the event referred to as the trial day, which was carried over into the weekend’s scheduled SASA event, to run concurrently.

As it turned out the sea state was only a little better than the previous weekend on Sunday, with turbulent sea conditions and large swells remaining from the gale conditions of the previous days. This may have deterred some anglers from completing the scheduled day, but the hardy won out as Robert Duthie took top place while overcoming day-long seasickness.

Catches were fairly low as is usually the case for the first competitions of the year and there was only one female competitor and one junior competitor representing their respective sections.

Overall results: 1 Robert Duthie, 35lb; 2 Barry Ward, 34lb; 3 Mark Laurenson, 32lb.

Brenda Laurenson won the women’s section and Scott Sandison took the junior honours.

This weekend’s competition takes place tonight and tomorrow.

Harbour round-up

Scalloway Harbour was exceptionally quiet in the week up to Friday with only regular fishing vessels, fish farm tenders and the Ronja Settler operating from the village.

The fishmarket was also very quiet throughout the week with the bulk of fish sold arriving on one day from Cullivoe by truck from the Guardian Angell. The total for the week was only 623 boxes, 457 of these coming from the Guardian Angell and the rest from the Ardent and the Fertile. The low number of fishing vessels using Scalloway to land during the week is attributed to the persistent westerly gales over this period.

On the West Quay work has continued among the variety of yachts, motor cruisers and workboats lifted out by crane for their annual maintenance and inspection. The week saw a rotation of some of the craft in the area as around five boats were returned to the water on Wednesday, with others lifted out and then further launchings happening again on Saturday.

The quarantine procedures affecting fish farm activity continue in the area following the limited outbreak of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) on sites off of Scalloway that was discovered through routine testing in January.

A small number of sites in the area still contain fish which are to be harvested over the next few months to allow the required six-month fallow period prior to re-stocking in April next year.

Tender vessels of all the affected companies continue to operate within the controlled area with those who no longer have fish in the cages taking advantage of the opportunity to remove nets for cleaning and repair and do general maintenance.

The Ronja Settler continues to bring fish for processing to the factory at Blacksness from as far afield as Ronas Voe.

Norwegian delegation

The commemoration of Norway’s national day, 17th May, will be marked as usual on Sunday with a wreath-laying service at the Shetland Bus Memorial on the Scalloway waterfront.

On this occasion the event will be joined by the return of Mayor Albright Sangolt of the Sund Commune, heading a party of 12 Norwegians who will be visiting Shetland for the occasion.

This is the first time Mr Sangolt has been back to Shetland since the memorial was unveiled in the summer of 2003, although he a has regularly sent floral tributes to be placed at the memorial.

The Norwegian group will also contain Barbara Melkevik, widow of Shetland Bus veteran Arnie Melkevik, and some of her family. Mrs Melkevik had the honour of being the person to originally unveil the memorial.

Mr Sangolt is expected to make a short address before laying a wreath as part of the ceremony. The Sund Commune which he hails from is the district of the Telavåg North Sea Traffic Museum which features Shetland Bus operations prominently among its exhibits and has had continually strong links to Scalloway and the new museum project.

The event is open to the public and light refreshments will be provided at the Scalloway Public Hall after the ceremony.

The Norwegian visitors are being welcomed to a series of events during their brief time here by the Shetland Bus Friendship Society and other local organisations.

The memorial has attracted a number of Norwegian dignitaries and many visitors over the years since its completion, including Queen Sonia of Norway.

The Norwegian national day, formally known as Constitution Day although seldom referred to as such, has been celebrated in Norway since 1814 by public parades and the display of flags.

The liberation of Norway in World War II came only nine days before 17th May 1945. Although Liberation Day is also an official flag day in Norway it is not a public holiday and commemoration of the end of the war in Norway has generally been added to the celebrations.

Summer playschemes

The Scalloway summer playscheme committee is having its annual general meeting on Wednesday at 7pm in the Scalloway Youth Centre.

The highly successful play chemes are now into their third year and will be run for two weeks in the middle of July, the first beginning on Monday 13th and are comprised of full-day activities throughout.

The first week will feature visits to the traditional Burland Croft, trips to Sumburgh, Kergord and Lunklett, along with various beaches, swimming pools and play parks along the way. There will also be days with visiting artists and workshops, which together with the above destinations for outings make up the “old favourite” elements.

During the second week of activities there will be the chance to venture to new destinations for children aged eight and over. So far, these trips feature a day out exploring rock pools with Shetland Field Studies officer Harry Rose, a whale-watching trip to Mousa, trips to Eshaness and other adventures yet to be confirmed.

The playschemes are open to children aged four to 15 but any children aged under six must be accompanied by an adult on the day. There is also the new Shetland Recreational Trust swimming pool policy to consider, meaning that children under eight must be accompanied by an adult, and this will apply to any of the trips that feature visits to any of the local pools.

The organisers request a good attendance at the annual meeting as this interest is considered the only way to guarantee the continued success of the playschemes and any parents willing to take on any office bearing roles within the committee will be especially welcome.

The playschemes are run voluntarily and community and parental support are essential to their existence. With last year’s large attendance of bairns made the help of volunteers was greatly appreciated by organisers Carina and Julie on the various days out. They would like to express their thanks to those have helped them to run a successful and fun-filled play scheme for the past two years.

Any students who may be interested in volunteering for the schemes this year can contact Carina on (01595) 880590 as disclosure checks must be carried out for them and other helpers prior to the play schemes.

The organisers would also like to request that any of last year’s volunteers who still have their volunteer T-shirts could return them for this year.

Mark Burgess