North Mainland Notes 31.07.09

Redd up at Hillswick Shop

Following the successful community buy-out of the Hillswick Shop on 17th July, the community is raring to see the shop doors open again and a large number of folk in the area have signed up to help with the running and refurbishment of the shop premises. Redd up nights have been organised to help update the premises.

A steering group has been established to help get the shop up and running and members of this group will form the eventual community company directors which will be chosen by folk in the area. The company will be established as a trading arm of the Northmavine Community Development Company (NCDC) and as such will benefit from support and advice from the NCDC.

The steering group has now drawn up an initial plan of action and this will begin with a number of redd up nights. Around 30 people from Hillswick, Eshaness and the surrounding area have joined a redd up and refurbishment group which will help clear out the premises and give the place a make-over. The steering group hope that new flooring, lighting, shelving and some alteration to the existing layout will help brighten up the shop and serve as basis for the new community-led business.

Folk in the area see the new venture as a new beginning for the shop at Hillswick and the steering group has initially organised three redd up nights next week.

The shop premises will be open at 7pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night when anyone in the Hillswick, Eshaness, Heylor, Urafirth and surrounding areas will be welcome to go along to remove surplus items of stock, fixtures and fittings on a first-come-first-served basis. A donation bucket will be available for anyone who wishes donate towards the costs of refurbishing the shop. Anyone who would like further information should contact the NCDC office on (01806) 544222 or e-mail [email protected]

Claes ‘n’ Taes

The recent Claes ‘n’ Taes afternoon in the Sullom Hall has added a further £1,266.12 to the CLAN 1,2,3 appeal.

Member of the organising group Rosie Doull said that she was “absolutely delighted” with the both the amount of donations of clothing they received to sell on and the number of folk who turned out to support the event. She went on to say: “Although there were a number of other events takin place on the same day we have still managed to raise a fantastic amount of money for a very worthy cause.” The group would like to thank everyone who helped in any way.

Farmers’ market at Vidlin

The Farmers’ markets which began at Vidlin earlier in the year continue to go from strength to strength and have been very well supported. The final market of the summer will be held in the Vidlin hall on Saturday 29th August from 10am-2pm. If anyone would like to book a table, they should call Arlene on (01806) 577 235.

Shows kick off with Voe

I’m not sure if there’s a word for a collective of shows – perhaps it’s a gathering or a flock or a herd or perhaps not, but the first half of August signifies shows at Cunningsburgh, Walls and Voe.

Show season kicks off with Voe tomorrow and a huge number of entries of livestock, horses, pets, baking, photography, arts and crafts, flowers, home produce and probably a host of sections which escape my memory. There’s bound to be something to interest everyone.

In addition there will be side shows, trade stands, sheep-dog trials and both junior and senior tugs of war. The show prince and princess accompanied by their attendants will head up the show and there will also be a visit from the Jarl squad as well as some fine foods and refreshments. If that wasn’t enough, there will also be the chance to yarn to someen you haven’t seen since last year’s show. That’s quite a few good reasons to head for Voe tomorrow at noon.

For anyone with remaining energy in the evening, the day will be rounded off with a dance in the Voe hall at 9pm with music by Big Robbie.

Oops

There was a “young” lass called Maree,
Who called to see her grand-dad-dee,
She was just in the door, when he let out a roar,
“Doo doosna keen dee Hairst fae dee Voar”

… And red cheeked, she muttered sorreeee.

There’s still nothing wrong with Harry’s eyesight or tongue in spotting and pointing out my confusion between Hairst and Voar in this column last week!

Sorry.

Maree Hay