North Mainland Notes 04.09.09
Good as New open
The Brae Good as New shop has re-opened in the Brae Youth Centre after the summer break. The shop is open each Tuesday from 2pm to 4pm as well as the last Saturday of the month, also from 2-4pm, and has a wide range of clothing in a variety of sizes and styles at very reasonable prices.
Over the past year, a vast number of groups and charities have benefited from funds raised in the shop, including the Ollie Leask Memorial Fund, Aith Lifeboat, Delting Dolphins, Crossroads Shetland, WRVS, Vidlin Golden Circle, Northmavine Happy Hour Club, Shetland Kidney Patients Association, Motor Neuron Disease Association and Cystic Fibrosis.
Christmas parties at Lunnasting, Brae, Muckle Roe, Sullom and Voe have also received funding awards. The shop supports a wide range of organisations within the Shetland community and the committee hopes that with continued customer support, many further groups can be helped.
Inter-club eela event
For almost a decade, friendly local rivalry has taken place between the districts of Aith, Scalloway, Whiteness/Weisdale, Skeld/Reawick, Walls and Brae at the Westside Inter-club Eela competition.
This year’s eela takes place tomorrow and boats should leave their own club at 11am and fish till 4pm. Each boat then weighs in back at their respective club where the fish will be auctioned off in aid of local charities.
A prize-giving will be held in the Scalloway Legion at 8pm. Competitors of all ages and sexes are encouraged to participate with prizes for the heaviest male, female and junior basket included in the trophy list.
Good fishing at Sullom
On the subject of eela competitions, Sullom was lucky enough to have a day atween wadders last Saturday night and seven boats took part in some afternoon fishing.
Crews came ashore with plentiful catches for the 8pm weigh-in and the prize-giving was followed by a fry-up and a musical evening with the Northmavine Fiddle & Accordion Club.
Crappin was ever-popular on the menu and, as always, the kitchen lasses managed to do wonderful things with fish livers and some oatmeal.
Winners – heaviest catch: 1 Peter & Harold Robertson; 2 Willie & Keith Doull; 3 George & David Robertson.
Most piltocks: Peter & Harold Robertson.
Heaviest fish: George & David Robertson after a tie with Willie Doull.
Most species: Five caught by Willie & Keith Doull.
Eyes down for bingo
For groups such as the Delting Dolphins who are regularly attending competitions on the mainland, fund-raising is as essential as the swimming training.
Committee members are hosting a prize bingo evening in the Delting Boating Club tonight from 7.30pm with eyes down at 8pm.
Bingo nights at the boating club are a huge hit with families in the area and usually raise a tidy amount of funds for the host organisation.
Hillswick teas
Afternoon teas and a selection of home produce stalls will be available at the Hillswick hall this Sunday from 3pm to 5pm. A large range of locally produced food products including jam, chutney, homebakes and vegetables will be on sale.
Passengers are also reminded that berths for the Booze Cruise on 26th September are now also available. Telephone (01806) 503246 to book a passage.
Thefts reported
After suffering thefts of fuel in the past, residents and businesses in the North Mainland are once again advised to be vigilant after a number of recent thefts.
Thieves are targeting sheds and outbuildings, mainly in a search for fuel. During recent weeks fuel cans have been stolen and a number of vehicles have been drained of petrol.
Anyone with information, or who has recently experienced such crimes, should contact the police on (01595) 692110.
Postal service
Despite a number of concerns expressed by folk in Northmavine during the community consultation carried out by Post Office Ltd, prior to beginning a five-hour hosted post office service in Hillswick, the service will continue as planned, pre-consultation.
People in Hillswick lost their full-time post office service over a year ago due to an internal investigation and a subsequent review by Post Office Ltd indicated that only a minimal service was required.
Many in the community felt it was unfair to base a review on business carried out at the Hillswick office prior to the unexpected closure. In addition the proposed hours would make the hosted service inaccessible to those without transport and those working outside the area.
Correspondence issued by Post Office Ltd after the consultation period stated the hosted service would be in place by the end of August and should the demand for services outstrip the five hour service, a review of opening hours may be considered.
The hosted service is based in the Hillswick hall at present, although it is hoped the office can move to the shop when it re-opens. Opening times are: Monday 2.30pm to 5pm and Thursday 3pm to 5.30pm.
Maree Hay
