North Mainland Notes

Art from the kitchen cupboard

Until a recent conversation with Sarah Hoseason of Yell, I was oblivious to the fact that it was possible to create artwork using many mundane items that can be found in kitchen cupboards.

Sarah has recently spent time running textile and art workshops in Yell in addition to her part-time work as art teacher at Mid Yell Junior High School.

Next weekend she is planning a trip overseas to host a mixed mediums craft day in the Muckle Roe hall. This will be a great opportunity to create something special for Christmas and among a variety of craft techniques, Sarah plans to show folk how to paint with icing sugar and draw with bleach, so this is where the cupboard contents will come in handy. Folk will also get a chance to make PVA decorations, wax transfers and paper batik.

The class runs from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on Saturday 7th November, and costs £10 including all materials and refreshments. Space is limited to 12 people, so contact Sarah to book a place on (01957) 702341 or email filska2000@yahoo.com Under the hammer The annual auction sale in the North Roe and Lochend hall takes place tomorrow afternoon from 3pm.

The hall will be open tonight from 8-9pm to receive donations and all morning on the day of the sale. The proceeds are in aid of the bairns’ Christmas party, so everyone is invited to go along to grab a bargain or perhaps an unusual item and support a worthy local event.

Monthly good as new

The Good as New Shop in the Brae Youth Centre holds the monthly Saturday opening tomorrow.

The shop will be open from 2-4pm and there is plenty of fashion items for all ages. The shop is also open every Tuesday from 2-4pm.

Hillswick Hallowe’en

It is a busy weekend for all ages at Hillswick this weekend.

Tonight the monthly quiz night takes place in the hall from 7.30pm with a maximum of four per team.

Tomorrow night the hall will take on an altogether spookier atmosphere for the annual Hallowe’en party. Committee members would like to invite folk of all ages along to the party, which begins at 5.30pm. Fancy dress is positively encouraged and there may even be a prize or two on offer.

Prizes will also be on offer to all bairns up to primary seven for their neepie lanterns and pumpkins and there will be plenty of activities for everyone.

Belly dance at Booth

If you have already started to pile on a few pounds as we approach another winter, there is a great opportunity to have fun and get a bit of exercise at The Booth in Hillswick next Sunday morning.

Rocio will be holding a belly dancing class from 11am to 12.30pm and Jan Bevington would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in attending. Call Jan on (01806) 503348 to book a space.

Spooky fireworks

Organisers of the Hallowe’en party, bonfire and fireworks display at the Ollaberry hall tonight are hoping for a better spell of weather than last year.

The Hallowe’en party went ahead as planned but, despite several attempts, the weather thwarted the bonfire and fireworks display on each occasion. The fun begins tonight at 6pm and families are reminded that children must be supervised by a responsible guardian during the bonfire and firework display.

Guy Fawkes for Brae

Anyone passing the ayre of Brae recently cannot have failed to have noticed the appearance of a huge bonfire. This is the work of a number of young folk in Brae with a desire to provide a community bonfire for everyone in the area.

The bonfire, and accompanying display of fireworks, takes place on Thursday at 7.30pm, weather permitting. After the fireworks, soup and sandwiches will be available at the Mid Brae Inn to ward off the cold and a raffle will also be held to help cover costs.

A spokesman for the group said: “We all really miss the organised community bonfires that used to be held in Brae in the past, and felt it would be good to resurrect the event for everyone.

“We approached the Shetland Islands Council and Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service for advice on how we could hold the event safely and began collecting wood. We hope everyone will come along and, if this year is successful, we could look at making it an annual event.”

The organisers would be grateful for any donations of fireworks to help the night go with a bang, so they would be delighted if anyone could bring along fireworks to add to the display. These will be stored safely and lit by the organisers.

Directors chosen

Community voting ended on Monday to decide the final composition of the board of directors that will oversee the management of the community-run shop at Hillswick.

Voting was very close in the ballot to choose community representatives to join John Alex Cromarty and Pete Bevington of the Northmavine Community Development Company (NCDC).

The final seven community members are Iain Davidson, Ewan Mowat, Graham Mullay, Aileen Robertson, Peter Sinclair, Cynthia Tulloch and Ewan Tulloch, who represent a widespread cross section of the community.

It is often a difficult task to decide how a community is defined or decided upon and which areas and parties will have a direct interest and subsequently should be included in any communication or consultation. Geographical or postal boundaries often exclude important parties or users so at an early stage the NCDC defined the community by looking at those in Hillswick and the surrounding area who had used the shop as their local in the past.

The steering group, from which the board was elected, will continue to oversee the refurbishment and re-opening of the shop until the board of directors take over when the shop opens in late November.

Maree Hay