North Mainland Notes

Reestit mutton on the menu

Next Sunday there’s a chance for folk to partake of some traditional Shetland fare when the Sullom hall invites everyone to a winter lunch.

The event is based on the Sunday teas concept, but with a warming feed of tattie soup, reestit mutton and bannocks as well as tea, coffee and a winter pudding. Food will be available from 2pm to 5pm and the committee hope to see you there. All proceeds will go towards hall funds.

Could you help?

The North Mainland Recycling Centre, at Nelson Smith’s former print shop in Brae, opens again on Tuesday after the festive break – weather permitting!

Committee member Sandra Bigland paid tribute to the many volunteers who help man the premises, which are open on Monday from 6.30pm to 8pm, Tuesday 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm and Saturday from 2pm to 4pm. Sandra added: “We are always keen to welcome new volunteers helpers who might be able to spare an hour or two a week to work in the shop.

“Sales in the shop mean that many local charities in the area receive a welcome boost to their funds and customers do their bit for recycling at the same time.”

Anyone interested in helping out should phone Sandra on (01806) 522353.

Darts at “Da Voeside” Arena

Recent winner of the British Darts Organisation world championship, Martin “Wolfie” Adams, would be envious of the facilities being provided by the Hillswick hall at “Da Voeside” arena tomorrow night. He would also be in awe of the talent on display at the invitation event.

Sixteen top class competitors are already limbering/lubricating up for what promises to be a great night of darts. This not-to-be-missed, exclusive event is a rare opportunity for a Shetland audience to witness the cream (of the barley) of the crop.

Everyone is invited to go along to “Da Voeside” to cheer the players on as they sweat it out to see who will be the overall winner of Da Sandison Spaegie Tonic Trophy.

Players will begin a warm-up at 7pm and it’s “best of order” from 8pm when the real competition begins. Full commentary, from the highly talented team, will accompany the event and will make silver-tongued Sid Waddell look like an amateur.

Refreshments from the bar will be available and food will be on sale throughout the evening.

Busy at Hillswick

Wednesday night is 500 night at Hillswick hall. Sessions begin at 7.30pm with snacks available and bar facilities.

Next Friday night is a chance to impress everyone with your general knowledge at the monthly quiz night. Teams should contain a maximum of four persons, questions begin at 7.30pm and bar facilities are available.

Northmavine funds

Community Council funding is often a relatively straightforward way for community groups to access money to help with equipment or project costs.

Grant assistance for this financial year is still available from Northmavine Community Council for local community projects. Application forms are available from the NCDC office – telephone (01806) 544222 and should be returned to the office by the end of February for consideration at the March meeting of the community council.

Winter thanks

This unusually long spell of wintry weather has meant lots of early mornings and late nights for the boys who man the gritters.

Like many rural roads in Shetland, the Sullom road is never the best during icy and snowy conditions and, as each year passes, I become more of a coward when it comes to driving in the white stuff.

Through this column, I’d like to say thanks to Johan and Alan for ensuring that even I could get out of Sullom – most days!

Thanks also to the mystery person who gifted me the two ice-scrapers found recently in a Co-op carrier bag on the wing mirror of my car. I suppose someone must have spied me using the Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag CD case to clear the windscreen!

In memory of James

Despite the wild winter weather during the festive season, a good number of folk attended a darts event held at the Northern Lights in Brae on 30th December, in memory of local man James Thomson.

James tragically lost his young life in March 2007 as the result of an accident. Although he spent most of his spare time with his family, on rare nights out at the local he favoured the dart board, so friends and family felt it was fitting to host a tournament in his memory.

Seventeen players lined up at the oche for the knockout event which resulted in a final between darts rivals Richard Hughson and Phillip Mowat. Although past clashes between the pair have seen Phillip as the victor, the god of darts was shining on Richard and he beat Phillip for the first time in 14 years.

During the evening contestants and members of the audience contributed to a donations bucket which raised £205 for charity. James’ widow, Karen, was asked to nominate a charity of her choice to receive the funds, so the Delting Dolphins have now received the money to help with trips to the mainland for some of the excellent swimmers the club has produced.

Maree Hay