Yule
December 2006
A peerie wird fae da editor
At last here is another newsletter!! We have a report from Rose Coutts on
their trip to Shetland earlier this year and also focus is on our Society events and happenings so you will be able to catch
up on what has been going on and how it went.
I was saddened to learn of the recent death of Annie Priest. Annie and her
husband, the late Magnie Priest, were stalwarts of our Society. They were a great partnership and
when Magnie was the Patron of the Society, Annie could be regarded as the Patroness. An astute woman,
Annie showed a genuine caring interest in others. She will be very fondly remembered and greatly
missed. Gibby Inkster pays a tribute to Annie and our sincere sympathy goes to Margaret, Irene and
other family members.
With Christmas nearly here it’s time to send you Seasons Greetings and here is a traditional Shetland toast
to wish you well for the New Year.
Guide Yule tae wis aa
Mary Wood
May du aye fin sunshine idda lift
Da mune ta lighten dark
Hae a coarn a
penca idda kyist
An mell atti da ark
May
a mizzer a guid helt aye be dine
Bright lightsome times be wi dee
An sood du leave a skevveld mett
May nane be dere ta
see dee!
May you always find sunshine in the sky
The moon to lighten the darkness
Have
some money in the chest
And food in the cupboard
May a measure of good health always be yours
Bright
and cheerful times be with you
And should you step
out of line
May no-one be there to see you!
A Second
Night
Rose and Jim Coutts find out what it
means to be invited to a Shetland
Wedding!
An invitation to a wedding in Shetland and an invitation to join in 60th birthday celebrations
in England at about the same time in 2006 was too good an opportunity to let slip. Not that we needed
an excuse to plan another trip to Britain for Jim had Air Dollars that had to be used or lost. The
availability of qualifying seats meant that we had to make the wedding on Shetland the finale of our trip.
Our itinerary was to leave NZ at the end
of May with the birthday celebrations planned for 17th June. Then we planned to have 10
days in Spain with Pat and Alan before heading to Aberdeen, to arrive in Shetland early in July. We
knew that Katherine and Garry’s wedding was set for Friday 14th July, so our flight leaving Shetland on Monday
17th would guarantee us making our flight home on the Wednesday from Heathrow. It would
also give us the weekend after the wedding to catch up with Jim’s cousin Jemima in Levenwick, conveniently on the way
to Sumburgh, where we had to check in by 9am Monday morning.
Then came the official invitation. A 2pm wedding in Lerwick with the reception
at Tingwall starting at 6pm. If we wanted to make use of the bus being provided for guests would
we please let them know. There would also be a bus for the second night at Tingwall. “What”,
I demanded of Jim, “is the second night?” Jim didn’t know and the rest of the family
weren’t much more help. A dance for the young ones possibly? Well,
we didn’t think we qualified for that! Next came an email from Katherine’s father, Stanley.
Jim had been a member of Stanley’s squad for Up-Helly-Aa when Stanley was Guizer Jarl. The
email was to let us know that they were planning a squad reunion on the Sunday after the wedding, seeing so many of the squad
members would be in Shetland (besides Jim travelling from NZ, relatives of Stanley had also travelled from America and Scotland).
It would be great to see them all again, so the weekend in Levenwick had to be rescheduled!
The flight over went well, even if LA still
qualifies as the worlds most unfriendly airport! Friends and relatives were very welcoming and Jim
was constantly surprised at the beautiful English countryside.
A visit to Polesden Lacey was part of and enchanting day spent with John and Liz Sandison.
Liz is the daughter of Dr Durham. The GP in Scalloway for many years and who was responsible for bringing Jim into
the world! The temperature had rocketed from 12o on the day we arrived to 37o ten days later.
We sweltered in Poole with Jim’s cousin Peter and his wife Barbara. Spain was surprisingly
a little cooler and despite being on the coast we didn’t get to swim in the sea!
We arrived in Aberdeen refreshed and relaxed.
There we were shown a video of an Unst wedding that made a little more sense of the ‘second night’.
In the days when a whole community would gather for a wedding, the second night was when friends and family would gather
to clean up the hall and dispose of any leftover food and drink. The bride and groom usually stayed
to help as well and naturally there always would be musician or two to provide some music for the workers.
Now though, the second night is an extension of the wedding celebration, and when we reached Shetland we were shown
an invitation to a wedding that included a third night!
Our trip to Shetland didn’t go as planned. Although a beautiful day
in Scotland and other parts of Shetland, fog has closed Sumburgh. Instead we were booked on the ferry by
BA. A flat calm crossing, good company and meal vouchers courtesy of BA, meant we enjoyed the crossing.
We met up with Ian Fraser, a distant relative of Jim’s on the ferry, which resulted in us being invited to Jimmy
and Jessie Cogle’s Golden Wedding celebrations two nights later as well! I knew that before
our feet touched Shetland soil that we would have to watch our time-table very carefully if we were going to see and do all
that we had planned in Shetland!
By and large we did well, although inevitably there were some friends and family we missed out on seeing.
Jim finally got to the Croft House Museum, but we still haven’t got to Mousa!
On our first day in Scalloway (where we were thoroughly
spoilt by Mona and Martin Jamieson) Jim went for a walk to the shops with Mona that took over an hour. On
the way they had met 10 friends or acquaintances! We
had afternoon tea with Jessie Stewart, who was looking forward to having all her family in Shetland with her to celebrate
her 90th birthday. Jessie’s daughter May was travelling home from Perth, Australia
and May’s brother Robert, who lives in Levin, was making his first trip back to Shetland especially for his mother’s
birthday. Also Robert’s son, who plays rugby in Ireland would be there – so it was to
be a really special time for Jessie. We met up with Dana, Jessie’s grand-daughter who had been
in NZ with The Young Heritage in 1997 and it was clear that the excitement had permeated right through the whole family.
We were royally entertained when we got to
Levenwick and could feel the kilos starting to rise! Even though Hughie and Jemima have retired from
The Lounge, their hospitality certainly hasn’t and there always seems to be a stream of friends calling in or passing
through. We enjoyed our day sightseeing in the south, where we were surprised to meet up with Linda
Burgess, who had suffered the agony of a broken ankle after falling at North Cape when she was with the NZ Tour Group in 1998.
Time was flying by, for it was now time to
head into Lerwick to Doreen and Michael Gray’s the day before the wedding. We were delighted
to see how much better Michael was after several months of ill-health. He was doing so well, it was
decided that so long as Michael felt able we would all attend ‘The Second Night’.
The wedding day dawned fine and the church was close
enough for us to be able to walk there. On our way we passed people arriving for another wedding
and we learnt that whilst their wedding reception was being held in Sound (South Lerwick), their second night was to be in
Unst!
The church was packed and
we got a fine view from the gallery. Katherine was attended by six bridesmaids and a flower girl.
She was looking positively radiant and Gary very handsome with his attendants all in formal attire.
They were married by Lewis Smith, whom many of you will remember from when he attended our 75th Anniversary
celebrations when he was the Convenor of the Shetland Islands Council.
After the ceremony we all walked to Alex Johnson’s home (Alex accompanied Lewis
for our 75th celebrations) for photos to be taken in his garden under the sycamore trees. Then
there was time to go home briefly before waking down to catch the bus for the reception.
The hall at Tingwall had been renovated and extended
since we were last there in 1990. The detail of the tables and decorations meant that the hall looked stunning.
The wedding party arrived and a fine meal followed by witting speeches meant this was certainly going to be a memorable
wedding! Then the floor was cleared, the bridal couple led the grand march and the dancing was under
way with music provided by Da Fustra. Eightsome reels, St Bernard’s waltz
and of course the Boston Two-Step – all traditional dances saw a packed dance floor. It was
also full for the Lancers which we particularly enjoyed watching. Chairs suddenly appeared from nowhere
and supper was being served – and who could resist the reestit mutton and bannocks! Then it
was back to the dancing until the band finally played the last waltz at 1.30am. The bus delivered
us back home (door to door service!) and we fell into bed tired and foot-sore and 2.30am!
And did we do it all again on the Second Night?
You bet we did! Although this time we took a car so that we could make our way home a little earlier.
We also found new guests as some had been at the other wedding, just as some of the guests from Katherine and Garry’s
wedding were now attending the Second Night of the other wedding in Unst.
This included the band and now we enjoyed the band
that had played for the other wedding on their first night! As we caught up with more friends, and for
Jim fellow squad members, we found we did a lot more sheeksin and a lot less dancing on the Second Night!
Our final afternoon in Shetland was spent
at the Lerwick Boating Club enjoying a BBQ and saying farewell to Stanley and Sheila, the bridal couple and all the squad
members before racing back to Scalloway for a final evening with Mona and Martin. They had put it
on especially for us knowing that we would otherwise miss out on seeing Ian and Marina Gray (who had been on holiday) as well
as Mavis Stuart and other friends. A great finale to a truly memorable trip.
But Shetland didn’t let us go that
easily, for the fog had returned and we sat at Sumburgh an extra six hours before our flight to Glasgow finally got away.
Then at Heathrow we missed the chance of being paid 300 pounds each by Air NZ to take an alternative flight (they had
overbooked) because we had too much luggage! And that would just about have paid for one of us to
make another trip back to England and Shetland! Ah well, back to putting pennies in a piggy bank!
Book Reviews
Raven Black
By Ann Cleeves
Reviewed by Margaret Pitts
This novel is set in Shetland starting on
the morning of New Years’ Day at 1.20am when two 16 year old girls, Sally Henry and Catherine Ross visit Magnus Tait,
a man in his 60’s who lives alone since the death of his elderly mother some years previous.
The girls had been at the Market Cross in
Lerwick to see the New Year in and had afterwards been given a ride to Ravenswick. Sally was staying
with Catherine for the night, so when they saw the lights on at Magnus’ house they decided to visit him for a dare.
A couple of days later Catherine is found
dead in the snow by Fran Hunter with ravens pecking at her body. Catherine is the only child of English
school teacher, Euan Ross, who moved to Shetland after the death of his wife to teach at the Anderson High School.
Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez, originally
from Fair Isle, is assigned to the case along with another officer, Taylor form the Scottish mainland. The
first person that DI Perez visits is Magnus Tait as eight years previously a young girl Catriona Bruce
had gone missing. Her body had never been found and Magnus was taken in for questioning about the
disappearance but was never charged.
The conclusion is set around Up Helly Aa on the last Tuesday of January. You
don’t find out who committed the crime until near the end of the book. The author Ann Cleeves
(who has spent time living on Fair Isle) won the Duncan Laurie (Gold Dagger) award for crime fiction for this book.
I enjoyed the book for the setting as well as the suspense. I would read more books by this
author.
The book is available at Dymocks
Booksellers, Lambton Quay for $22.99.
Published by Macmillan 2006 available in paperback by Pan Books.
Superpuffin
by Ewen MacKenzie-Bowie
Reviewed by Rose Coutts
Supperpuffin is no ordinary puffin and has
a friend Thomas who lives in New Zealand. This delightful children’s story not only has a sense
of magic, but also cleverly highlights the distance that lies between Shetland and New Zealand.
An ideal gift for any young child and thoroughly
recommended that every grandparent with a Shetland heritage should have a copy on their bookshelf!
This book can be ordered from the publisher:
Shetland Publishing Company
62 Beresford Street
Bayswater
Auckland 0622
Or through the website www.superpuffin.com
Price $14.99
includes post & packaging within NZ
*****************
Conveying a true spirit of Christmas we found in a back
issue of Shetland Life (Dec 2001) this lovely poem by
Cynthia Shepperson.
Reprinted below with the author’s
permission.
Christmas Hands
By Cynthia Shepperson
What can I give this Christmas tide? I whispered to myself
Parcels wrapped in tinsel, chocolates
from the shelf?
No, said my heart quite firmly, for these things will pass away.
No, hold out a hand of friendship
for peace on Christmas Day.
Gently I held the aged hand, frail, wrinkled ,worn through life.
And I felt the
warmth, a flow of love, calm and free from strife.
I gave my hand to lovers as midnight chimed above
And I thought
of the Angel’s message, a promise of peace and love.
As a tiny child curled its fingers tightly round my own
I wept a tear
for the years gone by, for trust only found in the young.
What have I given this Christmas tide? I whispered to myself?
Parcels wrapped
in tinsel, chocolates from the shelf?
No, said my heart quite firmly, for these things will pass away.
But the glow
that is felt by the touch of hand brings peace
on Christmas Day.
*********************
OBITUARIES
Annie Priest
11 May 1922- 24 Nov 2006
The Shetland community in the Wellington
region and throughout New Zealand were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Annie Priest for they have lost not only
a friend but a firm supporter of the Shetland Society and all that it stood for.
Annie and Magnie, for no tribute to Annie is complete
without Magnie, Annie’s who passes away five years ago, were of the old school where friendship and helpfulness to neighbours,
friends and community were not something put on to impress, but a way of life that they carried on as would have been done
in the small communities of Shetland for generations.
Our families’ first experience of their generosity was when on moving to Raumati nearly nineteen
years ago Annie and Magnie were our first visitors. We had just finished unloading the truck with
all our gear when Annie and Magnie arrived with a tray of fresh bannocks to welcome us into the community.
However it was difficult to reciprocate the kindness as the electric lead for the kettle couldn’t be found in
the Everest of boxes and furniture, so Magnie was duly despatched for their spare kettle which we used for some time before
ours was unearthed at a later date.
This typified the kindness of them both and it was the beginning of a friendship that will not be forgotten by
any members of our family.
Annie had the happy knack of making every body welcome and taking a caring interest in the lives of all who she
came in contact with. As our children’s grandparents were in Nelson and Shetland, Annie and
Magnie became surrogate grandparents, a role that seemed to fit very easily on their shoulders and one that we will always
be grateful that they took on.
Annie’s interests outside family and the Shetland Society reflected her caring nature as at times she was
secretary of the local Plunket Society, an active member of UNICEF and right up to her passing and active member of the Kapiti
Uniting Church in Raumati Beach.
With Annie’s passing a glimpse of the values and sense of community that were once so strong in society has
been lost, but it is to be hoped that her example will live on and become and example for all who knew her to follow.
Gibby Inkster
Harold Sinclair
25 September 1932-10
December 2006
Jim Coutts remembers another long-standing member of the Society who passed away recently.
Harold was married to my first
cousin, Trudy and they became members of the Society shortly after they moved to New Zealand in the early 1960’s.
They made their home in Tawa and even when they moved to Napier they continued their association with the Society.
When the Shetland Society of Hawkes Bay was formed they were foundation members.
Harold was very proud of his Shetland heritage and
when we were invited to the Hastings Blossom Festival a few years ago, Harold happily donned a Viking outfit and joined us
in the Parade. Sadly Harold was not well enough to join in this year. It
was also a very sad moment for Rose and me when we heard that Harold was not able to make the wedding of his great-niece,
Katherine that we attended in Shetland in July. He was a real gentleman and will be sadly missed.
Society Events
Winter Foy
Saturday
29 July 2006
It’s always wonderful to see generations
of family enjoy their Shetland heritage together and it was especially so when Geraldine Mason gathered four generations of
her family to attend our midwinter foy. As in earlier years, Ruth and Ross Mainland together with
Margaret and Russell Pitt put together a varied programme of activities that kept young and old alike very busy.
We all enjoyed a pot-luck tea and some very tired but satisfied youngsters were taken home at the conclusion of the
evening.
AGM
Thursday 24 August
2006
Once again we elected to hold our AGM in conjunction with a film evening at The Time
Cinema. Some 20 or so members turned up to enjoy a smorgasbord dinner, followed by a relatively short
AGM and a film featuring Eddie Watt. Eddie is a commercial pilot in Shetland who has very strong
commitments to his faith and helping those in need in both Shetland and in other much poorer communities.
At the AGM Officers and members of the committee
were re-elected without change as outlined below:
Patron
John Smith
President
Jim Coutts
Vice-President Barbara
Baker
Secretary
Margaret Jenkins
Treasurer
Rose Coutts
Committee:
Gideon Anderson, Andrew Clark, Pat Dixon, Jane Dowson, Ross and Ruth Mainland, Margaret Pitt and Marie Warner.
Mary Christie as Immediate Past President also serves on the Management Committee.
Ian Laurenson also acts as Hon Solicitor and Marc
Warner as Hon Auditor.
Hastings Blossom Festival
Saturday 16 September
This was held on Saturday
16 September a lovely sunny but breezy day. Being the 50th anniversary parade there were
more floats and an extended route. Also comperes at the beginning and end of the route gave
a commentary on each float.
Our society was represented by five of our senior squad with Andy Copland and Peter Baker from Hawkes Bay joining
them. Daniel Rumbal in his first parade as a senior Viking was our flag bearer, determined not to
give in to the wind!! On the galley float our junior Vikings were boosted in number by ten children
from Hastings Central School. These honorary Vikings did us proud with their enthusiasm.
When they arrived at the hall, they knew little about what they had let themselves in for. A
quick history/geography lesson put them in the picture! They were interested in being told and were
very well mannered.
Our presence in the parade was much appreciated. Our thanks to the Hawkes Bay Society and
all those who made it possible, and especially those who made the trip to Hastings to represent us so well.
Christmas Parade
Sunday 19 November
2006
What a surprise the day turned out to be! After a week of dreadful
weather we were convinced that the parade would be postponed – but lo and behold it ended up that some of our Vikings
didn’t apply enough sunblock and the organisers ran out of bottled water! Once again a large
and appreciative crowd made it a lot of fun for Jarl Rohin Joyce and his senior squad. The junior
squad, led by Jarl Rebecca Lynch gave some ferocious roars which attracted the attention of some of the TV crews.
Well done guys!
Christmas
Dinner
Saturday
25 November 2006
Just under a week later nearly 70 members and friends gathered at the Scots Hall for
our Christmas Dinner. The gourmet dinner was again planned by Pat Dixon, who also prepared
the food along with some help from committee members. This year we decided on a self-service format
for the main course, which made it easier for everyone to get their food hot, as well as being less stressful for the organising
team! It was a great night with time to chat with a drink over hors d’oeuvres, especially nice as
we enjoyed the company of several that we hadn’t seen for a while. The combination of friendship,
fellowship and good food made for an excellent festive evening.
Children’s Christmas Party
Sunday 3 December 2006
As usual our final function
of the year was our Children’s Christmas Party and Members’ Afternoon Tea. We have become
aware that the number of younger children has been declining and it showed this year with fewer children attending with parents
and/or grandparents. But what a great time we all had. The choice of entertainment
– The Zipperty Zoo Mobile Zoo was a great hit with all the children no matter what age. Whether
it was walking the baby goats or the moorit lamb or cuddling the rabbit or guinea pigs, the children loved the experience.
But as usual, the highlight of the day is the appearance of Father Christmas and his bag of goodies!
Diary Dates
Burns Supper - Thursday 25 January 2007 7.30pm
Scots Hall , Cnr Stoke &
Hanson Streets
Promoted by the Wellington Association of Scots Societies, come and enjoy the company of fellow Scots.
$15 single $25 double.
Picnic new
location:
Kaitoke Regional Park, Upper Hutt
Sunday 18 February 2007
Races start at 2pm
2007 Viking Ball
- Saturday 19 May
Indian Cultural Centre, Kemp
St, Kilbirnie
Invite your friends & mark your diaries NOW!
