TTTHEHEHE BBBLETHER the blether [ ˈbl ɛðə] – the newsletter of the community of Hoy and Walls ISSUE 22 AUGUST 2015 THE HOY HOOLIE 2015—ROCKING ! Welcome to the twen- ty-second issue of THE BLETHER . The August issue in- cludes Hoy Hoolie up- date, Council Comment, RNLI Longhope open day and much much more! See the ‘Dates for Dia- ries’ and Gable End pro- gramme for what’s on, but do check dates and times nearer the event as some things do change. The Chair As always, a huge “Fantastic” “Brilliant” “Bring on Sarah’s dad Ian for part of their set). Thank you to all of the contributors to next year.” Just some of the com- The evening’s entertainment was the twenty-two issue ments after the wildly successful brought to a close by Saltfishforty. and for the use of Hoy Hoolie, which took place for their photographs. Saturday kicked off with a very the first time earlier this month. Contact details for fur- well-attended kids fun day, culmi- ther information or for The community party weekend, nating in a special event featuring contributions can be centred around the YM, featured The Crockness Monster. The even- found on the back page. evening concerts with solo artists ing concert saw performances by Cera Impala and The New Prohibi- and bands and on Saturday morn- INSIDE THIS ISSUE : ing, a special event for children. tion, Dance Bandits, with the finale The Shore Cafe served up breakfast, by The Chair. HOY HOOLIE 2 lunch and tea throughout the event Organiser Ian said “ We had around and concert goers were able to 70 volunteers helping out during the HOY HOOLIE 3 camp just a few minutes away from Hoolie, manning the door, serving HOY DANCERS the venue. COUNCIL COMMENT 4 behind the bar, helping in the kitch- The Hoolie was the brainchild of a en and doing numerous other VARIOUS 5 group of friends who wanted to see things, particularly giving the kids SCAPA FLOW MUSEUM 6 the local community come together such a good day on Saturday. We NORTH WALLS SCHOOL with a sense of fun, and with a pride couldn’t have done it without RNLI L ONGHOPE 7 in sharing this with visitors to the them.” Big thanks also go to every- island. one who helped with the suppers on YOUTH ACTIVITIES 8 the Thursday and Saturday eve- Friday evening’s line up featured nings, and also to those who provid- HERITAGE MATTERS 9 locals Stella Kirkpatrick, Billy ed or helped with the campsites, Budge and Michael and Katherine ODYSSEAN 10 water and loos” GABLE END along with Cammy, The Hoyku- 11 lalees, Sarah and Joey (along with (Continued on page 2) THE BLETHER PAGE 2 HOY HOOLIE CONTINUED Ian said that several Orkney businesses had spon- The event was filmed with the intention of bring- sored the event. In addition, three island busi- ing out a DVD later on in the year and it is hoped nesses gave practical support by providing ticket to put together a record of people’s experiences outlets, accommodation and food, and local resi- of this year’s event. So, if you have any photos, dents had also provided accommodation and food reminiscences, comments or just a couple of lines for performers and their families. about your Hoolie, please e-mail them to Vin- [email protected]. or give Vincent a call. Ian added “We wanted to put on a professional, friendly and traditional event and the feedback The plans for next year’s Hoolie are already be- from performers, volunteers and visitors suggests ing discussed with the intention being to make it we achieved that.” an annual event. H O Y Stella Kirkpatrick H Billy Budge O O Hoykulalees L Sarah and Ian I E Salishforty Compere: Keith Dempsey ISSUE 22 PAGE 3 HOY HOOLIE CONTINUED Cera Impala and The New Prohibion Michael and Catherine All photos by Mary Harris Crockness Monster Fun day acvies WHAT ’S NEW FOR THE HOY DANCERS The first dancing evening of the 2015/16 Fundraising dates are as follows: Bingo sessions will begin on Monday 7 th Septem- evenings have been booked for 26 th Sep- ber at 8pm in the YM, Longhope. This tember and 31 st October 2015 and 30 th evening will be ‘taster’ sessions for anyone January 2016 to raise funds for the late fer- interested but not sure what it is about. ry hire for the Fringe Event. These evenings of Scottish and Ceilidh Dancing are for fun and exercise and if any- On Friday 11 th September , the last Reels one misses an evening it doesn’t matter. and Jigs evening for this year will be held in This year we are having a break of two the Hoy Kirk. The times are to coincide with months over December and January. We the ferry over from Stromness so that we will dance on into May so that the number of can be joined by dancers from the Mainland. weeks covered are the same. A few have already booked their spaces. We are holding another Fringe Event on There will be notices out and about giving Wednesday 6th April 2016 . It will be very the details of what is happening, or you can different as we no longer have Jessie Stuart look on the IHDT calendar. Or you can con- leading the dance workshop in the after- tact me to be put on the mailing list. noon but have no fear – there will be a workshop being taught in tandem by Lorna Mabel j Besant – 01856 791359 or e-mail Fotheringhame and myself. [email protected] THE BLETHER PAGE 4 COUNCIL COMMENT —PLANNING Planning decisions taken by Council officers and Fara and the South East of Hoy. The selection of the Planning committee are guided by the 2014 these areas has been driven by another docu- Orkney Local Development Plan. This plan con- ment, the ' Draft Wind Energy Supplementary tains the policies that underpin development Guidance ' which is also currently out for public within the county, not only outlining where consultation. houses could, and should, be built but also cover- ing issues as diverse as 'mineral extraction', As always council officers are looking for as 'terrestrial and underwater archaeological sites much feedback as possible from the public on and monuments' and 'protected species'. All in all these two documents and more information can the 2014 Plan has 42 development policies and be found at: comprises some 206 pages! http://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/O/ As soon as the 2014 Plan was adopted by the Orkney-Local-Development-Plan.htm Council the process of reviewing it began. This or follow the link from www.orkney.gov.uk . review looked at some of the issue that arose during its compilation and started the process of Any comments can be emailed to monitoring the outcome of the policies contained [email protected] or by post to the Devel- within the document with the intention of pro- opment and Marine Planning Manager, OIC, ducing a new Development Plan for 2016 – who can also be contacted on 01856 873535 ex 2021. Integral to the review process is the pro- 2531 duction of the Main Issues Report which was published by OIC in July and is currently out for The Main Issue Report states that: consultation, as promoted in ' The Orcadian ' dat- The next Local Development Plan for Orkney ed 23 & 30 July 2015. will be an ambitious yet concise document that will ensure effective planning policies are in The Main Issues Report proposes to reduce the place to strengthen and support Orkney's com- number of policies in the Plan to 15 and to attain munities by enabling those developments which the four main, national, planning outcomes i.e. will have a positive and sustainable socio- create a successful, sustainable place; a low car- economic impact, and utilise locally available bon place; a natural, resilient place and a more resources, whilst striving to preserve the rich connected place. natural and cultural heritage assets upon which Orkney's vibrant tourism industry de- Throughout the document a number of policy pends and which add to the quality of life in changes are proposed and discussed with ques- our islands. tions asked as to whether the policy strikes the right cord or not. As far as the isles are con- A bold statement indeed. Have a look at it and cerned there is very little change to current poli- get involved in the consultation process. The cy in that there is still a 'presumption in favour' Wind Energy consultation closes on 18th Sep- of house building and no alterations to the tember with the MIR closing on 16th Septem- boundaries of the defined settlements of Burn- ber , although an extension has been agreed to side, Flotta, Longhope, Lyness or Moaness. ensure all Community Council's get a chance to comment after their next round of meetings. What may be contentious however is the section on 'Energy and Infrastructure' which looks at the Rob Crichton potential wind energy areas, highlighting Flotta, ISSUE 22 PAGE 5 HOME START ORKNEY Home-Start is the UK’s hours of practical or emotional help once a leading family support week to assist with parenting skills or im- charity and Home-Start prove their well-being. Orkney has been on Families can self-refer, but many of our re- the go for over 14 ferrals come through Health Visitors, nurse- years. ries etc. The scheme was re- Volunteers will have parenting experience cently awarded a grant from the Big Lottery and will be provided with training, out-of- Fund to develop the service to the isles; pocket expenses and on-going support from previously most of our voluntary work was the co-ordinators.