New Year 2007 - Update

Hello everybody. A belated Happy New Year to you all.

The Shetland Hamefarin 2010 Website has been up and running for 8 weeks and we now have well over 100 people who have registered their interest in the event. This is very encouraging so early in the planning phase. We have received a number of very useful ideas for the Hamefarin and I would like to share some of these with you to get more feedback.

First of all, the Shetland Outdoor Bowling Club has offered to host a bowling tournament involving people "fae aa erts" during the Hamefarin. If there is enough interest in this perhaps we could organise an international competition for the Hamefarin 2010 trophy. Let us know if you want to bowl, amateurs only!

Music is clearly a popular theme. There appears to be enthusiasm for music workshops where people can learn the latest Shetland styles and new tunes. Again, if you are interested in this use the site to show an interest.

The Lerwick Church of Scotland is planning to hold a service for the Hamefarin on one of the Sundays, perhaps both. A warm invitation is open to all Hamefarers to attend these services. If there are other religious groups who are seeking to worship as part of the Hamefarin, then I am sure that other services can be organised.

The Thordale Shetland Driving Centre has kindly offered to put on Shetland pony driving, particularly aimed at the younger and more adventurous Hamefarers. Why not visit their website at www.thordale.co.uk for more information.

The final piece of news at this stage is to alert you to the interest being shown in various local history groups throughout Shetland. If there is a particular area that you would like to find out more about (trace family ties etc.) then use this site to tell us.

Keep the ideas flowing.

Douglas Irvine