Even the overflow car park had to be used and was half as full again for the annual Westray Industrial Show, Saturday afternoon August 19th at 3:00pm.
Plus as the car park was full, there was then the queue at the door to contend with (below).
Friday evening the ladies of Westray’s SWI had a problem on their hands as the ferry company had cancelled the ferry to Westray due to the weather conditions. Nonplussed, new arrangements were made and the event went ahead with local people chosen to be judges for their knowledge and ability. I passed the school on my way out on Saturday for my morning cup of coffee and there were lots of cars in the car park at 10:00 am, no doubt belonging to the SWI ladies preparing the tables for judging and sorting out the refreshments for the afternoon tea.
The event is held in the big hall in the school building, with refreshments in the room off to the right (pictured below).
The whole event is free including refreshments, all for a donation of whatever you wish to give. It is no doubt one of the highlights of August, attracting both young and old alike to display their produce from the garden and baking from the ovens plus photographs, paintings and sometimes woodworking, knitting, crochet, whatever takes your fancy. Topped off with a hearty feed before you go home, what is there not to like?
I had great plans to enter my tomatoes this year but they were such a sorry size, it was not even worth picking them. My strawberries, I reckon, would have been certain winners, except for the fact that they were ready a month too early, so once again I have had to admit defeat and let others claim the glory. When I was a young lad I used to see my paternal grandfather nurse his chrysanthemums in his garden, to end up with beautiful incurves and big round blooms, (sorry for the poor description). During the late August and early September rain showers the plants would be protected by several black umbrellas (in those days you had a choice of black or black) and pieces of tatty polythene, to keep the flower heads wind and rain free. Alas those in my tunnel now would have made him laugh, but when the blooms do come out I am sure there will be lots of little ones, (with luck).
Many congratulations to the Westray SWI ladies for yet another grand event.
Throughout the year, various events are held in the school hall. For instance after the Regatta back at the end of July there was a dance with all the usual refreshments, young and old alike enjoying themselves to the closing time after midnight. It is grand to see all the youngsters get up and dance the old time Westray favourites, and of course some of the newer dances too which usually involve a lot of jiggling about.
One of my favourite events is the Harvest Home which I’ll probably write about in a couple of months’ time if there are plans for one again this year. There will be lots of folk coming over from mainland Orkney for that weekend if it is going ahead, meantime this coming weekend we will have the Westray Connections, an occasional musical event being held in lots of venues both indoors and outdoors, throughout the island, drawing talent here from all the isles. I have heard that the ferry reservations coming out here are fully booked now, especially Friday night, so if you were thinking of a last minute dash here, you can’t, sorry.
I thought to slip in here a recipe that can be found in the wonderful Westray Heritage Cookery Book, which I keep bleating on about as many folk here will know.
This slim volume includes the famous Westray Fatty Cutties, Tablet, Bridal Slices, Duff (Clootie Dumpling), Beef Stew with doughboys, Spoots, Lobster Salad to mention just a few. It is typical old Westray fare and costs under a fiver. I suggest you phone the Heritage Centre during office hours to order one as it is not for sale on their web site.
Tel: 01857 677414.
Take a look at more information and some photographs of the Heritage Centre on https://www.orkney.com/
As a charity the Westray Heritage Trust is dependent on income from fund raising, grants, sponsorship and visitors.
SHORTBREAD RECIPE
8 oz (227 g) plain flour
4 oz (114 g) cornflour
5 oz (142 g) sugar
½ lb (227 g) butter or margarine
Cream the butter and sugar. Add the other ingredients and mix to a stiff dough. Roll out and cut into rounds. Bake 40 minutes in a moderate oven. NB I converted the imperial measurements to metric so blame me if I’ve made a mistake.
Here’s my poem of the day by Robert Rendall 1898-1967
taken from “An Island Shore”
The Miller
By day he laboured in the mill
And in the evening fished for trout:
He was a man of patient skill
Who loved his task, indoors or out;
And nothing better to his taste
Than when his evening board was graced
With new bere bannocks and a fry
Of sweet half-pounders caught on the fly.
Note: Bere: old Orkney variety of barley.
If I have got anything wrong in this report I am sure someone will let me know.
Thanks Elizabeth. I couldn’t live anywhere else. Fingers crossed for fine weather this weekend.
Entertaining as always Peter - a glimpse into island life on Westray :-)