2006: JOHNSMAS FOY IS RESOUNDING SUCCESS
As the last day of the Johnsmas Foy (Monday 26 June) drew to a close, event organisers throughout Shetland have reported extremely positive feedback from all those who took part in each of the 42 events which came together under the umbrella of Shetland’s summer festival.
This year’s theme – “a celebration of sail” – was specially chosen as the festival coincided with two major yachting events – the Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race and the Shetland-Bergen Races. Many of the other activities on offer also centred around this nautical theme.
In the furthest north tip of Shetland, visitors and locals were offered a unique experience – a sailing trip around Baltasound Harbour in the traditional ‘Far Haaf’ sixareen boat each evening. Skipper Duncan Sandison said: “The sailing trips were very well attended and people really enjoyed the sailing experience – the peace and the quiet of being out in the water. There was also a lot of interest in the unusual rig. Where possible, if people had experience, they were given the opportunity to steer or row under the supervision of the crew.”
Tourist guide Douglas Sinclair led groups of people on a guided walk around Old Lerwick to discover ‘The Dutch Connection’. He said: “In the 17th century the Dutch herring fishing fleet gathered annually in Bressay Sound at Johnsmas to await the start of the herring season. They traded with locals and the town of Lerwick was born. The daily walks were the ideal opportunity to tell this tale and were very successful and well attended.
“The groups were of a good size and consisted of a mix of locals, tourists and cruise liner passengers. I even led some Dutch visitors around the town who were intrigued to find out more about the Dutch connection.”
Yoal rowing clubs from around Shetland were invited to race in Bressay Sound on 25 June for various trophies including the inaugural Johnsmas Cup, which was presented to the Bigton Yoal Club as the winning team. Jim Anderson said: “A variety of races were held during the day – under 16 girls, under 16 boys, under 21 women, under 21 men, open women, open men, veteran women and veteran men. The Bigton Yoal Club won the Johnsmas Cup for having the best overall team performance on the day.”
Complementing these nautical-based activities, a range of other events also took place throughout the islands, celebrating the very best of Shetland in terms of music, food, drink, crafts, culture and the great outdoors.
An outstanding line-up of musical talent descended on the island of Fetlar for a midsummer concert to remember. The Fetlar Johnsmas Foy Concert featured the Jenna Reid Band, Norwegian band Geitungen accompanied by Norwegian dancers, the Julie Fowlis Band and Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag.
Shetland Arts music development officer Davie Gardner said: “We have had universally terrific feedback from the event and I’ve heard it said it was the best concert that’s ever been held in Fetlar. The concert delivered a wide diversity of high quality music with traditional tunes from Shetland, Scotland and Norway that was greatly appreciated by all those who turned out to see the performances.”
Music featured prominently throughout the Johnsmas Foy event and Unst held its Longest Day Celebration on 21 June with an evening of traditional Shetland and Norwegian music and dance. Minnie Mouatt of Unst Tourism Group said: “The event went very well and we had a really good turn out. Everyone really enjoyed the music by Unst Music and Dance Club and Norwegian band Geitungen. We were particularly impressed with the energetic Norwegian dancers.”
Commenting on the Johnsmas Foy, chairman of the organising committee Eddie Knight commented: “We are delighted with the positive feedback from event organisers and equally pleased that events throughout Shetland were so well attended. We tried to cater for as many different interests as possible to ensure that there was something for everyone to enjoy during Shetland’s summer festival. This kind of feedback gives us a good platform for planning the next Johnsmas Foy.”
Further information from:
Nicola Halcrow, Shetland Islands Council, tel 01595 744944, email
Or, Louise Rosie, Shaw Marketing and Design Ltd, tel 01595 692465 or email