I've got 2 goldfish. They are called Goldie and Locks. One is orange and the other one is brown. They are both gold on the bottom. I got them from Santa. Daniel (5)

From Santa I got a book about princesses and some liquorish. Steven, Marjolein and Marin were here for Christmas. Mum and Dad gave me a pair of smucks which match my pyjamas and dressing gown.
Hannah (5)

I got two lots of Christmas presents in the holidays. I got a big lego castle and it has seven men in it. Granny sent me lots of art things. We went up to Triona's for Christmas dinner. I also got a fish mobile. It is hanging in my bedroom. My bedroom is going to be painted turquoise blue with fish all over it.
Duncan (6)

From Santa we both got a chocolate Santa and they were yummy. We also got chocolate money and an orange and smucks. I lost my front top tooth and I got a pound for it from the tooth fairy. Mum and Dad gave me a lego rescue kit.
Cara (7)

For Christmas I got a suspension yo-yo and it flashes when it gets to the bottom. It works better in the dark- I also got a big technic lego set which makes a land rover, a trailer and a helicopter. You can make them all at the same time. I got another yo-yo which is wooden with a diamond on the front. I also got a toy snowman and teddy bear from Holland which I have called Hans.
Tom (7)

We didn't go away for the Christmas holidays, we just stayed at home. For Christmas I got a set of scalectrix with a red mini and a yellow mini. The scalectrix track pieces can be made into a square, an oval or a figure of eight. I also got a K'nex set with which you can build a lot of models, most of them have cogs in.
Magnus (8)

For Christmas I got a LEGO break down with three pressure pumps, two air tanks and steering. I got two jigsaws, one is a train and the other one is a rain forest. I got three books.
Calum (8)

For Christmas I got a play station and 3 games called crash bandicoot, rayman and spire, the dragon and I got 3 demo discs free. I got a blow up couch and a skate board and a goose bumps game. On Christmas day Joe, Karen, Dave, Oscar, and Brian came and we didn't have any turkey so we had beef. At pudding time mum set it on fire.
Charlotte (9)

I got radio control for my plane, ]ego and a model plane and some sweets. Up at the chalet I got lego, a game, a computer game, books, and lots of sweets.
Lewis (10)

Uncle Kenny came back on the plane the other day. Dad went away with Joe, Karen, Dave and Oscar to help them get to Ireland. He is coming back soon. For Christmas I got a Chemistry Set, which is for 10 and over, a make - up bag, a tiger T- shirt and some other things. Rachel Eunson and Stewart stayed with us over the New Year. They came disguised off the boat so that nobody knew it was them at guising.
Jenny (10)

This note, then, represents an appeal for the loan of photographic material. We are looking mainly for cultural images, which you should interpret as those depicting people, activities, buildings or other artefacts, Landscapes and wildlife are not required, except where these illustrate a view now lost (e.g. landscape change through to cliff slippage, change in grazing regime or whatever). Most valued of all are photos of maritime events, activities or artefacts (from the Summer Morn or recent yacht/cruise visits backwards in time). However, all cultural records are of use. Obviously. a main objective will be to assemble material for the SCRAN database. I have written confirmation from SCRAN that you each individually retain copyright of any photo presented on the internet; that SCRAN provides this material to educational users at a reduced quality; that images will only appear as thumbnail size, with access to larger images protected by an authentication system for educational users, which SCRAN administers; and that any other use in the future will be based on your permission (which you can refuse, of course) and a royalty payment to you per use.

There are other reasons for responding to this appeal. We all know how easy it is to lose trace of elements of the cultural record (e,g. derivation and definition of Fair Isle words). The end result will be a computerised archive to reside in the custodianship of the Museum - to the benefit of the community for generations to come. It also preserves photographs, which are so easily lost, damaged or lose quality over the years. Dave has been able to enhance some old photographs so that they look as though they were taken yesterday. He can also provide copy prints and enlargements of your original photographs.

If you are willing to look out and loan us your photos, we would be very grateful. Photographs will be handled with care and will not be allected by the process of scanning. A pencil note on the back of each indicating event and date, perhaps with names of folk, if not too many and known, would be useful though not essential. The importance is to get a good range and quantity of photos. All photos will be returned and as quickly as possible. The SCRAN deadline is this spring, so we are scanning in photos as fast as Dave can physically manage. Please give or send photos to Nick or Elizabeth Riddiford (Schoolton, Fair Isle, Shetland ZE2 9JU; tel. 0 1595 760250). If you wish to know more about the process and what magic he can weave, speak to Dave (760224). The appeal extends to prints and slides, and (as an afterthought) can include artwork as well - provided it is not too large. We would like to establish an archive which tells a full story of Fair Isle at work and play through this century, and sincerely hope that you will all respond positively to our appeal.