• Boxing Day
  - The Christmas Tree -
  An evening for the children (and young at heart!).
  Several party games started off the evening, then an excellent buffet with lots of tasty food.  A short panto followed - The Pied Piper of Hamelin - entertaining us all.  A few more games then the highlight of the evening - a visit by Father Christmas.
  
   
• The Fair Isle Primary Pantomime
  Dick Whittington, was staged Monday evening (16th) - making full use of the new lighting system installed in the Fair Isle Hall over the weekend. The lighting system was purchased with grant aid totalling 3000 - 40% of the overall cost of 7,600 - given equally by Shetland Enterprise and SIC Charitable Trust.
  
  Tony Peaker (of Tony Peaker Presentation Technology), was in Fair Isle for the weekend working with islanders Patrick Ross-Smith and Glen Tyler on the installation.
  
  
  
   
• 11th - FAIR ISLE GETS ITS NEW FIRE ENGINE
  The new fire-engine for Fair Isle arrived on the Isle at 2.30 am - timed for high water so that the vehicle ramp could be used - on Wednesday morning on the Skerries ferry Filla - now known as Snolda.  (A few hours later, over in Poland, the new Skerries ferry - which is to take the old name - was launched from a boatyard in Poland.
  As well as the fire-engine, animal feedstuffs for the coming winter and building materials were also brought in while the old fire-engine was taken away.
  
  Background
  Under the terms and conditions of the Civil Aviation Authority Licence for Fair Isle Aerodrome the National Trust for Scotland had to replace the emergency fire tender by September 2000, when they were due renewal of the Aerodrome Licence.
  
  The Trust had allocated some funding towards the provision of a new emergency fire tender, but in seeking to be more effective in managing the fire emergency service they wished to amalgamate with the Highlands and Islands Fire Brigade (HIFB) to provide cover across the isle.  The Trust also sought the amalgamation of the Aerodrome and the Isle fire services to ensure the continuity of equipment purchase, maintenance of the overall service and training for the fire personnel.
  
  Initial discussions of a partnership were discussed in December 1999 between The National Trust for Scotland, HIFB and Shetland Islands Council.
  
  Funding
  The National Trust for Scotland had allocated 13,000 to the provision of the new emergency fire tender and further financial assistance was sought from Shetland Islands Council and Shetland Enterprise, with the agreement that HIFB would match the funding allocated by the NTS.
  
  In January 2000 Shetland Enterprise agreed to a grant of 10,000 and in March 2000 Shetland Islands Council agreed funding of 20,000. 
  
  The estimated cost for commissioning the new emergency fire tender was 75,000.  This cost would procure a suitable chassis, bodywork and associated fire engineering to be carried out by the Highlands and Islands Fire Brigade workshop.  The remaining 32,000 was to be funded by the Highlands and Islands Fire Board with confirmation of this funding received in November 2000.
  
  The New Emergency Fire Tender
  In March 2001 Dave Cook was contracted in as vehicle consultant to assist with the process of the building of the new tender and oversee the Trusts interests and ensure the CAA requirements were met.  He liaised with Alex Tough of the CAA and worked with conjunction with Tony Munro of HIFB to produce the specification of the tender. 
  
  The new vehicle, once commissioned and installed on the isle, will be maintained by the HIFB and will be jointly managed by the NTS and HIFB.

• G-BOMG - the latest addition to Loganair's 'Islander' fleet - on Fair Isle Friday 15th November.
  After the only 'Islander' based in Shetland suffered a lightning strike while returning from and ambulance flight early on Tuesday morning, the islands were without an air service until this aircraft was sent north on temporary duty.  The repaired aircraft arrived back in Shetland on Saturday.
   

OCTOBER

• Dave Wheeler with daughters Lucy and Mary at Buckingham Palace
  
  Dave was awarded an MBE for Services to Meteorology on Fair Isle.
  
   

• David Royle's new house, between Kenaby and Busta, nears completion.
  
   

• Another piece of music, written by Danish composer Hans-Henrik Nordstrm entitled 'Fair Isle' is to be premiered May 25th 2003 in Slagelse, Denmark by John Ehde, cello and the Amadeus Ensemble.
  
  Hans-Henrik wrote the new piece of music during a 3 week visit to Fair Isle when he stayed in Springfield.
  
  Hans-Henrik's e-mail is on the Letters Page (which also contains a link to his title page, programme notes, biography (in English) and webpage) .
  
  
   

• Following the 'Poverty Lunch' on Monday 21st items of local produce and other gifts of craftwork, cakes, sweets, potential Christmas presents were either sold, raffled or auctioned by Neil - raising 1007 for the  Goodwill organisation in India.  This year the monies - the most that we have ever raised - will also help with its exciting new project.  This, the Tribal Outreach Programme (TORP), will give children in ten isolated forest hamlets in the Dindigul district the chance of being educated at four local schools - enabling them to receive basic education in their own family and community setting.  TORP is also initiating regular medical camps and self-help groups in the hamlets.
  For further information contact John or Betty Best at j.c.best@freeuk.com
   

• Modern Technology Brings Publishing Success
  for Fair Isle Couple

  Email: info@scottishislandsexplorer.com

  Web site: www.scottishislandsexplorer.com
  Some people might think that living on Britains most isolated inhabited island would be a great handicap when it comes to creating and developing a modern business. But the potential challenges that come with their location havent stopped islanders, Philip Welch and Linda Grieve. The couple, who, live on Fair Isle, one of Shetlands outer isles, successfully run their own publishing company, Islands Publishing Ltd.
  
  At present they are busy putting the finishing touches to their magazine, Scottish Islands Explorer, which will be available from retail outlets around the country for the first time on the 18^th October. The company also run a thriving mail-order business selling books and videos with an island focus.
  
  Scottish Islands Explorer is the UKs only magazine devoted to exploring the islands of Scotland, explained Philip Welch, who deals with the technicalities of producing the magazine. We have been producing the magazine for nearly three years but up until now it has only been available to subscribers as a small, black and white publication. We recently invested in a considerable amount of new equipment: state of the art computer hardware, software and facilities for high-speed Internet access, which has given us the capability to produce a much bigger magazine, 52 pages, in a full colour format. Its very exciting that our magazine will soon be for sale on the news-stand as were keen for it to reach a much wider audience.
  
  We both love islands and discovering each ones different personality, said his partner, Linda Grieve, who edits the magazine. But it wasnt very easy to find the sort of in-depth information which makes exploring these places so interesting.
  
  Its this gap that Scottish Islands Explorer, is now successfully filling. The magazine ranges across a wide variety of topics, explained Linda Grieve. In our next issue we have articles about Hoy in Orkney, St Kilda, Raasay, and Duart Castle on Mull.
  
  But theres a lot more to the magazine than just exploring places. Were very aware that often its the people who make the place, she said. Consequently we feature a number of human interest stories; a piece by author, Mairi Hedderwick, an interview with Skye bridge campaigner, Robbie the Pict and an article about the Iolaire disaster on Lewis.
  
  Basically were trying to paint an accurate, well-rounded picture of the Scottish islands so alongside the articles which explore the islands, therell be features on archaeology and history, culture, natural history, arts and crafts, events and news.
  
  Well also be including excellent colour images from some of Scotlands foremost photographers, she said. In the next issue, for instance, we feature remarkable photographs of eagles by naturalist photographer, Laurie Campbell. Its only when you start to research all these places that you realise what visually stunning landscapes there are in the islands of Scotland.  
  
  The couple encourage and receive   submissions of material from all over the country but Scottish Islands Explorer is wholly produced on Fair Isle. Advances in communications technology have been very liberating for people living and working in remote places, said Philip Welch. A few years ago it simply wouldnt have been possible to run a business like this from here, he explained, but we feel that because were doing this from an island setting, the magazine has a more realistic outlook, a view from the inside.
  
   A lot of visitors come up here to get away from it all without realising the hard work that goes into keeping small, isolated communities going, said Philip Welch. The increasing success of Scottish Islands Explorer will go a long way to raising the profile of the islands, which we think can only be of benefit to others in the scattered island communities.  
  
  Scottish Islands Explorer will be available across Scotland from 23 October at a number of retail outlets: - John Menzies, Sainsburys, Co-op, selected Safeway stores and independent newsagents. It is also available directly from Islands Publishing Ltd., Auld Haa, Fair Isle, Shetland, ZE2 9JU.
   

  Media Contact: Philip Welch

  Tel: 01595-693380

  Fax: 01595-694830
  
   

SEPTEMBER

• Lamb Sales

  Loading lambs	Good Shepherd with lambs

  Excellent upturn in the market.
  As Jimmy wrote in 'Da Week', the excellent summer weather continued for the sheep sales with the lambs seen - and sold - at their best on a fine, dry afternoon (and evening).  With continuing settled conditions and none of the usual worries over wind and sea conditions they were all shipped within days.
  
  Leading prices were between 33.50 to 36 for Suffolks (66) with Cheviots selling at 17 to 18.50 (43).  Cheviot ewe lambs seemed to be in demand selling to a top of 32.80 (15) with others 24 to 26.50 (22).  Cheviot gimmers sold to 34.50 to 35.50 (15).  Just making more than last years intervention price for small lambs, Shetland lambs sold to 10.50 (31).

AUGUST

• 'given days'
  Fair Isle's week of Musical Revelry
  "Absolutely marvellous" ; "A great deal more important than all the premieres at the Proms in London because it has come from the people, . . . . because it's of the sea, of the land" - a great endorsement  from Max.
   

• Excellence award for Isle school

  Fair Isle Primary School children and head teacher Jessie McCafferty with the Motorola Award for Excellence, which was presented to the school by Tavish Scott MSP and Alistair Carmichael MP before the premiere of Given Days on Friday 23rd August.  The award was made for an enterprise project which involved designing Fair Isle souvenirs which were then sold to visitors, many from visiting cruise ships.  The souvenirs included Teddy bears with Fair Isle sweaters knitted on the island and reproductions of the Fair Isle mouse, a subspecies unique to the island.

   

  See the Eco-School pictures
   

JUNE
 

• Fiona carries Fair Trade message from Fair Isle.
  Fiona Mitchell of Stackhoull Stores believes passionately in trade justice. So passionately shes travelling from Fair Isle to Westminster to tell our MP all about it.
  Read more on the Traidcraft website.
   

• MBE for Fair Isle Weatherman
  Dave Wheeler receives an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for 'Services to Meteorology on Fair Isle'.  The award is given in recognition of Dave's 24 years providing Fair Isle weather observations to the Meteorological Office.  Reporting hourly from 6am to 6pm and also at 9pm and midnight (1am in summer) every day of the year except Sundays, Christmas and New Year's Days when - only reporting only every three hours - he gets something of a break, Dave reckons that he has clocked up about 140,000 weather observations in that time!  Dave began his weather observing career back in 1960 when, on leaving school in Doncaster, he started as an observer in the Met Office at RAF Finningley.  From 1963 - 1968 he was a weatherman on South Georgia 800 miles ESE of the Falkland Islands.  Then followed a break of four years working for Scottish Television as a Sound Engineer before he and his wife Jane made the move to Fair Isle.
  Not for the faint-hearted, but a few photographs spanning Dave's 40+ years of weather observing can be seen HERE.
  
   

• Fair Isle Primary School Trip to Orkney on the Swan
   

MAY
 

• Fair Isle Electricity Company Ltd applies to OFGEM to become an accredited supplier of renewable energy.

APRIL
 

MARCH

• Drama on the dance floor!
  - Drama advisor Izzy Swanson visits the Fair Isle Primary school.

JANUARY

• The Burns Supper, held recently in the Fair Isle Hall, raised 261.76 for Classic Fair Isle.