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Among the bales
of Fair Isle: A volunteer's experience
In early August ten volunteers stepped on the
Good Shepherd at Grutness Pier, for the journey to Fair Isle. As one of this
group I had no idea this was going to be the most amazing three week
experience.
After a busy working life in the UK and
overseas, and quite a lot of traveling, I could not have anticipated that
the Thistle Camp organised by the National Trust for Scotland would have
such a profound effect on me.
Now back home I am reflecting on what was so
special about that period of time. Here I was sharing a room with five
others whose ages spanned more than four decades, showering in a very damp
room, cooking on fairly frequent basis for the group and doing, what was for
me, hard physical work. The answer of course was the people of Fair Isle who
made us so welcome. You helped us with the work, fed us wonderful food,
including the best home baking I've tasted and then entertained us in our
free time.
Added to all this is the magic of the island:
Now I do appreciate we were very fortunate to have fine sunny weather for
much of our stay and were able to enjoy spectacular sunsets, beautiful
moonlit nights and the greatest treasure of all, for a southerner like me to
witness, the aurora borealis. This latter event could not have happened on a
better night as it followed a brilliant rock concert and disco held
outdoors. I loved the grassy cliff tops with their sheer drops on which
clung nests full of what looked like bundles of down, but which on closer
inspection turned out to be fulmar chicks. The lighthouses, wild flowers and
seals all contributed to the idyllic setting.
Before I came
to Fair Isle I was very apprehensive about the work, as I was not
particularly fit, but it was very satisfying and, with a few exceptions, I
managed what was requested. Weeding and ragwort pulling were the least
desirable tasks and baling my favourite. I got great deal of pleasure raking
the hay into narrow rows; leaving room at the ends for the tractor to turn,
and best of all following the tractor to pull away each bale as it rolled
out of the baler's jaws. In all, I helped with baling on six crofts. Other
tasks included removing two electric fences and posts, lifting tattles,
filling in pot holes, mixing concrete, (a surprisingly satisfying job), and
sheep shearing though I have to admit my back was suffering badly that day
and I only sheared half of one sheep. We even cleaned the kirk in the -first
week and wondered why it was so necessary, but at that stage were unaware of
the musical feast in our final week, when a piano recital was followed by
bagpipes and the local choir singing some
Vivaldi.
Clearing the
hall after a couple of social events was also done, but again this was not a
hardship 'after the previous nights' entertainment, first an exhausting
night of Scottish dancing and, a couple of days later, a programme of Haydn,
Purcell, Maxwell Davies, McCabe and Stout.
As already indicated our visit was not all
work. Some of us learned to make bannocks and got the recipe for drop scones
and wonderful chocolate cake. I had a couple of spinning lessons and was
given two fleeces to take home to continue with this craft. A barbecue was
held at our base half way through the camp and was well attended by the
islanders who were so generous with their gifts of food and drink.
On the final Sunday as both the ministers
were away, three of us were invited (or should I say volunteered by one such
minister) to conduct the service in the chapel. We made this a service of
thanksgiving for our time on Fair Isle. The good attendance was appreciated
and we were delighted when they all returned to the Puffin hostel for coffee
and biscuits after the service.
The grand finale to our stay was the four
days of musical events, which culminated in the world premiere of "Given
Days" - a work composed by Alastair Stout and commissioned by the island
community to celebrate its heritage and present day culture.
Thank you all so much.
Maureen Dyke, September 2002. |
