13/01/2025
Orkney life in Winter
Monday diary of community events. For inclusion in the diary, please make sure you let us know the details before 4pm the previous day. Email [email protected] or phone 87 3939
Orkney Agricultural Discussion Society meets at eight o’ clock tonight in The Neuk at the Albert Hotel to hear about the Simmental Cattle Society. And then on Tuesday morning there’s a Simmental Female Classification Demonstration at Old Hall, Stromness. Everyone’s welcome at ten o’ clock for a cuppa before the event starts at half past ten.
The Birsay Carpet Bowls is back on tonight at seven o’ clock in Birsay Community Centre and everyone’s welcome.
Harray Community Association’s Traditional Music Group also restarts tonight in Harray Community Centre with all welcome to join in a tune and a song between half past seven and half past nine. Entry is £2 with tea and biscuits included.
The Orkney Dancers meets at seven o’ clock in the St Magnus Centre.
And there’s Scottish Country Dancing this morning in Kirkwall Town Hall at half past ten.
The Dementia Friendly Orkney Singing Group is on at two o’ clock in the Life Centre.
Holm Ball Group also meets at two o’ clock in the Holm Hall.
The Men’s Hub restarts today at Age Scotland Orkney from one till half past two and new faces are welcome.
The Orkney Library and Archive reopens to the public at ten o’ clock this morning.
And there’s a Yap and Yarn Session is on today in the Kirkwall Library between four o’ clock and six.
The Mobile Library is due to be in Stronsay today.
For this week's Waste collections - Areas 1 to 8 will get Rubbish picked up, and for Areas 9 to 15 and Shapinsay it's Metals and Paper getting collected. You can look up your Area - and what's being collected week by week - on the council website at orkney dot gov dot uk / My Bins.
The RSPB have a Guide in a Hide session at The Loons Hide today between ten o’ clock and one. And the RSPB is collecting for the Blue Door this month and donations can be put to the Stromness Office on weekday mornings.
A weekly Parkinson’s Active Fitness exercise class runs in Harray Community Centre on Mondays at eleven o’ clock, followed by a Social Café at twelve. There’s also Active Movers in Birsay on Tuesday mornings and in Harray on Wednesdays both at half past nine. For details contact Donna on 07935 553 383 or email: info @ orkney dance and fitness dot com.
The Birsay Hall is hosting a Quiz and Curry Night this Friday with Food served at six offering Chicken or Veg Curry & Rice or Mince & Tatties, and the Quiz starting at seven for Teams of up to six. To book contact Phyllis on 721 386.
And an Orphir Community Curry Night is on Saturday 18th with details on the Orphir page. Limited tickets are available from Emma by email to: bookings dot oca @ outlook dot com – include your name, how many tickets, and any dietary requirements. They have plenty of curries and rice, although if anyone wants to take a Side dish let Emma know on the email. It’s a donation on the night rather than a set price.
The Flotta Burns Night celebrations will be held next Friday 24th from eight till late. Repsol have put on a launch which will leave Houton at 7.30 sharp, and travel via Lyness to Flotta, weather permitting. Music will be provided by the Kirkjuvagr Ceilidh Band. For details contact Janet on 701 784.
Orkney Agricultural Discussion Society is having a Burns Social this Saturday the 18th in The Neuk at the Albert with guest speaker Kevan Harvey. Tickets are available from Alison and John or email: orkney agricultural discussion society @ Hotmail dot come, and state any dietary requirements when buying your tickets.
Orkney Music and Culture is having a Burns Night Concert on the 25th in Kirkwall Town Hall with Colin & Pauline Black, Stoatfinger, and Stravaig – and tickets are available on Eventbrite.
The Burray Burns Crew will present a Burns Supper on Saturday 25th in the Holm Hall, with a 3 course meal at six, followed by a Dance at half past eight with Music by Marcus & Co and the Kirkjuvagr Ceilidh Band. The proceeds will be going to the Burray Playpark and the RNLI and to book email: brown emma 25 @ yahoo dot co dot uk or on 0777 085 3102.
Orkney Pride is hosting a Chappelle Roan Listen Party, followed by a disco, at the Orkney Distillery this Saturday the 18th with doors open at half past six to start at seven, and it’s £5 cash entry at the door.
The East Mainland Agricultural Society AGM will be held next Monday the 20th at eight o’ clock in St Andrews Community Centre. Bring proposals for 2025 Show Judges with names and addresses. Apologies should go to Rebecca Spence – 07734 479 961.
And then the next night – Tuesday 21st - it’s the Orkney Agricultural Society AGM in the Albert Hotel at eight o’ clock. 2025 Judges will be appointed so bring your suggestions, including address details.
An Exhibition of Ba Paintings by Stuart Geddit is open in the Highland Park Shop Gallery till the end of this month.
The Orkney Folklore and Storytelling Centre is offering a short digital event of George Mackay Brown’s “The Winter Solstice”. It’s free to listen to on the home page at orkney storytelling dot com and will be available till January 31st.
