A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED ORKNEY CONCERT
Harray Hall
Take a trip back to the 1950s, the time when Countrywoman (Bessie Skea) was starting to write for the Orkney Herald, alongside Ernest Marwick and George Mackay Brown and Bob Johnston with the Stenwick stories and the Spike cartoons – and every now and again the Harray Hall would be filled with an audience looking forward to a concert. The moment came when the hall lights dimmed and the curtains were drawn back – and the hall was filled with the sound of accordion and fiddle music.
Tonight the West Mainland Strathspey and Reel Society will be there, and Robin Nicolson will have some of the classic songs from George Corrigall and David Towers. There will be some Countrywoman readings from Emma Grieve, who will be joined by her sister Sarah Jane Gibbon to sing two of Bessie’s poems; and Highland dancing from Josie Gibbon and a sketch by Birsay Drama Club. It will all be ably compered by Harvey Johnston, with a prize raffle at the interval in aid of the RNLI.
Tickets £6 (£2 for 12 and under). You can pay at the door or book through this LINK.
Great Grandad had his annual trip
Tae the Graemeshall Bay for a good cowld dip,
Hid kept him clean and hid kept him cool,
So he saa no need for a swimming pool.
His wool cam straight fae the owld grey yowe
And he lit his pipe wi’ a heather cowe,
And the only power plug he knew
Wis the cork in a bottle o’ good home brew.
