Explore Orkney Day 2009 in Association with Via House
Our Thanks for Helping to Make A Very Special Evening
This year’s annual charitable event provided these members of our community, with a fascinating opportunity to experience the delights of Orkney folklore and music with Peat-Fire Tales at Via House.
Although tourists and Orkney folk alike visit this attraction, some of our people never have the chance.
Explore Orkney Day 2009 provided that opportunity. The PHAB Club depend upon voluntary funding.
A Fab Time for the PHAB Club
An Explorer’s Eye View
We met the PHAB Club members and welcomed them at 6pm. There was great excitement as our guests boarded J & V's Coach. We were going to the Merkister Hotel for a light supper.
The trip there was enjoyable and there was a constant buzz of chatter. We arrived at the Merkister around 6,30pm. Lorna and staff from the Merkister greeted us and made us feel most welcome. They had their dining room ready for us, very warm and inviting. Many of our guests had not been there before.
The views from the dining room were beautiful as the evening was calm and there was a beautiful view of the loch. The staff served our supper very fast and efficiently, nothing appeared to be too much trouble. The food was lovely and we finished off with a coffee. The members of the club appeared relaxed in this environment as nothing was rushed. We spent an hour there. Stephanie Davis our photographer for the evening took several photos as the evening progressed.
J & V Coaches collected us at 7.30pm and transported us to meet Lynn and John at Via House in Sandwick for an evening of Peat fire Tales, Music and Dance. Lynn and John met us and welcomed us off the bus and into their studio. Wow you could feel the atmosphere at once. There was a beautiful sight and smell of peats burning in the fire. The studio was very warm and atmospheric. Our guests quickly got seated, the music started. Steven the fiddler played his arrangements of tunes and John and Lyn welcomed everyone and started the performance.
The stories Lyn and John told were narrated with enthusiasm and character: they dressed for the part and used a variety of props. Lyn was very dramatic and engaged with our guests whilst performing, which kept everyone’s spellbound attention. Stevens fiddling was excellent.
The whole evening flowed and as the story progressed the last part was dancing which was cleverly linked to the last part of the story. Everyone who was able participated in old and traditional style dancing. Lyn and John interacted so well with our guests. Steven played, Stephanie photographed madly and everyone else either danced, clapped their hands or tapped their feet to the sound of the music. The smiles on everyone’s face suggested they had really enjoyed the evening. All too soon it was time to board the bus and return home. At Kirkwall we saw our guests off the bus thanked them all for coming and ensured that everyone had transportation home.
Special thanks have to go to J&V Coaches who very kindly transported us to our different locations. It was excellent and J & V Coaches were so accommodating and helpful.
Lorna and staff at the Merkister Hotel also need a special thank you as we took over their dining room for supper. Their service was excellent even though they were very busy. Staff were so helpful.
We cannot thank Via House enough for their entertainment and commitment to our event. Lynn and John were so enthusiastic and helpful.
Thanks as well to Stephanie our photographer who gave up her time to assist us to make this event memorable for The PHAB Club.
Also we need to thank Steven our musician for an excellent performance. His talents did not go unnoticed and his music enhanced the atmosphere. You could not help but tap your toe to his reels and marches. We need to also give thanks to The PHAB Club, to all the volunteers and carers who give up their time to facilitate their member’s attendance and enjoyment of this very rewarding evening.
This event was very successful and Explore Orkney would like to ensure that this can be done again which is only possible with the continued support of like minded kind people.
Finally, we are very grateful to all those good people of Orkney that made donations directly to the PHAB Club
Thank you.
Explore Orkney - event team
Principal Sponsors:
We are so very grateful to our sponsors for helping to make this memorable event.
Via house. Peat- fire Tales
"It was a very special experience to commit Via House resources to such a rewarding event. John and I thoroughly enjoyed contributing to such a happy evening for the PHAB Club people."
Lynn Babour
The Merkister Hotel - Harray
Web: www.merkister.com
J & V Coaches
Web: J & V Coaches
Event Management
Event Organiser
Susan Flett - Explore Orkney
Event Fundraising
Keith Flett - Explore Orkney
Event Team on the Day
Susan Flett - Senoir Event Manager (has an enhanced disclosure for working with vulnerable people)
Keith Flett: - Event Manager
Stephanie Davis - Photographer
Steven Flett - Entertainer
Kevin Flett - Administrative Support
