Christmas Light Switch on
This is always a well attended event and the perfect way to kickstart the festivities in Scalloway. The community is gifted a Christmas Tree each year from Norway and, since 2014, it stands outside the centre in Civic Square for everyone to see and enjoy. We also have lights that are put up across the street.
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Each year we ask a special member of our community to switch on the lights before we welcome everyone into the centre for music,mince pies, teas, coffees and mulled apple juice.
We have a Santa's Grotto and even have a visit from the big guy himself!
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The Christmas Lights across the street are put up by a group of volunteers and the
Christmas Tree is delivered by SIC Roads Department and a group of volunteers decorate
the tree. The lights on the lamp posts are put up by Peter from the SIC and none of this
would happen without the support of the Council and volunteers and it fairly brightens up the
village over the Festive period. The shops and businesses also decorate their premises and
windows and many of the lights around these businesses was donated by the Youth Centre.
The Co-op and Tesco supply some of the mince pies, yule log and ingredients for the mulled
apple juice and this is very much appreciated.
We have had great support from Scottish Sea Farms, Scalloway Community Council, some
fishing boats and businesses for helping with the costs of the lights and H. Williamsons &
Sons Ltd who connect the street lights to their main supply at no cost to the Centre.
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Festival Teas & Family Foy
On Fire Festival morning the Centre is open for tea, coffee and home bakes as the Jarl
Squad and Galley come into the Civic Square where the Galley is displayed all day. The Jarl
and his Squad visit the Centre where the Burra Preschool group congregate to meet the Jarl
and his squad along with other children, families and visitors. It is a great start to the Fire
Festival. This has been part of the programme for many years.
The Fire Festival Family Foy started in 2016 and is held on the afternoon of the Guizer’s
Return. This gives the children, young families and the elderly a chance to see The Jarl
Squad and some of the other squads that performed at the Fire Festival. There usually 5 or
six squads and it is a very entertaining afternoon, with some dancing and refreshments. In
2023 the Family Foy moved to the Scalloway Boating Club as the Centre was closed for
insulation and this is where the event is currently held.
The Big Lunch
The Big Lunch (Eden Project) is a regular event run by the Centre since June 2016. It is
about bringing the community together through friendship, food and fun. It is generally held
in June which is the Eden Project’s Month of Community and lots of events are held, our one
is the most northerly.
When weather permits we hold the event in the car park, we provide tables, chairs,
refreshments and people come with their own food and many share their food with others.
We have entertainment, music, sometimes live music and use the event to fundraise
through having tombola and roll a coin and much more.
The Centre also decorates the street with bunting in the summer months this is put up by a
group of volunteers. The bunting has been funded through Scalloway Community Council
and this is very much appreciated and it brightens up the street for the summer months.
