peeriebryan

Obviously anyone has a right to walk around the perimeter and take photos, but I don't think it's unreasonable for the Site Manager to ask what they're doing. The Site Manager has overall responsibility for the Mareel site, personnel and related operations in surrounding areas and might well take interest in someone he doesn't know wearing a hi-vis vest walking around the boundaries (regardless of whether they're taking photos), particularly if they didn't answer his questions when he approached them. Re: Cllr. Wills' letter being removed from the Shetland Times last week - I have no idea why that happened either, but contacting Cllr. Wills' or the Shetland Times would probably be more productive than second guessing on Shetlink.

Ticket allocation limits are set by event promoters, not Box Office staff

Just had to remove some nasties from a friend's PC, and found the free version of 'Avast' to work well - http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download I've also had Microsoft's free tools recommended to me - http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.aspx ....or buy a Mac - sorry, I couldn't resist

Haven't contributed to this thread 'till now, but afore ye go... On the subject of social media, I think it's important to distinguish between one way and two way traffic, or more accurately, how folk can contact the SIC regarding information posted on social networks and/or how the SIC moderate any commentary. Its all very well to set up presences on a multitude of social networks to encourage two way communications, but unless careful thought is put into how they'll be updated, who will do it and the policies and procedures to guide their moderation, you could be opening a can of worms. For example, it would be great for the SIC to have a Facebook page where info bulletins are posted. However, if the SIC choose to allow folk to comment on Facebook posts in situ, someone from the SIC will regularly have to check the page and moderate discussions, respond to comments, remove spam, etc etc. It's much more straightforward to disable Facebook comments and provide a central email, phone number and address for people to contact. Also, in response to some earlier comments that using social networks is a drain on time and resources... it's straightforward to set up a system whereby whenever information is posted on the main SIC website, updates are automatically sent to social networks, email newsletters and text messages are sent to subscribers, and/or RSS feeds generated - each with a link back to the relevant page of the SIC website where feedback can be monitored and responded to. One data input point, multiple outputs across a range of mediums and one feedback point - that's the aim of the game. It's efficient in terms of staff time, its convenient for people to access info whichever way suits them and provides a straightforward and centralised method to garner feedback and respond to queries. And the above system(s) can be set up using widely used media for very little cost. Or you could pay millions

The list isn't, by any stretch of the imagination, comprehensive - 'twas just a few names that came to mind, and First Foot Soldiers had already been mentioned

Hi enkelt I know quite a few folk with studios in Shetland. If you PM me your kit list I'll put you in touch with some folk who might be interested in taking it off your hands (me included!)

A live recording of Fiddlers' Bid playing at the 2010 Shetland Folk Festival will be shown on STV at 11.10pm tonight

You beat me to it Davie!

Regarding the points made on disabled access, I know the folks at High Level Music well and I'm 100% sure that they, and Davie, will have made sure that anyone with a physical disability in the queue and unable to access the shop up the stairs will have been catered for.

In defence of Ally, he's 'kidding' and I presume he's referring to previous accusations that Shetland Arts staff get preferential treatment when it comes to ticket sales for gigs we're not involved with (which I can assure you isn't the case!)

For the record, the posts regarding Mumford and Sons tickets in the classifieds are from folk wanting tickets. I've removed one post from someone selling a ticket at way beyond face value, and the mods will continue to do so

Davie Gardner posted on Facebook that tickets will be on sale at High Level Music at 9am this Saturday

It's now available for viewing - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ymxzl/No_Sleep_Till_Yell_The_Shetland_Folk_Festival/

Here's a few gigging bands I can put you in touch with if you don't have contacts for them already Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag Hom Bru The Revellers Scaldin Bragg The Ramstams Jamieson's Big Pockets Rumshack Blues Band Briggiestanes Blues Band There's a few young bands (mostly under 18s) on the go too who haven't played many gigs. I'll let them know you're on the lookout

I looked into the possibility of such a website a few years back, had verbal agreements with some local groups and built a working prototype website - unfortunately the project was crippled by extortionate licensing fees (at one point, the MCPS appeared to be threatening to sue me on my own behalf). To cut a long story short, unless you're shifting many thousands of units it isn't really a viable commercial model. iTunes et al aren't interested in working with smaller groups or record companies, but there are many 3rd party companies who, for a fee, will act as go-betweens and get smaller groups onto the big download and streaming services (such as Glasgow based EmuBands and ReverbNation ). But, again, unless you're shifting thousands of units or achieving hundreds of thousands of 'streams', it's might not be worth the fees and paperwork. The diagram on this webpage gives an indication on how much artists can expect to earn from the various distribution methods - http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/2010/how-much-do-music-artists-earn-online/ Free on-demand streaming services such as Spotify were to some degree expected to level the playing field for smaller groups by giving the public free access to niche acts, genres and back catalogues via the same medium as the 'big name' singles - however, according to the regularly published statistics in the trade press the reality is that folk, given the choice and access to pretty much anything they want, still choose the current big names with multi-million pound marketing budgets that they're hearing on radio and TV daily. Which in a round about kind of way gets me back on topic! I know from working in record shops that the big selling top 10 albums pay the rent, but to offer the public some choice you have to take a gamble on what other stock to carry - tricky in Shetland as if you buy a more 'esoteric' CD from the distributors and none of your regulars buy it, it can sit on the shelves for years. Tescos don't bother about offering people choice - they just stock what they know is going to shift quickly and use their buying power to undercut the indie retailers and squeeze the artists further down the chain. Does that equate to customer choice? Unfortunately, if the consumer chooses not to have a choice, I suppose it does

I wonder just what such a rumour would do to Clive's trade. Could it make people start to feel guilty about deserting the best record shop in town?. I know I am feeling guilty enough to take a look there next time I am on the street. Inded JustMe. Clive has served Shetland well, and I wish him and his business well in the face of such stiff competition

Tread carefully here people - you're discussing a rumour and someone's livelihood

Good on dee Davie. A tough programming job no question (you can't please all the people all the time etc etc), and from the feedback I've had the vast majority seem delighted.

I think he was, to your other half Quick point of clarity, Shetland Arts is the client

^ The contract to build Mareel is on a fixed price, so no it won't affect the project costs I'm sure delays will have implications for the contractor but that's the contractor's business and a matter of commercial sensitivity. As the biggest contractor in Shetland, I think it's safe to say they have experience of similar weather related delays and have contingency in place

Electric or hot water? And it'll depend on quite a few factors such as how well insulated the rooms are, which direction the windows face and how sheltered the house is Here's some online calculators which should give you a rough idea. They'll all probably give you differing results but it'll give you a ballpark figure http://www.radcalcs.com/ http://www.theradiatorcompany.co.uk/heatoutput/ http://www.homesupply.co.uk/radiator_output_calculator.php

Info here - http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2011/01/21/mareel-opening-delayed-until-summer-after-weather-disrupts-building-work

Suprising that the whole thing now revolves around two repeat bookings with its success, how about the new generation on new young musicians....Maybe not the most adventurous choice of headliners, but given the wide variety of ages and nationalities who will be out and about, they're probably safe bets in terms of entertainment. There will, however, be plenty of young (and not so young!) local bands playing over the weekend too Good on you shetlandpeat! I'll let folk know about your kind offer

I have one. It's not top of the range (switches rather than drawbars), but it is a genuine double manual Hammond with footpedals and a built-in Leslie speaker I'll send you a PM sir!

The "Review of Instrumental Music Instruction in School" report is now available on the SIC website - http://www.shetland.gov.uk/coins/submissiondocuments.asp?submissionid=11726 It will be presented at the Services Committee meeting on Thursday Some notable points: