Wireless Westray

After this week's community news and weather report with Steven Drever, Ailsa Seatter catches up with fellow former Tuesday Night Singers - Liz Drever and Jan Stephenson. Tune in to hear some of the group's old recordings and fond memories of the Westray singing group.

Ep 30 - Tuesday Night Singers After this week's community news and weather report with Steven Drever, Ailsa Seatter catches up wit

Ep 29 - Stronsay Day Trip Thinking of visiting Stronsay on the trip day 25th July? Not sure what to do, where to go, or what's

Thinking of visiting Stronsay on the trip day 25th July 2021? Not sure what to do, where to go, or what's open? Then listen in to this episode! Wireless Westray's Ailsa Seatter interviews guest speaker Iain Cooper from Stronsay so you know how to make the most of your visit.

Speakers: Isobel Thompson, Ailsa Seatter, and Iain Cooper.

Ep 29 - Stronsay Day Trip Thinking of visiting Stronsay on the trip day 25th July? Not sure what to do, where to go, or what's

This week Wireless Westray host Ailsa Seatter is joined by guest John Fordyce to speak about his 30 years in Westray. Listen in for stories about teaching, knickers and gardens! This week's community news is brought to you by Gina Rendall.

Speakers: Gina Rendall, Ailsa Seatter, and John Fordyce.

Ep 28 - John Fordyce: An Island Life This week Wireless Westray host Ailsa Seatter is joined by guest speaker John Fordyce to speak about

Visiting Sanday this weekend? Want to know what will be open and what you can do? (other than for Westray to win the football match of course 😝) Then this episode is for you! Following the latest community news with Steven Drever, Isobel Thompson is joined by guest speaker, Sanday tour guide, Uta Clackson to share some top tips for visiting the island.

** We've just recieved word that the Lifeboat Guild WILL be able to do a BBQ for the footballers in the carpark by the pitch **

After recording we also recieved word that the Sanday Heritage Centre will be open 9.30am - 12.30pm and 2pm - 4.30pm this Sunday so make sure to stop by to visit their exhibitions on Natural History, Archaeology, WW1, Farming, and the sea. There are also temporary displays on Sanday Shipwrecks and the Scuttling of the German Fleet.

Speakers: Isobel Thompson, Steven Drever, and Uta Clackson.
Sanday Development Trust

Ep 27 - Sanday Trip Day Heading out to Sanday on Sunday? Curious about what's open and what you can do in Sanday? Then this

Ep 26 - Westray Walkabout Part 3 This week we have the final installment of our mini Westray Walkabout series with guest speakers Ros

In Part 2 of Westray Walkabout; Ailsa Seatter and guest Ross McIntyre are back to discuss the part of the walk from Aikerness to Rapness as recorded by Ross' father Peter when he walked around the entire island in one day on Regatta Day 1967. Gina Rendall also shares the latest community news. See you again in two weeks' time for the final Westray Walkabout episode with another special guest.

Speakers: Gina Rendall, Ailsa Seatter, and Ross McIntyre.

Ep 25 - Westray Walkabout Part 2 In Part 2 of Westray Walkabout; Ailsa Seatter and guest Ross McIntyre are back to discuss the part o

In Part 1 of 'Westray Walkabout' Ailsa Seatter welcomes back guest speaker Ross McIntyre to read and discuss his father's (Peter McIntyre) book 'Westray Walkabout'. The book centers on the regatta day in 1967 when Peter McIntyre walked all the way around Westray in one day, and in his own words records the sights and experiences along the route. This week covers the coastal walk from Mae Sands towards the Links. Gina Rendall also shares the latest community news. See you again in twa weeks time for part 2!

Speakers: Gina Rendall, Ailsa Seatter, and Ross McIntyre.

The book can be purchased from Westray Heritage Centre for £5 https://www.westrayheritage.co.uk/product/westray-walkabout/?doing_wp_cron=1620373257.6189410686492919921875

Ep 24 - Westray Walkabout Part 1 In Part 1 of 'Westray Walkabout' Ailsa Seatter welcomes back guest speaker Ross McIntyre to read and

Ever wondered about the peedie house at the end of Mae Sands? Interested to hear a peedie bit about the Westside's history? Then this episode is for you! Ailsa Seatter welcomes guest speaker Ross McIntyre to speak about the Laird's Hut and let you know the Wireless Westray programme for the next few episodes. Isobel also reads the latest community news.

Speakers: Isobel Thompson, Ailsa Seatter, and Ross McIntyre.

Episode 23 - The Laird's Hut This episode Ailsa welcomes guest speaker Ross McIntyre to speak about 'The Laird's Hut' and a peedi

Wireless Westray updated their website address.

The focus of this week's episode is some of Westray's Poetry. Graham Garson, Gina Rendall, and Steven Drever meet for a yarn and to read some poems from Bertha Kent, Robert Rendall, and Jack Cooper. Ailsa Seatter read the latest community news and the blooper reel returns. We'll back again in two weeks time.

Speakers: Isobel Thompson, Ailsa Seatter, Graham Garson, Gina Rendall, and Steven Drever.

Ep 22 - Westray Poetry The focus of this week's episode is some of Westray's Poetry. Graham Garson, Gina Rendall, and Steve

Our stats say our biggest fans are in Orkney (as expected) but we also have listeners across Scotland, Norway and the US!

Let us know in the comments below where you’re listening from and why you enjoy listening in to Wireless Westray, we want to hear from Westray folk too as we approach our 1 year anniversary 🥳

We're back with part 2 of the 1983 Baptist social! We have more choir music and duets, some songs from the 'youngeens' in 1983, and a poem from the minister.

Many thanks to John Banks for extracting the recording of the February 1983 Baptist Social from a cassette tape so that we could share it with you today. Please bear in mind that it is a 'home recording' from 1983 so the audio isn't as clear as we can manage in 2021 and it does jump a little but that just adds to the retro feel! If you have any old recordings you think we should share please get in touch. Enjoy :)

Speakers: Isobel Thompson (2021), Ailsa Seatter (2021), and Jim Brown (1983).

Episode 21 - 1983 Baptist Social Part 2 This week's episode is part 2 of our blast from the past and a bit of Westray musical heritage. In

We've had 40 different volunteer speakers/singers on the podcast so far!

We've got a very important topic for you this week. We were pleased to welcome local GP Dr David Mazza onto the podcast to answer questions about the vaccine and how the vaccination programme is working in Westray. What is in the vaccine? Which vaccine do we have in Westray? How is the vaccination programme working in Westray? Why is it so important we all get vaccinated? Tune in to find out.

And after a quiet start to the year Ailsa is back with our news segment!

We're confident that we can say on behalf of the Westray community to the whole team at Westray Surgery thank you so much for all your hard work this past year. As Steven says at the end of the episode we'll never be able to truely show just how grateful we are, but we will certainly try.

Speakers: Steven Drever, Ailsa Seatter, and Dr David Mazza

Ep 20 - Westray COVID-19 Vaccinations This week Steven Drever asks one of Westray GPs Dr David Mazza all about the COVID-19 vaccine and ho

Guess who thought it was Thursday today and forgot to edit & publish this week's episode! ✋ Episode 20 will be published tomorrow folks but it's worth the wait so stay tuned 😊

- Isobel (the forgetful podcast editor)

This week's episode is a blast from the past and a bit of Westray musical heritage. Many thanks to John Banks for extracting the recording of the February 1983 Baptist Social from a cassette tape so that we could share it with you today. Please bear in mind that it is a 'home recording' from 1983 so the audio isn't as clear as we can manage in 2021 and it does jump a little but that just adds to the retro feel! If you have any old recordings you think we should share please get in touch. Enjoy!

Speakers: Isobel Thompson (2021), Ailsa Seatter (2021) and Jim Brown (1983).

Ep 19 - 1983 Baptist Social Part 1 This week's episode is a blast from the past and a bit of Westray musical heritage. Many thanks to John Banks for extracting the recording of the February 1983 Baptist Social from a cassette tape so that we could share it with you today. Please bear in mind that it is a 'home recording' from 1983 so...

It's Westray vs Glasgow in this week's dialect challenge! We're pleased to welcome Martin Donaghey this week and welcome back regular speakers Gina Rendall, Steven Drever, and Isobel Thompson. We have no news segment this time but tune in to guess the meaning of these dialect phrases with us.

Speakers: Isobel Thompson, Gina Rendall, Steven Drever, and Martin Donaghey.

Episode 18 - Dialect Challenge 2 It's Westray vs Glasgow in this week's Dialect Challenge! We're pleased to welcome our new speaker Martin Donaghey and welcome back Wireless Westray regulars Gina Rendall, Steven Drever, and Isobel Thompson. Tune in and try to guess the meaning of these dialect words/phrases with us. Speakers: Isobe...

It's Wireless Westray's virtual 2021 Burn's Night! We hope you have your haggis, neeps and tatties prepared to celebrate the life of Robert Burns through music, songs, poetry, and toasts.

We had a full house this week so a huge thank you to all our speakers, singers, musicians, and volunteers!

Speakers/singers: Iain MacDonald, Graham Garson, Steven Drever, Ailsa Seatter, Edith Costie, Callum Penn, Allan Forrester, and Isobel Thompson.

Musicians: Jake Hutchison (accordion), Kathleen Drever (accordion), Ailsa Seatter (accordion), Graham Garson (fiddle) and his family Doreen (piano), Vela & Josie (fiddles), and Elsa (bass).

Ep 17 - Burns Night 2021 Welcome to our 2021 virtual Burn's Night. We hope you have your haggis, neeps and tatties prepared to enjoy some poetry, songs, and speeches. Thank you to all our lovely speakers, singers, musicians, and volunteers! Speakers/Singers: Isobel Thompson, Graham Garson, Iain MacDonald, Steven Drever, Ail...

Hmmm what could the theme of this week's episode be? 🎼🎙

Happy New Year Westray! We're back with our first episode of 2021 with the apt theme of 'New Beginnings' in this week's episode we have the latest community news as well as a preview into some of the exciting new ventures coming up in 2021 in Westray. We're pleased to welcome guest speakers Paul and Adam Tulloch to speak on their new fishing boat, as well as guest speaker Rebekah Wilson on the new Saintear Bistro.

Speakers: Isobel Thompson, Ailsa Seatter, Paul Tulloch, Adam Tulloch, and Rebekah Wilson.

Episode 16 - New Beginnings Happy New Year Westray! To start off 2021 Wireless Westray brings you the latest community news and a preview of some of the exciting new ventures that will be taking place in 2021 in Westray. We are pleased to welcome guest speakers Paul and Adam Tulloch to speak about their new fishing boat, we ar...

Hello! This week we've got community news with Ailsa, listen in to find out about Westray Development Trust's new Board and the success of the RNLI fridges!

Then we have guest speakers Team Westray (Penn & Wilson) vs Team Papay (Dodman & Rendall) testing their Orkney and Christmas general knowlege in a festive quiz. Who will win? Listen in to find out! Let us know how you do in the quiz and whether you manage to beat the winning team.

Thank you Ailsa and Gemma for coming up with the quiz questions!

Ep 15 - Festive Quiz - Westray vs Papay In this week's episode following community news with Ailsa, team Westray (Penn & Wilson) compete against team Papay (Dodman & Rendall) in a festive quiz! Test your Orkney and Christmas knowlege and see if you can beat the winning team.

Some Wireless Westray stats!
🎙14 episodes so far
🎙Over 2500 online downloads
🎙CDs posted to 9 Westray housholds and to Kalisgarth
🎙25 different speakers so far, 21 currently Westray resident
🎙13 different topics
🎙8.39 hours of audio published
🎙We've been going for 7 months now!
🎙Available on 6 different platforms - Spreaker.com, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Castbox and on CD.

Thank you everyone for listening, we hope you've enjoyed the podcast so far. If you have any suggestions of topics you would like the podcast to feature please let us know :)

This week's episode is all about Harvest Home and dancing! We're pleased to welcome Margaret Tulloch as our guest speaker this week and feature music from the former Young Westray Band as well as John P and his band.

There's community news from Ailsa, the blooper reel is back, and we have the FINAL chapter of the Westray Storm Witch read by Mike Cooper. A huge huge thank you to Mike for being willing to record the whole book for us on Wireless Westray it has been very much appreciated. You can purchase your own paperback copy of the Storm Witch from Westray Heritage Centre

Speakers: Steven Drever, Ailsa Seatter, Gina Rendall, Margaret Tulloch and Mike Cooper.

Ep 14 - Harvest Home This week's episode is all about Harvest Home and dancing! We're pleased to welcome guest speaker Margaret Tulloch and feature music from the former Young Westray Band and from John P and his band. We've got community news with Ailsa, the blooper reel is back and we have the final chapter of the Sto...

We've got lots of information for you today on episode 13 of Wireless Westray! Ailsa has the latest community news and we ask your questions about the proposed Faray Wind Farm project to Orkney Islands Council's Sweyn Johnson. To finish up we have the penultimate chapter of the Storm Witch read by Mike Cooper in which things aren't looking good for Janet!

Speakers: Isobel Thompson, Ailsa Seatter, Sweyn Johnson, and Mike Cooper.

Ep 13 - Faray Wind Farm Project In this week's episode we put Wireless Westray listener questions to Orkney Islands Council's Sweyn Johnson about the proposed wind farm on the island of Faray. Ailsa has the latest community news and Mike Cooper reads the penultimate chapter of the Storm Witch. Speakers: Isobel Thompson, Ailsa Seat...

Next week we'll be interviewing OIC about the proposed Faray wind farm project! What burning questions do you want answered? Comment below or send us a message.

Happy Halloween!

We have a shorter episode this week for you. Steven reads two Westray ghost stories, Ailsa brings the latest news and Mike Cooper reads the next chapter of the Storm Witch. There are also some bloopers at the end to show it's not always Gina bloopers!

Speakers: Isobel Thompson, Ailsa Seatter, Steven Drever and Mike Cooper.

Ep 12 - Westray Ghost Stories This week Steven tells us two Westray ghost stories, Ailsa has the latest community news and Mike Cooper brings us chapter 10 of the Storm Witch in which things aren't looking good for Janet! Speakers: Isobel Thompson, Ailsa Seatter, Steven Drever and Mike Cooper.

In this episode Gina returns (wahoo!) and is joined by Hume Sweet Hume's Lizza Bain to discuss how the Westray business got started, how 2020 has been for them, and some plans for the future. We also have a bumper news segment from Ailsa with lots of WDT news, and the latest chapter of 'The Storm Witch' read by Mike Cooper. We also have the return of our blooper reel!

The episode has had to be marked 'explicit' as The Storm Witch has some swearing.

Speakers: Isobel Thompson, Ailsa Seatter, Gina Rendall, Lizza Bain and Mike Cooper.

Ep 11 - Hume Sweet Hume In this episode we have a bumper news segment from Ailsa with lots of Westray Development Trust news. After that Gina is joined by Hume Sweet Hume's Lizza Bain to talk about the Westray business, how it all started, their 2020 experience, and future plans for the knitwear-based business. To finish w...

We were featured on Radio Orkney this morning! If you missed it you can catch up by clicking on the link below.
https://www.mixcloud.com/radioorkney/around-orkney-friday-2nd-october-2020/

Good morning Westray! We're back again with community news and another dialect episode, a favourite topic of ours at Wireless Westray. This week guest speaker Karen Penn, of Westraak Tours, has joined us to speak about her dialect tale 'Geordie o'Pizzlewusp'. Then to finish up we have the latest chapter (7) of the Storm Witch for you read by Mike Cooper.

Due to COVID-19 rules we record each podcast online using Zoom. So occasionally when we're experiencing broadband issues there are sound clitches so apologies for that!

Speakers: Steven Drever, Ailsa Seatter, Isobel Thompson, Karen Penn and Mike Cooper.

Ep 10 - Geordie O'Pizzlewusp - Dialect Tale In episode 10 of Wireless Westray we're once again discussing dialect, a favourite topic of ours, but this time we're pleased to be joined by guest speaker Karen Penn to discuss her dialect story 'Geordie o'Pizzlewusp'. To finish up we have the latest chapter (7) of the Storm Witch read by Mike Coop...

This week we are a over the moon to be joined by Alena Tulloch and Donna Rendall, two of the Bisgeos Run organisers. While the bi-annual event was unfortunatley cancelled this year due to COVID-19 you can reminise about the day and find out which records you need to beat in 2022!

Speakers: Steven Drever, Ailsa Seatter, Alena Tulloch and Donna Rendall.

Ep 9 - Bisgeos Run This week following community news with Ailsa, Steven is joined by two of the Westray Bisgeos Run organisers - Donna Rendall and Alena Tulloch. Sadly the Bisgeos Run was cancelled this year due to COVID-19 but will be rescheduled for August 2022. To finish we have Chapter 6 of the Storm Witch read b...

SURPRISE! We've got some bonus content for you today with more music from The Chippy Band and The Rays. The Chippy Band pieces are all instrumental while The Rays focused on Christian songs. Both Westray bands were active between the 1960s and 80s. Thanks again to Kathleen Drever for once again joining us to help share the music and stories of both bands. We recommend you listen to episode 8 before this one.

https://www.spreaker.com/user/12570168/episode-8-5-bonus-the-chippy-band-the-ra

Ep 8.5 BONUS - The Chippy Band & The Rays Wireless Westray - Wireless Westray is a community podcast for the island of Westray, Orkney. Our podcast is another way for our community to keep up to date with the latest island news and community stories and help us all stay connected during the lockdown.

This week we have some Westray musical heritage content for you from the 1960s-80s. Guest speakers Kathleen Drever and Isabell Harcus have joined us for a yarn about popular Westray bands The Chippy Band and The Rays.

Thanks to John Banks for his work preserving the bands' old cassette recordings which means we have been able to play you some Chippy Band and Rays music today.

We also have community news from Ailsa and Chapter 5 of the Storm Witch, read by Mike Cooper, in which things are beginning to get perilous for Janet!

Westray Heritage Centre Westray Connections

https://www.spreaker.com/user/12570168/episode-8-the-chippy-band-the-rays

Ep 8 - The Chippy Band & The Rays This week as well as community news we have some musical heritage content for you from the 1960s-80s with guest speakers Kathleen Drever and Isabell Harcus joining us for a yarn about the Chippy Band and The Rays. We also have two untitled medleys by the Chippy Band and 'I'll meet you in the morning...

What could the theme of this week's episode be? 🤔

This week following community news we are joined by guest speakers Matthew, Michael, Teenie and Hannah Harcus, musicians and owners of the Westray music venue the Graand Owld Byre. They're joining us to speak about the Byre, how they got into music and the story behind the island favourite, the Westray Love Song. We also have the next instalment of the Storm Witch for you, Chapter 4 is read by Mike Cooper.

The Westray Love Song is featured with permission from Michael Harcus. Graand Owld Byre

https://www.spreaker.com/user/12570168/episode-7-westray-love-song

Ep 7 - Westray Love Song This week after community news we're joined by guest speakers Matthew, Michael, Teenie and Hannah Harcus, musicians and owners of Westray music venue the Graand Owld Byre. They're joining us to speak about the Byre, how they got into music and the story behind the island favourite, the Westray Love....

This week's episode clue is.... look who is joining us on Wireless Westray this week! Episode 7 will be published Friday (21st) morning. 🎼🎹🎤🎧🎸

Graand Owld Byre

Got a Westray topic you want to hear more about? Or there's something you'd like to join us on the podcast for a blether about? Let us know in the comments below and we can add it to our recording list (or bump it higher up in the list!)

Correction from Episode 5! In our Regatta episode I couldn't remember who won the sailing club Jakey cup in 2019 and had guessed Harry & Rory... turns out it was Louis and I! Oops - Isobel 🙊

Westray Sailing Club

In this episode community news with Ailsa is followed by a Westray Vs Newcastle dialect competition! Can resident Geordies Isobel Thompson and Robbie Fergus guess the meaning of some Orcadian phrases? Can Westray cousins Gina Rendall and Steven Drever guess the meaning of some Geordie ones? Listen and find out! We completely forgot our own rules so our competition turned into a bit of a free for all -oops! We also have the latest instalment of the Storm Witch with chapter 3 read by Mike Cooper. Enjoy :)

https://www.spreaker.com/user/12570168/episode-6-dialect-challenge_1

Episode 6 - Dialect Challenge In this week's episode, community news with Ailsa is followed by a Westray Vs Newcastle dialect competition! Can resident Geordies Isobel Thompson and Robbie Fergus guess the meaning of these Orcadian phrases? Can Westray cousins Gina Rendall and Steven Drever guess the meaning of some Geordie ones?...