As part of the celebrations to mark the 25th annual Voar Redd Up, Shetland Amenity Trust is to open an exhibition in Da Gadderie at the Shetland Museum and Archives this Saturday, 5th May. The opening event will take place at 2pm in the Boat Hall and, in the spirit of Da Voar Redd Up, everyone is welcome to come along, join in and enjoy.
The Exhibition will be opened by Brian Gregson, Chair of Shetland Amenity Trust: “The main focus of the exhibition is a thank you to the many thousands of volunteers who have taken part year after year, without them Da Voar Redd Up would not be the success it is. As well as celebrating the volunteer's incredible achievements, the exhibition highlights some of the sources of litter, its potential effects and what can be done to reduce this. There is also plenty of archive material which we hope will spark a few memories and stories about Redd Ups past and present.”
Entertainment will be provided by The Donald Anderson Band, playing tracks from their recently released debut album "In Passing". The band's bass Guitarist, Rick Nickerson, was responsible for the very first Redd Up coordinated by the Trust and is thrilled to be involved with the celebrations to mark its 25th Year.
The winners of the Redd Up poetry competition will also be announced at the opening. With over 100 entries received, the Trust decided to award prizes in three categories: adult, secondary age and primary age, and display a selection of the best poems in the exhibition, along side those which won.
The exhibition will also re-launch "Dunna Chuck Bruck", Shetland's local anti-litter campaign. The Trust secured funding from Zero Waste Scotland Community Engagement Fund to re-launch the campaign following feedback from redd up groups, councillors, Community Councils and other local groups regarding increasing litter levels in the isles and requests to reinvigorate the "Dunna Chuck Bruck" Campaign.
Sita Goudie, Environmental Improvement Officer at Shetland Amenity Trust, said: “This exhibition is the ideal place to re-launch "Dunna Chuck Bruck". While it is fantastic that Da Voar Redd Up attracts so many volunteers it is disheartening for them to see that the bruck they gather is increasingly from islanders thoughtlessly discarding their rubbish. It is important that those enjoying our countryside, whether out for a walk, cycle or drive, remember to put their rubbish in a bin or take it home. On behalf of the thousands of volunteers who take part in Da Voar Redd Up, and the wildlife which can be harmed by litter, we would appeal to everyone, Dunna Chuck Bruck.”
Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to sign up to support the campaign and make suggestion on how to keep Shetland tidy. There is also a Facebook page for "Dunna Chuck Bruck" where users can log on and "Like" to receive updates.
Da Voar Redd Up exhibition will be in Da Gadderie until 17th June. For more information on Da Voar Redd Up or the "Dunna Chuck Bruck" campaign please contact Sita Goudie on 01595 694688 or email info@shetlandamenity.org.