New Chair at Shetland ForWirds

The dialect promotion group, Shetland ForWirds, has a new convener and vice-convener following its recent AGM.

Writer and former teacher, Laureen Johnson is now leading SFW, with Eileen Brooke-Freeman elected as the new vice-convener.

Both are founding members of the group which was formed in 2004 to take forward the recommendations of a conference on the Shetland dialect held that year.

Laureen has been vice-convener since then and has played a vital role in developing the use of dialect in schools. SFW has welcomed the opportunity to work closely in partnership with the local authority’s education service. Laureen sees this educational initiative as the priority for SFW and vitally important for the survival of the dialect.

Eileen Brooke-Freeman was initially involved with SFW representing the Shetland Amenity Trust on the committee. Eileen is the Trust’s Place Names Project Officer so the dialect is an integral part of her daily working life.

Both are enthusiastic about SFW’s future plans to ensure that Shetland remains a lively spoken tongue throughout the community.

Report from Mary Blance