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13 May, 2008
Mareel on Social Networking Sites
IN RESPONSE to the letter containing over 100 signatures in support
of Mareel I’d like to draw your attention to some ‘social
networking’ websites relating to Mareel and the overwhelming support
that has been shown on them.
Mareel currently has profiles on each of the three main social
networking sites, MySpace, Bebo and Facebook.
I have gone through each social networking site and below have
highlighted the incredible number of supporters and supporting
comments that are being posted on the sites.
The comments on all sites offer a wide range of support from many
members of the community, local artists, ex Shetlanders and artists
from around the world.
I have provided this information to councillors and the public as I
am aware that there are many people who will not be members of
social networking sites and will not be aware of the substantial
support that Mareel is receiving online.
There have been rumours that these websites have been censored in
some way, and that negative comments have been removed. I’m a
regular visitor to these websites and can assure you that this is
not the case. As can be seen from Bebo, all questions have been
answered and ‘negative’ comments addressed. These websites were set
up to provide information, encourage debate and allow folk to ask
questions.
I hope those councillors who do read this letter will take the views
and comments left on these sites into consideration on Wednesday.
Just one last thing though, while writing this letter quite
ironically I visited the Bebo profile of a Shetlander who moved to
Glasgow a few weeks ago and was saddened to read their personal
introduction “i moved dwn t glasgow bout 6 wks ago an i am LUVIN IT
at pace... its great bein dwn here … cinemas were u can watch films
that hav just cum out instead o 4 months later wat else do u need”.
I’ll tell you what we need, WE NEED MAREEL!!
Best Regards
Daniel Robertson
daniel@youngshetland.info
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MySpace (www.myspace.com/mareelshetland)
MySpace is a website which is commonly used by musicians, as I write
this letter 490 people have registered their support for Mareel on
MySpace since Feb 2008
Musicians include many world famous artists who have played in
Shetland such as Phil Cunningham, Martin Taylor MBE, Eddi Reader and
Dougie MacLean, together with local artists such as Fiddlers’ Bid,
Catriona Macdonald, Jenna Reid, Vicky Gray, Garry Peterson and Young
Fiddler of the Year Maggie Adamson.
The full list of Mareel’s ‘friends’ on MySpace can be found at:
http://tinyurl.com/5fqju9
All the comments left on MySpace have been in support of Mareel.
They include….
Fiona Driver (fiddler, Orkney) – “…. looks great and I'd love to
play there when it's finished...good luck with completion!”
Shaun Christie (ex-pat musician, California) – “…. its blatantly
obvious Shetland needs a cinema and a decent venue and studio for
recording…. But [Shetland] most certainly needs a cinema and if it
can be a decent size music venue also then there’s no reason for it
not too go ahead!!!”
Duncan Chisholm (folk musician & fiddler from Wolfstone) – “All the
very best with this venue project. It looks amazing; I can't wait to
come to Shetland to play there. My very best wishes to you all”
Corrina Hewat (folk musician, The Borders) – “Good luck with this!
It's just what Shetland needs - we'll all be up to visit - just look
at all the messages below. More power to you!!!”
Neil Fatea (music reviewer, Dorset) – “Shetland has a great arts
history, fiddlers folk festival, why not a building for the future
generations”
Shoot The Messenger (Shetland band) – “One thing I always hear up in
Shetland is ‘what can we do, there is never anything to do’. This is
the one of the most major things Shetland lacks as opposed to the
mainland of Scotland. Shetland needs this. Deserves this... Good
luck. And may we rock the house when it’s up”
Kathryn Tickell (Northumbrian piper, fiddle player) – “Wahey!! When
can I come?” [to Mareel]
Dom Minasi (guitarist, New York) – “Anything that perpetuates the
arts & education, I am 100% for. Good Luck!”
Carol Kidd MBE (singer, Glasgow) – “I'm witcha!!!!!!! Let me know
when I can do a gig there!! Loadza luv, Carol”
Wallfield Dialogues (Aberdeen band with Shetland members) – “It's
been a llllllaaaaaannnnnnggggg wait fur dis te happen. Much looking
forward to the reality.”
Little Green Machine (Shetland band based in Edinburgh) - "Canna
wait. Roll on 2010.”
Steven Spence (fiddle player & music retailer, Unst) – “much needed
an GO-FUR-IM!”
Mark Laurenson (fiddle player, Bigton) – “Get the diggers in and
start laying da founds for Mareel now!!”
Lise Sinclair (Shetland singer, composer, poet and multi
instrumentalist, Fair Isle) – “It's going to be BRILLIANT! An no
afore time...”
Lauren McColl (fiddler & BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award winner in
2005, Glasgow) – “I'm ready!!!!!!!”
Jim Sutherland (Award winning producer, songwriter, composer and
multi-instrumentalist, Edinburgh) – “Wow this looks FAB! Good luck
with it!”
Jono Sandilands (music promoter and graphic designer, Shetland) –
“Lets get this show on the road already!”
A full list of comments can be found at the bottom of the Mareel
MySpace Page:
www.myspace.com/mareelshetland
Bebo (www.bebo.com/mareelshetland)
Bebo is a website used mainly by young people; currently 444 people
have registered their support for Mareel on Bebo since Feb 08.
There have been a lot of messages of support on this site too, and
some debate as to the value of Mareel. Comments include….
Lisa Johnston (Bass Guitarist, Bigton) – “Canna wait to see dis
place gettin underway! Will be amazin! Backin it aa da wy!”
Katey Jamieson (Shetlander living in Glasgow) – “…. looks like there
might just be something worth coming home for in the future! It’s
been a long time coming!”
Robin Atkinson (Lerwick) – “How can Shetland with all it's musical
talent, not have a designated music venue?!”
Lizzie Nicolson (drummer, Shetlander living in Glasgow) – “Mareel is
long overdue. Just had a peerie skoit at da plans an my heevins I'm
excited!! It will have my support all the way - so in true Mareel
fashion - "I'm Ready"”
Ben Mullay (Bigton) – “I think Mareel would be very beneficial to
Shetland and would enable our tradition of good music to continue
and flourish. Mareel would encourage visiting and local artistes
alike to perform here thus promoting one of Shetland's greatest
assets…. Mareel will provide a lasting legacy for future generations
to be proud of and ensure our musical heritage lives on.”
Gregg Arthur (Shoormal) – “I've played a variety of venues, and what
a world of difference they make to the musicians on stage and
audience's experience.
We have a theatre, yes, but it is a "theatre", and in my experience
not a great venue to play in and it's unsuitable for many genres of
music. Country halls and sports halls, likewise have shortcomings,
Ambience and appropriate acoustics are key to the overall experience
and are lacking in nearly all venues on the Islands. How many times
have you been to a gig and complained about the seating or sound???
…. I'm really glad to see rehearsal room space on the proposal -
something that is totally lacking in Shetland. With added scope to
use the facilities to train and educate, the multi-use concept is a
great idea. Hope we don't miss the external funding traunch. It's a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”
“Mabs” (Lerwick) - “….As an Island with a great musical heritage
renowned world wide the Mareel is a fantastic idea. I only hope this
idea comes into fruition very soon. I also feel the location is
ideal and someday we may have 'The Cultural Quarter' that some long
for.”
Greg McCarron (Shetlander living in Edinburgh) – “This is def not a
waste of money. Shetland already has excellent sports facilities -
it makes sense to provide equally good services for those interested
in the arts. Without venues like the Mareel young people will
continue to leave Shetland for education and entertainment.
Miriam Brett (Young Fiddler of the year 2007, Bressay) – “I'd just
like to say that this is a fantastic idea and i really hope it works
out! Shetland values its music so much and has so many dedicated
musicians and tutors that it seems odd that we do not have a place
to go and play. I also do not agree with any of the objections.
There is currently no set place that musicians can go and have a
tune. And people, who believe it is a waste of money from the
council, should see the amount wasted on the Bressay 'Bridge' that
isn't even here. THIS money would be going to something worthwhile.
It would be constantly used and appreciated.”
Andrew Gifford (Fiddlers Bid) – “A proper music venue could bring so
much good to Shetland - please let it happen!”
Katrina Powis (Lerwick) – “I am totally for Mareel & I really cana
understand why so many are against it goin ahead! …. Shetlands youth
have been craving something like this to come round and who knows it
might take some of the kids off the street and help them do somethin
valuable with their time. Give it a chance. Even the people who are
against might end up loving it! My support all da way!”
Facebook (www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7677224958)
Facebook is a site used mainly by young adults and 247 people have
registered their support for Mareel. If you are a Facebook member
you can access the group here:
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7677224958 |
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