A slice of history

A bakery opened during the First World War specifically to feed the Royal Navy squadrons that bunkered at Busta Voe in Shetland is celebrating 100 years of active service.

In 1915, the Voe Bakery became central to the operations of a blockade to prevent merchant ships from neutral countries getting supplies to Germany.

Providing bread – always white unsliced – and ship biscuits, the small but efficient business in Voe quickly became popular with the hundreds of men based on the island and is now celebrating a century in business.

On Saturday 23 May, in the heart of Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink 2015, members of the Shetland community will descend on the village of Voe for a day of centenary celebrations to formally mark this momentous day in the island’s history. Activities will involve local schools, community groups and businesses and will include live music, stalls, exhibitions, food and drink.

On Sunday 24 May, a special wreath-laying will take place, followed by a service in the Voe Kirk to remember all those who lost their lives in the Great War.

Voe Bakery was just part of a large thriving centre a hundred years ago which comprised of fishing drifters, knitting and weaving sheds and a carpentry workshop for making boat and farm equipment.

The whole enterprise was owned by the firm T. M. Adie and Sons, probably best known for providing the Shetland Wool jumpers worn by mountaineers Tensing Norgay and Edmund Hillary as they became the first men to conquer Mount Everest in 1953. Descendants of the Adie family will be attending the centenary celebrations.

Tracey Thompson, Voe Bakery Office Manager, said:

“We are so proud of our bakery and even more so now we’ve reached our centenary year. It is an important part of the community and it will be great to see old and young come together to celebrate this momentous occasion as well as commemorate those involved in that difficult time. Of course our range has expanded a great deal from white sliced bread and ship biscuits but there can’t be many places in the UK still doing the same thing as a hundred years ago and still taste so good!”

Dr Ian Tait, Curator of Shetland Museum, said:

“Up to 100 years ago, most people in Shetland had their own crops and were making their own bread – that was a main food source. The bakeries were created following the boom in the fisheries in the late 19^th Century. When the Navy set up their base in the North West corner of Shetland, they needed a supply of foodstuffs – mainly bread and beef. T. M. Adie was a very forward-thinking firm which was always looking out for a new commercial outlet and was able to supply large quantities of both.

“At any one time, there were 50 ships at the base, with thousands of sailors to feed, and Adie’s contract saw them supplying thousands of white loaves and up to two dozen cattle a week to the Navy. Although not a Navy bakery, it was an operation whose genesis was entirely due to a war being on. Afterwards, as we moved into a cash economy, the bakery adapted to changing consumer needs and continues to this day. It’s a remarkable story and I’d like to congratulate the bakery on its 100^th anniversary.”

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said:

“Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink has uncovered some truly astonishing culinary stories from across the country, but none as hugely interesting and important as this – the 100-year-old bakery in Voe which was part of our war effort.”

“It is the fascinating people, their memories, heritage and culture that make Scotland what it is and attracts and amazes visitors from all over the world. We wish the bakery a very happy birthday and look forward to another century of delicious bread and banter!”

Johnson & Wood – Da Voe Bakery are celebrating 100 years of business on Saturday 23 May, 2-7pm. A free park-and-ride service will be in operation from the Vidlin junction and the Voe hall. Disabled parking will be available at Lower Voe. The event will feature:

• Live music
• BBQ
• Hog Roast
• Various Stalls
• Jarl Squads from Delting and Nesting
• Tickets for the raffle will be on sale
  
  • 1st Prize is for dinner for four at the Hillswick Hotel Carvery
  • 2nd Prize is £100 cash
  • 3rd Prize is a bottle of Champagne
  • lots of other Prizes
  • All proceeds will be donated to local charities

Live music will also be at the Pierhead Restaurant and Bar from 9pm onwards.

On Sunday 24 May at 11am there will be a wreath laying at the old Kirk yard, followed by a service in the Voe Kirk at 12 noon. Raffle will be drawn at 1pm on Sunday.