Residents of the North Mainland are being encouraged to come together on 3 November 2006, to reflect on the past and focus on the future at a specially organised event being held at Brae Hall and Youth Centre.

The event will provide a wide range of interesting information, materials and displays about how the oil era affected local communities when it came to the area in 1973.

Using this as a backdrop, local people are now being encouraged to identify opportunities for the future and think about what the area will be like in another 33 years - this time in 2039.

David Watson, development manager from Shetland Enterprise explained: "We are encouraging people to identify what their needs and aspirations are for the future - particularly in the fields of jobs, energy, housing, learning, transport, community and the environment.

"It is important that the community is proactive to ensure sustainability in the long-term and by looking at what was said in 1973 and asking people to consider how these plans developed, we hope to start to build up an accurate picture of how the next 33 years will evolve. Priorities and actions can then be planned by a focus group that will be formed after the event."

Young people are already involved by discussing a range of issues and topics and making plans for what they would like to see for their area in the future. Postcards inviting people to draw plans they would like to see developed have also been distributed throughout the area.

The event will showcase local food and drink and craft displays, and there will also be a cookery demonstration at 5pm. Soup and bannocks will be available from 12.30pm and local 'fast food' from 6pm. Entertainment, crèche and transport facilities are also being provided to encourage as many people as possible to come along and take part. Music will begin at 8pm.

The event will open at the Brae Hall at 12 noon throughout the day and into the evening of 3 November when local bands will round the day off.

For further information contact: 01595 744537.