Save ‘The Reel’, Orkney

We are calling upon your support in petitioning Orkney Island Council to take urgent action to save ‘The Reel’ from permanent closure…

‘The Reel’ situated in the centre of Kirkwall, Orkney, is a privately owned music school for all ages.

Its home is a large, prominent, characterful Georgian style former townhouse right next door to Kirkwall’s historic St Magnus Cathedral, where it neatly combines fully equipped teaching rooms, a licensed café bar with pavement seating area, performance and rehearsal spaces and Orkney’s only music shop.

Since its formation by The Wrigley Sisters in 2004, it has grown to become a highly popular, centre of education and community hub. It is a cultural asset to the Orkney community.

It is facing imminent closure because its activities are largely funded by its busy summer café/bar trade whose sales have been dealt a devastating blow by the global Covid-19 pandemic.

We believe ‘The Reel’ now needs public funding and new leadership to secure its future as the iconic and unique, wonderful living musical heritage site that it has become.

We ask you to help save it by petitioning Orkney Islands Council to adopt ‘The Reel’ into its Arts, Museums and Heritage Service, whose aims and objectives include the preservation of Orkney’s heritage.

As well as signing this petition, if you are an Orkney resident, you can also write directly to your Councillor on democratic.services@orkney.gov.uk using the subject title “Adopting ‘The Reel’ into Orkney’s Arts, Museums and Heritage Service”

Thank you for your support

Jennifer and Hazel Wrigley.