This year, the weather was much kinder to us than in 2005 and the crowds were drawn to our revised village layout with central barbecue and lots of seating where they could relax and listen to live music from Hullion.

All of last year's food and drink companies exhibited again, and the products of four additional food companies were represented.  Last year's art gallery gave way to an impressive showcase of Orkney hand-made furniture. Two 27 square metre showrooms were created to highlight the work of Fraser Anderson's traditional hand crafted furniture and, in the second showroom, a selection of fine furniture from Sui Generis was on display.  Happily, both enjoyed a good deal of interest, securing orders and sales at the show.

Entertainment was once again provided by Hullion who proved immensely popular with the crowds - and other exhibitors.  Some of the bar staff at the hotel Hullion were staying at  changed their shifts to be on duty when the group returned from the show to enjoy an impromptu performance or two.

Other attractions in the village were chair making demonstrations by Fraser Anderson and crab shucking demonstrations at the Orkney Fishermen's Society stand, which was very popular. "Many people have become so used to buying dressed crab that they overlook the enjoyment that can be had from taking apart a delicious whole cooked brown crab", says Stewart Crichton of Orkney Fishermen's Society at Stromness. "There's also a fear of not knowing which bits to eat and which to discard and that's why we believe this demonstration will be so popular."

Next stop for the Orkney Village is the CLA Game Fair at Broadlands, Hampshire from 28-30 July, where we hope to create a similar impact.