Meet the Hymhus Team

  • Alex Green

    BC PROJECT OFFICER - CATERING & SUSTAINABILITY

    Having recently left the armed forces, Alex brings a wealth of experience of project management, organisational skills and positive energy to Bigton.

    He brings a love of the outdoors, ultra-running, community life and a passion for good coffee.

  • Jonathan Ritch

    BC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

    Jonathan Ritch is a well-known Shetland musician, sound engineer and facilities manager with many years' experience at Shetland Arts as the Production & Facilities Lead at Mareel.

    He is also a busy father, closet poet, lapsed gardener and avid record collector.

  • Theresa Tate

    BC PROJECT OFFICER (MATERNITY)

    Growing up in Bigton, Theresa has had a strong connection to the kirk building her whole life. She is an experienced primary school teacher, seasoned traveller and Polycrub enthusiast.

    She is currently singing sweet lullabies on maternity leave.

  • Shona Main

    BC CHAIR

    Dr Shona Main is a filmmaker who recently completed a film-making practice PhD based on the non-extractive ethical practice of attending, listening and taking time to build and sustain kin and community. A founding director of DCA, Shona has a wealth of experience in the governance of arts and education bodies. Visually impaired, she sees and thinks about the world differently.

    Shona brings care, fun and insight into all that we do. She leads the Bigton Writers' Group and also felts an exquisite selkie.

  • Alice Ritch

    BC SECRETARY & ANCHOR TENANT

    Alice’s belief in the power of music to change people’s lives is at the heart of the Hymhus project. With strong family ties to the building she has a deep connection and commitment to the development of Hymhus as a community hub.

    Alice loves learning, doodling, walking the hills and dancing in the kitchen.

  • Laura Whittall

    BC VICE CHAIR

    Laura is one of Bigton’s most dedicated and inspirational community volunteers. She is a former nurse and Alzheimer Scotland co-ordinator and runs the Soothend Walkers group.

    Laura’s scrumptious home bakes are often enjoyed at Friday Friends and she is a key member of the soprano section of the Bigton Singers.

  • Yvonne Tait

    BC DIRECTOR

    Yvonne is a crofter, poet, visual artist and award winning short-story writer with a knack of capturing beautiful moments and finding just the right words for all our ups and downs.

    Yvonne leads our Friday Friends craft and felting activities, sings alto in the Bigton Singers and plays a mean game of hockey.

  • Deepa Shah

    BC DIRECTOR

    Basket-weaver extraordonaire, Deepa is a highly skiilled craftswoman who is passionate about the continuation of traditional skills.

    She is also a keen Samba Drummer and works as a local GP supporting social prescriptions and a holistic approach to health care that is embedded in the community.

  • Sarah Green

    BC DIRECTOR

    Sarah has recently moved back to Bigton after studying and living in England. She works as an Environmental Project Manager and is also passionate about the Bigton community and developing the perfect Café experience.

    Sarah also sings a beautiful descant.

  • Alex Armitage

    BC DIRECTOR

    As a passionate environmental activist, Alex brings boundless energy for making the world a greener, fairer and more hopeful place. His creative sign painting skills make arrival at Hymhus more welcoming and stylish.

    Alex regularly cycles to Lerwick where he works as a Consultant Paediatrician and inspires us all with his commitment to active travel. Alex also volunteers at Bigton Band and has recruited a new generation of rounders players.

  • Gus Dow

    SAMBA BAND LEADER

    Gus served his time in the Edinburgh Samba Band and has brought his love of infectious rhythms to Bigton. As a talented craftsman and joiner he also built all his own drums.

    When he's not baking the best bread in Shetland at the Bigton Weekend Bakery, he plays percussion in the Gypsy/Klezmer folk band Odesa.

  • Annalie Irvine

    BIGTON BAND TUTOR

    Multi-instrumentalist Annalie inspires and teaches all our young string players. She runs the Shetland Youth Orchestra and is a regular soloist with the Shetland Community Orchestra.

    Annalie leads local Gypsy/Klezmer folk band Odesa on vocals, accordion and violin.

  • Molly Budge

    SEASONAL PROJECT WORKER

    Molly also grew up in Bigton and we were lucky to have her home looking after the Under the Surface exhibition in 2024 after a year at Edinburgh College studying music.

    Amongst her many talents is her incredible, soulful singing voice which sounds sublime in the Hymhus acoustics.

  • Jenny Sturgeon

    SONGWRITERS GROUP TUTOR

    Jenny is a Shetland-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist. Regularly writing and performing with a range of acclaimed bands and projects including Salt House, Birdvox and Herkja.

    When she's not busy touring or recording she may be spotted cycling ower the hill to join the Straw Makers.

  • Vaila Irvine

    PIANO TUTOR

    We are delighted that Vaila is going to be joining us to teach piano at Hymhus on Tuesday evenings.

    She brings an infectious enthusiasm for all things musical - including Hymhus bell ringing!

Amazing Volunteers

Amazing Volunteers

Bigton has a strong tradition of volunteering and Bigton Collective supported over 50 volunteers in the past year.

We are so grateful to everyone who contributes and supports Hymhus.

Volunteer Event

Young Volunteers

We are very proud of the young volunteers who support us at Bigton Band and in the Proil Shop. We are members of the Saltire Scheme which is a great way to recognise their dedication.

Governance

Bigton Collective is governed by a diverse board of seven directors. Our legal status is a Company Limited by Guarantee, and we are also a registered charity. We currently employ two members of staff and support a number of freelance projects and part-time project workers.

Bigton Collective is a place-based organisation and members of the board must reside in the area of Bigton which is home to around 300 people. This ensures that the emphasis on the local area is led by the people who have the deepest stake in the future of the area and who call it home. It also means that the people guiding the organisation are more likely to continue to support the long-term viability and continuation of the Hymhus vision.

Full membership of our organisation is open to anyone who resides in Bigton and associate membership is available to anyone, anywhere in the world. An annual report is presented each year at the AGM.

Youth Membership is also encouraged and our Youth Forum offers an opportunity for young voices to be heard.

AGM & Music Quiz 2024

Advisors

  • Esther Roberton

    ADVISOR - GOVERNANCE

    Esther is an expert in civic, corporate and constitutional governance and a passionate advocate for ethical, pragmatic, well informed governance that serves communities well.

    Esther recently led a community session in Bigton on roles and responsibilities of governance. As Shona says, “Esther has a gift for making the seemingly dull seem vital and interesting.”

  • Michael Zane

    ADVISOR - FINANCE

    Michael is an experienced chartered accountant based in London and is currently Head of Financial Planning and Business Partnering with the medical research charity LifeArc.

    Michael is a big fan of the Hymhus acoustics having performed the Bach double with Annalie and Alice at the Sunday Star!

  • Douglas Westwater

    SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SUPPORT

    Douglas and his team at Community Enterprise have provided invaluable advice and encouragement throughout the Hymhus project.

    He has worked with a number of Shetland organisations and has supported many successful community projects across the whole of Scotland.

  • Professor Stuart Cross

    MENTOR TO THE CHAIR

    Professor Stuart Cross is Emeritus Professor of Charity and Law at the University of Dundee. He has extensive experience of charity law and is a board member of OSCR.

    Shona says, "Having sat alongside Stuart on DCA and Dundee University Students' Association boards, I'm a great admirer of his ability to comfortably confront often difficult realities and inspire confidence and trust by being honest and up front."

Since the conception of the Hymhus project we are very grateful to have benefitted from the wisdom, help and encouragement of many people. In particular, the opportunity to be part of the Launch Me enterprise scheme was hugely helpful and our Community Development Officers Ana Arnett and Frances Browne and the SIC Economic Development department continue to provide valuable guidance.

We have also been hugely inspired and our organisation continues to benefit greatly from advice and connections with many of our fellow charities and social enterprises in Shetland, all of whom have paved the way for new initiatives and have been immutably kind and encouraging: Bigton Community Hall, Bigton Community Enterprise, Shetland Arts, Ability Shetland, The Bop Shop, Voluntary Action Shetland, Unst Partnership, GAADA, COPE, Bressay Development, CDCN, NCDC, NYDC, Scalloway Youth and Community Centre to name a few. Their generosity, hard work and commitment is of such great value to the Shetland community.

We are also fortunate to have the expertise of Orkney-based accountants Scholes Chartered Accountants overseeing our finances.