Strachur and District Newsletter
MARCH NEWSLETTER
Primary Schoolchildren Hit the High Notes
Rowan Oxland, Arlene MacKechnie, Ross Spiers and Isabella Sumsion proudly pose for the Newsletter 
School pupils from Strachur, Dunoon and Lochgilphead have had great success in competitions recently held at the Inverclyde Music Festival. Strachur Primary School pupils picked up the first four slots in the Under 13’s solo Scots Fiddle section. First was Arlene MacKechnie; Isabella Sumsion came in second; third place went to Rowan Oxland, and Ross Spiers had success with fourth place. Impressive as these results were the icing on the cake was that Rowan, Isabella and Arlene also picked up the award for the under 11’s Instrumental Ensemble playing. Arlene’s older brother Alex MacKechnie has now moved on to Dunoon Grammar School. He won his 18 and under group in Scots Fiddle, and together they won the piano duet section. Mairi Voinot won the Angus McGilp Quaiche, for the 18 and under Scots Fiddle Solo Competition, and she then she went on to scoop the award for Best 18 and under Solo Instrumentalist. All these talented youngsters are learning fiddle with Sarah Naylor, as part of the school and community tuition programme of FiddleFolk/ Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop.
Strachur & District Local History Society
Strachur Smiddy Museum/Shop
"Bring Your Heritage to Life!" is the message in the very attractive, new, Argyll & Bute Museums and Heritage Forum leaflet which gives a description of all 15 museums. THE SMIDDY MUSEUM will re-open for its 14th season on Easter Friday, 2nd April. We depend, of course, on volunteer support and this is an appeal to anyone who would be interested in joining our fortnightly duty rota: 3hours/fortnight. The smiddy is open 7 days for the 6month season, and we need around 20 helpers. Tel. 01369 860 508.
"You Are Here" Boards
The Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park has awarded the community a grant to design and build two display boards to assist visitors in finding their way arround the district. The Community Grants Scheme was greatly over subscribed but the Signage Group, which reports to the Community Council, was successful in its bid. A case was made that, because of the spreadout nature of the village and surrounding areas, it is currently very difficult to find your way around. That justified the bid for funding for display boards but, apparently, the clincher was that this will be a community effort with the structures being designed and built by local craftsmen and artists. The design was done by Norman Mack and Donald Cameron, The artwork is being prepared by Bob Brown, then the Signage Group will superimpose the names of the local townships and Donald Cameron will undertake the construction and supervise the installation. Most people who get lost in the area go to the Post Office or Filling Station for directions so the boards will be placed beside the parking areas adjacent to each of these sites. The illustration gives an artist's impression of what the boards may look like. The other outstanding component of the Signage Group's programme is to get a number of street signs installed. Discussions continue with Argyll & Bute Council to achieve this objective also.
and it’s goodbye from us . . . and welcome to him
Scarecrows in Strachur
Strachur is to host its first scarecrow competition in June this year – and everyone is invited to enter. There will be prizes for the best junior, youth and adult scarecrows, and the life-sized figures can be made of anything you want – as long as it is recycled or recyclable.
It could be a traditional straw figure, or made of wood or glass – anything which can be put into a recycling bin. It could be a likeness of a famous person, a local figure – or just a scarecrow. Scarecrows will be on display throughout Strachur for a week before being judged on the day of the playgroup’s annual FunDay on June 12, when judges will lead a walk round the village to inspect the figures, hear from their creators and award the coveted prizes.
Strachur and District Community Council
The inaugural meeting took place on 27 January 2010. The Minutes of this meeting are posted within the Community Council pages on the strachur.org website. There are many areas of interest and with Argyll and Bute Council becoming more involved with its local communities, there are and will be issues involving us all which should be reported to all our residents. We have therefore expanded the website pages for the Community Council and will be launching a new page called ‘News, Views and Updates’. This will mean that there will be a better communication with the community on matters relevant to you. Further we feel that more regular meetings of the Community Council will benefit the community. We have made a decision to meet more regularly. Our next meeting will be on 10 March 2010, at 7.30, in Strachur Memorial Hall. We will be taking meetings to Strathlachlan during the year. The following meeting will be on 21 April 2010, same time, same place. This will be the AGM with its set agenda, and will likely be followed by a general meeting on the same night in order to ensure the momentum and reporting is maintained. Heather A Grier, Secretary
Strachur Guild
On Monday 8th February we were entertained by some of our members to an afternoon of Home Talent and much appreciated by the ladies. This was followed by our Annual Bring & Buy Sale. On Thursday 4 March there will be a public meeting at 2pm in St John's Hall, Dunoon HIV/AIDS — A new Hunger (various countries). This is a Cowal Guilds Together meeting. Any one interested in attending and who requires transport please contact Muriel McKnight (Tel 860-199 or Betty Acklam 860-030). Our next meeting which is the last of this session in on Monday 8 March at 2.30pm and will be held in the Common Room of Manse Gardens. This will be our AGM and it will be followed by a talk from Oliver Wright from International Justice Mission. This is an organisation which secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. Any one who would like to join us would be made most welcome. You don't need to be a member to come. Betty Acklam
"You Are Here" Boards
The Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park has awarded the community a grant to design and build two display boards to assist visitors in finding their way arround the district. The Community Grants Scheme was greatly over subscribed but the Signage Group, which reports to the Community Council, was successful in its bid. A case was made that, because of the spreadout nature of the village and surrounding areas, it is currently very difficult to find your way around. That justified the bid for funding for display boards but, apparently, the clincher was that this will be a community effort with the structures being designed and built by local craftsmen and artists. The design was done by Norman Mack and Donald Cameron, The artwork is being prepared by Bob Brown, then the Signage Group will superimpose the names of the local townships and Donald Cameron will undertake the construction and supervise the installation. Most people who get lost in the area go to the Post Office or Filling Station for directions so the boards will be placed beside the parking areas adjacent to each of these sites. The illustration gives an artist's impression of what the boards may look like. The other outstanding component of the Signage Group's programme is to get a number of street signs installed. Discussions continue with Argyll & Bute Council to achieve this objective also.
Playgroup
Shinty
The Local Shinty team have participated in 3 pre-season friendly matches in preparation for the forthcoming start to the new season. Despite losing two games against Oban Celtic and Lochside Rovers–both opponents play in a higher league and a hard-fought draw against Bute, the main exercise was to give the younger players the chance to face stronger teams and gain much-needed experience and match practice. The first match of the new season kicks off on Saturday 6th March when Tayforth from Perth will be the visitors.
Development Co.
Soup n’ Sandwich Lunch on January 24th raised £292. Family Bingo Night on February 20th raised £474. Thanks to: Tree Shop Cairndow; Aray Fish, Fruit and Veg; Arch. Fergusson Ltd.; Strachur Filling Station; Purdies of Inveraray; Bay Cottage Tea Room; Argyll Seafoods; Dunoon Cooperative, and Bingo Caller, Gavin (Livewire) Kerr. Forthcoming fund-raising event: Country and Western Night, Saturday 17th April, 9pm-1am. Live band, Buckin’ Bronco’ Photo-Packs; Best Dressed Prize, etc. Further details closer to event. The Development Company would like to thank everyone for their continual support at all their fund-raising events.
Strathlachlan Bowling
There was more success for the Strath carpet bowlers recently in an Open Pairs tournament held at the Innellan Club. 22 pairs contested the Lamont Trophy and two of our pairs, Alastair Fraser / John McPhail and Ross Speirs / Joe Campbell reached the semi-finals. Alastair and John won through to the final and were successful in lifting the trophy
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Strathlachlan Community
50/50 Draw – 3rd February 2010. 1st 11, Flora MacLachlan; 2nd 46 Gina Tickell; 3rd 25 Patricia MacArthur. Any queries or for hall bookings for functions, parties, meetings, etc. please contact – 01369 233 or 329 or any Committee member. Full catering facilities available – please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Elise W. Nolan, Email: StrachurNL@aol.com