Strachur and District Newsletter
FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
KORCULA and STRACHUR
It's 1981 and the Dunoon Grammar School Pipe Band headed by Pipe Major Niall Campbell and Annie Grant, led by Douglas Currie and Willie Montgomery, made a reciprocal visit to Korcula and to Zagreb to take part in the European Folk Festival.
We hope this photograph brings back fond memories of an historic visit to Korcula.
Korcula Painting
At the Memorial Hall Quarterly Meeting on Wednesday 20th January, Councillor Bruce Marshall presented the Hall Committee with a painting from Korcula in Croatia.
The links between Korcula and Strachur go back a long way. After the Second World War Marshall Tito granted Sir Fitzroy Maclean rights to a property on the island of Korcula as a mark of gratitude for his assistance to the Yugoslav resistance fighters during the war ( historically no foreigners could own property) also the Island of Bute has had a twinning arrangement with the Island of Korcula stretching back to before reorganisation of local government in 1974.
In 1981 following a visit by the internationally renowned Moreska dancers from Korcula to Dunoon, the DGS Pipe Band headed by Pipe Major Niall Campbell and Annie Grant made a reciprocal visit to Korcula and to Zagreb to take part in the European Folk Festival.
In May 2009 Councillors Bruce Marshall and Isobel Strong visited Korcula to renew the links and were given a painting by their hosts. Argyll and Bute Council considered that Strachur Memorial Hall would be the most appropriate place to hang the painting and it will be in place in good time for the return visit from a Korcula delegation which will stay in Strachur later this year.
History Society
Monday, 22nd February, at 7.30pm in the New Hall
"THE MACBRAYNE STORY"
Talk and slides by Ian McCrorie
"The earth belongs unto the Lord, and all that it contains,
Except the West Highland piers: they are all MacBraynes!"
Strathlachlan Burns' Supper
Once again a wonderful Burns' Supper in the Strathlachlan Community Hall. Charlie Bell, Haggis Bearer, Pearl Adamson (singer), Colin Cameron (Toast to the Lassies), Douglas Currie (Holy Willie), and Sylvia Cameron (Toast to the Laddies) listen as Jim McCulloch delivers his Immortal Memory.
Chairman for the evening, Douglas Currie, welcomed a full house to this year's Supper and presided over the gathering in his usual well-loved style. Our piper, Steven McNair with bearer Charlie Bell, heralded the Haggis to the top table for Jim McCulloch from Inveraray to extol its virtues before the traditional fare was enjoyed by all.
Pearl Adamson got the second half of the evening under way with a song, before Jim McCulloch delivered us an excellent and humorous Immortal Memory. This was followed by a further song, this time from Arthur Young before Colin Cameron took to his feet to Toast the Lassies with wit and carefully crafted words as only a journalist can. His wife, Sylvia, not to be outdone, responded in fine style finishing with a Toast to the Laddies! On a sad note Donald Morrison was unable to make the trip to be with us for Tam o' Shanter - a highlight since the start of our suppers some 25 years ago. Burns' poetry was not neglected however and Douglas Currie delivered highly entertaining renditions of Holy Willie's Prayer and Address to The Unco Guid. Further musical interludes were provided by Pearl and Arthur before they drew the evening to a close with Auld Lang Syne.
Community Futures Goes Green
This initiative by the Community Partnership was fully reported on in the last edition but, unfortunately, the projected timetable was a little optimistic. The procurement of the smart meters, which will be loaned out to residents to allow them to get an accurate picture of their energy consumption, has proved significantly more protracted than anticipated as has the tendering of contracts for the specialists to do the doorstep questionnaires. Progress is being made but it is likely that it will be the beginning of March before anything substantial happens within Strachur & Strathlachlan. So if you were worried that you hadn't had your letter and had been overlooked, don't be. Your patience is appreciated.
Strathlachlan Bowling Club
The Club was invited by the Innellan Carpet Bowling Club to play for the Innellan Challenge Cup donated by Tom McDonald. The match took place at Innellan on the evening of Tuesday 8th December when a small team of only 6 members were available to travel to meet an Innellan squad of 17 bowlers.
The Strathlachlan Six triumphed and bore the cup back to the Strath where success is not new to the Club. In recent weeks its members have been collecting silverware around Cowal, Ross Spiers winning the singles competition at Colintraive and Ross with Joe Campbell gaining 3rd place in the pairs at Portsonachan. Well done to everyone.
Sadly membership numbers are down this year and the Club extends an invitation to anyone who would like to come along - no previous experience necessary! The Club meets every Tuesday during the winter in Strathlachlan Hall at 8pm. Juniors can get details of their club night from 01369 860563. Information is also available on the Strachur website under Community Centre booking. Bob Moyes
The Rural
President Berry McHugh welcomed 21 members and 2 visitors to our January meeting. She said it was good to see so many there on such a miserable day and hoped they had all enjoyed the Festive Season and wished them a Happy New Year. There were 9 apologies.
After the business the President welcomed Brian and Moira Togwell who had come to give an Audio Visual Presentation. This was a real treat for us as we were shown local scenes to a beautiful rendition of For the Beauty of the Earth. We also enjoyed a flight on the seaplane from Loch Lonond, then we travelled to South Africa for more beautiful scenery and wild animals. There was a short film about the Raven Trust showing the large container being filled for the long journey to Malawi. Our thanks to Brian and Moira for coming and cheering us up.
Development Co.
New Year Raffle made £1218.
Prize winners: £250, Jenni Harrison; Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd., Voucher, Denis Crawford; Inver Cottage Meal Voucher, Aileen Goodall; Creggans Inn Meal Voucher, Jill MacPhail; Lighthouse Caledonia Ltd., Salmon Voucher, Margaret Montgomery (High Clachan); 1 Bottle Whisky, Megan Strapp, 1 Bottle Whisky, Danielle; 1 Bottle Brandy, Eileen Campbell; Wine and Chocolates, Miriam Wallace; 3 Bottles Wine, Anna Campbell
FAMILY BINGO NIGHT
Saturday, 20th February in Strachur New Hall. Eyes down 7.30.
Bingo caller, the talented and hilarious Gavin (blown a fuse) Kerr.
Shinty Club
Strachur and District Shinty Club held their AGM in the Hall Committee Room on Thursday, 21st January. Despite a wet and wild night 15 hardy souls braved the elements. New changes on the committee saw Gerry Gibson voted in as Chairman, Andy Hunt taking on the Treasurer's role, with youngsters Andrew Wilson and Ian Hamish Paton being team Captain and Vice Captain, respectively. The club would like to express its gratitude to the outgoing John Montgomery and Murray Cormie (ex Treasurer) for their sterling efforts over the past years. With the new Shinty Season fast approaching the club will be involved in two pre-season matches involving Oban Celtic at Oban and Lochside Rovers at Strachur with the dates to be announced.
Strathlachlan Community Centre
WHIST DRIVE - Friday 19th February at 8pm Adults £1 - Children 50p.
50/50 Draw - 6th January 2010: 1st 31,Kate Paton; 2nd 89, Mary MacInnes; 3rd 22, Sara Gibbs.
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.
Strachur & Strathlachlan Guild
Our first meeting of the new year was held on a cold and icy afternoon when we were delighted to welcome our speaker Mrs Linda Tighe from the Princes Trust. She told us how The Princes Trust helps young people in many different ways. A couple of examples of these are, helping those aged 18 - 25 get started in business,up to age 30 on the islands. They do this by giving them grants £2,500 - £3,000 or a loan up to £5000. Programmes are also run for youngsters in their last two years of schooling who are facing a range of difficulties at school, i.e., children at risk of exclusion, under achieving, poor attendance, poor behaviour or low esteem. In many of these cases in Argyll & Bute the young people have gone back to school and completed their studies successfully.
Our next meeting will be on Monday, 8th February at 2.30pm in the Common Room at Manse Gardens. We are having a Home Talent afternoon followed by a Bring and Buy Sale. This is a change from our syllabus so members please note.
The Guild would be delighted to welcome anyone who wishes to come along to our meetings including men. Betty Acklam
Elise W. Nolan, Email: StrachurNL@aol.com