Butt to Barra District News 17.3.16

Light Lunch - Clann an Latha an Dè will be hosting a light lunch (soup and pudding) on Saturday 19th March at Ionad na Seann Sgoil, Shawbost, from mid day until 2.30pm.

There will be a choice of soups, delicious selection of puddings, tea/coffee and biscuits. Raffle tickets will also be on sale for the usual varied selection of prizes. Please come along invite family and friends enjoy lunch and a good catch up, what better way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Mainland - This year in June Clann an Latha an De will be heading off for their annual mainland trip.

The venue this year ismuch nearer to home - Fort William.

If you are in the Arnol to Dalbeag area, are over 60 years of age and would like to come along for the four days 6th to 10th June please contact Cathie at 710257 to book your seat.

TRIBUTE

Anna Dhòmhnallach, Uibhist a Tuath ( Anna Chrois Moraig/ Chnoc na Lùib )

Chaill saoghal nan Gàidheal, na Gàidhlig is an fhòghlaim neamhnaid oirdhearc nuair a chaochail Anna anns a’ Ghearran. Bu mhòr a buaidh air sgoilearan òga, cha b’ ann a-mhàin anns na h-Eileanan Siar ach air feadh Alba agus gach àite far an robh Gàidhlig ga teagasg. Dh’fhosgail an leabhar beag àlainn a chruthaich I air an robh “Stamh” iomadach sùil air mar a ghabhadh cuspair sam bith a theagasg troimh mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Ghabh I os làimh eadar-theangachadh gu Gàidhlig Sgeama Nàiseanta Matamataic airson clann gu aois ceithir deug.

Tha e air aithris gun do lorg I mearachdan cudromach anns an tionndadh Beurla agus gun deach an ceartachadh gu h-obann leis an fhoillsichear ri linn a comhairle.

Bha doimhneachd is farsaingeachd eòlais aig Anna air eunlaith an t-slèibh, flùraichean is lusan na machrach is nam beann nach gabhadh tomhas.

Cha b’e sin a-mhàin ach bha I daonnan a’ gabhail mòr ùidh is a’ faighinn tlachd do-labhairte as a h-eilean fhèin gu àraid a chuid eachdraidh is a bheartais àrsaidheachd.

B’e bean uasal a bha ann an Anna, sàr-sgoilear, agus fialaidh anns a h-uile dòigh, le a cuid eòlais, a càirdeas agus a h-aoigheachd na dachaidh fhèin. Is mòr an ionndrainn a bhitheas oirre anns an teaghlach seo, na teaghlach fhèin agus aig iomadh cagailt eile. Fois shiorraidh do h-anam is I cadal gu sèimh air a’ mhachair a bu ghaolach leatha.

Submitted Donnchadh MacGuaire

UIG

Sad Death – the sad series of bereavements which has been ours as a community throughout this long winter was continued on February 16th with the death of Mrs Peggy Ann Macdonald, of 4 Crowlista, at Dun Berisay Home, Stornoway.

Peggy Ann, who was 93, had been lovingly cared for at Dun Berisay for several years since she became unable to continue on her own at home following the death of her husband, Donald Angus.

We were all saddened to hear of her final illness, then of her death, but, in a sense, we lost Peggy Ann when she had to leave her own home, her cheerful, outgoing personality was very much missed from the neighbourhood and by all who knew her. We are left with pleasant memories of her kindness and hospitality in a home, which was the happiest any one could ever visit.

The sympathy of the community is extended to her daughters, Donalda in Shetland and Christine in the Edinburgh area, to their families and to her sister, Marion at Valtos. The wake and funeral services were held Uigean Church which Peggy Ann and Donald Angus faithfully attended all their lives and were conducted by Rev Hugh Stewart, assisted by Rev Roddy Morrison and Rev Stephen Mathews.Interment followed at Ardroil cemetery.

CARLOWAY

Shop AGM - Carloway Community Shop will be holding its annual general meeting on Friday 25th March in the Carloway School Annex, starting at 7:30pm. We will be unveiling our plans for the Community Shop in the centre of Carloway. We encourage all residents to attend and see the plans for this exciting community project, there will be tea and coffee provided on the night, and all are welcome.

GLASGOW LEWIS AND HARRIS ASSOCIATION

Postponed event - The event scheduled for Saturday 19th March has had to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. A replacement date is being considered and will be announced shortly.

Oidhche Challuinn - For many years the Association organised and produced Oidhche Chaluinn representing the date of the original Scottish New year. This production was originally “Oidhche an Taigh Mo Sheanar” - a night in my Grandfather’s house and eventually evolved in to Oidhche Chaluinn.

This was a very special production and in later years was a comedy without compare and featured a Bodach of long memory long johns and sometimes short temper, a Cailleach or bean an taigh who was strict and impossible and a son of the house who was, to put it mildly, rather simple and improbable. The setting was a house somewhere on the Long Island. The atmosphere generated over these many years will be brought back to life with excerpts of Oidhche Challuinn and this performance will be similar to the one held at the Paisley Mod and also featured in a special night in Shawbost. This production will be in the Gaelic School 147 Berkeley Street, Glasgow at 7 pm on 22nd April.

MBE

Rosemarie MacQueen was recently invested an MBE by the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace for Services to the Heritage.

Rosemarie is the middle daughter of the late Donald Alec MacQueen of South Uist and Kitty Ann Mac Queen nee MacKay of Eilean nan Ron, Sutherland.

Rosemariie retains close links with the north and has a home on the island of Barra close to her uncle Canon Angus John MacQueen.

Kitty Ann made the trip north last year, at the ge of 97, to visit her old home and relatives.

NORTH UIST

Cottage Pie Night – In last week’s article, it was announced that £1,226 had been raised for the RNLI from the ‘Cottage Pie Night’ in Berneray (£875 in ticket sales, £281 raffle, £70 in donations).

Since the event, a further £120 has been received in donations. Thank you very much to everyone for your generosity and support.

STORNOWAY

Local motorcycle enthusiasts are organising an Easter Egg Run in support of the local foodbank on March 26th.

The group will meet at the Spar Garage in Stornoway at 12pm before heading out for a ride in convoy on a planned route ending at the foodbank.

Each rider will carry an Easter Egg or two which will be donated to foodbank volunteers to be distributed to deserving families.

If you would like to take part visit the Western Isles noticeboard on Facebook, or just turn up on the day.