Butt to Barra

Happy New Year! - Before it is February and too late to say, Horshader Community Development would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. We are very excited about the year ahead as it looks to be a busy one.

Horshader Polycrubs - Still here after record breaking storms!

The Growing Project got off to a great start in 2014 and continues to excel. The project aims to achieve the following outcomes: Encourage home composting, reduce Carbon emissions; encourage tool sharing and rainwater harvesting; Increase social and health benefits; reduce food wastage and car use.

We are amazed and pleased to report that the Horshader Growing Project Polycrubs located in Shawbost were unharmed by the recent record-breaking storms.

The Solar Dome sustained minor damage and repairs are underway. The Polycrubs themselves are made from polycarbonate sheeting and recycled fish farm feeding tubes.

Nortenergy – designers of the Polycrubs boast that the Polycrubs are strong and durable in the harshest of climates; I think we can safely back this claim as seen in the photograph.

To learn more about the Growing Project and Polycrubs please contact: [email protected]

New Outreach Officer - We are delighted to welcome Finlay Maclennan to the Horshader Team.

He is a history and archaeology graduate with a keen interest in the local community, and has spent the last year studying and working in Lewis.

Although born and brought up in Glasgow, Finlay spent most summer holidays in Lewis.

Finlay will be taking on the role of Outreach Officer for the Growing Project. Finlay commented: “It’s very exciting to see local communities taking the lead and I look forward to working in the role of Outreach Officer on such an exciting project.”

Lochs

Burns Supper - The Kinloch Comann Eachdraidh are holding a Burn’s Supper at Balallan Old School this Friday the 23rd January.

Toddlers - The North Lochs Little Toddlers group meet on Thursdays at 2pm in the Community Centre. Leurbost. Any new babies or toddlers are most welcome.

Thanks - The Balallan Hall Committee would like to thank everyone in the community who helped and supported them in their fund raising efforts during 2014.The support of the community means a lot to the committee and is greatly appreciated.

Meal night - Ravenspoint’s Local Larder night with visiting chef Kenny Dan Campbell originally from Garyvard, will be on Friday 30th January. Loch Erisort Mussels, St Kilda Calamari, Local Venison, Lewis Beef and Salted Lewis Lamb and Salt Cod and other mouth watering dishes are on the menu. The meal costs £20 00, BYOB and booking is essential. Ravenspoint 880236.

Happy Birthday - Mrs Flora Mackenzie 31 Laxay recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Belated birthday wishes to a very youthful looking Floraidh.

Diamond Wedding - Congratulations to Mrs Mary Ann and Mr Finlay MacIver, 22 Laxay on celebrating sixty years of marriage recently.

The day of surprises for the popular couple began with a wedding blessing by Rev William Macleod assisted by Rev James MacDonald at Kinloch Church of Scotland.

Following the ceremony over one hundred guests were treated to a sumptuous three course meal prepared and served by the family, at Balallan Old School.

A toast to the happy couple was proposed by Donnie Macleod, Laxay and telegrams from their wedding in 1954 were read and the evening closed with the singing of verses from psalm 72.

Strong winds - The extreme storms which began on the 9th of January wreaked havoc on homes and outhouses all over Lewis.

Some homes in Lochs were without electricity for four days and it is hoped that the power will be restored to the Kinloch churches by next Sunday.

Glasgow Lewis and Harris Association

Marag Supper - The exotic scents of cooking from faraway lands are dominant in some parts of the City of Glasgow giving a hint of the Orient here and Eastern spices there.

Not quite so dominant but certainly very acceptable will be the cooking of Stornoway Black Pudding on the 7th February in the Lesser Hall of the Partick Burgh Halls complex.

The occasion of the Annual Marag Supper is a good opportunity to meet and greet fellow Islanders and supporters and tickets (£10) can be paid for at the door on the evening.

To add to the enjoyment there will be entertainment by Jayne Morrison and Calum Ross.

This is always a sociable evening and well worth forsaking the tv or any other Saturday evening pursuits.

Orain agus Oraid - The date for this has been fixed for the 21st March at the Crawford Hall Partick and there is a slight change in format.

The evening will consist of a light Buffet and combined with the launch in Glasgow of a Ness orientated book “Dol Fodha na Greine”

This book is a historical record of the involvement of the community in World War 1 and records for posterity the impact the War had in the area.

More details are to follow but those who intend to be present are asked to note the date.

Condolences - The Association was saddened to hear of the passing of Angus K Macdonald.

He was a long serving member of the Committee and never failed to support every endeavour.

He was of a generation who came to Glasgow from Lewis and joined the Police service. Angus K rose to a Senior rank and was a conscientious member of the Force and gave encouragement to new recruits, existing colleagues and with a wealth of experience was a valued member of the City of Glasgow Police and subsequent re-organisations.

He had a lovely and lively sense of humour and when that was combined with a role in Oidhche Challuinn he was a fine and entertaining actor.

The Association will miss Angus K and the sympathy of all the members is extended to his family at this time of great sorrow.

BALIVANICH

Tribute – It was poignant to hear on Radio Scotland’s ‘Pipeline’ over the weekend, a tribute to highly renowned Piping Instructor Calum Campbell form Balivanich, together with the other four including two young children who perished in the Big storm of 2005, a decade ago.

Calum was heard in the programme on Saturday evening and then repeated the following day, playing on the Jews Harp with legendary island accordionist, the late Iain MacLochlan, on a short track, ‘We’el May the Keelrow’/’Calum’;s Untitled Reel’ from the classic album ‘An Island Heritage’.

One feels certain that all those connected with the Gazette, from staff to correspondents and readers from many parts, will join this Balivanich writer in remembering the Campbells and MacPhersons around the 10th anniversary of the national tragedy which shocked and saddened the Western isles and far beyond.

Last weekend as the country suffered heavy snowfall with football matches postponed, there was complete contrast here in Balivanich with a practice football session being staged at the Balivanich Primary School snow-free facility.

This took place on Saturday and the floodlit pitch is also to be seen in use over the winter months. Good luck to youngsters in their progress.