Butt to Barra District News 18.2.16

John (Johndan) Macleod MBE - The funeral services for Johndan, who had passed away at 90 years of age in Nairn on January 19, took place at St Columba’s Church and Aignish Cemetary on January 22.

Johndan and Mary moved from Goathill Road to Nairn during 2015 to be nearer Helen and Joan.

They had settled down really well on the mainland and had made several new friends. Sadly, their period together in Nairn was all too brief.

Johndan was born in Knock, Point in 1925 and, together with Kay, Peter and their parents, moved around 1934 to Millar Road, Stornoway, when that area was in the course of development.

He grew into a typical Battery boy, learning the requisite skills for the area, such as handling a boat and catching fish. But these were not the only interests in which he would eventually become involved. On the contrary, by virtue of his very evident qualities of leadership, Johndan would go on to make a considerable impact on several important aspects of life in the island.

On leaving school, Johndan became an apprentice plumber with the Town Council and, in due course, he and John Murdo “Crack”, the other council plumber, would become two of the best known personalities on the island.

His service with the Council was interrupted in 1943 when he enlisted in the Royal Navy, serving mainly in the Far East.

As a youth, Johndan joined the Fire Service as a trainee and rose through the ranks to become Station Officer. On his retirement in 1975, he was invited to an Investiture at Buckingham Palace, where he received the MBE from Her Majesty, the Queen.

Johndan became a member of the Stornoway Branch of the British Legion and would go on to being appointed as Branch President.

In this capacity, he was, for many years, proud to organise and lead the parade of ex-servcemen on Remembrance Day to the War Memorial.

When the Stonoway Sea Angling Club was formed, Johndan had no difficulty in mastering the necessary rod and line techniques, winning quite a number of the local competitions.

In due course, he was selected to represent Scotland at International level.

But his proudest moment still lay ahead. He was selected as a member of the Stornoway Club’s entry in the forthcoming Scottish Team Championship, to be fished off Caithness.

The Stornoway team brought great honour to the Island by winning the Cup.

When the victorious team arrived home on the Loch Seaforth, they were greeted not only by the Provost but by the entire Lewis Pipe Band as well!

The large attendance at Johndan’s funeral on a cold January day was a lovely tribute to his life.

Submitted Dan Reid

GLASGOW LEWIS AND HARRIS ASSOCIATION

Traditional supper - With better weather to herald spring coming to the city there is the optimism of casting off the cold and damp winter.

Comparison with other parts of the world puts any weather complaint into perspective and the reflection that, in comparative terms, we are indeed fortunate.

Glasgow, the so called “dear green place”, is indeed fortunate in terms of the many parks and open spaces retained and maintained by the City of Glasgow Council.

The custom-built venues for exhibitions and concerts are now on the international map and the Concert Hall and the Scottish Exhibition Centre and other locations meet the quality expectations for any occasions.

Part of the departing winter scenario for Highland and Island Associations is to have Suppers with a menu that still is popular and traditional.

For the Glasgow Lewis and Harris Association the Annual Marag Supper brings food and friendship and instrumental music combined with fine singing.

Charles Macleod is no stranger to this audience and with his accordion is making a welcome return.

Also providing entertainment will be singers Jayne Morrison and Alex Dan Macdonald.

This event is in Partick Burgh Hall on Saturday, March 20th, and patrons are asked to assemble for 7.45pm to participate in this traditional evening.

The cost is £10 which is a good value for money expenditure and all are welcome.


LOCHS

Soup and Pudding lunch - This event will take place in Balallan Hall this Saturday 20th February from noon till 2.30pm.

Entry for adults is £5.00 and children £1. Funds in aid of Balallan & District Recreation Association.

New Dementia Café - Two new monthly Dementia Cafes begin in the Lochs area this month, thanks to funding support from the Muaitheabhal Trust.

Café events will be in the Ravenspoint Centre on the first Wednesday of the month and in Balallan Hall on the third Wednesday both from 2 to 3.30pm

This pilot project will increase support and contact for people with dementia and their carers’ and families, living in and around the Lochs area.

Dementia cafes are on a drop in basis and there is no admission fee.

Games Nights - In Balallan Hall every Friday between 7 and 9pm featuring football, table tennis, darts, badminton and pool.

There will be a Tuckshop and all children under 16 to be accompanied by an adult Children 1 Adults £2.


HARRIS

Charity shop - The Annual General Meeting of the Harris Charity Shop was held on the 8th December 2015. A successful year was reported on with the summer months being especially busy.

Office bearers were elected as follows: Miranda Campbell (Chair); Flora Ann Morrison (Vice-chair); Anne Macdougall (Secretary); Ethel McNally (Treasurer).

An amount of £10,000 was to be allocated for funding to the following organisations: Bethesda Hospice £2,000; Crossroads (Harris) £1,000; Macmillan Nurses £1,000; Harris House £300; Leverburgh Home of Rest £300; Tarbert Day Centre £300; Leverburgh Day Centre £300; Heart & Stroke Club £300; Alzheimer’s (Musical Memories Group) £300; Parkinsons UK £300; Action for Children £300; MS Society £300; PHAB £300; Ardseileach Hostel, Stornoway £500; RNLI Leverburgh £300.

Further donations of £100 each were also made towards the pensioners’ lunches at Tarbert, Scalpay, the Bays of Harris and Leverburgh together with Christmas turkeys to Harris House and Leverburgh Home.

The surplus of £1,400 would be available during the coming year to meet any requests for equipment or funds that may be made.

The management committee thanked all the volunteers who had given up their time towards the running of the shop, gardening and shop shifts and wished to thank all loyal customers and those who donate to the shop, either with knitting, crafts or general bric a brac.

It was hoped 2016 would prove to be another successful year.”