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Gaelic Conversation Competition
Cliff Castle (1934-2007)
Members and friends were shocked and extremely sad to hear of the death of our former Hon Secretary and an Honorary Vice President of the Society, Cliff Castle, on 5 June. Though Cliff had been unwell in recent years he had attended Society events fairly regularly and we last saw him at the February cèilidh.
It was 'standing room only' at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on 5 May as we heard our former Chief, and author, Bill Innes, present words and images from his book, St. Valery, The Impossible Odds, based on the reminiscences of Highland soldiers. This often overlooked aspect of the aftermath of Dunkirk and the contribution of the 51st Highland Division really came alive in Bill's well-researched account and in the words of those who came through it. The event was chaired by Calum Graham, and it was a great pleasure for old and new friends to share this special evening with our two former Chiefs. We were all glad to see Calum looking so well, and chairing yet another highly successful Literary Evening!
The cèilidh on 9 June offered a packed and varied programme, with songs from James MacLetchie of North Uist, John Angus Smith on the pipes, fiddle music from Donald Stewart and Natalie MacKinnon's dances.
It has been another very successful year for the competition, with 147 entrants. The Senior winners were Shawbost School, Lewis, and both the Junior and Infants trophies went to Back Primary School, Lewis. Lochaber High School won the Hugh Seymour-Chalk trophy for students with no Gaelic background. A full report and photographs will appear in the next newsletter.
The Society has been awarded a grant of £500 by Bòrd na Gàidhlig for the repair of its earliest manuscript records.
2007: 29 September (not 22 September as previously advertised. This will be a fundraising evening for the conservation appeal.)
Officers and members of Council represented the Society at a reception at the Scotland Office, Whitehall, on 4 July to mark 'Highland 2007', Scotland's celebration of Highland culture. Guests including Charles Kennedy MP and Jack McConnell MSP were addressed by Scotland Office Minister of State David Cairns and heard Gaelic songs from Norman MacArthur and tunes by Katie MacKenzie on the clàrsach. Gaelic services will take place as follows.
Cliff joined the Society in 1969, inspired by his late wife, Ann's, keen interest in its work. He supported Ann in her roles, at various times, as Hon Secretary, Hon Minutes Secretary and Hon Treasurer. In 1987 he was appointed Hon Secretary, a position he held until 2001. For many years the bulk of the administration of the Society was carried out by the Castles. Cliff also fulfilled the role of Publicity Officer and he was tireless in his efforts to promote the Society and support the Gaelic language. Regular news reports from 'C. P. C.' in the Stornoway Gazette and other Highland newspapers were familiar to readers. He also carried out substantial research into the history of the Society.
Ann's death in 2001 was a profound blow to Cliff but he maintained his interest in the Society and it was always a pleasure to see him at events. He will be remembered with affection as a friend and with gratitude for his long and loyal service to the Gaelic Society of London.
The funeral service took place on Friday 15 June at West Street Evangelical Church, Carshalton, followed by cremation at North Cheam Crematorium. The service was attended by a number of Society members, including several of the Council.
Singer Darren MacLean, grand nephew of the late Calum Kennedy and a nephew of Kristine, demonstrated that the family’s musical tradition is being very well maintained and represented. Darren and his students spent a very enjoyable afternoon learning new songs and later sang them for the audience. Eòghann Pinkerton and Anna McCrae also contributed to the cèilidh in their usual capable style.
We are extremely grateful to Bill for changing his plans at very short notice in order to make it to London following the news that Calum Ferguson was unable to attend due to illness. Special thanks to 'our' Calum for his determination to make the event a reality despite the setbacks.
(St. Valery, The Impossible Odds is available from Birlinn at £7.99)
It was good to see our Chief back with us after her illness, keeping the evening running smoothly. Joyce spoke about the sad loss of Cliff Castle and reminded the audience of the tremendous amount of work done on behalf of the Society over many years by 'Team Castle' - Ann and Cliff. She then called for a minute's silence in honour of Cliff, following which Kathy Kennedy sang a lament.
The evening attracted a large turnout, and the Gaelic song workshop led by James in the afternoon was popular and much enjoyed by his students, some of whom gave a recital of what they had learnt later in the evening. We also welcomed Chrissie MacLeod, who sang a selection of puirt a beul.
Our thanks to Joyce and to Christina MacDonald for arranging such excellent entertainment, and to Christina also for the usual delicious buffet.
We are very fortunate to hold in our library two volumes of subscribers’ accounts of The Gaelic Society of London, dated 1782-83 and 1790. These are the earliest Society documents that we know of. In addition to the information they offer about its membership, they provide important evidence of the use of its present name by the Society only five years after its founding in 1777. Unfortunately, the volumes are in poor condition and the cost of paper and binding repair is estimated at £1,000.
Work is planned in two phases. The cost of treatment of the earlier volume will be funded by the Bòrd na Gàidhlig grant; the remaining sum for the repair of the later volume we hope will be raised through an appeal to our membership and friends. A postal appeal will go out shortly and there are plans for a fundraising evening on 29 September.
We would like to record our thanks to Bòrd na Gàidhlig for their continued support and generosity.
24 November (AGM)
8 or 15 Dec (to be confirmed).
2008: 19 January (Burns Supper); 23 February; 29 March; 26 April; 21 June.
Highland 2007 is a project supported by three funding partners: The Scottish Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Highland Council. It aims to promote the Highlands as a great place to live and visit through showcasing the unique and special nature of Highland culture past, present and future. The programme for Highland 2007 includes events and projects encompassing arts, heritage, sport, environment, science and language. For further information and to subscribe to the Highland 2007 electronic newsletter please visit the website at www.highland2007.com.
2007: 9 September at 3.30pm, Rev. Murdoch MacLeod, Free Church of Scotland; 9 December at 3.30pm, Rev. Donald MacLennan (Rtd), Church of Scotland, Inverness (ex-Kinloch, Isle of Lewis).
2008: 9 March; 11 May; 14 September; 14 December.
2009: 8 March; 10 May; 13 September; 13 December.
Tentative dates for 2010: 14 March; 9 May; 12 September; 12 December.
Mr Norman MacLeod, Chairman of the London Gaelic Services, has provided the following report.
"On Sunday 13 May, following a short service, Mr Norman MacLeod, Chairman of the London Gaelic Services, gave a resumé of both the long 200 year old history of Gaelic religious services in London and an update of his consultation at the Church of Scotland offices, Edinburgh, relating to the bequest of Rev Alexander John Macleod, a native of Barvas, Lewis, who died in Thailand over a year ago. Mr MacLeod, who enjoyed attending Gaelic services in Crown Court Church when in London, dictated two separate wills, one in the UK and another in Thailand, in respect of his assets in each country, and bequeathed the residue of his UK estate to the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh but for the maintenance of Gaelic services held in Crown Court Church, London. Under the terms of his will he specifies that the residuary legacy of about £500,000 be the responsibility of, and husbanded by, the Church in Edinburgh. He further instructs that the Church use the monies for Gaelic services held exclusively in Crown Court Church of Scotland, London. Thus the London Gaelic Services have no influence in the matter of the capital sum as bequeathed and any service held outwith the portals of Crown Court Church cannot benefit from this legacy.
The Church lawyer stated that their administration would very gladly almonise monetary disbursements upon submission of receipts to them of all legitimate service expenses held in Crown Court, i.e. ministerial weekend accommodation, fares, church rental, service advertisements etc. and of course accountable auditing of sums expended should be undertaken by the Church.
After this explanation Mr MacLeod sought the views of the attendees present. Among suggestions proposed were that visiting weekend clergy be housed in good quality hotels and given an attractive honorarium, the provision of more interesting finger table-fare rather than biscuits to be given to congregants in the Church Hall following every future service, a passive website detailing future service arrangements and an outreach information programme of the services. Mr MacLeod responded saying that, given time, all the ideas proposed would be executed."
Mr Macleod also reports that, since the last service, the following former regular worshippers have died: Miss Z A M MacDougall, Miss Betty Whiteside who was 100 years old, and Mr Kenneth MacDonald from Portree, Isle of Skye.
Finally, we wish all members and friends a very enjoyable summer and look forward to seeing you again in the autumn. Thank you for your support.
Registered charity no. 285676
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page last updated 04/08/08