Cuairt-litir

On Saturday 21 February the Society will be celebrating the work of Donnchadh Bàin Mac an t-Saoir, Duncan MacIntyre (1724-1812), one of our most popular Gaelic poets. We are delighted that Iain MacDonald of the Gaelic Books Council has agreed to give an appreciation of Donnchadh Bàin's work on that evening and that our friends, Còisir Lunnainn, will be there to sing his songs. The evening will begin with a traditional supper of Stornoway black and white puddings. It promises to be a very special occasion for the Society and we look forward to seeing you there. The Supper takes place at Crown Court Church of Scotland, Covent Garden, at 7pm. For further information please contact our Hon Secretary, Tom Macaskill, on 020 7828 8978 or tommymaca@hotmail.com.

AGM

At the AGM on 22 November we accepted with great regret the departure of our Vice-President, Norman MacKenzie. Norman has for many years been a steady, guiding hand on the Council. Always calm, and totally unflappable, he will be much missed in the role of Vice-President, though we know he will continue to support us in other ways. We welcomed our new Vice-President, Murdoch Graham, and we wish him well in the role. Christina Aston, who also stood down, has been a great asset over the last few years and we shall miss her contribution, though we hope to see her still at events. Two new Members of Council were warmly welcomed. They are Iain Fleming, grandson of our former Chief, John Angus MacLeod, and Eòghann Pinkerton, already familiar to members as one of our regular singers and supporters. All other officers and members were re-elected.

Our guest for the evening, Catriona Watt of Stornoway, immediately endeared herself to the audience with her friendly style and beautiful voice. Catriona won the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year title in 2007 and launched her first solo album, 'Cadal Cuain', at the Falkirk Mod last year. She is clearly destined for even greater success.

Cèilidh, 13 December

On 13 December we welcomed Linn Phipps back to her old haunts at Crown Court as our guest for an evening of song and conversation with old friends. 2008 was a year of successes for Linn, culminating in the winning of the Ladies' Silver Pendant at the National Mod. Among her awards also was the Morag Robb Memorial Salver for the highest aggregate marks in Gaelic across the qualifying competitions and the Final competition (men and ladies), of which she is justly very proud.

During the evening we learned a little from Linn of what is involved in such an achievement and we admire her talent and dedication. We are very grateful to her for braving the weather and making the journey to London to share her beautiful songs, her story (and her Silver Pendant!) with us.

'Smath a rinn thu, Linn. Tha sinn moiteil asad!

Gaelic Conversation Competition

Our Chief, Joyce Seymour-Chalk. reports that this year's competition is already getting under way. In September, Joyce visited the Nicolson Institute, Stornoway, to present the Senior trophy, Cuach Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig, and Lochaber High School, to present The Hugh Seymour-Chalk Salver for Learners. In addition she undertook a whirlwind tour of Back, Lionel and Shawbost schools in Lewis. Photographs of the winners will be circulated at a later date.

Donald Smith Memorial Award

The winner of the 2008 award at the Uist Games was ten year old Brìghde Campbell of Sleat, Skye, with a performance described as 'stunning' by John Angus Smith, who judged the competition. Brìghde was presented with a copy of the Kilberry Book of Ceòl Mòr as part of her prize and she will also receive a week's piping tuition at Easter.

Dates for your diary

Dates set so far for 2009 are 21 February (see above), 21 March, when our guest will be Joan Morrison, Lewis, and 2 May, when we welcome back Donnie Murdo MacLeod. All of these events will take place at Crown Court Church of Scotland, Covent Garden.

A reminder here, please, that all cheques made out to the Society must be payable to 'The Gaelic Society of London', otherwise they will not be accepted by our bank. Thank you for your help with this.

British Academy Lecture

Professor Thomas Clancy of the Chair of Celtic at Glasgow University will give the Sir John Rhys Memorial Lecture at the British Academy, 10 Carlton House Terrace, London on Wednesday 4 March at 5.30 pm. His subject will be 'Gaelic in Medieval Scotland : Advent and Expansion'. The lecture will be followed by a reception at 6.30pm. Admittance is free. For further information see:

http://www.britac.ac.uk/events/2009/spring/rhys.cfm

Gaelic service

There will be a Gaelic service at Crown Court Church of Scotland on Sunday 8 March at 3.30pm.

Obituaries

John Morrison
We were saddened to hear of the recent death of John Morrison of Tolsta, Lewis, who joined the Society in 1971 and served as a Member of Council between 1974 and 1977. From 1977 he was an Honorary Vice-President. John could always be relied on for good sense and sound advice. He and his wife, Annie, who taught Gaelic at the City Lit, and who also served on the Council, were well known in London Gaelic circles. We send our sincere sympathy to Annie and the family at this time.

Finlay MacNeill
The Gaelic world is mourning the loss of Finlay MacNeill, who died in October. One of our best known and most admired singers and pipers, Finlay was also a key figure in Gaelic education for many years. His connections with our own Society go back to the late 1960s, when as an enthusiastic supporter of the London Mod, he arranged for choirs and competitors to travel from Scotland and entertained at concerts. In 1980 he was made an Honorary Vice-President. He continued to visit to attend the Open Days that replaced the Mod. He gave much practical support with the setting up of the Schools Conversation Competition and maintained a keen interest in it over the years.

Finlay will be sorely missed and his widow, Morag, and family are in our thoughts.

Jimmy McIntosh
Jimmy McIntosh, who died earlier this month, was a familiar figure at Gaelic Society and Highland events in London for many years. In 1978 he became a Life Member of this Society, having been a friend and supporter for some time before. A memorial service for Jimmy will be held at St Columba's Church of Scotland, Pont Street, on Saturday 31 January at 4 pm.

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This page last updated 02/03/09