November 2009

On Thursday 5th November, we held our annual charity night. After Ian Crichton died in December 1999, the then committee decided to dedicate a club night in his memory and to raise funds for local charities. Since November 2000, the club has raised £14,140 to date. This year, we were delighted to hand over a cheque for £2000 to Mrs Joan Macphail, Treasurer of the MS Local Support Group, and on behalf of the committee, thank you to everyone who contributed and supported us so generously. The Ian Crichton Memorial Trophy is  awarded on this night, to the most improved youngster in our club, and this year’s worthy winner was Graham Maclennan. Graham also won the Smith Mearns trophy at the National Mod in October. Congratulations are awarded to Anne-Louise Stewart as well, who won the Hebrides Haulage trophy, and well done to the other youngsters who participated at the Mod, you are a credit to our club and we are so proud of you all. Our MC tonight was Duncan Gordon, our   newly appointed Chairman of the club, and this was a night for our local players to shine, and as always they rose to the occasion. Players on accordion were Ishbel Crichton, Donnie Maciver, Duncan Gordon, followed by Duncan, Angus Maclean, Donna Macdonald, Tony Corbett, Helen Macleod, Craig Macleod, Anna Fraser, Krisell Macdonald, Anne-Louise Stewart, Stuart Taylor, Alexander Maciver, Graham Maclennan, Alex Murdo Macleod, DB Macleod accompanying some of our players on second accordion, and a welcome return to Kenny Murdo Macleod on accordion. Playing fiddle were Donnie Leody and his youngsters, and a superb solo fiddle set from Campbell Scanlon. John Angie Henderson and Coinneach Macleod shared the drums, and last but not least Violet Morrison on keyboards. They all played a good  and varied selection of music  including some Ian Crichton tunes. There were 17 players in the stramash  and lots of prizes in the raffle, well done to all who won. All in all, another splendid night for our club. Thank you all for your continued support. There is great excitement in our club, we are preparing for the launch of our new CD, hopefully this will be in the beginning of December, no date set yet as we are putting the finishing touches to it. We will keep you informed. Next month’s guest artiste on December 3rd will be the Michael Garvin Band.