Forglen Hall

Chairman of the Friends of Forglen Hall,Norman Wilson,welcomed the company to a full house for the quiz on Friday evening.
Game For A Laugh was the team name of the winners ( Margaret Moir, Margaret Fraser, Mary and Irene Farquhar)But there were lots of laughs for everyone as the teams puzzled over the varied and mind teasing questions set by Question Master Allen Stephen.
Rhoda Burns thanked everyone who had contributed to a very succesful and enjoyable evening.

Doug Stewart (the compere), Steven Eddie, Nicola Auchnie and Paul Tierney entertained

The Scots Night was a great sucess with splendid music provided by Nicola Auchnie and friends to entertain the company. The hall was full and the food prepared by Jenny Durno and served by the committee was much appreciated. The weather was also kind in that a thaw for 2 days beforehand had removed anxiety about travel. The car park was cleared of ice on the morning of the concert for which work everyone was very grateful to Andrew Webster.

The stalls had lots of interesting gifts for sale and it was a colourful sight.Our date clashed with another one in Turriff so not as many people as usual were there to buy.

Peter Law from Forgue Drumblade and his party provided good all -round entertainment at the concert last week.
A recitation by Peter of a Turra Coo poem was particularly appropriate in relation to the present preparation of the Turra Coo sight for the erection of a statue in Turriff.
The Bothy Ballads reminded us of the old days in the ferm touns.
Billy McConnachie played pipe tunes some of which were associated with Piper Findlater VC of Forglen.
Lynne McConnachie had feet tapping with her accordion playing of dance music.
Barbara Anderson accompanied the players and singers. She also played the violin with selections which included some of her own compositions.
At the interval the company enjoyed breid and cheese.

Derek Addison, Alan Stephen, Jimmy Addison, Eilidh Whiteford M.P., Frances Milne and Piper Sandy Shearer.

On Friday 20 August 2010 a permanent tribute was unveiled in Forglen Hall to honour Piper Findlater VC who was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery during the campaign in the North West Frontier when British soldiers were storming the Dargai Heights in 1897.
Since The Friends of Forglen Hall were constituted in 2000, they have wished to have this done. Now with the help of the Turriff branch of The Royal British Legion this has been achieved.
Eilidh Whiteford MP, unveiling the plaque, said that it was a great honour to be asked to do it in memory of a famous son of Forglen.
Piper Findlater recovered from his battle injuries and settled at Cairnhill Forglen where he farmed for many years. He died aged 70 in 1942 and with his wife Nellie is buried in Forglen Cemetery.

[Updated to correct the campaign - it wasn't the Indian Mutiny, it was the Dargai Heights]

More information about Piper Findlater

George Findlater Wikipedia
Scottish History link
Family background
Dargai Wikipedia

The AGM of the Friends of Forglen Hall took place last week with ex-councilor Kenneth Benzie deputising for councilor Ian Gray.
In his report Norman Wilson thanked the committee for all their work during the year, keeping things going for the benefit of the hall and the parish. He expressed disappointment that the grant for paying for kitchen improvements was turned down, so there were no major improvements during the year.
Discussions were held with Turriff British Legion and it is hoped that by next year a plaque can be erected in the hall to commemorate George Findlater VC who belonged to Forglen.
The major entertainments, The Doric Concert and the Scots Night were very successful. The hall continues to be well used during the year. The committee are always looking for more local support of things like the Coffee Morning.

The office bearers elected were : chairman, Norman Wilson; vice-chairman, Charlie Gill; secretary Andrew Webster; treasurer, Helen Anderson. Committee members were Rhoda Burns, Kathleen Greig, Caroline Jones and Dileas Park.

Gifts of flowers were presented to Mabel Webster and Vi Wilson for their help during the year.

A company of over 70 enjoyed an evening with a feast of good food and entertainment.
The weather had at last improved making travel less hazardous.
The chairman Norman Wilson welcomed the company and thanked his committee, particularly secretary Andrew Webster who had de-iced the car park. Gordon Greig arranged the car parking.
The haggis, mince, neeps and tatties followed by trifle were provided by Jennifer Durno and enjoyed by all.

Sandy Shearer and his company entertained with Sandy singing and telling stories, with Alastdair Falter from Fetternear and Andy Coutts, Fraserburgh on accordions.
Ailie Smith, Buckie played the violin and played the pipes and she with Sandy on pipes and the two accordionists played Highland Cathedral and Scotland the Brave.
More pictures from the Scots Night

The Communion Table from Forglen Church which has been in St Ninian's and Forglen Church since the Forglen Church closed has now been returned to The Friends of Forglen Hall.
It was presented to Forglen Parish Church by the Rev. George and Mrs Lawson in September 1894.
Since coming back to the Hall it has already been much admired and will be a handsome historical addition to the hall.

The experiment of holding the Forglen Winter Fayre in the evening last week was reasonably successful and the hall was bright with the colours of the 10 decorated stalls of Scruffy Teddies; Arthur's Crafts; Vie at Home; Mcgregors' Designs; Aloe Vera; Gamries Candles; Lauren McAngus; Life Boats; Stocking Fillers and Alita Doric Dragons.

More pictures from the Fayre

Remembrance day gathering.

War Memorial outside the hall
War Memorial inside the hall