Entertainer Sandy Reid,'The Country Loon' delighted the full house at the Scots Night held in the hall. Music and stories of Scotland kept the audience singing and laughing after the tasty meal of haggis, neeps and tatties followed by trifle. The meal,prepared by Jennifer Durno was served by committee members to over 100 people. Sandy was introduced by Chairman Norman Wilson. All who contributed to the successful evening were thanked by Vice Chairman Charlie Gill.
The service at the Forglen War Memorial on Armistice day was conducted by the Rev Murdo Macdonald, St Ninians and Forglen Church, Turriff.
Representatives of Turriff Royal British Legion attended and vice chairman Alex Grewar laid a wreath. The Aberdeenshire wreath was laid by hall chairman Norman Wilson. Turriff piper and legion member, Sandy Shearer played a lament.
The hall committee provided tea for the Legion members. Norman Greig thanked them on behalf of the Legion.
A good social occasion was enjoyed by all at the Friends of Forglen Hall Christmas Fayre, with plenty of Christmas gifts for sale, but competition from other local social events kept numbers down.
MSP Stewart Stevenson attended accompanied by prospective candidate, Dr. Eilidh Whiteford from Glasgow, but originally from Macduff.. Aberdeenshire councillors Jack Mair and Ian Gray were also present with their wives.
Older Forglen residents and those further afield would be interested in the visitors from Canada. They were Mrs. Cathie Keir, formerly of Silverstripe, Forglen and her daughter Irene Carroll. The Keirs left Forglen for Canada in l961.
Gifts were on sale at nine tables and as expected the Lucky dip was enjoyed by the children.
The chairman Norman Wilson thanked the stall holders, those who attended and all who gave raffle prizes and also his committee for all their hard work. The event raised £320 for hall funds.
Last Friday's audience gathered locally and from Turriff, Fyvie, Aberdeen and Canada were treated to an evening of a great variety of music, poetry, and dancing. The very talented musicians and the young people of the parish just starting on their musical careers, were all enthusiastically received. There were so many excellent items but one of the highlights of the evening was the rendition of 'The Flying Scotsman' played by Steven Eddie. One could hear the train setting off on its journey,gathering speed and racing on its way then slowing down with a sigh when it reached its destination.
The sum of £589 was raised for hall funds.
Click on the thumbnails to see larger pictures.
The 'Jade' team of Elizabeth & John Smith and Ada & John Littlejohn were the winners of the Sepember quiz. Runners up were 'Game for a Laugh' with 'Bogtoneers' coming 3rd and 'Forglen Fliers' coming 4th.
Adam Gordon had made up the quiz with a wide variety of questions which kept the fun and laughter and puzzlement going all evening.
A stalwart of the Forglen community, Andrew Webster was invited to the opening of the Scottish Parliament. He was nominated By MSP Stewart Stevenson as his 'local hero' to join in the celebrations for the opening of the third session of the Holyrood Parliament. He was nominated not only for his commitment to his duties as secretary, but also for the many duties which he takes on voluntarily to help with the running of the hall. A farmer by occupation,he is secretary of a local farmers' discussion group and a member of the Turriff Show committee.
Mr Stevenson said before the opening,"Friends of Forglen Hall is a very worthy local organisation which adds significantly to the life of Forglen. It is a credit to its committee members and to all involved in its upkeep"
The good weather last Saturday (26 May) helped the Friends of Forglen Hall achieve their objective of having a grand sociable coffee morning with an increased attendance on last year.
The Friends chairman thanked all who attended, his committee team and others who helped, also the shopkeepers, businesses and other people who donated raffle prizes. £292 was raised for hall funds.
Ian Gray, Helen Anderson, Stewart Stevenson MSP, Norman Wilson, Andrew Webster
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Presentation to Friends of Forglen Hall on 24th April 2007
Stewart Stevenson MSP donated a cheque for £100, which was his fee for taking part in a show at The Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh. Pictured at the hall receiving the cheque from Stewart are the Chairman Norman Wilson, Secretary Andrew Webster, Treasurer Helen Anderson. Ian Gray who is standing as a candidate in the District election accompanied Stewart.
The exuberance and vitality of the young musicians of Turriff Academy shone out at the much enjoyed Friends of Forglen Hall concert last week.
Under the guidance of music teacher Zoe Gow, assisted by violin teacher Andrea Lewin, there were oustanding performances by Yann Chalmers, Elaine Dalgarno, Laura Hay and Andrew Dalgarno.
The music from the Ceilidh Band provided the foundation of the musical evening and
the singing of the first year choir and the country dancing by Fiona and Louise Marr, violin duets by Gail Garven and Leann Mearns, and Jennifer Campion and Andrea Lewin, made for a pleasant variety.
Yann Chalmers had a busy evening, playing his own composition on the classical guitar, plucking the double bass in the ceilidh band and acting as compere for the various concert items.
In the second half of the programme Elaine Dalgarno, showing her versatility, switched effortlessly from the accordion to the piano giving a positive solo rendering of ‘Fur Elise.’
The singing of ‘Dark Island’ by Laura Hay accompanied by Gail Garven on violin, brought out the fine quality of Laura’s voice.
There was a high standard of accomplished musicianship in Andrew Dalgarno’s accordion solo.
Country dance :Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Banffshire branch
Rural Institute :Scottish Women's Rural Institute, Forglen Branch
Common Threads - contact gamrie157@yahoo.co.uk
Fun with Flowers
