An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Gaidheal > Volume 49--51, January 1954--December 1956

ciency in Gaelic. And why does only one school enter
for the Stewart of Simla Essay Competition ? Turning
to the seniors, Mr. Iain M. Moffat-Pender’s success in
winning the bardic crown was a popular one, while
Mr. Neil Macdonald and the Rev. Colin Mackenzie
(a former crowned bard) also did very well. We are
glad to note once again the name of Mrs. Katherine
Douglas, who continues her most praiseworthy work
of collecting unpublished songs.
Mention should also be made of the fact that the
Provost and Magistrates of Largs gave a Civic Dinner
on Wednesday. It had not been possible to arrange a
civic reception, but this token of hospitality was
greatly appreciated.
Gaels, of course, are not perfectly satisfied with the
ration of broadcasting time given them, but during
Mod week there was very extensive coverage on sound
radio, as well as an excellent quarter-hour with the
mod children on Tuesday on television, while the
Wednesday night grand ceilidh, with Donald Thomson
as Fear-an-Tighe, went over very well, both on sound
and television.
Annual General fleeting:
THE annual general Meeting of An Comunn
Gaidhealach was held in the Stewart
Memorial Hall, Largs, on Saturday,
6th October, 1956. Mr. Neil Shaw, F.S.A.
Scot., President, occupied the chair, and there
was a very good attendance of members.
Appropriate reference was made to the sudden
death of the Welsh delegate, Sir Eric Skaife,
on Monday evening, and those present at the
meeting stood in silent tribute. Reference was
also made to the death of Mr. Donald Macphail,
former Northern Organiser, since last National
Mod.
The meeting also learned with regret of the
death of Mr. Dugald Cowan, who had been
Finance Convener of the Aberdeen Mod Local
Committee last year.
Mr. J. M. Bannerman, Convener of the Mod
and Music Committee, moved a vote of thanks to
the Mod Local Committee for all they had'done.
They had raised the truly magnificent sum of
close on £3,000. He paid special tribute to the
Convener, Miss May Hunter, and to Mr.
Alastair Brown, President of the local branch,
Mr. Barnett (Vice-Convener of the Mod Comm-
mittee), Miss Bruce (Secretary), and Mr.
Maclachlan (Treasurer).
Thanks were also expressed to the Provost
of Largs and his wife, the magistrates and
councillors, and all the people of the town, and
especially the hotel-keepers and boardinghouse-
keepers.
Mr. Shaw expressed the thanks of An Comunn
to the B .B .C. and to the press for their coverage
of the Mod.
The Secretary read the list of office-bearers
newly appointed. Mr. Farquhar MacRae was
appointed President in succession to Mr. Shaw,
who, after two years in office, did not wish to
continue. Rev. T. M. Murchison was re¬
elected a Vice-President for a further period.
Mr. MacRae, on taking the Chair, thanked
the members for the honour conferred on him.
It was also, he said, a great responsibility.
There was great work to be done, and it could
be done only with the support of the members and
friends of An Comunn. Mr. MacRae then paid
tribute to the work done by Mr. Shaw for An
Comunn in his two years as President, following
upon forty years as Secretary.
The annual reports and accounts were sub¬
mitted and approved.
With regard to the place of the 1958 Mod, it
was intimated that no written invitation had
been received, but the Provost of Dunoon had
by telegram sent an invitation. After dis¬
cussion, during which it was stated that the
Dunoon branch of An Comunn would prefer
to have the Mod in Dunoon in 1959 rather than
1958, the matter was remitted to the Executive
Council.
The Secretary and the Northern Organiser
submitted reports on branches in the Southern
and Northern Areas respectively, as well as on
Gaelic classes, provincial mods, and other
activities sponsored by An Comunn. Training
of choirs was greatly hindered by the lack of
visiting music teachers. It was stated that the
educational authorities in the north were very
co-operative. There were, however, a number
of districts where not much could be done, for
various reasons, including lack of local leaders
and numerous counter-attractions.
Under the heading of “Other competent
business” a number of points were raised,
and suggestions made, and these will be con¬
sidered by the appropriate committee in each
case.
Mr. Farquhar MacRae, President, expressed
appreciation of the hard work done by An
Comunn’s own officials and staff, and the
meeting cordially approved his sentiments.
Following upon the annual meeting, the
preliminary meeting of the Executive Council
was held, and Standing Committees were
appointed.
B.B.C. GAELIC LESSONS
Beginning in October (for dates and timings see
Radio Times), the Scottish Home Service of the B .B .C.
are broadcasting weekly Gaelic lessons, actually a
re-broadcast of the previous very popular series. In
connection with these radio lessons a new booklet has
been prepared.
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