More Fergie fun at the big re-opening

Published: 10 November, 2007

YOU may be slightly surprised to learn that, as per Ron Thomson's monthly weather round-up, we had less than half the amount of rain in October 2007, than in October 2006!

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Aye 5.34 inches of precipitation last month, a third of which fell between Oct 27-28; 11.46 inches in the previous October!

Temperature-wise, the two Octobers were similar. A high of 60 degrees last month compared to 61 degrees, and lows of 35 degrees and 36 degrees respectively.

In October 2007, we had 11 wet days, 7 dry days and 13 sunny days. In October 2006, the figures were 15,1 1 and 7.

We used always to be told: "Don't believe everything you read in the papers!"

So, understandably, I looked askance at the description in the Fort William edition of the west coast paper which advised that "Lochaber area commander, Ian Latimer" would speak on policing issues at Tuesday's Joint Ward Forum meeting.

And at the mention of Highland Council's "head of planning, Andy Donaldson".

Another one, this time "on Record", advised that the Ice Factor is "in Lochleven".

That must just be the tip of the iceberg.

Pat and I were fortunate enough to be among the 850 enthusiasts at Eden Court's sellout reopening on Saturday night.

Everyone was welcomed by the enthusiastic staff, before being royally entertained by Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain.

It was in June 2005, after playing "Auld Lang Syne" and, prophetically, "Will Ye No' Come Back Again", that Phil and Aly promised their audience: "We'll see you after the break!"

Thus Phil's opening gambit on Saturday evening, bringing rapturous applause, was: "Did you have a nice, enjoyable interval?"

Phil announced that Aly had celebrated his 60th birthday during that 30 months Eden Court interval, and Aly, a wee bit forlornly, confirmed that indeed, he now has his bus pass.

"I got it during the longest interval we've ever had!" said he.

Then came the music, delivered in the dynamic duo's own cabaret-style.

Before even the first tune Phil, of course, was alluding to Fergie Macdonald.

He related the incident of the "Disappearing CDs in the Gearasdan" (There's a tune to be made, there).

Then he launched into a salutary tale of Fergie and the "Environmental Health Man".

A phonecall, purporting to be from Inverness, was made to Mingarry.

"Fergie Domhnallach!" was the prompt reply.

"Environmental health, here," in a Southron accent.

"We're checking up on your documentation for the fixtures and fittings and tables and chairs for your new premises."

Fergie left the caller in no doubt as to what would best be done with any such paperwork.

The response to that, was: "Ach don't worry, Fergie, I'm just winding you up, it's Phil Cunningham here!"

The bold Fergie, now well fired up, retorted: "Don't you dare drag my good friend Phil into this!"

I was intrigued, not just in listening to Aly Bain's virtuoso performances, but in watching him keep time to his music.

For example, his first melody was played to the accompaniment of the tapping of his left foot.

Then when he changed tune, or key, it was his right foot that got laldy.

Interesting, that. To me, anyway!

A week ago, on October 31, came the guisers, and their party pieces.

Then on November 5th, it was "Penny for the Guy" and bonfires, and fireworks.

Which took me back to "our day" some 55 years ago when the Viewforth Gang built, on the Caley Green, the biggest bonfire in Lochaber.

And, prior to one of our members lighting the blaze, we went guising round Viewforth's 17 households, and down into the High Street to call on the Hughes and MacFarlane families – and Louis Boni.

Then around 10pm, laden with fruit, nuts, chocolate toffee and boilings, we came home for the lighting of the fire, the pile itself having been watched over by parents while we were out, lest "something happened to it" in the interval!

Crowds of people came from all over town, and 200 was the usual number who watched the "Viewforth Bonfire".

The youngest gang member had the honour of setting the fire alight.

Next morning we rushed "up the Caley" to see it still smouldering.

And the culmination of our efforts was the Highland News paragraph which proclaimed: "The Viewforth Bonfire, lit this year by George MacGeachie/Archie Pryce/Alistair Hunter was once again the biggest Hallowe'en blaze –- and could be seen from all over town."

The difference in those days was that we celebrated Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night together.

We never actually recognised Guy Fawkes as a separate November 5 occasion.

Oh, and we didn't have fireworks. We just let off "squibs"!

In the Money?

Kilmallie Shinty Club. Nos 2,6,17. No Takers. There's a rollover to £500 this weekend.

Fort William Shinty Club. Nos 1,12,15. Not Won. A massive £1,200 Jackpot awaits on Tuesday.

Lochaber Camanachd. Nos 6,9,17. No winners among the Braes ticket holders, either. They too can look forward to a huge £1,200 Rollover on Tuesday.

Ballachulish Shinty Club. Nos 1,2,18. No Winners. The prize money rises to £400 this weekend.

Fort William FC. Nos 10,17,20. No Claimants. There's a very healthy £600 in the kitty this weekend.

Fort William FC 500 Club. £300 Mrs Moir; £50 S Duncan; £25 C Neilson, G Neilson, - MacLennan, K Delaney.

Caol Regeneration Lottery. Nos 7,10,19. No correct combinations. A carryforward to £400 tonight (Thursday).

WHAT'S ONS - THURSDAY, November 8. University of Aberdeen. Evening Programme in the Highlands. Talk by Dr Marjory Harper on "Emigrant Scots". Ballachulish Shinty Club Pavilion. 8pm.

SATURDAY, November 10. The Salvation Army. Fundraising indoor car boot sale & cafe. Citadel, Glen Nevis Place, Fort William. 11am till 3pm. To book a £5 table call Betty on 703948.

Slow Food Lunch and Christmas fair. Ardtornish House, Morvern. 11.30am till 3pm.

SUNDAY, November 11. The Fort William Branch of The Royal British Legion, Scotland, invites all members and ex-servicemen and women to take part in the Remembrance Day Parade. Assembly at 10.35am in Viewforth car park for the march to Fort William Parade.

MONDAY, November 12. Lochaber Community Care Forum – including Car Scheme, Handyperson Service, Volunteer Visiting Service. AGM. Ben Nevis Hotel, Fort William. 12 noon.

WEDNESDAY, November 14. Strontian Village Hall. Informal talk and display of minerals by June Clifford. 1pm. Further info on 01967 402222.

FRIDAY, November 16. Inverlochy & Torlundy Community Council. AGM. Inverlochy Hall Annexe. 7pm.

SATURDAY, November 17. Charity Ceilidh Buffet Dance. Cruachan Hotel. In aid of the Huntington's Association. Music by Heckie & Belle – plus many other musicians of note. Buffet/Dance – £15 from 7.30pm; Dance Only – £5 from 8.30pm. For tickets for buffet/dance phone Heckie on 703148/07743351841; for tickets for dance only, pay at the door. Raffle for many donated prizes – and more would be gratefully received!

WEDNESDAY, November 21. Kinlochleven High School. Prize Bingo Night. Main Hall. 7pm for 7.30pm. Organised by the Parent Teacher & Friends Forum (PTFF). Proceeds to augment their continued efforts in support of the school.

Correspondence Corner.

Dear Roamer, Through your column could you please pass on our grateful thanks to all our relatives and friends for the lovely gifts, cards, visits and phonecalls on the happy occasion of our Golden Wedding.

Best Wishes, Sam & Dolly Horner, Highbridge, Spean Bridge.

Dear Roamer, We wish to extend our thanks to the "Lochaber Public"' for their support at our recent bonfire & fireworks display at Banavie.

We received over £1000 in donations this year – the best yet. Our efforts are obviously appreciated!

A big thank you to all who helped on the night and with the preparation work.

Special thanks go to Charlie, John, Scott, Gus & Richie – the "Foxy Guys" of the club – for the hard work they put into providing a fantastic display and a very impressive bonfire.

Last but not least we wish to express thanks to all the "Local Members" who have agreed to release funding from their individual discretionary budgets to cover half the cost of this years fireworks.

Their support is greatly appreciated. Best Wishes, Lochaber R.F.C.

Grace Brooks had a pleasing Mod tale to tell.

In a chest of drawers she bought at auction, Grace discovered a white, wedding Bible. It was initially inscribed in the 1970s – the marriage having been in Tarbert, Harris.

With the Mod coming along, Grace thought she'd try to find the owners. However, extensive enquiries failed to locate a likely claimant.

But, in Mackay's on the Friday, Grace and Chrissie were chatting and Grace mentioned the word "Tarbert".

At which a Mod visitor turned round and said: "Have you got Tarbert connections?"

Grace explained about the Bible.

"I was at that wedding", the Tarbertian exclaimed. "The groom is my nephew!"

End of chapter and verse.

"Mod chief resigns after one week".

That was the provincial daily headline on Friday.

About Fiona Dalgetty, who had started as Mod Events Officer at Falkirk Council on the Monday before!

So the "Homecoming Mod" – so called because the Highlanders used to drive their cattle and sheep to market in Falkirk, and ceilidhed there for a week – hasn't got off to the best of home starts.

Perhaps the Falkirk Mod Convener should mod-ify his claim.

At their latest meeting, Fort William Community Councillors minuted that the "Nevis Centre and staff had provided an excellent venue for the Mod".

They went on to state that it was "very hard work for the committed staff" and "Well Done" to them all.

"The Nevis Centre has had a very good year so far, with many attractions there being well attended."

After the Mod, come The Proclaimers, St Andrew's Night Ceilidhs, Trad Music Awards, and, wait for it, the likelihood in 2008 of hosting TV's "Question Time".

On Monday we at Ben Nevis Book Corner entered our fifth year of operation in Monzie Square.

During that time we have accommodated customers from all over the world, as well as building up a very faithful local trade.

Interestingly there is only one of our Lochaber Highland councillors who has never set foot in the premises!

Last week I mentioned in this column that we had been to Glenelg, but hadn't bumped into ex-Fort William Senior Secondary School colleague, Duncan Chisholm – a native of that palindromic place.

As I was writing this week's bits and pieces this afternoon (Wednesday) who should walk into the Bookshop but – Duncan Chisholm, accompanied by his Glenelg cousin, Alice.

So, we met up again, almost 45 years after we last saw one another – in London.

At that time both of us had night-time jobs, stocking shelves in the Fine Fare Supermarket in Swiss Cottage!

I haven't mentioned football for a while, albeit I may have had good reason to crow a bit, after recent results.

But, just this once I'll mention the Hearts connection.

In the 12-week-old person of Matthew Brown, from Caol, in his pram, and resplendent in maroon tracksuit, with the words "Born to be a Jambo" emblazoned on it.

No prizes for guessing Matthew's family connections!

A pity we didn't send Matthew down south as sub for Scottish Parliament presiding officer, Alex Fergusson, to oversee the CIS League Cup semi-final draw, which turned out to be unbelievably shambolic.

You may have seen by now the handbills and notices put out by the new occupiers of Fort William Tourist Office in Cameron Square.

Dv8, styled as one of the UK's leading fashion retailers, are moving in.

Pity, however, that the wording tells us that they are due to open their "new Fortwilliam store at Camden Square"!

I wonder if the term "Gallus Bosoms" would mean anything to a group of weekend diners in Fort William?

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