PRESENT: D.Murray; R.Murray; A.Murray; M.Murray; A.MacKenzie;   A.MacLeod; A.A Smith; S.MacIver; R.Macleod;  

APOLOGIES : N. Moir; A.M Henderson

CHAIR: D.Murray

•  Note of the Last Meeting   

The Note of the last meeting was approved.  

•  Matters Arising

Bill Lawson's Books

2.1        Three copies of the above books and the two copies of Lewis : A History of the Island by Donald Macdonald had been bought.

2.2        Karen McDonald, student, had visited the Comann Eachdraidh and met some members of the village. We would receive a copy of her thesis in due course. She had also visited Ness .

3.            Correspondence

3.1        A letter and donation of £25 had been received from Beth Drummond, Kirkcaldy.

3.2       An invitation had been received from the Scottish Parliament's Outreach Service to their proposed open day event at the Caber Feidh, Stornoway, the purpose of which was to exchange information between the Parliament and our communities. It was agreed that we should be represented and we would need to respond by 31 August 2004 .  

3.3       A questionnaire had been received from CnAG to update the information on their database.

3.4        A letter had been received from Museum nan Eilean informing us of a visit by a Collections Management consultant on 6 September 2004 . Marsali would meet her.

3.5        Dolina MacSween was now updating the Comann Eachdraidh's profile for Museum nan Eilean's web site (which is now linked to our own). She wanted some information (distinctive to Comann Eachdraidh Tholastaidh or Tolsta the village), and it was agreed to contribute a short piece on the Leverhume Bridge .

3.6        The visit from "Mackay Country: Back to the Future" failed to materialise due to transport problems.  

              Young Historians

4.1        Their web site was now up and running and could be accessed via the   Comann Eachdraidh's main web site. The web site could now be updated as necessary and names had been added to photo galleries as well as new links to other relevant and useful sites.         

4.2        Six members of the Young Historians had gone to see the play about the Metagama which they enjoyed.

4.            Financial Statement

4.1        For the period 1 February 2004 - 24 August 2004 : income of £6,284.13; expenditure of £6,123.63; an excess of income of £160.50 plus £3,398.25 brought forward, leaving a balance of £3,558.75 on the night. A full statement would be available at the next meeting.     

5.            Bàrdachd

5.1        Marsali and Angus MacLeod (editing) were progressing well with the project. Gaelic in the Community staff had requested a photograph for their promotional magazine and it was agreed that this should be Marsali and Angus.    

6.            AOCB

•  The family histories were progressing well and it was suggested that it might be useful to include a little bit of history, wherever possible and within reason, in addition to family names.

•  Seanchas was progressing well. Postage was underpaid on the last edition resulting in a small fine (thought to be due to the use of a different paper). The chairperson expressed our apologies for any inconvenience caused to subscribers.     

6.3        Susan Rabe of the agency partnership Western Isles Countryside Access Programme had contacted the Comann Eachdraidh with regard to walks/pathways/access issues, asking us whether we might wish to improve/enhance existing walks, etc. It was agreed that we should discuss with her the Ard Walk/text for a Board such as the one at Garry, a Board, and a promotional leaflet.           

7.            Date of next meeting

            No date was set for the next meeting.