Note of the meeting of the North Tolsta Historical Society at the Schoolhouse, North Tolsta , on Monday, 29 September 2008, at 7.30pm.

PRESENT: M Murray ; M Maciver; D.Murray; R.Murray; A.Murray; A.MacLeod, A. MacKenzie; S. MacIver; AA Smith; C M Smith

APOLOGIES: (Cllr) J A MacIver

CHAIR: D.Murray

•  Note of the Last Meeting

The Note of the last meeting of 1 July 2008 was approved.

2. Matters arising

Inventory

Rhoda and Anna had completed the stock check, mainly computers, associated equipment and CE written Materials. Needed to ensure we had a ‘signing out' arrangement in place for loans of books, etc.

Voluntary Action Fund

Alastair Nicholson, VAL, would visit the CE to explain about small grants.

Genealogy

It was noted that Anna Munro the project officer had been required to work additional hours and was paid accordingly.

Historical Walk

Had taken place and had been very enjoyable although walkers could not get access to Geodha Thogalach because of deep sea pool.

Ard Walk

The above walk was confusing some visitors who were unable to access the walk, the main problems being direction from the main road and/or the visibility of the first post from the starting point. A sign had been erected at Camach corner to help visitors' directions from the main road.

More sign posts were available via the Western Isles Countryside Access Programme and Angus and Donald would pick those up in due course. This would help walkers already at the starting point.

Voluntary Action Lewis AGM

This would be held on 9 September 2008.

3.   Croft history of Tolsta Vol 1

Launch proposed for 20 October 2008, to be held at the Tolsta Community Hall. The Gaelic content would be retained in the publication. Donald gave a brief summary of the book at the meeting. The publication takes the research up to croft no. 43, runs to some 160 pages and would retail at £20.00.

Bill Lawson would then move onto the publication of Vol 2. Good progress had been made to date with Vol 2 which was near completion, with one or two matters outstanding to be resolved.

4.   Caidreachas

Bill Houston , Head of Leisure and Learning at the Comhairle had addressed the meeting and explained to Members of An Caidreachas the future arrangements for the libraries and museum services. In summary, both services would have one manager.

Caidreachas AGM would be held on 8 December 2008.

5.   Correspondence

Letter of thanks from the Islands Books Trust.

Notification of VAL AGM.

Questionnaire from Historic Environment Advisory Council for Scotland (Angus to return).

Circular from Outer Hebrides Community Cultural Network advertising a major cultural event, 31 October to 1 November 2008 in South Uist.

Mary Smith (Singer) had asked for permission to use some of the songs from the Comann Eachdraidh collection with photos of the Bards. Permission was granted.

A range of e-mail correspondence/enquiries from I Murray ( Canada ); I. Campbell; I Maciver ( Canada ); J Martin; and D H Smith, which were being addressed.

John Macleod had forwarded the tributes (to Tolsta folk) that had appeared in the Free Presbyterian magazine throughout the years since its inception.

6.   Financial Statement

£3,833 recorded on the evening of the meeting.

7.   Hebridean Connections

Financial pressures mounting and public funding not forthcoming. One major source of funding, the EU LEADER programme, not yet on stream to take applications.

Link from their Heb Con web site to the Comainn Eachdraidh , including Tolsta.

CE Tholastaidh had submitted three photos and Gaelic text for the ‘calendar project': Eileanan Heisgeir ; Garry Beach and the Cladach .

•  DVD

R Moir had put a DVD together with excerpts of various functions the CE had undertaken.

•  Visits

John Macleod, Journalist, had visited the CE recently. He was working on a book about the Iolaire. Mr Macleod made a significant financial donation to the CE and Angus would write to thank him.

•  AOCB

Garry Bridge

Some discussion took place about a plaque for Garry Bridge to reflect its important local historical interest and to ascertain whether the Bridge could have listed status. (S ubsequently found to have listed status (category B) since 1993 (by Historical Scotland), and it was also confirmed by an officer within the Comhairle that listing conferred more responsibilities on the owners rather than benefits – from a public funding perspective).

Seanchas

Discussion at the meeting as to whether the CE might want to consider incorporating some colour content in the Seanchas and a ‘colour example' was circulated to show what this would look like. Agreed to defer to the AGM.

Scotland 's Rural Past

Christine Macmillan, 6 Glen Tolsta, had undertaken a training course in Lochs and we could have the benefit of her skills as and when necessary, e.g. surveys, etc.

•  Date of next meeting No date was set for the next meeting.