NORTH TOLSTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

NOTE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE NORTH TOLSTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ON 1 MARCH 2004 AT THE TIGH CEILIDH

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

APOLOGIES:   A.M Henderson; N.Moir.

•  Note of the last AGM of the North Tolsta Historical Society.

The Note of the AGM was approved

Matters arising:

Item 4 Excess of income over expenditure stood at £ £857.61 as opposed to £988.68 as minuted.

•  Chairperson's Report

The Chairperson's report, which was circulated at the meeting, was approved.

The main points were as follows:

•  There were 61 subscriptions to Seanchas, which was the Comann Eachdraidh's main source of income.   400 copies were being printed.  

•  It was noted that the Comann Eachdraidh had 317 members, although an updated figure of 325 was recorded on the evening of the meeting.

•  The Photoscan project was completed in June 2003. The CD "Village History in Pictures" and the booklet "Tolsta at Work and Play" both sold well and the presentation at the Tolsta evening in the Community Hall was very successful.

•  The Young Historians projects had secured funding from LEADER+ and the Better Neighbourhood Fund Scheme to the value of £16,200, with an added anticipated contribution from the Comann Eachdraidh of £1,800.   Two group leaders: J.A MacIver and N. Moir were appointed to run the project "Lost Customs and Traditions" which would be an 18 month project.

•  The Society would continue to try and secure funding to fund the "Tolsta Head Walk", after the withdrawal of WIE funding in support of the Township Development Project, of which this walk had been a part.

•  It was anticipated that the Comann Eachdraidh's application to Gaelic in the Community and the Comhairle to start a local bàrdachd project would be successful. It was intended that a project officer would be appointed, on a part-time basis, to carry out the work, pending a successful funding application.

•  The external walls of the Comann Eachdraidh's building had been painted and the Comhairle met the cost.

•  A number of functions were held throughout the year, the New Year Ceilidh being particularly successful. The Chairperson thanked Pròiseact nan Ealan and Marisa MacDonald in particular for getting the artistes who performed on the evening. The funds raised (£400) were used to offset the Society's own contribution to the Young Historians project.  

•  The Special Interest groups' research was ongoing, e.g., Tolsta families and Cemetery records, to name but two.

•  The Chairperson's report made particular mention of the database being created and updated by the Young Historians on the demographics of the village. It was important to review these statistics yearly and to file a paper copy at every AGM.     

•  The Comann Eachdraidh attended An Caidreachas Eachdraidh meetings regularly and also attended other meetings elsewhere that were in the interests of the Comann Eachdraidh, e.g., Links: Partnerships for Change.

3.     Treasurer's Report   

The Treasurer's statement, which was circulated at the meeting, was approved.

•  Receipts to date: £11,635.69

•  Payments: £9,226.12

•  Excess of receipts over payments: £2,409.57

•  Cash at bank as at 31 January 2004: £3,398.25

4. Election of Office bearers

Chairperson: Donald Murray

Proposer: Angus MacLeod

Seconder: Margaret Murray

Vice Chair: Anna MacKenzie

Proposer: Alex Angus Smith

Seconder: Rhoda Murray

Donald John Macritchie had indicated that he intended to step down from the office of Treasurer. The Chairperson thanked Donald John for his work as Treasurer.

Treasurer: Alex Angus Smith

Proposer: Angus MacLeod

Seconder: Sandra MacIver

Secretary: Angus Murray

Proposer: Margaret Murray

Seconder: Anna MacKenzie  

Two new members were co-opted: John A MacIver and Nina Moir.

5 . Programme for 2004

•  Bill Lawson intended to visit on 12 March 2004 to give a talk about Tolsta. It was intended that this event would be recorded by camcorder.  

•  The Chairperson noted that the Comann Eachdraidh was open to ideas with regard to future events/activities. There were a number of options which could be explored further, e.g., traditional music, story telling, bus trips, visits to the other Comainn Eachdraidh, and so on.

6. AOCB

•  It was intended that a number of books would be bought by the Comann Eachdraidh for reference purposes: The History of Lewis and Bill Lawson's books on Emigration, both of which made strong references to people from Tolsta.

•  It was agreed to purchase a folding table for the Young Historians for maps etc.

•  It was noted that the Comann Eachdraidh's computers required servicing.

•  The Comann Eachdraidh's site would contain a link to the School's web site and Young Historians. Permission would be sought and Taylor Edgar would be asked   to do this. It was acknowledged on the evening of the meeting that it was important to continue to update and add articles to the web site as these arise.

•  An invitation had been received from the Rector of the Nicolson Institute to attend the Unveiling of Murals on 15 March 2004 at the school Assembly Hall.

7. Date of next meeting

    The date of the next meeting was left open.