PRESENT: D.Murray; R.Murray; A.Murray; M.Murray; A.MacKenzie; A.M Henderson; A.MacLeod.

APOLOGIES: A.A. Smith; S. MacIver; R.MacLeod; N. Moir

CHAIR: D.Murray

WELCOME: the Committee welcomed Donald back after his recuperation from illness.  

1.                  Note of the Last Meeting  

The Note of the last meeting was approved. 

2.                 Matters Arising

2.1             History of Lewis

This book had not yet been purchased; A.A. Smith would deal with this on his return.

2.2             Bill Lawson's Books

It was agreed that the Comann Eachdraidh would purchase his books on Canada and Ness, £14 per copy.

2.3      Classic Cars

A good turnout enjoyed the day including a procession of vintage cars to Garry Bridge followed by a display by the Young Historians. 

3.       Correspondence

3.1     Confirmation that Charlie Nicholson, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, was now back in post as Community Development Officer for the Broadway area, after his secondment with the Community Schools. 

3.2     A letter had been received from Karen Macdonald, a student at Glasgow University, detailing a research proposal: "The role of women when men were absent." 

4.         Financial Statement 

4.1     The Treasurer was not present so there was no update on the current financial status.

4.2     An invoice had been raised for the Bàrdachd project, which has now started. Marsali Mairi Macleod is employed on this project as the project officer/researcher.       

4.3     An invoice had been received from Tolsta Rag Dolls, the pre-school group, for the shared cost of the electricity. This was paid on the evening of the meeting.

4.4     A cheque had been received from the Comhairle for £600 towards the Bàrdachd project, which would offset the Comann Eachdraidh's contribution of £800. This would be of great help and A.Murray would thank the relevant officer within the Comhairle.

4.5              The computers had been serviced by West Tide Solutions.

5.         Young Historians

5.1     £11,584.94 is the remaining balance of the project.

5.2     A leaflet has been produced which details the project's progress to date. This will be inserted into the next edition of the Seanchas. It was confirmed that the logos of the funding agencies are on this leaflet.

5.3     A progress report has been completed for the BNSF for April/May 2004.

5.4     Musical tuition will resume after the Summer. 12 people are being trained in melodeon.

5.5     A site visit to an airigh is planned. The Young Historians are keen to put a roof on it. A quote has been obtained from James Leach, Dry Stone Dyker, for the works.  

5.6              The YH database has been put onto CD-ROM.

5.7              Recording and interviewing is ongoing on a range of topics, e.g., marriages in the village.

5.8              Archiving work also ongoing. The folder on fishing is currently missing and should be returned. The Comann Eachdraidh now has a book for recording material taken out on loan at any particular time, and by whom.   

5.9              The Comann Eachdraidh agreed that it should look at marketing its resource(s). This could be a future project, subject to funding.

6.       Web Site

Nina, Marsali and Rhoda met with Taylor Edgar who gave them a demonstration of software, which would allow the Comann Eachdraidh to continuously update and expand its web site.

There would be a need for training and the software would cost in the region of £500. It was agreed to progress with this.

7.         Caidreachas Eachdraidh

The Caidreachas met on 9 June 2004 and D.Murray attended the meeting. The main business of the evening was the possibility of securing a development officer for the Caidreachas, funded by LEADER+ and the Comhairle, and/or the more ambitious option of securing an officer for each Comann Eachdraidh. The most realisable option would probably be three or four officers covering the Western Isles. A Forum would discuss this further on 6/7 July 2004 and someone would attend from Comann Eachdraidh Tholastaidh.

8.         The Museums Links Project 

This project seeks to build working links between Museum nan Eilean and the Comainn Eachdraidh. Anna and Rita had attended the meeting on 15 March 2004.

9.         Date of next meeting

          No date was set for the next meeting.