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Abernyte Heritage Group Presidents Report 2010
The beginning of 2010 was overshadowed by the death of Dr Mary Young. Mary was an invaluable member of The Heritage Group contributing in so many ways ---- and always keen to offer ideas, advice and practical help.
Her pleas not to run the Barbecue raffle were always ignored and every year there she was smiling cheerfully as she presided over the raffle!!
Her influence and input to our group increased as she developed professionally.
Annual walks were heightened by little extra historical anecdotes as we trudged along.
We had our own Local Historian to answer all our questions ---- How lucky we were!
Her book, “The Quiet Revolution” is now recognised as an academic textbook for Scottish Rural Life----- What a tragedy that she was never able to build on her first academic achievements.
We all learnt a lot from Mary ----history, sheep, nature, sloe gin, and humour.
My Annual Report is illustrates the effect Mary had on The Heritage Group and our programme over the last 12 months.
6 months before she died Mary insisted we continue and extend The Oral History Project from 1950-2010. This project is now well underway with 12 completed interviews, 5 of them now transcribed. This is the tedious part of the project. Fortunately Pat Roberts and Jean Miller are typing away for us but please note --- Extra help is always welcome.
A start has been made cataloguing all the data, photos, maps, artefacts, etc. and Mary’s research notes which we have acquired over the years. This is a huge job is on going.. John Shabashow has become our Map Keeper whilst Barry and Cathy are tackling our large photo library.
I have updated the Abernyte Archive Box that is held in the AK Bell Library and have kept copies of most of these items so that they are available locally.
Over the last 20 years we have built up a unique, valuable resource.
Don’t be frightened to use it…… and to add to it …… For Mary’s sake !!
Further studies within the archives are 3 local studies written in the ‘80’s by 4th year Harris Academy students;
“Abernyte during the 2nd World War” by Freya Cumming,
“Millhill Farm” by Laura Alm
“The Changing Population of Abernyte in the ‘80’s” by Scott Wilkie.
“ Agricultural Record of Abernyte in 2000” by Jackie Sands
and
Fiona Davie has recently presented us with her mini thesis on “The Kinnaird Rose Garden” 2010
A Draft list of Local History Books now needs a volunteer to type it up and make it look professional!
Yves Duncan continues to soldier on with the village scrap books, a task that becomes more difficult as our electronic world minimises the news and photographs of The Courier – but The Scrap books are an archive in themselves!!
Please pass any items of interest to Yves at The Bield, or hand them in to a Committee Member.
Recording old Place Names in the Parish continues to have almost forgotten names don’t forget to add any new discoveries. An updated list was recently sent to The Scottish Place Names Society.
Annual events throughout the year
In March James Robertson spoke about his book” Joseph Knight Black Slave of Ballindean” A lively discussion followed the lecture .
Our 19th Parish Walk took place on a beautiful spring day in April when there were 23 intrepid walkers.
The 22nd Barbecue was, as ever, a great social gathering at the back of The School Shelter Sheds! The wine supervised by Norman and Malcolm flowed, while Margaret supervised her team of helpers at the BBQ, Jessie ruled the raffle and the children were extremely well behaved-
Everybody joining in the spirit of the evening !
The fact that I can stand here with such a fulfilling comprehensive report is a tribute to yourselves and the dedicated work of the committee.. I must mention especially Malcolm, who bears my faults stoically and Margaret who conscientiously manages the Money (whilst helping in so many other ways).
My sincere and grateful thanks to my team---- and thank you all who have gathered here tonight.