Winter Series of Lectures 2009/10
Barvas Machair - A landscape through time
The fourth of the Society's winter lectures will be held on Monday 25 January 2010 at 8.00 pm in the Town Hall. Entry is by donation.
We welcome back Dr. Mary Macleod, former CnES archaeologist as our guest speaker. Mary has done several talks for the Society in the past. This lecture studies archaelogical surveys carried out on the Barvas machair in the 1970's and more recently in 2001. The findings of these surveys provide some interesting insights into the lives of Lewis people centuries ago.
News
Subscriptions
Members are reminded that their annual subscriptions are due in January 2010. Ordinary membership is £8.00 with family/overseas/corporate rates priced at £12.00. Remember that the Society's Journal - our bi-annual newsletter is included free with your subscription. Go to the contact page and print out the membership form.
Journal Out Now!
Issue 33 of the Society's Journal (December 2009) is now available from the Baltic Bookshop, Nicolson's and Hebridean Jewellery priced at £2.50. Featured in this issue are articles on Stornoway Sea Captains, the Ferries, John Mackay's School and much more!
We are inviting members and readers to send in their suggestions and comments about how we can improve the Journal. Would you prefer more photographs, a new layout or would you like it to appear once a year, twice a year (as it does currently) or more. Let's hear from you. Use the e-mail address at the bottom of this page. Please remember that the Journal relies on contributions from members and you the public.
Sandwick Memories
The Society invites our visitors to view a web site created by Lewis Macdonald, formerly of 28 Lower Sandwick and now residing in Tucson, Arizona. Lew is a son of the late Kenneth Macdonald aka 'Vegan', a former schoolteacher and Gaelic news reader for the BBC. Those of an older generation will remember him well. Kenneth's memoirs were published in 2003 under the title 'Peat Fire Memories'.
Lew wrote down his biography mainly for the benefit of his grandchildren and in them he tells of his childhood years growing up in Sandwick; his schooldays and his service in the RAF. It also goes on to recount his life and career in Canada and the US. Also included are old tales of Sandwick and some of the veterans of the First World War who came from the village. We are sure that 'canvastowners' of all ages will enjoy reading Lew's stories. Click on Sandwick Memories or go to our links page.
The Stornoway I Knew
The Society were delighted to announce the publication of 'The Stornoway I Knew' by Chrissie B. Maclean in July 2009. A regular contributor to the Journal, Chrissie's account of life in Stornoway during the 1930's, 40's and 50's features many well known local characters and places recalled in prose and verse. It also includes a number of previously unseen photographs and illustrations. Look out for 'The Stornoway I Knew' on sale in the Baltic Bookshop, Hebridean Jewellery and The Trading Post at £9.00 each. You may also order directly through the Society via the publications page on this web site (click on the order form link).
Can you help to build up our archive?
We will continue to build on the work of recent exhibitions by collecting photographs, stories and recordings on our maritime history and the old houses and families of Stornoway.
The Society plans to hold a major exhibition on Harris Tweed in 2011. We are looking for such information as memories of working in the local mills; weaving and the various tweed firms and shops. If, for example, you know what happened to the old Patent Slip Mill sign on James St - please let us know.
If you have photographs for copying, or artifacts that you may like to donate, please let us know via our e-mail address or by contacting any committee member.
Please contact us at info@stornowayhistoricalsociety.org.uk , or speak to any committee member.
