An Comunn Gàidhealach - Royal National Mòd : Mòd News

Royal National Mòd News

Volunteers Sought for Mod

Published: 28 Sep 2010

Over 8000 people are expected to flood into the area for the Royal National Mòd 2010 which will be held in Caithness during October.

The local organising committee has been working hard, organising fund raising events as well as making sure arrangements are in place to make sure that everyone who visits are well looked after.

Graham Cameron, a volunteer with the local organising committee and member of the Melvich Gaelic Choir, is responsible for making sure there are enough people on hand to act as stewards for the many competitions and events that will be held during the week of the Mòd.

Graham Cameron said “We have a great response from a number of people volunteering to help out but we still need more stewards for the actual week of the Mòd. It’s going to be a busy time and we will need a number of people on hand to help with the stewarding arrangements. If anyone has any free time during the Mòd, I’d be delighted to hear from them”

If you are willing to volunteer to help out during the week of the Mòd which takes place from Saturday 9^th October to Saturday 16^th October then contact Graham Cameron on 01641 571246 or email cameronatcroick@tiscali.co.uk.

Graham added “Stewards will be required to assist with a range of duties including selling tickets/programmes, controlling access to competition venues and marshalling competitors. Even if someone can only help out for a day or two, or simply a few hours, I’d be delighted to hear from them. We want to have our visitors leave with a positive image of Caithness and it would be great to see the community come out and provide some support.”

Volunteers are also required for some of the Fringe events and if you can help provide support Mòd Fringe Convenor, Alex Patience would be delighted to hear from you.

If you would like to hear more about the support required meetings have been organised for Wednesday 29^th September at the Weigh Inn at 6.30pm for support to the Mod and the Pentland Hotel at 7.00pm if you think you could help with the Fringe activities.

With only two weeks to go accommodation in the county has been filling up fast. If anyone still has available accommodation they should contact Dave Martin, Convenor of the Accommodation Committee by email djy.martin60@btinternet.com or by phone: 01955 661 260.

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Co-op Backs Mòd 2011

Published: 21 Sep 2010

The Co-operative is backing the 2011 Royal National Mòd, which takes place in the Western Isles, with £5,000 donation to the local organising committee. Planning is already underway for the October 2011 Mòd, the premier festival of Gaelic culture and language, and The Co-operative, which has stores across the Western Isles, is supporting the event.

Lorraine Christie, The Co-operative’s Regional Operations Manager, said: “Staging the Royal National Mòd in the Western Isles will be a real highlight for people across the islands, as well as attracting many visitors. “We are sure it will be a success and a tremendous boost for the local community, and as a community retailer we are delighted to be able to play our part to help with the costs of planning.”

Alex MacDonald, Convenor of the Mòd nan Eilean Siar local Committee said: “The organising committee greatly appreciates the generous support of The Co-operative Group. Next year’s Mod will be a very significant event for the islands, and we’re delighted to have such support from a retailer that plays such an important role in the local community.”

Pictured are Michael Boylan, Co-op Operations Manager, Alex MacDonald, Convenor Mòd nan Eilean Siar 2011 local committee and Steven Cooper, Co-op Branch Manager, MacAulay Rd Superstore, Stornoway.

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Convenor’s Cèilidh

Published: 17 Sep 2010

The Convenor of the Local Mòd Ghallaibh 2010 Organising Committee warmly welcomes you to the Convenor’s Traditional Cèilidh, which will take place on Thursday 14^th October 2010, in the Ball Room of the Pentland Hotel, Princes Street, Thurso, Caithness at 10pm.

A fantastic evening of celebration and entertainment - Henry MacInnes, Fear an Taigh; Monach Isles Ceilidh Band; Guest Piper - Andrew Harvey; Guest Artistes Including - Maggie MacDonald, Alasdair MacArthur, Chrissie Cumming, Riona Whyte, Seumas Campbell, Ceitidh Smith, Kenny Nicolson, Alasdair Whyte and many more!

Tickets - £5 members, £8 non-members available from An Comunn Gaidhealach on 01463 231 226, at the An Comunn Gaidhealach Mod Ghallaibh Office, Thurso High School during week of Mod Ghallaibh, or at the door. Looking forward to seeing as many of you there as possible!

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Mòd Fringe Launch at Blas

Published: 09 Sep 2010

MÒD FRINGE PROGRAMME WILL BE LAUNCHED AT BLAS

The Mòd Fringe programme will be launched at the Blas Festival Concert. The Blas Festival has been devised by The Highland Council in partnership with Fèisean nan Gàidheal and the Promoters Arts Network. The festival aims to play a role in celebrating the culture of traditional music and Gaelic in the Highlands. The Weigh Inn will play host to the Blas Festival in Caithness on Saturday 11^th September and will feature the James Graham Trio, Breabach and Fèis Ghallaibh Folk Group which features local young vibrant musicians keen to show their musical talents.

Alex Patience, Mòd Fringe Convenor said “It seems fitting to launch the Fringe programme at the Blas Festival. Both organisations are focussed on sharing high energy music, talent and our cultural identity - in blending something local with the national and to have a good time doing it. “We have a full programme of Fringe events and the Fringe programme will be distributed widely throughout the county and much further South. Our plan was to create a great series of Gaelic and traditional culture events and to showcase Caithness as a place more folk should get to know - and that there’s hardy northern spirits here who’ll welcome them and celebrate the Mòd.”

Raymond Bremner, Convenor of the local organising committee for the Royal National Mòd said, “I would encourage everyone to get involved as there is something for everyone in the programme. The work that has been put in to get these events organised has been amazing given everyone is working in their own time to make these happen. It is now only four weeks before the Royal National Mòd 2010 and if we really want to capitalise on the bigger tourism picture it is important that everyone living in the county ensures our visitors go home with happy memories of Caithness and a desire to return. Launching the Fringe programme at the Blas Festival was a perfect fit – the festival will feature pipes, fiddles, whistles, songs, dancing and local talent and is a good example of some what will follow with the Mòd ”

Blas are supporting the Caithness Mòd and you can too by booking tickets at the local box office on 01847 890243 or by purchasing at the door.

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Gaelic Taster Sessions

Published: 07 Sep 2010

Following workshops held in June to provide a basic Gaelic starter course two additional classes have been organised.

The events, hosted by North Highland Tourism, will be held on Tuesday 14^th September in Castletown Heritage Centre from 1030-1230 hrs and from 200-400 hrs in Mackays Hotel, Wick.

Jill McNicol, North Highland Tourism said “I was delighted with the interest that the first workshop attracted. This is not meant to be an intensive course, it is very basic and simply allows people the opportunity to meet and greet people in Gaelic if they wish. It’s like going abroad on holiday and saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in the language of the country where you are staying – it’s simply a nice thing to be able to do”

Murray Lamont, Mackays Hotel added “I asked if it was possible to hold a dedicated workshop for the staff that work at the hotel. When the visitors for the Mòd start to arrive in October I wanted my staff to be capable of greeting them in Gaelic and hopefully this will show everyone that we will go that extra mile to make them feel welcome.”

Anyone interested in attending the workshops on 14^th September should contact jill@northhighlandsscotland.com.

Carol-Anne Mackay, Event Support Officer for the local organising committee said “I would encourage anyone with an interest to attend the workshop in September. It was good to see the interest the first workshop generated and shows that people understand the potential benefits that the Mòd will bring to Caithness.”

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