Our annual Heritage Open Day took place on Saturday, 29th August. What a busy day it was: packed with culture, cakes, interest and fun!
We had Dramatic Tales told by Kathleen Hannigan and Carol Thomson, free 30 minute guided tours and specialist talks from our expert guides, an update on our Lottery grant plans and timeframe, really lovely Clarsach playing by Chris Beveridge and teas in the Chancel, courtesy of our generous bakers.
in addition, our exceptional volunteers packed the kirk with fascinating displays and information boards about what’s been happening in the last year and what’s to come. Features included original research by Phil Worms, a new member of our Heritage Group, showcasing a local character remembered in one of our wall plaques; the sterling work of our Gardening Group with assistance from Dalmally Primary; our focus this year on the Harp; and the animated children’s guide which we are making available to schools participating in our Schools projects. Also featured were all this year’s entries to the St Conan’s Cup for Art in Primary Schools, together with the winning drawings. Around the kirk, it was cheering to see the many vases of garden flowers dotted here and there, thanks to our budding, (pun fully intended), Flower Group, an offshoot (!) of our Gardening Group.
We had some 250 visitors from an astonishing range of countries. In addition to Scotland, England and Wales: Malta, Germany, Spain, Austria, USA, Belgium, Italy, Canada, Denmark, France, Poland, Israel, Australia, the Netherlands and Switzerland were represented! Of the non-UK visitors, the largest numbers were from the USA (23% of total visitors), then Italy, Canada and France, each at about 5% of total visitors.
The dramatic tales, tours, clarsach and teas were particularly enjoyed by all. We are very grateful to our visitors for coming along and supporting us.
To our wonderful volunteers: a huge thank-you for giving your expertise and time so generously. It is enormously appreciated.
