Party at the Castle

Well, am just in transcription mode the noo, it's amazing hearing all the interviews again.
So, the news - the launch is going to be held at Fyvie Castle's racquet court building - a lovely glass-roofed hall that the Forbes-Leiths would've played tennis and badminton in - on Saturday 19th April, 2008 from 12.30pm. This is an occasion for the interviewees to get together and hear more from others, and see what is happening to their memories. We'll have afternoon tea provided by Hudson's Catering services, Kinellar, some entertainment provided by my mate Irene Watt, clarsach player who just released her latest album a few months ago. Hopefully we'll have songs and poetry from of our extremely talented interviewees too!

There will be a report on the project's achievements, and the formal presentation of the disks to Aberdeenshire Libraries - David Catto, the shire's Local Studies librarian will be representing the council - NEFA, the North East Folklore Archive - hopefully Gavin Sutherland will be along and for the Elphinstone Institute, and maybe even NEFA (as he was that archive's founder), Dr Thomas McKean of the Elphinstone Institute. We are also hoping that First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP will come as a guest, but since Alex is aye affa busy, we won't know till the last minute. A consistent fan of all things North East, Alex should find the project archive very interesting for himself too!

After the 19th, folks will be able to go to the libraries in Meldrum, Turriff and Ellon to access the CDs. They will be able to listen to them through the library computers, and each of the groups involved will also have their own copies of interviews done by them, so members of societies will have access to their own sets. The school libraries in all of the three major towns of Formartine will also have copies of the CDs and transcriptions for study purposes.

Since we had 94 or 95 interviews, initially only 72 will be transcribed. We hope that the Meldrum interviews will be transcribed later - could be a project for the Academy! Anyway, as I said in December, it's an embarrasment of riches!

Thanks to everyone for their contributions, and we should see most of you in April!