CD RECORDED TO RAISE FUNDS FOR LIFEBOAT
A CONCERT and live recording in aid of funds for the Maggie Law Museum in Gourdon took place at the Links Hotel, Montrose, on to an enthusiastic capacity audience.
Catterline singer / songwriter Dave Ramsay has been working with pupils at Gourdon Primary School, who have written two new songs, about the village and the Maggie Law lifeboat.
The 40 pupils were in great voice. Their songs were received with great applause and the entire audience joined in with the chorus. Their songs will now become of the Gourdon and local heritage, and is a proud achievement for pupils, school and staff.
The Maggie Law was an early inshore Gourdon lifeboat, built by subscription by the fishermen of Gourdon, and launched in May in 1880. It served for 40 years, with an illustrious record of saving 38 lives.
The museum is in need of an upgrade, and local businesses have already rallied round. It is intended to form a 'Friends of the Maggie Law' association, and anyone interested should get in touch with Dave.
Gourdon has a family connection for Dave, who hails from Arbroath, as his sister, Edna South, was co-author of a book 'Focus on Fishing (Arbroath and Gourdon)' which Dave used in his current research.
Dave, Tony Peters, Jillian Evans and Ray Milne took the audience on a maritime journey, with songs and poetry of heritage, humour, heroes and tragedy, from the coastline of Arbroath to Stonehaven, including a piece about the Great Stonehaven Flood of 2009.
There are three pieces on the CD about Arbroath, and Arbroath was well represented at the concert!
The first piece is called 'Arthur Elliot's Revenge' about a murder which took place in 1900 in the Prudential Assurance offices in Arbroath, and spilled over into a shooting scene at the Brothock Bridge.
The second is 'For Auchmithie I Am Bound'. Many people returning to Arbroath will say how much the town has changed. Man and boy I have walked that cliff top path from the Ness to Auchmithie, and the scenery and rock formations are one of the finest coastal walks in Scotland.
The fact that the village of 'Musselcrag' in Scott's Antiquary, was based on Auchmithie, gives it a real sense of romantic history as well.
The third piece is entitled 'The Tragedy at Station Park' and recalls that day in May when Forfar beat Arbroath 2–0 and Arbroath were then headed for Division Three.
The most unexpected part of the day was when The Proclaimers donated a copy of their Notes and Rhymes CD to the Maggie Law fund-raising effort, signed "To the Maggie Law", and autographed by Charlie and Craig.
The Proclaimers were in Montrose to play a gig at the Town Hall on Friday evening,
Thanks to their generous donation, the CD realised 124 towards the Maggie Law fund-raising effort.
Dave said: "This donation from The Proclaimers, undoubtedly stimulated the interest of the audience, and the sum of money raised from their CD is excellent, and much appreciated."
The CD will be launched on June 30 to an invited audience in Gourdon Village Hall.
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Weather for Arbroath
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
