The
VILLAGERS
MAY 2011
Price
40p
The Voi c e of B a l qu h i d d er, L o ch e arn h e ad, Str at hy re & St Fi l l ans
Local Fundraising Champion Honoured
Balloons both inside and outside the Rob Roy Bar at the Kings House Hotel on Saturday 9 April signalled that a party was in progress. Tommy MacGregor and his friend Sheena Thorpe were celebrating their birthdays but even more important was the fact that Dorothy Rodger, representative for the charity Cancer Research UK, had come to honour Tommy’s achievements as a fundraiser for 47 years. Now 81, Tommy has managed to raise around £60,000 over the years and his family, friends and neighbours were there to see him receive his certificate and a gift. Dorothy Rodger explained how much the charity relies on people like Tommy to organise Dorothy Rodger, Tommy MacGregor and Rhoda Keenan. local events which raise money for research and how pleased she was to meet his co-helper Rhoda Keenan who also received a certificate. Tommy has lived in Auchtubh, Balquhidder for many a year and had many a job locally. Those of us who are his neighbours have been lucky to have had his services as a mechanic for our cars and mowers and other gadgets, always finding a smiling face and a willing hand to keep things in good running order. A very modest man, Tommy comes into his own at ceilidhs when he adds his fine singing voice to the entertainment. It was a great pleasure for us all to be present and congratulate him on his marvellous achievement. From Tommy’s speech... “I originally helped Davy and Molly McDiarmid (Tulloch Farm) starting in 1964 and have now been collecting for some 47 years. There has been a variety of ways in which we have raised funds from ‘The Office’ in the Rob Roy Bar, including ceilidhs in the village hall, wonderful auctions at Monachyle Mhor, Sunday afternoon football matches, collecting bottles in hotels and the famous games of ‘Win a Dram’ and ‘Nearest the Bottle’ here in the Rob Roy Bar. I must thank all those who have helped me over the years: Firstly thanks to Rhoda for counting all the money; then to Bill, Rena and Graeme Courtney for their continued help and support; Donald McLane who was Master of Ceremonies at all the dances; Roger Sharp who provided the music at Balquhidder village hall; Charlie Methven our great Auctioneer; Ian and Joyce Sutherland the auction helpers, sadly no longer with us; Moira and Dougie Welsh for running the Sunday charity football matches (remembering The Horse Box Bar!) who have now handed over the reins to Alex Gargolinski and his team. A special mention goes to Chris and Sheena Thorpe who save all their 20p pieces and arrive here twice a year for their holidays, donating it all in trying to ‘Win a Dram’. They must surely hold the world record for the number of wins. And lastly I must thank all the folk of the three villages for their continued support and generosity. Thank you all once again.”
The Auction
Tommy wished Sheena Thorpe a very Happy Birthday as that Saturday was her big day and Tommy in his turn was wished the same for the next day. The assembled throng sang lustily and then it was down to the business of a small auction, proceeds of which were added to the Cancer Research fund, followed by refreshments, courtesy of George Weir at the Kings House. A ceilidh, with entertainment by Roger Sharp and Jim Crumley rounded off the festivities later in the evening. M.K. Photos courtesy of Alex Gargolinski