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Ardersier Village Hall Funding Project Moves Forward
Press Release:
Readers will remember our story featuring George Grant and his desire to create and publish a book covering Pictorial Memories of Ardersier with a view to raising money for the very worthwhile Village Hall Restoration Fund.
Well, a few short months after the original announcement, the good news is George has completed the project and his eighty four page interesting book packed with historic photographs, stories and amusing anecdotes relating to the historic village of Ardersier is now available for purchase.
With ALL sales proceeds going to the Hall Fund.
Is your photograph in the book?
You may be surprised, as a large number of group photographs have been provided covering school, sporting, war time, Red Cross and Church events through time from around the late 1800's, together with fishermen, entertainers and local personalities.
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Now on Sale
Delivered to your door
Only £12.99
Including Postage and Packing
Payment via Secure Paypal Service
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A beaming George Grant said:
"I am delighted that following many hours of research and copy writing that we now have the book printed and available for sale. I would also like to thank the many people who contacted me with offers of photographs and background information which reminded me of many different village events and has been used in the publication.
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Generous Donation |
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Jim Ferguson and Author George Grant |
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I would also like to thank the sponsors who have contributed to the printing and publication costs and in particular local businessman, Jim Ferguson, Managing Director of Castle Security Group for his very generous donation which enabled the print run to be extended considerably.
Councillor Roddy Balfour has also been of significant motivating support and the Highland Council are to be thanked for their interest with additional funding support and promotional assistance".
Details of all sponsors are featured in the publication
The book is available for direct purchase at :
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George went on to say:
"It is now down to members of the public to show their support which of course will be very welcome. The book makes an ideal Christmas present and I have received a number of enquiries from previous residents of Ardersier who are now living overseas. If anyone has any difficulty in getting a copy
the publication is available for direct purchase online from the Ardersier History website:
http://www.ardersier-history.co.uk
or by email contact via
gwgrant@tiscali.co.uk
Stop Press - Six Thousand Five Hundred £Pounds Raised So far
Please click for donation details and full story
It is hoped to raise several more thousand £pounds over a period of time by
sale of the book for this worthy cause." |
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Customer Comments:
Hi George
Many thanks for letting me know that the book is on its way. I bought the book as a present for my mum who is researching our family tree. My nana was from Ardersier and moved to Central Scotland after she married my papa. She met him whilst he was stationed at Fort George. My mum was told of your book by a couple who now live abroad but have connections with Ardersier. I believe that either my nanas mum or gran married into the Wemyss family who I understand had a bus company in the area. I think any extra information/pictures will be of great delight to my mum.
Hi George,
I don't know if you will remember me.I lived in the village until 1966.I was then Anne Burnett.I went to school with Ellen Anne your cousin.We have kept in touch over the years.We write our annual Christmas letter& card.I have got the book you put together & it has brought back many memories.of my Ardersier.Thank you for that.
With all good wishes - Anne
Hi George,
Just thought I'd let you know I've ordered 2 of your books online. One is for myself as an ex Ardersierian born and bred and one is for my sister and brother in law who live in Rochdale,Lancs. My maiden name was Pennell and I was born in Manse Road Ardersier in 1955. I lived there with my parents and four sisters until 1979 when I got married. I moved to Hertfordshire in 1991 with my family and I still often visit Ardersier. I remember your Uncle Dunc's chip shop (and your Uncle Dunc). When I was under 10 years old I vaguely remember he had a room at the back of the chip shop with a Juke Box. We were always warned by our Mum & Dad not to go there - it was a place of mystery to me. However when I was sent "down the village" for chips now and then I would sneak a look into the back room. It was wonderful! Older girls and boys( mostly soldiers from Fort George) were there, drinking Coke and jiving to all the latest hits. It all seemed so glamorous to me. When I was in my teens I worked in the school holidays at the NAAFI shop in Fort George with my Mum. Your Uncle Dunc was the van driver there and he picked us up and took us home from Fort George every day. My Mum and Dad knew him well. I have many memories too of the Village Hall - having PE lessons at school, school prizegiving ceremonies, Brownies, WRI jumble sales and of course as I got older the highlight of the week - the Dances! I'm delighted that restoration repairs may soon be carried out on the Hall and look forward to seeing its progress in the future.
Well done with all your efforts - Joyce Laing
Hi George,
Just to say thank you for a very enjoyable read of your book, we loved it - my name is Alison Maclean and I am married to Malcolm Maclean (Betty and Farquhars son that had the shop on the High Street in Ardersier) we wish now that we had given you some photos of them and the shop for the book but you never know for your next one! We just wanted you to know what pleasure it gives to go down memory lane and to see some well known faces - how time passes and you dont realise how quick it goes.
Well done -
Malcolm and Alison
To George,
I ordered the above book of Ardersier which I received today, thank you! I cannot tell you how nostalgic it is for me. Please let me explain: My mum Isobel Urquhart from Hillhead was sister to Marie, Simon and May Burnett. Auntie May lived at Manse Road and had 5 children - Dennis, Anne, Lynda, Wendy and Allan. From the late 50's and well into the 60's I spent every holiday possible up in Ardersier either staying with Marie & Simon or Aunty May with all the Burnetts! I remember many of the shops - Duncs the chipshop, McPhersons the grocer, Mrs Cruickshank the paper shop. The jetty and Bessie Munro - now she was a lovely person. Ooh lots of happy memories - in fact my husband and I have been up several times in recent summers if only to help me with my 'Memory Lane' fixation!! It was actually Anne my cousin who told me about this book - I bought it for my mother who is now 83 and she will just love it. In fact the book so impressed me I've ordered another book for myself tonight! So well done all of you in Ardersier who have produced a pure nostalgic book of memories!
Regards -
Marion Harley
Comments from George:
Many thanks to all who have written to me.
I am delighted to hear your comments and glad to know the book is appreciated by so many people.
Best wishes - George Grant
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Previous story ...
The changing face of a local village over more than a century is being highlighted in a new book
Ardersier is the focus of the special pictorial history which will chart the many changes it has undergone in the past 127 years, including the influx of thousands of workers to the oil rig construction yard from the early 1970s.
The project is the brainchild of Ardersier-born George Grant who has collected images from local contributors and former residents from as far away as New Zealand.
All the money raised from sales will go towards the refurbishment of the Ardersier War Memorial Hall.
The book includes pictures of almost all of the area through the ages, as well as groups of people who have lived in the village.
Mr Grant, of Scorguie Road, Inverness, told the Highland News: "I wanted to chronicle a place close to my heart and where I have spent a large part of my life.
"What I was hoping was to leave a little piece of history for future generations and an insight into how Ardersier has changed through the decades."
Mr Grant was born in Ardersier 60 years ago and was raised in the old part of the village a couple of doors down from his Uncle Dunc who owned the chip shop.
His father's family were born in the old Toll House in Ardersier where his grandmother and grandfather brought up a family of seven. |
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Mr Grant had the idea that if he could get a collection of old photos of the village and its people, he had the basis for an historical book which could be marketed with all sale proceeds being given to the hall committee to enable essential restoration repairs and improvements to take place.
He said:
"The historic hall has been the focus of life to the Ardersier community and it is essential that it is improved for the benefit of the community.
"The village is expanding steadily and the need for a hall with facilities suitable for modern day is essential."
George can be contacted by email at: gwgrant@tiscali.co.uk
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