Heritage/Reminiscence Reading Group.

Friday the 15th of February saw the fourth meeting of the recently formed Inverurie Heritage/Reminiscence Reading Group . Members meet once a month in the Inverurie Community Centre. The sessions are very informal and, although members are encouraged to bring along a story or poem, the memories can take any form: it might be the written word; it may be an object or a photograph; or it could even mean just coming along and having a chat about the things they remember.

Our theme for this month's meeting was Love and Romance - North-east style. The topic had us all all laughing, sharing various poems and stories and, most importantly, remembering...

The discussion then turned to the once popular town and village dance halls of yesteryear - the places where folk did their courting and often met their partners. We enjoyed a Memory Stone session about members' dancing days - where a polished stone was passed around and whoever was holding the stone was encouraged to share a memory. With a session like this there's no pressure to speak - if you can't think of anything, or don't want to join in, you just pass it on...

We also enjoyed a short visit from Rhona Mitchell who runs a local drama school and discussed the possibility of dramatising some of our memories. It sounds like fun - watch this space...

Banchory 50 + Social Studies Group.

 

I spent a very pleasant St. Valentine's morning with the lovely ladies of Banchory's 50 + Social Studies Group. We listened to poetry of a romantic nature before looking ahead to spring with a reading of Daffodils by William Wordsworth. The members even tried their hand at a bit of creative writing by penning a collaborative poem about spring.

The meeting was very upbeat and was rounded off with a reading of a short story of my own called Three in a Bed (the content is quite innocent, but the title certainly raised a few laughs - especially on the most romantic day of the year). We also enjoyed some delicious home-bakes kindly provided by one of the members - now that's my kind of morning!   

 

 

 

 

 

Comments:

 

"Thanks, Debbie - a wonderful morning full of fun and food for thought."

 

"Please come back soon!"

 

"Superb! Brought out the joy of language."

 

"Thoroughly enjoyable! Debbie would make a great actress."

 

"A great morning! Good to hear someone with a true local voice - makes a refreshing change. Keep up the great work, Debbie."

 

"Brilliant morning and very thought provoking."

 

"Enjoyable morning - informative and entertaining."  

    

Westhill Reminiscence Group

I had a lovely session with the members of Westhill Reminiscence Group. We listened to a variety of readings and spoke about creating mind-pictures with words. We also discussed the special memories that can be evoked by certain smells. The members shared stories about many different smells - from a host of golden daffodils to boiled 'sookin' sweeties. 

One of the poems we shared was Winter-time by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Winter-time

by Robert Louis Stevenson

 

Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,

A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;

Blinks but an hour or two; and then,

A blood-red orange sets again.

 

Before the stars have left the skies,

At morning in the dark I rise;

And shivering in my nakedness,

By the cold candle, bathe and dress.

 

Close by the jolly fire I sit

To warm my frozen bones a bit;

Or with a reindeer-sled explore

The colder countries round the door.

 

When to go out, my nurse doth wrap

Me in my comforter and cap;

The cold wind burns my face, and blows

Its frosty pepper up my nose.

 

Black are my steps on silver sod;

Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;

And tree and house, and hill and lake,

Are frosted gently like a wedding cake.  

 

 

COMMENTS

 

"This was a very enjoyable session which encouraged people to participate. They remembered what happened years ago and enjoyed sharing memories. Even those who did not normally join in enjoyed listening."

 

A fun Burns/haggis inspired poem by Kai Colston from Ellon Academy.

 

 

A Sheep caaed Baggis

 

I hid ma Burns Supper the ither night,

Fit fine - neeps an tatties - o fit a delight!

I eatit it up, hid some in a bap,

Aat's fin I asked ma mither, "Fit's aat?"

 

She said,"Y'mine aat sheep caaed Baggis?

Well, aat's him made inte haggis.

It's his belly efter a heap o cuts,

Right noo, ye're eatin his guts."

 

I glowered at ma maw, "Ye haein a laugh?"

"Na, son," she said. "Now, dinna be daft!"  

I wis in tears - I started te peek -

"Ma!"I yelled. "I luved aat sheep!"

 

Noo in ma belly lies poor Baggis,

Cause one Burns Supper -

He was made into Haggis.

 

Banchory Academy Workshops

I had a super couple of days at Banchory Academy delivering readings and workshops to S4 and S3 pupils. We discussed the origins of Scots/Aberdeenshire Doric and listened to some poetry and prose with a Scottish flavour. Readings included a short story taken from My Favourite Place (published by The Scottish Book in November as part of the Book Week Scotland celebrations). The story, Bella's Kitchen, was written by Simone Sinclair and was greatly appreciated by everyone. The pupils went on to do a bit of creative writing. I asked them to imagine a meeting with their favourite celebrity (who could be real or imagined/dead or alive). 

A few extracts from the creative writing exercise...

..."Aye, min, foo ye deein?"
"Och, nae up te muckle. Foo's yersel?"
"Och, jist busy drivin aa the time."
"Are ye wirkin ilky day?"
"Aye, ye've got nae idea. Foo's yer bairn keepin?"
"She's lookin gey peely-wally. She winna tak her feed."...
Craig Peter, S4


...I wis awa te the shops wi the family fin aa o a sudden a crood o folk were surrounding Billy Connolly.
He made a quick exit awa fae aa the folk and stopped fin he waaked past me and said, "Fit like, min?" My jaw nearly drapped te the fleer fin Billy said aat te me. I replied, "Fit like, Billy, can I hae yer autograph?"
"Aye," he said. He pulled oot a pen and paper fae his pocket, signed it and said, 'Hae a gweed day, pal." He shook my han then left...     Jason, S3

...It wis Monday mornin and it wis ma first day at ma new school.
I wis affa scared because naebody wid understand the wye I spik. I walked te the front door...   Kirsty, S3

...I wis wakkin doon i road on i wye te the chipper te pick up ma denner when I saw that wifey aff the tele - Martha Freewoman. Never in ma life hid I seen a celeb. Fit wis she deein in Torry? I ran past a burnt oot car and a van-nickin by some wee kiddies tae finally reach Martha Freewoman...  Cameron, S4...

Comments from class teachers:

Brilliant presentation to an S4 and S3 class.  Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, really got the (Sleepy) pupils involved. Very useful for all creative writing exercises. 

'Great recap/introduction to Scots and Doric. Very knowledgeable and full of enthusiasm about the language. At the end of the lesson virtually everyone had written a paragraph in the local dialect. Fantastic!'

 






  

Phew! Well, that's Burns season over. Between school workshops and after-dinner speaking, it's been a very busy time indeed. I've even had a go at Addressing the Haggis - mission accomplished with no injuries to either myself or any unsuspecting members of the audience. 

                              
                                  Address To a Haggis

                            'Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
                            Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!
                            Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
                            Painch, tripe, or thairm:
                            Weel are ye wordy o' a grace
                            As lang's my airm.'                           
 
                                       

Westhill Social Studies Group

I had a most enjoyable morning with the very enthusiastic and youthful members of Westhill Social Studies Group as we chatted and shared a selection of poetry and prose. The room was alive with a buzz of conversation and laughter as members tried their hand at a bit of creative writing of their own.   

 

 

 

                                           Comments

 

"We had a very interesting and educational morning with Debbie. Her readings certainly made our minds come alive. She did a gran' job!"  Grace (WEA Tutor)

 

"Debbie is the best and most wonderful speaker we've had - very interesting and funny." Social studies group member

 

 

Ellon Academy Burns Lunch

 

 

 

 

 

An excellent time was had by all at Ellon Academy's very special Burns Lunch. The assembly hall was beautifully decorated, and we enjoyed a wealth of entertainment along with our haggis, neeps and tatties: the beastie in question was piped in and duly addressed; a very talented band of musicians got our toes tapping; and we heard impressive recitations of 'Tam o' Shanter', 'A Man's a Man for A' That' and 'To a Mouse'. What a wonderful afternoon!