Grogarry Lodge: Community Cèilidh “par excellence”!Community Media

Grogarry LodgeOwned by the community company Stòras Uibhist, Grogarry Lodge is a remarkable venue. And last Thursday it hosted a remarkable evening, when learners of English and Gaelic from various classes around Uist gathered for an end-of-term celebration. The event was organised by the recently formed Language and Culture group at Cothrom, and was aimed at celebrating the rich linguistic diversity in the community. For one night, learners became teachers and shared something of their own languages with others eager to learn – including phrases of German, Italian, Polish and Russian, as well as English and Gaelic. Community members and followers of Guthan nan Eilean will recognise many of the faces, and perhaps be pleasantly surprised at the humour and talent on display that might not previously have been suspected!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivU7CZLbm0s?rel=0]

Food, thoughts, and songs were shared, with the English learners producing this booklet containing the recipes for the dishes they had prepared, as well as some poems reflecting their impressions of Scotland and the Western Isles. Just click on the link to download your own free copy!

Trusadh - BBC AlbaLocal community newspapers have the securest future of any, according to this recent BBC programme. Followers of Guthan nan Eilean will recognise immediately one of the main contributors – Archie Mackay of Am Pàipear. Am Pàipear features prominently in the Enterprise section of Series Two. It’s taking longer than we would have wished, but plans are still progressing to link the next phase of Guthan nan Eilean work to Am Pàipear, in a way that will see “hyperlocal user generated content” brought to the wider world through the services of our own community media outlet. Bear with us…