...AND WHAT DOES EVERYONE DO ON COLL?

An Easter Concert
A foot tapping blues melody sung by John Porrelli, accompanied by Patrick Rutherford on guitar, Ron Davies on harmonica and Mike Taylor on the fiddle opened this entertaining evening. Then Ron and Jo Davies inspired much laughter with the classic musical act, 'There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza '.

On a more serious but no less funny note, a dapper Peter Smalley recited the further and even more unfortunate adventures of the little Lancashire lad, Albert. Back on a musical theme, Ron Davies, dashing in his smart red shirt, sang songs of love and romance, accompaied by Lavinia Bristol on the keyboard.

Following the interval, the now rapt audience were again treated to a song by John Porrelli and accompanying musicians. Then there was silence as Ali Anderson took the floor to recite 'The Whistle'.

The children of Arinagour Primary School sang beautifully, including a French song, 'L‘arc en Ciel'. A family act followed as Mike Taylor, on both fiddle and Northumbrian pipes (not simultaneously... yet), accompanied his keyboard-playing daughter Emily in some light musical pieces, one of which, 'The Last Whale in the Sea' was Emily's own composition.

Not to be outdone, another family act made a splendid and hilarious contribution to the evening Hackett and Binge, aka Mairi and Tammie Hedderwick, simpered in their role as musical eccentrics. The hunchbacked butler Shegar (Juliet Conway), with the rasping breath only added to the fun. Such was the audience's enjoyment of the act that the serious playing of music by Schubert was almost missed.

Four year old Sophie Buchan was the youngest performer of the night, doing well to remember the words of the song, 'Bananas'. The evening was ably co-ordinated by John English as MC.

A Ceilidh Cruise
The Coll Magazine Committee and the Coll Music Society played host to the 'Ceilidh Cruise' in the Village Hall, Arinagour, at the latter end of their tour of Highland Harbours aboard the Brixham Trawler, The Lorne Leader. A well attended concert by some of Scotland's top traditional musicians was followed by a lively dance, accompanied, but unmarred by the ever present midge!

A Christmas Pantomime
In a loose adaptation of The Christmas Carol, this year written and directed by Kip Poulson, John Porrelli starred as the infamous and miserly Ebenezer Scrooge whilst neighbour William Tunnell played a leggy and somewhat unco-ordinated BobScratchit. Appearing as Marley's Ghost, Neil Morrison was un recognisable in his Bob Marley dreadlocks and Ben starred as Scrooge's nephew, Fred the Airhead.

Ghosts of the Christmas Past (Karen Taylor, floaty and ethereal), Present ( Ron Davies, sparkling with glitter and wit) and Future (Ali Anderson, hooded and gloomy) arrived to torment poor Scrooge. At every utterance of 'Humbug', in bounced Jo Davies, round and stripy, a welcome distributor of sweets.

A buxom Stef Biel as Mrs Scratchit proved himself well able to play the role of pantomime dame whilst Lee Bell again raised the biggest laughs as 'Tiny Tim with his extra limb'. Both were well supported by Deborah Alexander and Moya Simpson as they sang tales of poverty and woe around the Scratchit dinner table.

The story was once again narrated by Lavinia Bristol and behind the scenes Geoffrey Garnet and Colgate assisted with stage props whilst Fay Anderson gave invaluable assistance with the costumes.

Fishing Competition Results 1995
The winning boat was crewed by John Fraser (Skipper) with Charlie Self (Mate) and George Barrie (Visitor), with a catch of 24kg. Second with 20kg was Andy MacKinnon (Skipper) with John English and Graham Geddes. Skipper Robert Sturgeon with Ruth Sturgeon and Louise Woods took third place with 17.11 kilos.

The heaviest fish (local) was caught by Stef Biel; second, Ruth Sturgeon; third, Andy MacKinnon. The heaviest fish (visitor) was caught by Victoria Gilmore; second, Alan Henderson; third, Anna Gryce and Cyril Kirk.

Elizabeth Whiting was the winner in the Under 11 category, second was Alasdair Stevenson and third, Gillian Barrie. In the 11 - 15 age group, Ian Moore was first with Derek Griffiths second and Julia Payne third. Jessica Bell won the 15 - 18 age group.

First in the adults (off the pier) was Deborah Alexander with Tessa Facey not far behind.

Sporting News
The Coll Golf Club enjoyed another successful season with several competitions. The Vita Stableford Cup was won by Warren Stove, after a play-off. In equal second place were John English and David Moore Junior. In the Ladies Event, Cath Stevenson was first with Rosemary Griffiths in second place.

Other results were: The Members Cup: 1. Deryck Stove; 2. Robin Burden; 3. Neil Smith. The Ladies Kennedy Cup: 1. Cath Stevenson; 2. Sylvia MacFadyen; 3. Rosemary Griffiths. The MacRae Cup: (Best Scratch).1. David Moore Junior; 2 . John English; 3. Warren Stove. The Coll Open: The Thorburn Cup: Gents, after play-off, 1. Allan MacFadyen; 2. John English; 3. Crawford Stevenson. Ladies Cup: 1 Cath Stevenson; 2. Rosemary Drummond; 3. Rosemary Griffiths. Junior Salver: 1. Ian Moore; 2. Tom Greaves; 3. Derek Griffiths. The Moore Shield: (Best Scratch) !. George Barrie; 2. David Moore Junior; 3. Derek Stove. The Campbell Quaich: after play-off two teams still tied, so the first place is shared. The teams comprised (a) John English, Margaret Thorburn, Cath Stevenson and Allan Griffiths Senior and (b) George Barrie, David Moore Senior and Margaret Moore.

Achievements
Heather MacIntyre, youngest daughter of Brian and Moira, Arileod, has successfully been selected to go abroad with Project Trust. Seventeen year old Heather has almost completed her studies at Park Main School in Renfrewshire.

Jenny Lunghi, a familiar face behind the bar at the Coll Hotel graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a BA in hospitality management.

In January Tony Arden, the District Controller for the Auxiliary Coastguard presented John Porrelli with his twenty year Long Service Medal.

Pub Pursuits
The Annual Pool and Darts competitions once again drew a large crowd of hopefuls. Weekly knockout competitions eventually produced a winner in each category. The Pool final was fought between Kip Poulson and Neil Morrison with Kip finally triumphant. In the darts competition Ali Anderson met Neil Morrison in the final emerging as the Darts Champion of Coll 1996.