McColl’s Clippings

Coll coastguard

COLL Coastguard auxiliaries are the fastest in the district. They proved it for a second year running in the District Coastguard competition in early October. This competition aims at speed and accuracy in assembling the equipment needed to fire a rocket and line to a ship in distress which is within reach of the shore. In the first year of the competitions the sixteen member of the Coll coastguard achieved supremacy by completing this demanding task in 2’14”. This year they more than halved this to 1’1”. Special applause went to Hamish MacRay who fired the rocket line perfectly between the two markers as required, and consequently saved us from acquiring any penalty points which could have affected the time.

The Coastguard competitions success was celebrated at a party in the Hotel on January 24th. Medals were presented to the coastguard members by Arthur Berry of Oban Coastguard and John Buick, our Section Officer form Tobermory. Donald Shore (having enjoyed himself so much at Hamish and Susan’s wedding) came back to provide us with dance music for the event. Mike Taylor, himself a member of the team, accompanied Donald’s nimble accordion playing on the fiddle. Now the Coastguard auxiliary team will take on other winning teams in the regional competition. The rest had better look out: last year, the regional winners won in 1’12”, and Coll has beaten this time already in its district competition.


Wedding parties

WHEN over seventy folk are packed into the Coll Hotel bars, a good time is bound to be had by all! After their wedding on the mainland, Louise and Alastair Oliphant returned to Coll and invited everyone to celebrate with them on November 7th. It was a wonderful party, with accordion music, dancing, and delicious food. Children watched videos. In the front room while those in the lounge bar listened to Norman McCuish (who was on Coll to renovate the pier) sing some lovely songs in Gaelic.

(See COLL-achs Deaths p.38)

Barely one month later (just as people were recovering from the first party), we were back in the hotel for another gala wedding ceilidh in celebration of Susan and Hamish Meryon’s union. Donald is an old friend of Hamish’s from Oban High School days, and it was a rare treat to have him playing for the assembled company on Coll.

Christmas on Coll

CHRISTMAS is a time for the children on Coll, and this year was exceptional The Christmas spirit really got going on December 23rd when the Mother’s Committee Christmas Party took place in the Hall. Nearly 100 people attended, and after a nice tea the children played a number of games such as ‘Pass the Parcel’ and ‘Musical chairs’. Colin Kennedy entertained everyone with his accordion playing, after which the curtains rose on the Coll Players production of ‘Snow White Comes to Coll’. Written by Andrew Russel and directed by his wife Tammy, the play bore little relation to the original story. How many people knew, for example, that Snow White lived with her wicked stepmother on Tiree, but ended up on the Isle of Coll looking after seven unruly dwarfs in the shadow of Ben Hogh? Or that the apple which poisoned Snow White was brought from Tiree to Coll by a travelling garter salesman? A cast of fourteen brought the house down with the rendition of this one familiar tale. After this the lights were dimmed for the arrival of Santa Claus ringing his bell, with presents for all the children.

On Christmas Day the children again played a central part, this time in the service of lessons and carols held in the parish Church. Each of the eight lessons was read by younger members of Coll families. Led by Major Bristol, the service was a popular feature of Christmas Day.

Cast

Narrator – Lavinia Bristol; Wicked Queen – Peter Smalley; Mirror – Sue Galbraith; Hunter – Gary Kniveton; Snow White – Hamish Meryon; Dwarfs: Happy – John English; Doc – Andrew Russel; Sleepy – Alistair Anderson; Dopey – Gary Kniveton; Grumpy – Gharles Bristol; Sneezy – Iain Cochrane; Bashful – John Galbraith; Travelling Salesman – Alan Brodie; Handsome Prince – Susan Meryon; Director – Tammy Russell; Curtain – Neil Morrison; Costume Consultant – Fay Anderson; Music – Cochrane Compositions; Key Grip – John Wheeler-James. Mr Smalley’s outfits supplied by Pam Garnett, hair creations by Fay Anderson, make-up by Sally Smalley.

Shops change hands

SHOPPERS visiting what was once Stewart Stores were amazed to find themselves listening to Highland reels as they entered the shop under the new management of Coll Trading Company last October. Other changes were introduced by Quentin Large and Janet Driver who run the shop, such as its conversion to a self service supermarket. People began noticing a wider variety of goods on display, such as natural yogurt and hot pies, and in March the shop acquired a liquor licence. Next door the old café is being converted into a Bistro with a planned opening date of May 1st this year.

Shortly after Coll Trading Company began operations, Buckland Stores commenced business in what was previously the Coll Hotel Stores. This shop is run by George and Vivienne Buckland, ably assisted by their little son Matthew who hands you a wire basket with a smile and assists in the selection of vegetables. As well as the food and other merchandise they sell, George and Vivienne also keep the petrol supplies running on the island, though Calor Gas is now purchased through the hotel.
(See COLL-achs Deaths p.38)