NEWS

Discovered by David (Blantyre) whilst researching his own family in Ardnamurchan. This is a Balquhidder Fergusson and Uncle of Kathleen, Dr. Duncan Ferguson's wife. Confusing? Note latter single S.

Please book with Stan, Chairman, at tele: 01700 503840, or Duncan at e-mail dochie_doh@yahoo.co.uk and not directly with Hotel. This facilitates our administration having already placed a block booking.

 

 

The Gathering 2009

 

www.clangathering.org

 

Clan Picnic

 

This was held on Sunday 2nd Sept. 07 when Sir Charles and Lady Fergusson were kind hosts, ably supported by son Adam, his wife Jenny, and young grandson Jamie, an up and coming Lewis Hamilton it seems by the way he drives the jeep! Pony rides, inspecting the hangar full of single engine aeroplanes, including a Russian Yak, and a descriptive tour of the unique library by Sir Charles' brother, complemented the outdoor culinary skills of the visitors. The Society send their thanks and appreciation with this report.

 

 

"Clan Gathering and AGM 2007"

This Gathering was held in the Quality Hotel, Perth, on Saturday 19th of May with the AGM taking place in the morning, followed by a free afternoon, and the reception, dinner, and ceilidh in the evening. Our Chief, Sir Charles Fergusson of Kilkerran, was present accompanied by his delightful daughter in law Jenny for the reception and meal, thereafter returning home to Ayrshire. Their presence was sincerely appreciated by the assembled company. Likewise for two members of the Dutch Clan Ferguson, Simon van den Broek and his good lady Corine (nee Ferguson) who came over from the Netherlands as their representatives. Thank you Simon and Corine.
As last year, music was provided by Roger Sharp from Balquhidder Glen, a skilled exponent of both bagpipes and accordion. On a few occasions Duncan tried to upset him with his fiddle, but Roger must have been immunised last year and was never rattled! The company took a little time to warm up but by hokey cokey time were "crying" - for more! Mhairi MacArthur demonstrated her Highland Dancing skills and Kathleen called on all her lung capacity to good effect with two sweetly sung Scottish songs. The customary raffle was well patronised and it is known that one CD recorded by a Scottish band found its way to Holland.

AGM: With regards to the AGM, a fuller report will follow in the Newsletter, but suffice to say the committee have been elected unopposed, apart from Hilda who has stood down, but just for a 'rest' we hope! and this is a vacant position. Re the Culloden Walk mentioned below, it was decided to support this and contributions are invited from all Fergus(s)ons as members and non members to this end. The sum realised will influence the size of stone but it is the aim to incorporate the Clan crest and Society name. Interested supporters please contact Duncan at e-mail address dochie_doh@yahoo.co.uk
By popular vote next year's venue was chosen and Pitlochry was the winner. The single transferable vote system was used with NO spoiled ballot papers unlike the Scottish election results. Aren't we clever! The treasurer has again shown her 'Gordon Brown' prudence overseeing the finances, and this and the various other reports will follow in more detail via the Newsletter as mentioned.
The Chairman and Committee would like to thank everyone in attendance at this AGM for their support and contribution.
Footnote: Since the Hotel lift was out of order, Kathleen's reflections as she stoically, yet painfully, slowly climbed the stairs to our reserved first floor room for those with disabilities cannot be reproduced here!
 

	Sir Charles, Jenny, & Chairman Stan
	Roger Sharp - one man band!
	Scottish breakfast from Duncan & Kathleen for Corine & Simon
	Helen (right) & her two sisters
	Mrs Boyd & companion
	A local Ferguson!
	A photograph of old Ferguson houses, gifted to the Society.
	Simon & Corine,  from Holland, visit Loch Arklet

 

 

The Culloden Walk

Digging up your Fergus(s)on Roots

Is this near the bone? Of course, but the 'funny bone', so please access information on Historical Section if you are interested in your ancestry. Thank you!

Douce France!

It is a well known fact that Scotts are all over the world... And some not so far away at all:

'Alliance France-Ecosse' : www.alliance-france-ecosse.com

Curling - A Scottish Game

The Lake of Menteith in reflective mood

	Approval from the Lake of Menteith The Lake is where winter curling is carried out, including a Grand match between the North and South of Scotland when the ice is thick enough!
	Robert Fergusson, Poet and friend of Rabbie Burns, new statue in Edinburgh

Clan Fergus(s)on Newsletter - April 2007

New Zealand Branch

The first Scottish Clans Association dinner was held on the 16^th of September at Alexandra Park.  It was an interesting evening with a very good turnout from Clan Fergusson. The British High Commissioner, the honourable George Fergusson, was invited but couldn’t attend due to other commitments and sent his apologies.

Richard and Craig Ferguson at the first Clans Association Dinner 2006

The Auckland Highland Games was cancelled last November due to rain, only the second time in its 47-year history that this has happened. The Kirkin of the Tartan was held the following day at St Andrews Church in Symonds Street, Auckland and thank you to all those who attended. It will be the last time the Kirkin is held on this date as from 2007 on it will be held on the closest Sunday to the 1^st of July which is the actual date of the lifting of the proscription against Highland garb and bagpipes. Following the Kirkin, we had a nice morning tea with haggis etc and I met Anne Banks (nee Ferguson) who has since joined the clan with her husband George, her brother Robin and wife Barbara Surman. We hope you can all meet them soon and a calendar of events for this year is in this newsletter.

 This year’s Waipu Highland games was a great event; the evening before Clan Donald hosted a Hogmannay at the Clansman Motel in Waipu. There was a generous Highland meal, competitions, singing and much toasting. The evening concluded with some old Scottish movies and more whiskey for the diehards, while the rest of us prepared for the next day. The 1^st of January dawned bright and warm and the first day of the event began with a March of the Clans through the main street of Waipu and into the Caledonian Grounds past the Chief of Clan Davidson for the salute.

 Peter, Alison, Alan and Jane manned the clan tent for the day and there was a lot of interest along the avenue in things Scottish. The biggest queue was for Harry and Diane Cumming’s Scottish Bakery with stovies, Scottish pies, butteries and Irn Bru selling out so fast they were closed by 2 pm. All in all it was a good day with 6-year-old William Ferguson finishing 3^rd in the 50 meter sprint and winning himself the princely sum of $2. The main march into the grounds was a splendid affair with the Fergusson banner leading the clans and an impressive line up of pipers who really got the crowd going. The second day was mainly devoted to finishing the dancing competitions and was much quieter.

Alan, Will, Max, Peter and Ian Ferguson in the Waipu Games March 2007

 The second Annual Burns Night Supper was held at Galbraiths Ale House on Mt Eden Road on Saturday 20^th of January. Ticket numbers were limited and although many were turned away, there were still too many guests who unfortunately did not all end up sitting in the same area. The food however was great and started with a memorable Cullen Skink and music was provided by the versatile John Hawthorn Group. Alan Ferguson made the address to the Immortal Memory and David Small gave a spirited welcome to the Haggis, and later a sonorous rendition of Tam O’Shanter. All in all it was a good night and certainly different to any other Burns Supper.

On Thursday 8^th of February the Queen of the Heather contestant, Katherine Tannock, was hosted by the Scottish Clans Association at a reception at St Andrews Church Hall. Katherine gave an interesting speech on her university studies, and Murdock & Lois McDonald took her down to Paeroa the following weekend for the Games.

 The Paeroa Highland Games was well attended although it was a very hot day. All those attired in Highland dress got pretty exhausted and the beer tent appeared to benefit from the many refugees from the sweltering temperatures. Peter Ferguson competed in the piping competitions, and is getting in as much practice as possible prior to the appearance of the band at the Edinburgh Tattoo in August this year. We did not hold the AGM at Paeroa as previously announced and will probably hold this in July, with a venue, date and time to be announced. 

Fergusson Clan was not represented at the Howick Tattoo in March.  From all accounts this event was a disaster for those clans who did have a presence and there is a unanimous feeling that the clans will not attend this event again.

 On Saturday 28^th of April the concert “Scotland the Brave” will be performed at the Aotea Centre at 1 pm and 8 pm. The event is supposed to be spectacular with over 100 performers including the Auckland Philharmonia, a choir and pipe-band, dancers, pipers fiddlers and solo singers. Go to www.tiketek  or phone (09)307 5139 to book.

 Coming up next month is the Clan Donald Dinner on Saturday the 5^th of May at St Andrews Hall in Symonds Street. If you would like to attend, please send a cheque for $60 per person to The Treasurer, Clan Donald Auckland & Districts Society, Inc. Box 65-021 Mairangi Bay. The time is 6.30 for 7 pm and the cost covers the meal, refreshments and entertainment. This year’s speaker is their Patron, Allan MacDonald, who will talk about his involvement at Armadale Castle clan headquarters on the Isle of Skye.

 The Kirkin of the Tartan will be held on Sunday 1^st of July at St Andrews Church Hall.  We hope many of you can attend in Highland garb as this will make the event more colourful and relevant. After the service there will be a morning tea in the hall.

 The next Scottish Clans Association Dinner is planned for Saturday 8^th of September and although it is planned to be back at Alexandra Park, the venue will be dressed better for us this time. No speakers have been announced but it is hoped that we will have another convivial evening.

 Please get in touch if you’ve any snippets to add to our next newsletter and we hope to see you all soon. Jane and Alan Ferguson are off to Scotland in mid-May with their boys Max and William. They will return to New Zealand in late June after a 5-week tour of Scotland. Please let them know of any people or places they should visit on their drive through the Borders, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, Skye, Dunadd, Mull, Glasgow and Ayrshire. They hope to have the opportunity to meet the clan chief, Sir Charles Fergusson, of Kilkerran and pay respects at the grave of Robert Fergusson at Canongate as well as trace Alan’s family roots in Dundee.

Web Editor's note: Alan & Jane visited Duncan in Scotland on their recent trip. Thanks for coming over!

Alan!

A Canadian Ferguson Wedding!

	Duncan & Betty Ferguson are delighted to announce the marriage of their son Ian to Kendra
	Family reunion for the wedding. Duncan & Betty standing to the right of the bride

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A DROOKIT BUNCH

IN April Stanley and I had the pleasure of attending The Tartan Day Parade in New York, representing the Clan Ferguson.

We were accompanied by Kathleen Ferguson D’Ottavio, Ex Bute, her daughter Elizabeth and Bram, granddaughter Kaili and friend Bonnie, my cousin Joanne from Toronto who carried the Saltire, Bram and Kaili carried the Ferguson banner, unfortunately no one from CFSNA could join us.

We met at 44^th St. and marched up 6^th Avenue to Central Park. It rained non-stop, the wind blew and we even had hailstones (Scottish Weather) in spite of this the atmosphere was electric with all the pipebands, thousands also watched from the pavements and we were soaked to the skin but enjoyed the experience and hope to return again.

Helen

New York Tartan Day

The Ferguson contingent!

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Know Your DNA!

Colin Ferguson is searching away... Please take a moment to visit this site.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~colin/Ferguson/DNA/

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