NEWS

 

2012 AGM

The next AGM will be held at Stirling University Management Centre on Sat.26th May 2012 at 2 p.m.

Please keep checking this page for further details.

 

 

Flowers of the Forest

With great regret, the Society intimate the death of Donald S. Fergusson, our Archivist, and referred to in a complimentary fashion as Donald of Essex. Predeceased by his wife Audry, we are grateful to their son Nigel for assisting in this tribute.

Whilst in the tank regiment he became involved in Army shows doing the "electrics". This led to working at the Academy of Dramatic Art, meeting up with celebrities, and in particular Dame Peggy Ashcroft. He rubbed shoulders with many of the stars including Nigel Green, who became the godfather of their son. Others included Peter Salis (Last of the Summer Wine), and Joanna Lumney.

Moving over to HMV repairing special TV's, he became involved with Earls Court radio shows. HMV was taken over by Fergusons and the team was made redundant. (Sad irony!) He then worked for a local TV repair firm, and built floats for local carnivals and winning prizes. He enjoyed his hobby of making tank and other military models.

Researching his family history, where his roots go back to Balquhidder area, introduced him to the Clan Society where he assiduously built up the archival material and loyally attended the AGM meetings.

Donald left a small legacy in his will for the Society which has been acknowledged on behalf of the Society.

 

 

Oyez,Oyez,Oyez!

A patriotic group of 5 Fergus(s)on players paid their Annual visit to poet Robert Fergusson's statue and grave at the Canongate Kirk, Royal Mile, Edinburgh on 28th September past. A bouquet, courtesy of the Isle of Bute, and consisting of Lilies and Thistles was laid on the grave. Robert Burns was Fergusson's inspiration to become a poet. Sadly the latter's life was all too short (5/9/1750 - 16/10/1774), and oft referred to as Scotland's forgotten poet.
With sincere thanks to all who were able to make this visit possible and for their attendance, and to our Chairman Stan for his taxi drive. Very smooth!

At Kirk Gate

 

Kirsty & Liz with bouquet

 

Kirsty & Liz at statue

 

At grave stone

 

Group at the gravestone

 

 

  THE CLAN REPORT

 

Please find a report on the AGM for your information. No membership forms for those paying annually were included with the last Newsletter but these will now be sent to members, and the Society trust that individuals and families will respond timeously to this request. A big THANK YOU to those who have already joined up! You will read that David wishes to be released from the post of Newsletter Editor, and, with no replacement at present,  this will leave a void for those not on the internet. We apologise for loss of this facility and thank David for his past industry. The picnic date is still under discussion.

AGM REPORT - held Sat 28th May 2011

Our Chairman R. Stanley Ferguson opened the meeting at Stirling University Management Centre by welcoming Sir Charles & Lady Amanda Fergusson from Kilkerran, and extended also to the 14 members present. Apologies were received from 5 family and 3 individual members. A minute's silence was observed to remember and respect those who had died over the past year, in particular Mrs D Zerhung in her 101st year, and a Mary Ferguson. ( The latter intimated by phone from a nephew dental surgeon in Jersey. No other details have followed). Minutes of the AGM 2010 were circulated and approved.

Matters arising: The Chairman reflected on the paucity of younger members to boost the Society as was discussed a year ago.

Secretary's Report 2011

 Mr Chairman, Sir Charles, Members. I give you my report.

The Scottish Clan name of Ferguson is currently prominent in many walks of life. Sadly I cannot say the same for the Can Society which has withered on the vine as it were.

But why? Can we blame the current members and office bearers for inadequate or ineffective husbandry? I emphasise that at Committee level, this is not for lack of endeavour. But this must pose a question. Our current membership is 37 Life Members, and 95 ordinary members. We must take into account the loyal and disproportionately large body of Dutch members who contribute to our cause and finances.

Now with the resignation of David in Yorkshire from the position of Newsletter Secretary, a big gap appears in our information process and also our promotional aspirations. In the current climate, internet information and technology can compensate for the lack of a Newsletter, and I trust our current web site, although designated old fashioned in its design, does contribute in this respect. I suggest that our Society put a page on Facebook for future "tittle tattle", and already contact has been made in this respect.

Journal adverts have been inserted in the Scots Magazine and Scottish Memories over the last few years - but returns seem to be minimal. Are we awaiting a white knight? Such only happens on the Movies! We need action from within the Society to promote a transfusion of new members. Answers please!

Neil Ferguson opined that new members could be drummed up by a "local" approach and he was willing to put this to the test in his Ayrshire area.

Duncan (holding Treasurer) thanked Madge for her work and presented his report.  This showed a healthy balance, and all the documents, with substantiating information have been found to agree with this statement of account. (Copies of latter sent to Members by separate cover). The accounts were adopted.

Newsletter Report

David intimated that he wished to give up this position, but would be happy to continue as Membership Secretary. Jean suggested that he be sent a letter of thanks for his contribution to date. No volunteers to take his place, but a Page on Facebook to be explored as an alternative.

Merchandising Report

Liz only had notelets. It was agreed that stocks should not be obtained meantime, but a check would be made with Scotclans.

 Benevolence :   Anne & Sharon still on books. Jean was thanked for her work.

Archivist Report

 Donald is too frail to travel now and is concerned for the material in his care. The extent of his archives is not recorded at present. Attempts to be made to bring all such material under one roof as it were. Stan will approach Kilkerran for advice.

Genealogy Report

Vivien was unable to be present and had submitted material to the Newsletter which was brought to the attention of members. In a letter to the Hon Secy. she states " I have nothing of real significance to report"! However she also states that the Society should and must continue. Joan Ferguson, previously involved in the geneaology queries, was now a full time care home resident, and a support card from all present was prepared for mailing.

Election of OfficeBearers.

All attending office bearers were willing to continue. All were returned unopposed. It was felt that, whilst offers of help did come in, it was not easy to discuss this through unless the parties were attendees.

A.O. C. B.

The next AGM to be held at this same venue on Sat.26th MAY, 2012 AT 2 p.m.

The meeting closed at 4. 30 p.m. with a vote of thanks to the chair.

Duncan Ferguson (Hon Secy.)

 

 

A book not to be missed

 

Amberley Publishing plc and the author, Peter Pininski,
would like to make a special offer to all members of
 Clan Fergusson

This new book by Peter Pininski is unique – it tells the story of Prince Charles Edward Stuart together with that of his daughter and heir, Charlotte, Duchess of Albany, then reveals the lives his three secret grandchildren and descendants. Pininski does not take the usual anglo-centric view, but sets the prince against the British-Polish family and Italian home of his actual upbringing. Then, after the failure of the 1745 Rising, the author details the prince’s pan-European network of cousins, British Jacobites, international bankers and freemasons who tried to further the Stuart Cause and then hid the prince’s grandchildren whose existence was a tightly-held secret until discovered by Pininski’s research. Hardback with colour and b&w illustrations.

“ Moving, fascinating, compelling. This new biography discredits two centuries of Stuart impostors by at last revealing the extraordinary story of the Prince’s secret descendants. Pininski’s pan-European research is astonishing. Essential reading for anyone with an interest in the Jacobites and later Stuarts.”

(Professor Edward Corp, author and leading authority on the exiled Stuarts, curator of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition ‘The King over the Water’.)


• Clan members may order this book for the special price of £15.00, instead of the high street price of £20.00.
• Either phone (+44) (0) 1285 760030, or write: sales@amberley-books.com Please quote the code: ‘CLANS’.
• Or order via: www.amberleybooks.com (search word: Pininski; next add to shopping basket; then enter the code ‘CLANS’ in the voucher code box).
• Postage and packaging in the UK is free.
 

 

Fergusons on wheels!

 

As spotted by an eagle eyed sleuth!

 

 

Spanish connections

Guillermo Ferriz, senior and junior from Spain, braved the Scottish winter snow to visit us here just after the New Year. These pictures give an inkling of enjoyable festivities

 

Scottish music at home, with Duncan and friend John MacMillan. Kathleen listens! 

 

Spanish music! 

 

Enjoying a meal - taken by the youngest member.

 

 

Dunfallandy House

 

 

 

Tartan still popular!

 

Tartan still popular around the world, as modelled by these delightful frauleins, Lea and Mira Wittkamp

They will grow into this attire with more accuracy as time goes by.

Good on them with their Royal Stewart tartan.

 

 

New Arrivals!

 

Alasdair & Rosemary Fergusson in Edinburgh have become grandparents recently, 

by being presented with twin grandchildren Alexander and Emma. Congratulations to the parents Kirsty and Ben Wood,

and of course the"auld yins" themselves.

 

 

THE GATHERING 2009

 

The report has been removed but the pictures remain to remind us all of friends and activities

 

Is this tartan ancient,modern, bizarre, or bazaar?

Alan Ferguson looks home towards New Zealand from Wallace Monument

Provost Wood displays our clan crest at Civic reception in Stirling

Society visits Burns area and Kilkerran

Visit to the Trossachs

 

 

Digging up your Fergus(s)on Roots

 

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

 

Clan Society in Australia

 

Duncan & Kathleen were delighted to have a visit from Mrs Carole Bancroft & her husband Graham,

President and Secretary respectively of the Clan Society in Australia whilst touring in Scotland.

Thank you for calling and best wishes to all members Down Under

 

 

 

 

 

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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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MERCHANDISE
CLAN STICK PIN	£2.50
SCARF	£7.50
CAP	£15.00
TIE WITH TARTAN	£6.00
TIE WITH CLAN CREST	£11.00
SWEAT SHIRTS WITH CLAN CREST	£24.00
CREST BADGE	£9.00
KEY RING	£1.50 & £9.00 (art pewter)
PENS	£1.00 for two
POST CARDS	£0.20 each
TARTAN	TO ORDER
For further details please contact: Mrs Elizabeth Crawford, Merchandising Officer, Stuck Farm, North Bute, Isle Of Bute PA20, Scotland   -   Tel: 01700 503 743 Fax: 01700 502 257 NB: Prices include VAT but not Post & Packing