CHS Annual Report for 2022‐23

This was our first full season since 2018/19 and it’s quite a relief to get it under our belt!

Our membership number is a strong 36 this year and we also have regular visitors each meeting — on average we have a monthly audience of around 30. We’ve had a change of venue for meetings during the season, and we think that has gone well too, although there’s some sadness at leaving the West Church Hall after so many years in residence there.

In keeping with our objectives, one of which is the aim to promote the history of the town and parish of Cromarty, this year talks have included:

1. What Cromarty Town Council got up to in the 1960s & 70s, before its demise as a result of Local Government organisation
2. The early 20thC story of a pupil teacher at Cromarty Public School, which came to light after some archive papers bought as part of a box at auction in Edinburgh were donated to the Courthouse museum
3. A hero of both world wars with connections to our town through both marriage and sometime residence here
4. And tonight we will look at how the town has been depicted through maps

As is usually the case, these talks have been researched and given by our members and we thank them for their considerable time and effort in enlightening us all on these subjects!

 

Another of our aims is to encourage community participation in discovering and preserving our local past — we view that goal particularly in relation to supporting our local Cromarty Courthouse Museum. As our society name includes Friends of Cromarty Courthouse, we try to give financial and other support when we are able. Since the last AGM, in July 2022, 3 members of our committee gave a guided tour of the town to members of the Tain Civic Trust — donations were received in aid of the museum. This summer we have plans to hold an additional CHS meeting, again with proceeds heading to the museum. We will send members details of this event and also publicise it locally and on social media.

Thanks need to be given to our stalwart committee, who take everything in their stride. Also to John McNaught for producing the eye-catching posters each month — he creatively uses images sent by our speakers to come up with works of art that tempt you with part of the story to be told in our meetings.

I can tell you now that we have already devised our programme for the next season — like this year — it’s full of variety. I’d like to thank you all for supporting our society and hope you’ll be back with us next season.

Mary Bowers
April 2023