News from the village of Ardentinny, Argyll, Scotland.
Last week several residents and visitors watched with bated breath as a deer, which was apparently stuck on a sandbank in Glenfinart Bay, managed to extricate itself.
After it was marooned, the deer began to swim towards the land but then in panic, swam back out to the sand. It eventually turned and swam to shore, landing on the beach near the nursery field. The photograph, courtesy of Cathy O’Riordan, shows the relieved animal having reached dry land.
Yet more roadkill on Ardentinny’s roads. This time what looks like a grouse killed on the bridge at Drynain. One does wonder as to the speed vehicles are travelling on this stretch of single-track road and why the drivers appear unable to avoid these creatures.
Ardentinny’s Annual Christmas Party for the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of the village was another great success.
Organisers, Anna and Mary Jane provided lots of good, old fashioned, party games and there was an even greater array of cakes and goodies, thanks to the many volunteers who baked.
Excitement for the children culminated in hearing Santa’s distant bell and his eventual arrival to deliver their gifts.
Some images from today’s heavy rain which affected Ardentinny and much of the west of Scotland.
The concert, entitled ‘Misty Moments’, held in Ardentinny church on Saturday 28 September, produced a misty eye or two, such was the quality of the music produced by the 8+1 group of singers under the direction of and accompaniment by John McIntosh. Their repertoire ranged from the jazz standard ‘Misty’ by Erroll Garner through a medley of ‘Gershwin for Girls; ‘Georgia on my Mind’ by Hoagy Carmichael & Stuart Gorrell; Cole Porter’s ‘Every time we say goodbye’ to Bob Dylan’s ‘Make you feel my love; Sting’s ‘Fields of Gold’; and an old Irish Folk song ‘The Parting Glass’.
The group’s vocal range and wonderful harmonies particularly excelled in pieces from ‘the deep south’ but such is the flexibility of their talent that they produced equally moving renditions of ‘J’attendrai’, originally composed in Italian by Dino Olivieri and John Rutter’s ‘The Lord bless you and keep you’.
While a delightful afternoon of song was enjoyed by a most enthusiastic audience, this was not the sole aim. The concert was held in aid of the Princess Royal’s Maternity Baby Fund to which those who attended donated generously. If you were unable to attend but would like to know about and/or donate to this worthwhile cause you can do so by contacting Susan Provan, Neonatal Coordinator, Neonatal Department, 16 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow, G31 2ER. Susan.provan2@ggc.sco.nhs.uk. Phone 0141 211 5247. Cheques made payable to ‘PRM baby fund’ may be posted to the above address.