Ceòlas Archives - Am Paipear

Ceòlas launches major fundraising drive

July 12, 2016

Visualisation of Cnoc Soilleir. Image: John Renshaw Architects (2015)

Ceòlas rounded off a successful summer school last week with the launch of a major fundraising drive to finance the development of a dedicated centre for Gàidhlig music, dance and culture in South Uist…

Working in partnership, Ceòlas and Lews Castle College UHI are seeking to establish a purpose-built venue for training and education in music, dance and Gàidhlig.

Cnoc Soillear – named after the Daliburgh site identified for the project – will cost an estimated £6.5 million to build. It is expected 96% of the capital required for the development will come from various government and agency funds.

However, in order to demonstrate community support for Cnoc Soilleir, £250,000 will have to be raised from individuals and businesses.

Ceòlas is inviting groups and individuals to become patrons of Cnoc Soilleir by donating £500 towards the project. If 500 donations of £500 are received, the quarter of a million target will be met.

Singers performing at the Ceòlas crossover demonstration last week.

Ceòlas launched what has become known as the Cnoc Soilleir Capital Funding Campaign at the Ceilidh Mhòr which rounded off the summer school hosted last week.

A very encouraging response was received and – at the time of writing (Tuesday 12th July) – ten donations of £500 have been received, with many more people requesting further information.

Smaller donations are also welcome. All donations received will be held in a ring-fenced account and can only be used to progress the building development. Patrons will be issued receipts and should the project not go ahead, full refunds will be issued.

Everyone who becomes a patron of Cnoc Soilleir will receive a plaque on the ‘wall of fame’ within the new building and free entry to special events hosted at the venue.

If you would like to become a patron of Cnoc Soilleir, please e-mail cnoc-soilleir@ceolas.co.uk or telephone 01878 700 154.

Ceòlas has grown from a week-long music and dance school established in 1996 to become a leading international Gàidhlig culture, heritage and arts organisations.

Lews Castle College UHI runs an acclaimed and popular BA Applied Music course – among others – from its campus at Liniclate, Benbecula.

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Am Pàipear gets its 40th birthday party started!

July 8, 2016

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Am Pàipear launched a programme of 40th anniversary celebrations with a bang last night, officially opening an exhibition through which the archive of the newspaper is now opened to the public.

Guests flocked from across the islands to Sgoil Lionacleit for a first glimpse at the exhibition, which has been prepared with the kind support of Museum nan Eilean.

Running from now until the beginning of September (details below) this display – entitled THE AM PAIPEAR COLLECTION – is made up of illustrations and photographs featured in the paper over the last four decades. Editions from all the way back in 1976 are also available for the community to access and enjoy.

Ahead of the opening last night, some of the tutors currently working at Ceòlas – Rachel Walker, Patsy Seddon, Shelly Campbell and Allan Henderson – performed alongside talented local youngsters Dòmhnall Henderson, Niall MacDonald and Joanna MacDonald.

Cllr Uisdean Robertson spoke to audience about the important role of local newspapers in our democracy, before Alasdair Allan MSP addressed the crowd and cut the ribbon, officially declaring the exhibition open.

Sony Davidson – who has a long and continuing involvement with Am Pàipear – then cut the special #AP40 birthday cake prepared for the occasion, which was promptly served to those in attendance.

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Guests then entered the museum for a first look at the display of illustrations, photographs and past editions.

Meanwhile, in the cafeteria, glasses of prosecco and soft drinks were being poured, ready to serve along with an incredible selection of canapés prepared by Island Deli with support from Langass Lodge, Salar Smokehouse, Kallin Shellfish, MacLean’s Bakery, and Hebridean Smokehouse.

Iain Stephen Morrison, Editor of Am Pàipear, said: “We would like to thank absolutely everyone who came along and contributed in any way to the launch of this very special exhibition.

“It is a lot of work for a team as small as ours to pull together an event like this and we are by no means experts. So after a nervous couple of days and lots of hard work it was a great relief to witness so many people enjoying the evening and the many pieces that make up our archive.

“As I have said repeatedly in the media over the past few days, this milestone and success does not belong to Am Pàipear, but the community that launched it and continues to take ownership of the paper.

“This collection in Museum nan Eilean is all the stories of our islands. Our wish on this birthday is that the collection will continue to grow, that for Am Pàipear, life will truly begin at forty.”

Exhibition details:

Museum nan Eilean, Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula

8th July until 3rd September

Tuesday – Saturday (10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm)

Late night opening on Friday until 7pm

Am Pàipear would like to thank the following for helping with the success of the exhibition launch: Museum nan Eilean and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar / Island Deli, Salar Smokehouse, MacLean’s Bakery, Kallin Shellfish, Hebridean Smokehouse and Langass Lodge / Ceòlas / Sgoil Lionacleit / Stòras Uibhist / SNH – Stilligarry / Custom Prints / Shona MacInnes / UCVO / Cllr Uisdean Robertson and Alasdair Allan MSP

Alasdair Allan MSP to officially open Am Pàipear exhibition

July 4, 2016

Alasdair Allan MSP.

Alasdair Allan MSP is to officially open the upcoming exhibition marking 40 years of Am Pàipear.

Iain Stephen Morrison – Editor of Am Pàipear – said: “We are most grateful our local MSP will join us later this week to officially open our exhibition on what promises to be a night of celebration and nostalgia.

He continued: “This is really a very unique and thought provoking display. Our archive is going to be opened up to the public, offering a rare chance to examine previous editions and explore the history of these islands as documented over the past 40 years. Accompanying photographs, artwork and artefacts will ensure THE AM PAIPEAR COLLECTION is a visual treat, a real walk down memory lane.”

“We would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone to come along to the official preview and opening of THE AM PAIPEAR COLLECTION at 7pm on Thursday 7th July. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by some of the students and tutors of Ceòlas.

“We are most grateful to the staff of Museum nan Eilean and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for hosting this exhibition and providing so much support.”

For more information about THE AM PAIPEAR COLLECTION please e-mail editor@ampaipear.org.uk or telephone 01870 603 299.

Exhibition to celebrate 40th anniversary of Am Pàipear

June 3, 2016

Am Pàipear is very excited to announce the first in a series of events organised to mark the 40th anniversary of the paper this summer. A special exhibition entitled THE AM PAIPEAR COLLECTION will be hosted at Museum nan Eilean within Sgoil Lionacleit from 8th July to 3rd September.

Iain Stephen Morrison – Editor of Am Pàipear – said: “We hope our community will thoroughly enjoy THE AM PAIPEAR COLLECTION. Our archive is going to be opened up to the public, offering a rare chance to examine previous editions and explore the history of these islands as documented over the past 40 years. Accompanying photographs, artwork and artefacts will ensure THE AM PAIPEAR COLLECTION is a visual treat, a real walk down memory lane.”

He continued: “We would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone to come along to the official preview and opening of THE AM PAIPEAR COLLECTION at 7pm on Thursday 7th July. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by some of the students and tutors of Ceòlas.

“We are most grateful to the staff of Museum nan Eilean and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for hosting this exhibition and providing so much support.”

For more information about THE AM PAIPEAR COLLECTION please e-mail editor@ampaipear.org.uk or telephone 01870 603 299.

Funding setback for proposed Ceòlas centre

October 12, 2015

by Iain Smith

Plans to establish a purpose-built Gàidhlig music, culture and heritage centre in South Uist have been thrown into doubt after a bid to secure funding from the Big Lottery Fund was unsuccessful.

Ceòlas, working in partnership with Lews Castle College UHI, is leading plans to establish the ambitious £9.56million centre. Together they proposed to erect a purpose-built education and performance centre that would provide year-round education alongside performances of an international standard in music, song and dance as well as other aspects of Gàidhlig culture and heritage. Detailed plans for the new centre had been drawn up and, after consultation with the local community, a site was identified for the new facility in Daliburgh.

Ceòlas recently submitted a funding bid for £1.365 million towards the cost of the project to the Big Lottery Fund. However, it has emerged that at this stage the Big Lottery Fund has declined to offer the project any funding.

It had been hoped that the new centre would be completed by June 2017.

However, despite the disappointment of the failed bid, Ceòlas chair Mary MacInnes insists that efforts to secure funding from other sources will continue.

“We are obviously very disappointed that our application to the Big Lottery Growing Community Assets fund was unsuccessful,” she said.

“Nevertheless, we remain very confident about the project’s viability and are positive about the wide-reaching social and economic benefits that it will bring to our community. We are continuing to work closely with our partners at Lews Castle College UHI to identify alternative funding sources to make up the shortfall in our capital investment plan.”

Ceòlas is already preparing other funding applications, and the board will meet later this month to discuss the way forward for the project.

Photo: Visualisation of the proposed new centre at Daliburgh (John Renshaw Architects)

This article was edited on 14th October 2015 (1629).

Ceòlas announces summer 2015 events

January 26, 2015

Past students taking part in Ceòlas summer school

Ceòlas has announced another ambitious summer programme of events, kicking off with a song conference in May

Following the model used for a conference held as part of the international EOST project two years ago, over the weekend of 22nd, 23rd and 24th May, Gillebride MacMillan, Jo MacDonald and Naomi Harvey will host another event, supported by other speakers.

Additional songs collected during the EOST project will be taught to delegates at the conference. Further details to follow in due course.

Later in the summer, Ceòlas will host its ever-popular summer school 2015 between 5th and 1oth July.

Today, Ceòlas has announced the tutors for this year’s school. Cape Breton tutors will be returning for their second year, including fiddlers Howie MacDonald and Dwayne Cote, with Cheryl MacQuarrie teaching step dancing. Howie and Dwayne are two of the outstanding fiddlers presently performing in Cape Breton.

Ceòlas is delighted to see the return of Margaret MacLellan and Paul McCallum for song, and Griogair Lawrie for piobaireachd as well as Ceol Mòr.

Fin Moore will teach piping for dance and youth pipers will be taught by Angus Nicolson with Alasdair White. Jayne MacLeod from Ness in Lewis will teach step dancing with Cheryl MacQuarrie.

Clarsach will have a new tutor, Patsy Seddon, and Gàidhlig immersion classes will be taught Catriona MacIntyre and Catriona Black.

After the summer school, Ceòlas will hold a WWI memorial for the Battle of Loos on Sunday 26^th July to mark the beginning of the annual symposium. Food and drink will be the focus of the two-day event. Dr. Sarah Marr will be one of the speakers at the symposium.

For further information on any of these events, contact Mary Schmoller 01878 700154 or e-mail info@ceolas.co.uk.

Ceòlas wins Gaidhlig award

November 20, 2014

Ceòlas hosted a set at the Commonwealth Games this summer.

Gaelic music summer school based in South Uist, Ceòlas, has won the HIE sponsored ‘Gaelic as an Economic Asset’ award at the Scottish Gaelic Awards 2014 which took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow last night (Wednesday 19th November).

The prestigious ceremony honours the very best in learning, achievement and development across all sectors of society and celebrates the great work being done by and for Gaelic in every corner of Scotland.

Ceòlas received their award from HIE Board member Iseabail MacTaggart. She said: “HIE and our partners are delighted to promote projects which celebrate people who are finding innovative ways of using Gaelic as an economic asset and we congratulate all those who were shortlisted, and in particular Ceòlas on their achievements.”

Hosted by Gaelic broadcaster Cathy MacDonald, the event is sponsored by the Daily Record, HIE, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Education Scotland, and MG ALBA.

Winners from other categories will be available at www.scottishgaelicawards.co.uk

Ceòlas a’ buannachadh duais Ghàidhlig

Bhuannaich sgoil shamhraidh ciùil Uibhist a Deas, Ceòlas, duais ‘Eaconamach na Gàidhlig’ le taic bho Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean (HIE) aig Duaisean Gàidhlig na h-Alba 2014 aig taigh-òsta Radisson Blu, Glaschu an raoir (Diciadain 19 Samhain).

Bha sreath de dhuaisean air an oidhche ag aithneachadh sàr oidhirpean is soirbheachadh ann an saoghal is cultar nan Gàidheal, agus iad a’ dèanamh follaiseach na h-obrach a thathar a’ dèanamh gus cor is dualchas a’ chanain a chumail suas.

Thug Iseabail Nic an t-Sagairt, ball bòrd HIE, an duais seachad do Cheòlas: “Tha HIE agus ar compàirteachas air leth toilichte a bhith cuir air adhart pròiseactan a tha moladh daoine a bhios a’ lorg dòighean ùr ann a bhith a’ cleachdadh Gàidhlig mar so-mhaoin eaconamach. Tha sinn a’ cur meal an naidheachd air a h-uile duine a chaidh a-steach airson an duais, agus gu h-àraid Ceòlas air an soirbheachadh aca.”

’S e neach-craolaidh Cathie NicDhòmhnaill an tè-frithealaidh air an oidhche, agus fhuair an tachartas taic bho an Dail Record, HIE, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Foghlam Alba, agus MG ALBA.

Ceòlas launches major fundraising drive

Am Pàipear gets its 40th birthday party started!

Alasdair Allan MSP to officially open Am Pàipear exhibition

Exhibition to celebrate 40th anniversary of Am Pàipear

Funding setback for proposed Ceòlas centre

Ceòlas announces summer 2015 events

Ceòlas wins Gaidhlig award

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