'It's an absolutely wonderful event' – new Huntly Hairst organiser Kay Thomson from The Foggie Neuk
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THE woman behind the Foggie Neuk is to bring her "ideas and flair" to Huntly's Hairst.
Kay Thomson has been handed the reins from outgoing organiser Laura McNeil, who decided to step away earlier this year but will remain an organising committee lynchpin.
The fast-paced role is one Ms Thomson said she had been keen to take on for a long time.
Her experience of creating Aberchirder's own regular Foggie Neuk Markets will also come in handy, as her role also includes organising Huntly's monthly farmers markets.
"Hairst is a huge event – it's an absolutely wonderful event. It really is, and organising it is a role I have fancied for quite a long time," she said.
"So when it came up I thought: 'Oh goodness, I've just got to bite the bullet and go for it.'
"I was delighted to be given the opportunity and it's lovely to have a role in the monthly markets as well.
"Because I know what a difference me starting The Foggie Neuk Market has made to the Aberchirder community."
Ms Thomson's appointment will help Hairst reach "the next level of its evolution", according to organising committee chairperson Pat Scott.
While hailing Ms McNeil's contribution from her stint as organiser, Mrs Scott highlighted the Hairst's top priorities going forward.
"Kay's experience and contacts will, we hope, be key to taking Hairst to the next level of its evolution," Mrs Scott said.
"In the years that Laura was organiser, despite the challenges of covid and the community recovering from the impact of lockdown, new events were launched and greater community and business involvement fostered.
"We hope that Kay can build on Laura’s work but also bring her own ideas and flair to the event which is the biggest on Huntly's community calendar.
"There is a great deal of vital behind the scenes work, required by the local authority and emergency services, and it is documentation such as that which requires the services of a paid organiser.
"Kay will also be working to extend the range of stalls and how they can be accommodated.
"We are also very keen to give a higher profile to the World Stovies Championship at Hairst, to raise it to a par with the similar porridge competition and these are the challenges ahead for Kay.
"Laura continues as a valued member of the organising committee."
Speaking after the search began for a new organiser, Ms McNeil thanked the "brilliant" committee and said she enjoyed her "great" four-year spell in the role.
"The committee has been brilliant and they have really embraced all my ideas," she said.
"It is such a great job to do and there are so many different parts to it.
"But it is time for someone with fresh eyes and a new perspective to take on this great job.
"I will be staying on in the committee to support the new person when they start."
