Poetry from Huntly's one and only Makar to ring out at Hairst
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WORK from the pen of Huntly's first and only Makar will bring a new side to this year's Hairst entertainment.
Poems by the late Margaret Grant, who passed away aged 77 in 2015, will be read out in the Square on Saturday, September 2, as a tribute to her lasting impression on the town.
The readings also coincide with the reprinting of her books, written in Doric and often putting the spotlight on local people, places and events.
However, her work also touched upon weightier topics including war and the loss of life.
Margaret was closely involved with the Huntly Writers and was a dedicated committee member.
The group, which published her final book Young at Hert in 2017, also paid for the recent reprint.
Orbs Bookshop stocks the full range of Margaret's reprinted works.
Local Doric exponent Douglas McKenzie will have the honour of performing the work as part of an entertainment line up co-ordinated by Huntly Folk Club.
Hairst chairperson Pat Scott said efforts to reprint Ms Grant's three books were driven by increased demand.
"Most of her poems are very funny, and there is always a bit of a message or a sentimental touch," she said.
"And they have just been reprinted because of the demand for them.
"It is a really important part of Huntly's history, especially some of her local observations in there and with it being in Doric.
"And it will be quite a sentimental bit for her family, to hear her work being read out in the town."
Hairst organiser Kay Thompson said: "We are delighted, as a committee, to have a new aspect at the music stand this year and to introduce poetry as a different side of the entertainment.
"Because we really want to be inclusive of all types of art."
Margaret was born and brought up at Kinnoir and began to write Doric poetry in primary school.
Releasing first book Jist for a Lauch in 1999, she went on to publish Anither Keckle and The Last Lauch in 2003 and 2008 respectively.
Margaret often received commissions from Huntly folk, to mark important personal, workplace and community moments.
She received the Makar honour at the first Huntly Book Festival in 2013, having lived in the town with husband Hamish, known as Dan, since 1966.
At the time of Margaret's passing, the pair had 12 grandchildren.
The Hairst readings will take place on a stage in The Square, with straw bales and seats for people to sit and listen.
Ms Scott said the Folk Club's entertainment offering has become an increasingly important part of Hairst.
"Hairst is indebted to Huntly Folk Club, who take on the running of the entertainment element of Hairst," she said.
"And last year, we actually found that the music was a very important part of it.
"It was such a lovely day, where we had folk sat there for ages just listening to the music."
Efforts to organise the readings have been led by Hairst committee member Maureen Ross, from Orbs Bookshop and Huntly Writers.
