Talking Banffie and Turra Talk Association bids farewell at final meeting
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The Talking Banffie and Turra Talk Association has held its final meeting which brought the charity to an end after 32 years.
The gathering at Banff Castle was called following the difficult decision to cease the recordings of the Talking Banffie and Turra Talk following the Covid hiatus.
The group's members had dropped prior to this and having surveyed its existing listeners, these numbers were even lower, hence the committee reluctantly concluded that it was no longer viable.
In a statement from the association it said: "Chairman Jim Martin reflected on the 32-year history of the association.
"Starting in the basement of Seafield House using cassette tapes, we moved to a studio in Banff Castle almost 31 years to the day of the meeting and switched to CDs about 20 years ago.
"At its peak, more than 100 recordings were sent out every week by a large number of volunteers, with the association achieving positive feedback from listeners and also frequent success in Scottish and UK competitions.
"He thanked both the local newspapers, as well as magazines and authors, for kindly allowing use of their material.
"We have received many generous donations, some from regular sponsors and others who have donated from fundraising events.
"Strachan Pharmacy also provided collecting cans which were scattered about the local towns and brought in much needed regular income.
"Jim said that we had been blessed with a large number of selfless and enthusiastic volunteers, who had given freely of their time, too many to mention individually but highlighted the work of our former fundraising stalwart – Olive Bligdon – an affable ‘force of nature’ if ever there was one.
"If there had been an award for the most time spent in the studio, then this would have gone to Elizabeth and Leslie Barclay from Turriff, who many believed lived in the studio.
"A further blessing has been our honorary presidents and vice-presidents who have tirelessly supported us over the years and championed our cause.
"We remember the late Jim McPherson who had such presence and charisma and the late Yvonne Morison who had great charm and encouragement.
Furthemore, Dr David Clark always provided constructive input.
"More recently we have been so fortunate to have had the endlessly positive and supportive Patricia Seligman in post as honorary president.
"On behalf of the committee and the association as a whole, we would like to say huge thanks to all those who have supported us in whatever way over the years, as sponsors, as listeners with supportive comments and to all our volunteers.
"Jim said he liked to think that collectively we have made a small but positive difference to the lives of many.
"He finally from a personal perspective expressed his sincere thanks to those who have sat on the committee over the years, again too many to mention, but its current members were Lesley Mackenzie, secretary Lynda Reid, treasurer Ann Roy, team one, Eleanor Lyall, team two, Christine Sim, admin and the listener representative Dod Youngson."
Patricia Seligman said that it had been a great pleasure and privilege to have been the honorary president of the Talking Banffie and Turra Talk Association, and she had enjoyed meeting everyone involved and learning about their remits.
She thanked all the volunteers for their commitment since 1990, adding that there had been many donations, from people and organisations.
She highlighted the fundraising concert given by young people at Turriff Academy and the Macduff Scottish Country Dance Group who also raised funds.
The studio was officially opened by George Robertson of ‘Scotland The What’ and she again praised all the volunteers who came out on cold winter nights to make the recordings.
Friendships were made and fun had, with the Christmas CDs full of variety and often brought tears of laughter.
