Culture and heritage boost from the Doric Board
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The Doric Board has distributed its first-ever series of financial awards to 18 projects across the north east.
The awards, which offer between £250 and £1000, support projects that promote Doric culture and heritage.
Recipients represent the Board’s inaugural annual set of awards which draw from a budget of around £10,000.
The scheme was created with the support of the Scottish Government to develop and support a sustainable, dynamic future for Doric as a vibrant language.
Among those receiving a funding boost from The Doric Board was the Banffshire Tourist Group to assist with the creation of an illustrated biography of the legendary James Macpherson.
A new play by Mike Gibb based on the life and works of Lorna Moon entitled: “Scatter My Ashes on Mormond Hill” also received an award, as did a project created by Tom Spiers from Turriff to establish an educational website, based on the ballads of the north-east.
Two of Us Creations in Aboyne received an award to publish a book of poems involving 11 writers’ groups throughout the north-east whilst 1st Methlick Scouts’ plan to celebrate 100 years of their group, through a creative project reflecting the cultural traditions of Scouts also received assistance.
Taking Doric well and truly into the 21st century was the focus of another successful application, with Karen Barrett-Ayres receiving funding to create an app based on her successful book of Doric words.
Commenting on the awards a spokesperson for The Scottish Government said: “The Scottish Government is pleased to support the Doric Board’s New Year Awards, these awards provide support to projects that will have lasting benefits for the community and the language and raise the profile of Scots.”
Doric Board Chair, Frieda Morrison said: “The awards, and the fact that we received 29 applications, show that Doric is very much alive and well in 2020.
"The Doric Board is delighted to be able to support this terrific range of projects from all across the north-east.
"Many of them support and engage young people and look to sustaining Doric into the future.”
Board Member Professor Peter Reid added: "These awards recognise a broad spectrum of groups and projects, and demonstrate the deep affection there is for Doric as well as the passion for its survival.
"What is also important is that this is first time an organisation devoted specifically to promoting Doric, has been in a position to support projects financially across the region.”
The full list of recipients of Doric Board New Year Awards is as follows:
Banffshire Tourist Hub – Illustrated biography of James Macpherson.
Mike Gibb, Aberdeen – “Scatter my ashes on Mormond Hill” (a new play based on the life and works of Lorna Moon).
Garidge Theatre, Inverurie – Dark Star Development production based on Lorna Moon’s novel.
Tom Spiers, Crudie, Turriff – “A puckle muckle sangs” (educational programme based on the ballads of the north-east)
Ewan G. Mackay, Cruden Bay – Doric homage in classical song
Val McLeod, Birnie, Elgin – Doric Alive (monthly group/Doric activities)
Two of Us Creations, Aboyne – poetry anthology in English and Doric of work by north-east poets
1st Methlick Scouts – Centenary celebrations (presentation of the culture of the north-east, past and present)
The Cabrach Trust – to capture living history by recording interviews in Doric.
RGU – adding north-east content to Wikipedia.
Andrew Davidson, Fraserburgh – “Fraserburgh on Film”.
Jo Gilbert, Aberdeen – Doric Poetry Slam.
Karen Barrett-Ayres, Aberdeen – creation of a Doric language app.
Dr Ian Spring, Perth – Collection of Mary Symon poems.
Modo: Circus With Purposes, Peterhead – “Doricula” (show based on Dracula).
Stonehaven Folk Festival – promoting folk songs in local groups.
Richard Bennett, Torphins – an anthology of work by modern Moray writers.
Bob Knight – Doric song CD.
