March
2015
President’s Report
The AGM is on Friday 24th April at 1930hrs and it will be an important one for the Society and
the Museum. We have been awarded funding of 50% of the costs of carrying out restoration
work to the outside of our properties. This comes to us through the Elgin CARS project which
is a conservation area project to improve the overall outside appearance of Elgin High Street
properties.
The total costs of renovating and restoring the Museum and No 3 High Street are,
approximately, £400,000. These costs have been carefully calculated for us by LDN Architects.
Our submission to seek a grant for the project was motivated by a wish to be able to hand on
to our successors a Museum building in good condition. You may have seen the article in The
Northern Scot on Friday 27th March. So we have already a grant of 50% ready and waiting for
us. We will approach other funders.
The Museum continues to be busy and we look forward to another season. A very successful
Geology Conference was held in Moray College and visited various sites in Moray. This
attracted around 100 delegates to Moray and has once again raised the profile of our
collections. A dedicated band of volunteers has continued work throughout the winter
cataloguing and preserving our heritage. There continues to be a steady stream of artefacts
discovered locally and responsibly brought to the Museum. The Dandaleith Stone has taken
up a lot of time and thought as to how to set it up in the Museum. I am looking forward to the
arrival!
Much discussion and debate continues in Elgin about the Castle to Cashmere projects, BID
projects and events and recently there has been a “charrette” about the centre of Elgin and
the Cooper Park. Grant Lodge features large in all of this. The Society is represented on all of
these projects which aim to enhance the centre of Elgin and improve tourism. The Elgin
Museum is an important part of this and the more we do to attract visitors the better. The
summer season of exhibitions and events will enhance this Please do visit and bring your
friends and family.
Grenville Johnston
President
Geology/palaeontology report
After 12 months of specimen and box, checking, the work in the West Store is almost
complete. The fossils comprising the Recognised Collection have all been examined, listed in a
new database and placed in protective material, either small cardboard trays or acid free
paper. Although specimens were returned to the same grey plastic boxes they were stored in
beforehand, they are now re-organised so that each box contains like-specimens. Boxes are
also colour coded based on age (Middle Devonian, Upper Devonian, Permian, Triassic), with
further divisions based on source locality and then type of fossil; other categories have been
established for fish from unknown localities, invertebrates and plants. Most numerous by far
are the fish fossils collected from places like Tynet Burn, Dipple Brae and Lethen Bar, followed
by reptiles of either Permian or Triassic age from Findrassie, Spynie and Lossiemouth,
forming, in short, a high diversity of vertebrate animals from only a handful of sources. All of
the boxes are now accessible with stacks of no more than two high as opposed to the 12
observed at the start of the project. A final improvement, with the help of Tomas Christie and
Graham Robertson, has been the moving of a stack of shelves in to an alcove, greatly
improving access to an otherwise un-useable stack and allowing the examination of the last
few fossiliferous blocks.
L to R: Bob Davidson, Dr Neil Clark, Dr Alison Wright, Dr Sue Beardmore,
Dr Laura Saila, Dr Nick Fraser and Prof Mike Benton
(Absent from the photograph is Prof. Nigel Trewin (Chairman)
Janet Trythall (with orange rucksack) explaining the geology of Cutties
Hillock to a ‘damp’ field trip
The completion of work in the West Store was marked by the very successful ‘Moray Geology:
Past, Present, Future’ conference. Financially, the project has gained considerable support
with awards, to date, from the Geologists’ Association (Curry Fund), Palaeontological
Association (meeting support) and Museums Galleries Scotland (Recognition Fund). Our final
number of attendees was almost 100 from all over the UK – our attendee from Berlin got
caught in a Lufthansa strike! The event, and therefore the Museum, will be publicised in a
proceedings booklet, reports to the above mentioned organisations. Several further related
articles have been proposed for the geo-conservation magazine ‘Earth Heritage’, geology
magazine ‘Deposits’ and Palaeontological Association Newsletter. These follow a recently
published article in the ‘History Scotland’ magazine describing the importance of one
particular fossil of Stagonolepis robertsoni housed in Elgin Museum, albeit with a slight
geographical error on the editor’s part. Elgin is not in Midlothian!
After the publications and reports have been completed my contract at Elgin will be finished. I
hope to remain in the area until the end of May to see any local sites I have not yet visited.
Beyond this I have no firm plans but believe a holiday is in order, perhaps to America for more
fossil excavations in the deserts of southern Utah or somewhere quieter to finish up various
publications still awaiting my attention. In any case, I would like to take the opportunity to
thank everyone for their help during my stay.
Dr Sue Beardmore
Archaeology report
Dandaleith Stone
Investigations have continued to determine how the stone weighing over two thirds of a ton
can be moved into the Rear Hall of the museum, and once there lifted onto a prepared plinth.
Trials made with a mock-up of a transporting base, 800mm square, have shown that in an
upright position the stone can be manoeuvred though the rear fire exit. The boarded wooden
floor of the rear passage and the Rear Hall are unable to support the weight of the stone and
will have to be strengthened.
Once in the museum the stone will be lifted into place with a specially designed gantry. The
restricted access to the building prevents the use of any conventional cranes or lifting aids.
The installation work is now scheduled for November and will be part of a reworking of the
display of Pictish stones.
Well now!
The museum has been advised by NMS, Edinburgh that the timbers “found” during their
preparations to relocate their stored collection are in a good condition. The timbers are
believed to be of part of a Medieval well found during the 1976/77 excavations on the site of
Nicholson’s Garage undertaken before the building of Alexandra Road. Dendrochronological
examination of the wood has shown that it comes from trees felled around 1300AD
Discussions are planned with Moray College as to the practicality of attempting a
reconstruction, to determine how large an exhibit it would be and whether it might be
displayed in the museum, or alternatively have the timbers stored somewhere.
More stones!
Mary Mάrkus has completed her examination on behalf of Historic Scotland of the stones in
the museum believed to have come from Elgin Cathedral. They are currently stored in the
cellar of no.3, High Street. It is hoped that now the list is finalised, the stones will be loaned to
Historic Scotland who plan to display them in the Bishop’s House together with other
masonry from the cathedral. Removing these stones would allow the installation of much
needed storage racking.
One of the Cathedral Stones in the Museum
David Marquardt.
Education and Outreach
We are building up to another busy year at the museum with a number of events and
activities planned to encourage more families and children to visit the museum. To start the
season off we have an Easter drop-in craft session planned for 2nd April, with a variety of
activities to cover those all important Easter presents – there may even be chocolate! The
session runs from 11.00am till 2.00pm so if you would like to come along and help out then
please feel free.
Some of the entries for the Schools’ Art Exhibition
We have had a great response from local schools for the Art Competition this year. The
theme was ‘World War 1’ and the interpretation of this from the children is wonderful. The
exhibition opens on Saturday 28th March at 11.00am and runs for the whole of April. Please
come along and see it if you have time as the children have created some very moving pieces.
The next big event planned is the ‘Festival of Museums’ which will be held on Saturday 16 th
May from 11.00am till 3.00pm. The theme of this year’s day is ‘Medieval Mayhem!’ with so
many activities planned it could actually be mayhem! We have Graham coming along to
make swords – out of paper so no health and safety issues there – and Danse Ecosse who will
be showing us medieval dances and encouraging participation as well. Carol Scorer is coming
to tell medieval stories and Mary Shand is providing us with information on medieval foods.
Historic Scotland has very kindly allowed us to borrow some of their replica weapons and
resources from Urquhart Castle and there will be lots of other activities going on across the
day. Again, if you would like to help either on the day, or setting up on the Friday before,
then please come along. We may even be able to find a costume for you to wear!
Nominations are open for the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Award 2015. Last year we
were shortlisted for this important award, the only museum in Scotland to be shortlisted, and
this year we would really like to win. There hasn’t been a Scottish winner before so it would
be great to be the first. If you feel that the museum should win then feel free to nominate us.
Just go to the Kids in Museums website and follow the links.
There are lots of sessions (see Diary dates) planned for the Summer holidays for families to
enjoy, just check out the website or keep an eye out for posters advertising the activities
around Elgin or at the museum. If you don’t already then please follow us on Twitter and
Facebook, just search for ‘Elgin Museum’ on these sites.
Di Hannan
Volunteers
Volunteers have been busy throughout the Winter on a variety of tasks, including preparing
the upstairs cases for the new season. With that in mind, two volunteer training sessions
have been held to get everything ready.
We would still be happy to hear from anyone who would or could help out to staff the
Museum for our visitors. We especially need volunteers for a couple of afternoons a week,
though mornings would also be possible as several of our volunteers are flexible and able to
fill in when necessary.
Mabel Rennie
All creatures great and small
The last two winters have seen a major reorganisation of the Museum's ornithological
collection with advice from Dr Bob McGowan, Senior Curator (Birds) at National Museums
Scotland (NMS). Prior to this work, our collections of preserved birds and of birds' eggs were
in very variable condition and often lacking provenance and even accurate identification.
First to be tackled were the 'stuffed' birds, of which 118 were located within, and belonging
to, the Museum. These included three large glass-fronted cases containing 14 owls, 12 raptors
and five wildfowl. All were of North American origin and so faded as to defy identification in
many instances - understandably, the Great Grey Owl had been labelled as a Snowy Owl! Of
the remaining, free-standing specimens, 18 were in very poor condition. There was also a
collection of 36 ducks, lacking provenance but clearly collected in North America. Following
consultation with Moray Society membership at AGM 2014, the glass-fronted cases, the other
decaying specimens and most of the North American ducks were destroyed.
A further three specimens, with no local provenance, were identified by Bob McGowan as
having value to the NMS and were therefore donated.
The remaining 30 items have been retained by Elgin Museum for a variety of reasons, mostly
because they have local provenance or are good quality specimens of locally-occurring
species.
The second stage of the reorganisation involved the birds' eggs. This job presented a greater
challenge. Two collections were housed in four wooden cabinets, one in a small glass-fronted
cabinet and there were also 19 cardboard boxes of various sizes holding eggs.
Very few of the eggs carried any provenance and many in the wooden cabinets were
muddled, unidentifiable, broken or of foreign origin. It was decided, again with the approval
of the Moray Society at the 2014 AGM, to dispose of these. All eggs of British breeding
species, in good condition, were retained and amalgamated into a single collection which is
now housed in the four wooden cabinets and (for the largest eggs) seven flat boxes.
We now have a properly-documented representative collection of the eggs of 153 species of
which the vast majority are regular British breeders. This collection is available for inspection
on request.
Martin Cook
Footnote: We are very grateful to Martin for getting stuck into this task. We strive to keep on
top of everything, but the Museum does not have elastic sides, and rationalising the Natural
History collection had become urgent. We are working to store and display the collection in
ways to make it both accessible and meaningful for many years to come. Andrew Kitchener,
Principle Curator of Vertebrates, NMS has visited to go through our mammals. A start has
been made on the entomology but unfortunately our NMS advisor has been ill and has not yet
completed that review. JT
CARS (Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme)
At a Moray Society Board meeting on 26th February, it was agreed that the Society should
progress with work on the Museum, the Museum hall and No 3 High Street in conjunction
with the CARS scheme. Work has begun on fund raising to find the matching finance for the
£200,000 which has been granted by the Scheme. The work will see the refurbishment of the
outside of the buildings, ie the stonework and decoration as well as some internal
refurbishment of No 3. The Fundraising Committee will form a CARS project team led by Edna
Cameron, co-opting as necessary and reporting to the Board. It is expected that building work
will begin in 2016.
MUSEUM ASSISTANT UPDATE
Art Exhibitions
We have a full programme for the 2015 open season. If you are able to attend the private
previews, please do come along, and bring a friend! We open the season with a Primary
School Art Competition themed around World War I, with the specification of no blood, guts
and gore or shooting people, to encourage the children to consider different aspects of
everyday life during the war and what that meant for the men on the front, as well as those at
home.
If you know of anyone who would like to exhibit in the museum in 2016 please put them in
touch with either myself, or Mary Shand – we would love to hear from them!
Please mark them in your diary - the art exhibitions for 2015 are as follows:
Above: World War I Art Exhibition
Left, the winning entry ‘After the Battlefield, by Molly Conti, Age 10 (Mosstowie Primary School).
Centre, 2nd place, ‘Model of The Trench’ by Lewis Hay, P6 (Milnes Primary School).
Right, 3rd place, Cameron Chevet, P6, Age 10 (Botriphnie).
Saturday 28th March 2015
Last day of exhibition: Saturday 25th April
Theme: World War I
Artist: Moray Primary School Pupils
A competition whose winners were selected by Museum Volunteers.
Winners Cup SPONSORED BY JOHN SMART
Saturday 2nd May Last day of exhibition: Friday 6th June.
Theme: Caught in the Moment
Artist: Ian McArthur
st
Private Preview: 6-8pm, Friday 1 May 2015
A collection of diptych paintings.
Above: ‘Elgin Cathedral’ by Ian McArthur
Saturday 20th June Last day of exhibition: Friday 24th July
Theme: Eastern Illusion
Artist: Sherin Elhegazi
Private Preview: 6-8pm, Friday 19th June 2015 A collection of Diptych paintings.
Above: ‘Arabisk’ by Sherin Elhegazi
Saturday 1st August
Last day of exhibition: Friday 28th August
Theme: The Arctic
Artist: James Byatt
Private Preview: 6-8pm, Friday 31st July 2015 Photography in aid of The Moray Society and
RDA.
Saturday 5th September Last day of exhibition: Friday 25th September
Theme: A Life in Stitches – Artist: Ann Corrigall MBE with contributions from Judith
Sutherland, 1st Moray Stitches, NeedleArt North and The Tuesday Ladies Group
Private Preview: 6-8pm, Friday 4th September 2015 A retrospective exhibition of art and embroidery by, or inspired by, the late Ann Corrigall,
long-time member of The Moray Society and onetime pupil of Creative Embroidery at Moray
College. A lifelong interest, she exhibited annually with NeedleArt North in their collaboration
with Forres Falconer Museum and was working on her latest piece when she died aged 93yrs
old. She was awarded an M.B.E. when she was 80yrs old for her dedication to teaching
people with Learning Disabilities.
Above: ‘Standing Stones’ and ‘Elgin Cathedral’ by Ann Corrigall
Saturday 3rd October 2015
Last day of exhibition: Saturday 31st October
Theme: Details to be confirmed
Artist: Moray Senior School Pupils
Saturday 4th July to 29th September
Alison Kinnaird Glass, Art Installation – ‘Unknown’
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Theme: ‘Unknown’
Artist: Alison Kinnaird, M.B.E.
Private Preview: Friday 3rd July 7pm
Evening Concert with Alison Kinnaird on clarsach
“Unknown”
The exhibition visits Elgin Museum as part of a tour of Scotland which began in the Parliament
Building at Holyrood in Edinburgh.
An army of figures, each is an individual, uniquely engraved, but they represent a universal
soldier – each one is someone’s son, brother, father or friend. ‘Unknown’ must also refer to
the thousands and thousands of ordinary people, casualties of conflict, dismissed and
dehumanised in the phrase ‘collateral damage’.
Behind the Scenes with the Collection
We have had about 10-15 volunteers consistently busy this winter working behind the scenes
and a lot of good work has been accomplished.
Above: World War I Upstairs Cases - 1915
Please come and see the freshly updated World War I upstairs display cases by Mary Shand
and Jenny Cook – there really are some truly inspirational stories throughout the 3 cases. This
year the display concentrates on 1915; it looks at life in the trenches, the role of women and
how it became a WORLD war, as opposed to war in Europe. Well done ladies and thank you!
We are not permitted to install a lift due to Grade A Listed Building status so we have
endeavoured to provide an illustrated guide for visitors who are unable to view the upstairs
temporary exhibition cases.
In the summer we intend to feature an exclusive exhibition on Lewis Carroll to mark the 150th
anniversary of his children’s book ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’. Watch this space for
original works and personal possessions ……
Archives: Mary Allan, Janice MacKenzie and Jan MacWilliam have done wonders going
through, sorting and filing accounts, letters, people and place research, museum history, CDs,
past exhibitions etc. and occasionally disposing of notes that we do not need to keep.
Heather Cruickshank has been busy conserving the precious books in the museum collection,
including the original Museum scrapbooks from 1836 and cataloguing the Morayshire
Farmers Club archives.
Above: Janice working with our archives
Archaeology: New volunteer, Graham Robertson started working on checking archaeology
boxes and uncovered a number of accessioning and documentation issues. He has also been
quietly working away with box checking and photographing archaeology and ethnography
from the museum collection.
Above: Some of the artefacts Graham worked with this winter.
Sadly, Leanne Demay and Morag MacDonald’s time employed working on the TT claimed
archaeology collection came to an end last year, as per Morag’s article in the last newsletter.
I hope to be able to use Leanne’s photographs of the Clarkly Hill collection in a report to Will
Murray, Metal Conservator to identify which finds require urgent conservation. In the
meantime, the Clarkly Hill acquisitions will no longer be on display in the museum.
Milan Ardis, having had extensive experience working with the Yorvik Viking Museum in
Yorkshire, has had her conservation skills used once more at Elgin Museum by conserving a
3rd century AD Grecian man on a horse which was beheaded whilst it was in one of the
teaching boxes. Milan has freshened up the two weapons cases upstairs and will soon be
deeply ensconced in research for future upstairs exhibitions. Milan compiled lists of the
contents of 10 boxes of 1988 High Street excavation material we re-stored in the cellar at the
end of last year to make room for the handling boxes.
Above: Milan to the rescue - he rides again!
Private Art Collection:
Sara Marsh and Roger Pendergast catalogued the recently acquired George Spence collection
of portraits donated by the Falconer Museum and reorganised the safe storage of the
painting collection, checking whether or not they required further conservation. Two
University Students, Louise Hanwright and Sara McQueen checked the museum
documentation, re-labelled and recorded the new locations of each of the paintings, updating
out of date location lists and Ritchie Mabon made the necessary changes and additions to the
museum digitised catalogue. We have also had a small number of paintings remounted
and/or reglazed because of their condition and are very pleased with the results; they will be
on display alternately.
Cataloguing: Ted Castle and Mary Hawco worked on documenting parts of the collection that
made it into the accession book but had not been labelled or had MDA cards created.
Costume: Milan catalogued the collection of clothes and accessories that were donated from
the estate of Dr Mora Scott. A number of unrelated, unaccessioned textiles and nightdresses
have yet to be catalogued and are waiting for my attention. The mannequin in the ‘Where
are the Women of History’ people and place has been redressed with the fine Victorian
striped silk dress for opening and the case numbers, display and text updated.
Development Study
Having completed a BA in Archaeology and History, Anne Anderson is now studying for an
MSc in Interpretation: Management and Practice.
Anne used Elgin Museum for an
interpretive planning exercise, focusing on ‘Roseisle Man’ and redevelopment of that area.
Roseisle Man
His location is rather confusingly placed amongst interpretation of the Birnie excavations and
also a life size mounted picture of the Pictish Stone in Elgin Cathedral - placing each exhibit
out of context with each other. The proposed changes from Anne do not have to be
implemented but have given us a some really good ideas to work with when the time comes
that we are able to develop this area (along with that of the Pictish Stones and Clarkly Hill
artefacts).
What have I been up to?
Apart from organising and overseeing work behind the scenes for volunteers to get their
teeth into, I have been updating some of the cases in the main galleries, updating the text,
working through loans with Janet, accepting donations, tidying the stores, sorting out misnumbered and un-numbered items in the collection and preparing for opening. The winter
has flown by, as it always seems to, too fast!
Museum Assistant Heather Townsend, mounts a recently donated hydrometer and measures book presented by
Diageo, and we say ‘goodbye’ to the c1830 Cragganmore Distillery, John Smith, Distiller bottle that had been on
loan since 1978 and was on display in the Scientific Outlook peephole, above, right.
A number of paintings were donated by the family of Dr George Gordon of Birnie family, and
these have been photographed, catalogued and stored for now.
Above: Dr George Gordon and his mother.
I am waiting to hear whether or not a conservation application to the Woodmansterne
Project has been successful or not, to conserve and restore an oil painting of John Shanks,
onetime Curator of Elgin Cathedral (that was donated by the Falconer Museum on behalf of
Moray Council). It arrived with a significant tear in the canvas.
Above: John Shanks (notice the tear to the left of the tomb stone)
Weddings
We have 3 weddings booked for 2015 and hope this positive pattern will continue in 2016;
the museum is also available for private parties at very reasonable prices and we hope that
you will remember to take up this opportunity with us. There is a generous reduction for
Moray Society members!
Festival of Museums 2015 – Medieval Mayhem!
Much preparation is underway for the ‘Medieval Mayhem’ Scotland’s Festival of Museums
event on Saturday 16th May. The drop-in session will run from 11.00am to 3.00pm. As it
stands, numerous volunteers have been roped into helping (and dressing up) on the day, to
encourage families to come to Elgin Museum and to get involved learning about life in
Scotland in medieval times. We expect much fun and hilarity once more, and the event is our
biggest footfall and intergenerational project of the year.
There will be medieval style dancers, a storyteller, sword making, medieval style food, making
of catapults, colouring and illuminated manuscript stations. Graham was quickly enlisted to
make replica, wooden swords for children and now he is collecting broadsheet newspapers to
make swords for festival of museums, steadily moving on to shields and helmets and
whatever else we can think up (which is an ever expanding list of ideas).
Trying out ‘kids’ costumes for Festival of Museums
Donations
I would again like to thank Charles Quinnell, Bruce Watson and Tim Jones of the Coracle
Society for their efforts in raising £300 towards conservation and redisplay of the Spey
Currach – the oldest known coracle in THE WORLD! This target was reached by Charles single
handedly paddling 23 miles down the Tay and his fellow coracler’s hobbyists each paddling 7
miles. Thank you Gentleman – I understand the weather conditions were rather fierce!
Museum Shop
Tracey Metcalfe has worked hard to keep an accurate stock and sales record and is ready for
the new season with high quality wares from local crafters.
Treasure Trove Metal Detectorist Training
On Saturday 7th March, Elgin Museum hosted a very successful Treasure Trove and finds
training day for Metal Detectorists.
The course was led by Dr Natasha Ferguson, Unit Officer, Treasure Trove Unit, with
contributions from Claire Herbert, Archaeologist, Aberdeenshire Council and David
Marquardt, Archaeological Representative for The Moray Society.
Above left: Dave Anderson, Archaeologist, studies disclaimed metal detectorist finds with
Edna Cameron, Moray Society Fund Raising Committee, Claire Herbert, Archaeologist,
Aberdeenshire Council and ‘celebrity’ metal detectorist Ali McPherson.
Dr Natasha Ferguson, Treasure Trove Unit Officer examines recent finds from
metal detectorist Steven Shorters with other metal detectorists onlooking.
An increasing number of people are taking up metal-detecting as a hobby in Moray. The draw
is often the potential to find objects from the last 4000 years of human activity in the area.
However, it is important to know that such finds are subject to Treasure Trove, even if they
aren’t made of gold. The one-day course hosted by Elgin Museum helped participants identify
different types of metal, get a greater understanding of what objects to look for, receive
advice and guidance about what does and does not need to be reported, and how to go about
this. The event was attended by around 25 metal detectorists, as well as 5 museum
professionals. In the past 10-15 years, Elgin Museum has greatly increased its role in liaising
with metal detectorists, making it the foremost museum in Scotland for accepting finds for
reporting to Treasure Trove.
During the morning Dr Natasha Ferguson explained how the Treasure Trove system works in
Scotland, how decisions are reached by the Finds Allocation Panel, and how objects are
allocated to individual museums. In the afternoon, detectorists benefited from the expert
knowledge of Dr Ferguson who spent a few hours identifying artefacts, during which there
was an exciting rustle of bags as finds were looked at and finders awaited the outcome.
Dr Natasha Ferguson is one of 2 officers who are employed by the Treasure Trove Unit, which
is based within the National Museums of Scotland in Chambers Street, Edinburgh. Dr
Ferguson and Stuart Campbell, TT Unit Manager, have the extensive task of identifying and
recording all relevant finds in Scotland and deciding whether finds should be claimed for the
nation or returned to the finder. If an object or assemblage is claimed as Treasure Trove,
finders are normally offered an ex-gratia award.
Claire Herbert is one of 3 archaeologists employed by Aberdeenshire Council. The
Aberdeenshire Council Archaeology Service acts as the regional archaeology service for
Aberdeenshire, Moray and Angus Councils under Service Level Agreements. The Archaeology
Service’s remit is to protect, manage and promote the historic environment of Aberdeenshire,
Angus and Moray, and a big part of this is maintaining a Historic Environment Record (HER)
for each area. The HER is an ever-growing database of sites and finds of archaeological and
historical interest, including metal detecting finds. The database can be found on their
website (http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/smrpub), and is used as the basis for assessing
the potential impact of planning applications, forestry planting, and other land management
activities on the historic environment.
GOODBYE TO SUE
** Sue’s leaving ‘do’ is on Wednesday 22nd April in the Emperor (next the Museum) at the
earlier time of 5.30pm. All welcome but let Heather know you’re coming.
Membership
PLEASE, PLEASE CHECK.
Can I please make another plea to all members? It would be very helpful if you could check
how much you are paying on your standing order and, in fact, to check that you actually are
paying by standing order. There are some who may think they are paying who are not. The
current rates are given below for all to check that they are paying the correct amount.
With the increased cost of admin, I am afraid we cannot afford to provide, for example,
newsletters, to those who do not pay. I am sure that, in the majority of cases, it is purely an
oversight.
For 2015, it is hoped to be able to offer a ‘Junior’ membership of the Museum with a token
subscription of £1. The offer will be made through the press, through school groups visiting
the Museum and within the ‘goody bag’ given to all junior visitors to the Museum. The hope
is to engage children and get them to feel an affiliation to the Museum which will carry on
into adult life. Junior members will receive a twice yearly ‘junior newsletter’.
Final details of the scheme are being worked out and it is hoped the offer will commence at
the beginning of school summer holidays.
Current rates are:
CURRENT SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Adult £25 (each member)
Family (up to 2 adults and 2 children) £40
Student (ES40 & under 18’s) £10
Junior Membership £1
Corporate Membership £100
Rates to be confirmed at the 2015 AGM
Bill Dalgarno
Membership Secretary
Moray Society Prize Draw
The Prize Draw has now been running for fourteen years and during that time has diverted
almost £15,000 into the Moray Society current account. This total includes donations
submitted through the Prize Draw fund but does not take into account any further income
accrued from Gift Aid generated by eligible donations.
This has been of considerable benefit to our daily running expenses and continues to be so,
given the huge inflationary price rises on all our utility bills
The price of the tickets remains unchanged and at present there are 90 tickets in circulation
at £10 each. These are all eligible for the 12 prizes during their lifetime (1 year/4 draws with 3
prizes each).
If you are not attracted by those odds then remember that you can still help the Society by
purchasing one or more tickets in the sure knowledge that the only winner can be the Society
itself.
All income generated by the draw goes directly into Moray Society funds apart from the prize
money paid to the lucky winners.
Please address any questions or applications to me at the Museum (or email
mabritch@keme.co.uk, or tel 01309 673597)
Moray Society Prize Draw
Please allocate me ........ tickets in the Moray Society Prize Draw @ £10.00 each.
*I enclose my payment of £.........
*Please forward me a standing order mandate
Name.......................................................................
Address……………………………………………………………………………….
Post Code.................................... *please delete if inappropriate
Please address any questions or applications to me at the Museum (or tel 01309 673597).
Ritchie Mabon
Prize Draw Co-ordinator
PLEASE HELP
DEFRAY THE
RUNNING COSTS
OF THE MUSEUM
BY JOINING
Moray
SocietyTHE
AGM
PRIZE DRAW
The Moray Society Constitution
Constitution change – important information
An update to our Constitution is much needed. The current version dates from 1987, since when
terminology, institutions and legislation have changed, particularly laws relating to companies and
charities. A special resolution of 1993 tied us into a relationship with the then Moray District Council,
and which Moray Council now agrees with the Board is historical and irrelevant to the Council’s
current museums service or the best use of Councillors’ time.
The Constitution you are being asked to approve has been prepared by specialist solicitors in charity
law, J&H Mitchell, Pitlochry, and in consultation with the Moray Society Board, Museums Galleries
Scotland, Moray Council, and our Museum Mentors at the Falconer and is currently with the Charity
Commissioners, OSCR .
Proxy voting is allowed under our present Constitution, although I am not aware of its being used in
the past 25 years. You may use the Proxy Form in the Newsletter, adapted from Appendix 2 of the
new Constitution. The Form must be completed and returned to the Museum not later than 48 hours
before the start of the meeting, and (under the present Constitution) the Proxy must be a voting
member of the Moray Society. If the Proxy is to vote only on one or more specific Agenda items, this
must be indicated on the Proxy Form.(Form below)
The AGM will be carried out under the old Constitution until the new Constitution is agreed.
The Board request that under Agenda item 8. Board membership, the membership agrees that the
present Board and Office Bearers are adopted for a further year on the understanding that the 2016
AGM will be under the new Constitution and all will be resigning. Re-election would then be only as
allowed under the new Constitution.
If the new Constitution is adopted (by a simple majority), the AGM will be asked to agree the
Membership fees, including for any agreed new categories of membership.
There is a small possibility that the proposed new Constitution will not be approved by OSCR in the
interim between notification to members of the AGM Agenda and the AGM, in which case we would
have to call an Extraordinary General Meeting.
To reduce printing, postage and paper costs, for all the AGM papers:
- the old Constitution is not included in the circulated AGM papers
- the new draft Constitution will be sent electronically to those for whom we have an email address
- anyone wanting paper copies sent out, or to read the papers in the Museum, please ask at/via the
Museum, or email me: trythallj@btinternet.com
Janet Trythall
Vice-president
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given of The Moray Society Annual General Meeting to be held at 6.30 pm on Friday
24th April 2014 in Elgin Museum Hall.
AGENDA
1. Welcome from the President (Chair)
2. Apologies for absence
3. Minutes of AGM 2014 - for approval
4. Matters arising from above
5. President’s written report on the activities of the Society (Grenville Johnston)
6. Receive the Financial Report, including Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2014 and report
of the independent financial examiners, Ritsons, Chartered Accountants, Elgin (Ken Ferguson)
7. Appointment of Ritsons, Chartered Accountants, Elgin as independent financial examiner for 2015
8. Board membership
(a) Resignations:
Elizabeth Robinson
Councillor Patsy Gowans
(b) Re-election for one year only under the existing Constitution the following as Directors:
Grenville Johnston (President)
Janet Trythall (Vice-president)
Ken Ferguson (Treasurer and Company Secretary)
Bill Dalgarno
Edna Cameron
Mary Shand
Angela Monro
Marion Yool
Rebecca Russell
9. Special Resolution to adopt the new Articles of Association (a draft of which accompanies this
Notice if received electronically, but is otherwise available in Elgin Museum or on request) in entire
substitution for the existing Memorandum and Articles of Association by which the Society was
incorporated as a Guarantee Company on 9th September 1987 and which was amended on 30th April
1993.
10. Fixing of annual subscriptions for the categories: Ordinary, Family, Junior, Student, Life, Corporate
membership.
11. AOCB
12. Close
The AGM will be followed by a lecture at 7.30 pm: ‘The Dandaleith Stone: the story so far’, by Claire
Herbert and David Marquardt. This is free and open to the public, but donations are welcome.
The Moray Society
(“the Society”)
Form of Proxy Voting 2015
I ………………………………………………………………………………………,
of………………………………………………………………………………………,
being an *Ordinary Member of the Society or *one, aged 18 years or over, of a
Family Membership or *the Corporate Membership representative of
…………………………………………………………………………………………hereby appoint the
chairman of the Annual General Meeting
or*…….……………………..……………………………………………..................,
of …………………………………………………………………………..…………,
as my proxy to vote for me on my behalf at the Annual General Meeting of the
Society to be held on 24/4/2015 and at any adjournment thereof.
This form to be used in favour of/against the resolution(s),*
Agenda item
For
Against
Vote
witheld
3. Minutes 2014 AGM
6. Financial report 2014
7. Independent Financial Examiner 2015
8b). Re-election of Directors
9. Adopt new Articles of Association
10. Fix annual subscriptions
* to be deleted if not required, or amended if it is required
Signature of member appointing
proxy........................................................................
dated....................................
To be valid, this Form of Proxy, once signed and dated, must be lodged at Elgin
Museum at least 48 hours before the start of the General Meeting referred to
above
Diary Dates
Saturday 28th March
Museum Opening for Season
11.00am
Saturday 28th March to 30th April
Primary Schools Art Exhibition: World War 1
Thursday 2nd April
Children’s Drop in Easter Craft session
Tuesday 14th April
Management Committee meeting
Moray Society Board meeting
Friday 24th April
Moray Society AGM
followed by
Talk on the Dandaleith Stone by Claire Herbert & David Marquardt
4.00pm
5.30pm
6.30pm
Sat 2nd May
“Caught in the Moment”: An exhibition of paintings by Ian McArthur
Sat 16th May
Festival of Museums Day
“Medieval Times” A day of activities for all age groups.
Children’s Summer Activities (11 – 2 each day)
Wed 8th July:
Geology Handling session
Thu 9th July:
‘Rock Pets’
th
Wed 15 July:
Ceramics Handling session
Thu 16th July:
Ceramics Painting session
Wed 22nd July:
Textile Handling session
rd
Thu 23 July:
Paper Weaving
Wed 29th July:
Science Equipment Handling session
Thu 30th July:
Science Fun
th
Wed 5 August:
Archaeology Finds Handling session
Thu 6th August:
“Dig Boxes”
Wed 12th August: WW1 Day – oral history and public items
Thu 13th August: WW1 Biplanes
1 High Street, Elgin, Moray, IV30 1EQ – Tel: 01343 543 675 – Email: curator@elginmuseum.org.uk
ELGIN MUSEUM – Scotland’s oldest independent Museum – Established 1836
The Moray Society: Company No 106529 Charity No SC017546