Ardersier Village Memorial Hall – Highlands – Scotland
The changing face of a local village over more than a century highlighted in a recent book
Ardersier is the focus of the special pictorial history which charts the many changes it has undergone in the past 127 years, including the influx of thousands of workers to the oil rig construction yard from the early 1970s.
The project is the brainchild of Ardersier-born George Grant who has collected images from local contributors and former residents from as far away as New Zealand.
All the money raised from sales of the book has gone towards the refurbishment of the Ardersier War Memorial Hall and improvement of its facilities.
The book includes pictures of almost all of the area through the ages, as well as groups of people who have lived in the village.
Mr Grant, of Scorguie Road, Inverness, told the Highland News: “I wanted to chronicle a place close to my heart and where I have spent a large part of my life.” What I was hoping was to leave a little piece of history for future generations and an insight into how Ardersier has changed through the decades.” Mr Grant was born in Ardersier 69 years ago and was raised in the old part of the village a couple of doors down from his Uncle Dunc who owned the chip shop. His father’s family were born in the old Toll House in Ardersier where his grandmother and grandfather brought up a family of seven. Mr Grant had the idea that if he could get a collection of old photos of the village and its people, he had the basis for an historical book which could be marketed with all sale proceeds being given to the hall committee to enable essential restoration repairs and improvements to take place.
George said:
“The historic hall has been the focus of life to the Ardersier community and it is essential that it is improved for the benefit of the community.
“The village is expanding steadily and the need for a hall with facilities suitable for modern day is essential.”
George can be contacted by use of the Contact Us Form
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Ardersier Village Hall Funding Project Moves Forward
Press Release:
Readers will remember our story featuring George Grant and his desire to create and publish a book covering Pictorial Memories of Ardersier with a view to raising money for the very worthwhile Village Hall Restoration Fund.
Well, a few short months after the original announcement, the good news is George has completed the project and his eighty four page interesting book packed with historic photographs, stories and amusing anecdotes relating to the historic village of Ardersier is now available for purchase.
With ALL sales proceeds going to the Hall Fund.
Is your photograph in the book?
You may be surprised, as a large number of group photographs have been provided covering school, sporting, war time, Red Cross and Church events through time from around the late 1800’s, together with fishermen, entertainers and local personalities.
Now on Sale:
Pictorial Memories of Ardersier
Delivered to your door
Only £10.00 – Including Postage & Packing
Payment via Secure Paypal Service
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Smiling George Grant said:
George Grant
“I am delighted that following many hours of research and copy writing that we now have the book printed and available for sale.
I would also like to thank the many people who contacted me with offers of photographs and background information which reminded me of many different village events and has been used in the publication.
I would also like to thank the sponsors who have contributed to the printing and publication costs and in particular local businessman, Jim Ferguson, Managing Director of Castle Security Group for his very generous donation which enabled the print run to be extended considerably.
Councillor Roddy Balfour has also been of significant motivating support and the Highland Council are to be thanked for their interest with additional funding support and promotional assistance”.
Details of all sponsors are featured in the publication
The book is also available for direct purchase at:
The Highland Council Service Point in Ardersier
Please click this link for address location, opening hours and telephone number
Copies of the book are available at other local outlets,
Fort George Museum and McColl’s in Ardersier.
Price Just £Ten Pounds per copy
(personal collection only).
George went on to say:
“It is now down to members of the public to show their support which of course will be very welcome. The book makes an ideal Christmas present and copies have been sold all over the world to previous residents of Ardersier who are now living overseas. If anyone has any difficulty in getting a copy the publication is available for direct purchase online from the Ardersier History website:
or by email contact via: gwgrant20@yahoo.com
Stop Press – Thousand’s of £Pounds Raised So far
Please click for donation details and full story
It is hoped to raise several more thousand £pounds over a period of time by
sale of the book for this worthy cause.”