The Rotary Club of Oban’s Old Folks Christmas Lunch Committee have again kicked in to high gear this week with the alternative arrangements for this year’s lunch event.
Even though the Old Folks Christmas Lunch can’t go ahead again this year due to Covid-19, Oban Rotary are determined to let our senior community members know that everyone is thinking of them and sending their kind thoughts, love and support at this difficult time. The Rotary Elves are working overtime to send out Christmas Cards and a small gift to as many senior community members as possible this Christmas to add a little sparkle to the Festive Season.
The Rotary Club of Oban have had great support from people in the Community particularly, Calum MacLeod and Family, of Piazza and Eeusk Restaurants, who have donated gifts for distribution. Many thanks also to McQueen Brothers who are helping with taking entries for this year’s Raffle and to Bid for Oban for their continued support.
Graham McQueen and Rotarian Ciorsti Baxter were on Oban FM giving a history of the OLDS Christmas Lunch, hosted by Campbell Cameron.
Oban Rotary President Kees van Rein said “ We have over 300 cards and small gifts ready to go in Santa’s Sleigh and we have had dozens of entries into our free Hamper Raffle. Personally, I can’t wait to help Santa with his deliveries in the coming weeks . Hopefully we can spread some much needed Cheer this Christmas despite the pandemic . Our Lunch is postponed again for another year but we hope our OLDS will be in all our thoughts especially during this Christmas“.
The Annual Senior Citizens Christmas lunch, which is now organised and managed by The Rotary Club of Oban, was held at the Crerar Hotels Group's Oban Bay Hotel, on Monday, 9th December.
The event continues to be sponsored by The Crerar Trust who are a fantastic supporter of the event which has now been running continuously for over 100 years. It remains over- subscribed and once again there was a full house with the dining room full of Christmas and Community Spirit. This testifies to the continuing popularity of the gathering where old friends are given the opportunity to meet, against a background of fun, good food and entertainment.
Music was provided by stalwarts Neil Mackay (drums) and Tom McAdam (accordionist/vocalist), with the large gathering participating, with great enthusiasm, in lots of good tunes and song. The highlight of the afternoon was as usual the appearance of Santa Claus (Ellis Carmichael), who distributed presents to one and all. The presents, along with a large number of raffle prizes, were donated by Ian MacInnes of D & A Munn and Julie and Tommy McQuade of Morham and Brotchie.
The afternoon was excellently compared by The Rotary Club of Oban's President, Douglas Small, who thanked all who had contributed to the success of the lunch. In particular, he thanked The Crerar Trust for their continued sponsorship, the wonderful musicians Neil and Tom, Santa, the staff at the Oban Bay, who provided excellent service, and, not least, the fine folk who attended the lunch.
In addition to assisting with the event, Fellow Rotarians were on hand as taxi drivers to take people home.
It was roundly agreed that this was yet another superb gathering, with all concerned saying " Happy Christmas" and "See you next year".
The Rotary Club of Oban in partnership with the Crerar Trust put on their annual Oban and Lorn District Seniors Citizens Christmas lunch ("OLDS") at the Oban Bay Hotel on Monday, 10th December and as usual a full house was in evidence.
The Oban Bay Hotel is part of the Crerar Hotels Group and the Trust fully fund the cost of the lunch with Oban Rotary having responsibility for organising the event which also includes individual Rotarians acting as taxi drivers taking attendees to and from the event. The lunch was compeered by Rotary President Iain Mac Intyre who, in his opening remarks, wished happy birthday to Betty Paxton who will be 106 on 30th December this year. Our first picture shows Betty with Santa Claus and the second a glimpse of the overall audience.
Entertainment was provided by Neil Mackay and Michael Garvin on drums and accordion respectively with Clair Jordan as their vocalist. Raffle prizes were provided by Ian (Gilla) MacInnes of D and A Munn and Tommy McQuade of Morham and Brochie, two well known local concerns.
Santa was once again in the distinquished form of Phil White who gives unstintingly to local events at Christmas time.
It was generally agreed that a good time was had by all; indeed many saying on leaving that this was the most enjoyable with all concerned looking forward to next year. In his final remarks, President Iain paid tribute to the warmth shown by the management and staff at the Oban Bay Hotel towards this event along with recognising the contributions of veterans Graham MacQueen and Frank Walton, who as it happens are also Rotarians but have been involved with the "OLDs" for many a year.