ENJOYED BY ALL AGES...
The theme of ‘Spreading Your Wings’ was eagerly taken up by various speakers throughout the week. Although attendance was lower than last year the spirit was terrific with a very welcome thirty hour ‘Gaelic boost’ on the Tuesday. Some thirty adults and youth, many being Bahá’ís from the Western Isles, were on their way south. The sharing of cultures was exciting with dancing and music. Some of the young people didn’t want to leave! An average of fifteen attended each session, boosted in the evenings.
All were highly appreciative of the lectures whose subjects intrigued and uplifted all. Denis Coyle enthused us on Encouragement. Dr Sepideh Taheri, from Scotland, was a major speaker on Century of Light and moved us with her Love Story on Anís, who died with the Báb. Dr John Parris is always worth listening to. He spoke on the Station of the Báb. Thursday and Friday focused on the Holy Day. Rob Weinberg spoke on the western understanding of the Martyrdom from a non-Bahá’i point of view. He spoke later on the life of Lady Blomfield. On 9 July Keith Munro, with the solid support of Gemma Halligan, gave a moving audio-visual presentation on the Life of Báb with very life-like sounds of gunfire at the height of the programme. Sarah Munro presented the Life of Eskil Ljungberg in a playlet followed by a visual presentation of her three months pioneering in the Faroe Islands. Pat Jamshidi did other sessions and at various times Keith Munro read stories about the Faith to youth and adults alike.
The few children there had a great time helped and assisted by Negin Elliott. The youth were congratulated on their full involvement in all activities and their injection of spirit into the success of the school. Colin Palin prepared the devotionals for the opening of each day using a mix of computer presentations, music, and recited prayers, as well as the devotional for the Holy Day on 9 July.
The catering by Lorne staff was excellent, including a Mexican evening. As usual ‘Auntie’ Clare and Houshang ran the tuck-shop and fund raising on the Saturday made more than £250 for the National Fund. So amazing was the spirit, according to several from the South of Ireland, they were not only coming back next year but bringing their friends. They further commented that the team of Anne Munro, John Giffen and Lawrence McMinn ran the school very efficiently and with great caring. What more can one say?
KM
BACK TO CONTENTS PAGE