Peter Frasers Retirement Ceilidh
From Moriston Matters, Issue 18, April 1980.
THE END OF AN ERA
Although Invermoriston Hall has been the scene of many gatherings, the crowd who assembled on the evening of Friday, 18th April, must have been one of the largest that the hall has seen in a long time.
The purpose of the gathering was, of course, to bid farewell to our parish minister, the Rev. Peter Fraser and his wife, Margaret. Mr. Fraser has served our community for over 30 years and it is an indication of the esteem in which he was held that the hall was not only filled to capacity, but overflowing, with friends from far and near who had come to say good-bye.
The first part of the evening was a concert, where the acts varied from Scottish Dance Music to Rock 'n' Roll, from folk song to dramatic art. The children from both ends of the Glen performed under the watchful eye of their respective teachers. Dalchreichart school children showed the men present how to ensure that their wives remained submissive, while the children of Invermoriston School gave an ingenious country dancing display. The dance was an original display especially composed by Mrs Nicholson and appropriately named "Mrs Fraser's Fancy". There were, of course, many other items on the programme, but they are too numerous to identify individually. Suffice to say that at the end of the concert the large audience had witnessed displays which showed the diversity of talents of the artistes.
The next part of the evening took the form of the actual presentation and Mr Hamish MacDonald, chairman for the occasion, invited Rev. John MacEwan, Rev. John Campbell and Rev. Fr. Andrew Mackillop to speak. They all spoke of Mr. Fraser's devotion to his ministry and to the community at large which he served as a councillor as well as a minister.
The gift of a colour television and a cheque for a substantial sum was then presented to Mr Fraser by Mr Magnus Marr, on behalf of the people of the Glen.
Mr Fraser, when he rose to give his thanks, spoke of the warmth he had always found in the community.
Of course it must also be remembered that Mr. Fraser was always helped in his work by his wife and the point was made that her energy and enthusiasm would be sadly missed in the Glen.
Tea was then served by the ladies of the Glen, whereupon the evening closed with an hour of dancing to the music of the artistes who had set our feet tapping earlier in the evening.
It only remains to say that the people of the Glen wish Mr and Mrs Fraser a long and happy retirement in their new home in Kiltarlity and we hope that although they will no longer live among us they will not forget us, but will visit the village regularly, where they will always be assured of a very warm welcome.
A. McD.