Campbeltown’s creative talent
Campbeltown has always punched well above its weight in terms of creative aptitude and that was abundantly clear during a “Campbeltown’s Got Talent” charity event last weekend.
Despite the town having a population of around just 5,000, its bands, dancers and clubs have been Scottish, UK, European and even World champions across a number of mediums, including pipe banding, brass banding, Highland dancing and martial arts.
Current members of these groups were among many talented people who took to the Victoria Hall stage last Saturday, enthralling a soldout audience for hours.
The event, sponsored by McFadyens Contractors and Glen Scotia Distillery, was the brainchild of Cheryl Lang, who has organised several charity fundraisers over the years.
She was supported by a team of volunteers who worked hard behind the scenes to pull off the evening’s entertainment which was compered by fellow charity champion Helen Gilchrist, who also regularly raises funds good causes.
The first half saw impressive performances from Kintyre Schools Pipe Band, Campbeltown Brass, Footnotes Dance Company, SG Taekwon-Do, SheilaAnne McCallum and James McCorkindale’s School of Dancing.
During the interval, a film showing many of the people who have contributed to entertaining the community over the years, some of whom couldn’t make it on the evening and others who are no longer with us, brought back fond memories and a tear to the eye for many.
The second half saw more magnificent performances for from Kintyre Chorale, Robbie Craig, Sophie Galbraith, Che Martin, Anne Leith, Campbeltown Grammar School’s girls vocal group, Tommy and Julie Blue, Hannah Black and Davie Robertson and friends.
Kintyre Schools Pipe Band, Campbeltown Brass and Kintyre Chorale, with soloist Iona Renton to the fore, then joined forces to give a powerhouse final performance.
The evening concluded with a disco, with Alan Glendinning on the decks.
Cheryl’s chosen charity for this event was the Mairi Semple Cancer Fund, which provides thousands of pounds in financial support annually to Kintyre residents suffering from cancer.
Thanks to ticket sales, donations and the proceeds from a raffle, tickets for which Mairi Semple Cancer Fund committee member Fiona Macalister sold on the evening, the event raised an incredible £6,067.05.
Speaking to the Courier this week, Cheryl said: “The inspiration behind the event was to showcase the very best of Campbeltown’s talent on and off the stage.
“The Mairi Semple Cancer Fund is vital to the Kintyre community so I wanted to support them and I hope to continue to help them for as long as I can.
“If I can hold events that people enjoy and want to attend and that raise money for charity at the same time, then it’s win-win!”
She added: “Thank you to McFadyens Contractors and Glen Scotia Distillery for their incredible generosity.
“A special thank you to James Murdoch and Lorna McCallum for their help – I couldn’t have done it without them – and thank you to Helen Gilchrist and Fiona Macalister for always going over and above for others.
“Last but not least, a massive thank you to all the performers and volunteers who took part in making the night a truly special event.”
A spokesperson for the Mairi Semple Cancer Fund said: “Words are not enough to say how grateful we are to Cheryl Lang for putting together the show.
“Thanks to Helen Gilchrist and all the team who helped pull off a night showcasing our wee toon’s talent.
“Thank you to the sponsors, to all who donated raffle prizes and also to our local community who came and supported the night.”