My name is
Trevor Russell. In the summer of 2000 I set out to trace a couple of chums
of an ex army buddy of mine who had, for the best part of his childhood, been
raised in Aberlour orphanage. The original plan was to set up a little
get-together for him and perhaps half a dozen pals. It was easy enough
to track down the first 'Scallywag' because she had left her name and address in
the visitors book at the Old Village Store in Aberlour.
Enter May Ewing (Nee Clark).
Now May just happened to know a couple of other ex inmates, who happened to know
another couple more ex inmates, and so it went on. As the list of
names grew I realized that this 'Little' reunion was escalating rapidly and I would have to put it on a more professional footing.
Enter the Aberlour Child Care Trust.
The Aberlour Childcare Trust was formed in the sixty's to implement the new
satellite home thinking. With their assistance we were soon on the way.
They organized a venue for the Reunion, a band, photographers, buses and
goodness knows what else.
We were on our way. Next we needed a committee.
I appointed my ex army pal, who had the time and facilities, to lick stamps, post
letters etc so he become the secretary.
We are all aware that women know how to look after the pennies so May became the
treasurer.
As for me, well I knew more than both of the above about computers so I was
nominated as the I.T man. I setup the website and off we went doing committee stuff but there was something missing. We
needed somebody in Aberlour to tie it all up.
By now we were getting regular coverage in the newspapers and a bit on the TV.
Enter Bob Noble.
Bob read about us in the newspapers and offered his services. Bob, with
his vast local knowledge knew the right people to talk to in and around
Aberlour.
What's more he has a burning passion to ensure that the orphanage shall never
die.
He has major plans afoot to have a museum for the orphanage. Highlighting
the history of what no longer exists. Keeping alive the home that he loved
so dearly.
The
power of the internet was overwhelming. We were gradually getting more and
more hits on the site. One week alone we had over 1000 hits. But we
were regularly getting over 600. It pulled
scallywags together who had long been scattered to the four winds.
So here we were...well and truly on our way.
Bob, Trevor &
May
The
Reunion went ahead in Stirling Scotland at the beginning of September 2001
The team behind
Stirling
From left to right
(Aberlour Childcare
Trust in Maroon.
Aberlour Orphanage
Reunion Fellowship in
Green)
Bill Anderson
Governor
May Clark
Bob Noble
Trevor Russell
Lindsey Spowage Fundraising Manager
Stella Everingham Director of Children and Families
Services
Joan Jack Community Fundraiser
David Welch Director of Fundraising and Public Relations
So
onwards and upwards.......lets go.....
        
Page updated Tuesday August 21, 2007
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