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 The Clan Chief and Madam Hunter at St. Andrews Church, West Kilbride on Sunday 12 June 1988 prior to the Clan Gathering at Hunterston.
Letter from the Chief
Dear Members
As you know Charles is no longer with us and I am taking over organization of the Clan. The running of the Clan Association will change to a certain degree, although I shall largely be following the format that my son, Charles, has built up.
I had the honour of being asked by the eastern Canadian branch of the Clan Association to open the Fergus Highland Games held on the 12th and 13th August, 1988. These are the major Canadian Games and it was a great pleasure for me. I was particularly impressed by the beautiful banner made and embroidered by Dr. Nadine Hunter and Catherine Hunter Elder.
We also had a Clan gathering after the games which was a great success and from which a number of points arose.
1.To my great pleasure it was the expressed wish of the Clan members that all the members of my family (both Hunter and Kennedy-CochranPatrick) should be full members of the Hunter Clan. ...
2.I asked Tom Hunter of the Gaels, who played and sang most delightfully at the gathering, to be the co-ordinator for Clan music.
3. John Hunter (Clan Officer - Canada) presented me with the Chiefs colours which he had carried for me in the parade.
As you know, up to now, I have subsidised quite heavily the build up of the Clan Association. Initially, we had thought that enough money could be raised by having a voluntary life subscription and by raising additional income for the Clan Association in other ways. This has not proved to be possible and so, reluctantly, we have agreed at the meeting of the Clan Council, the Gathering at Hunterston and the Canadian Gathering that we should charge an annual subscription which will be deemed to be a donation because existing members have paid a life subscription and this would also assist in members, particularly in the U.SA., obtaining tax relief on their annual donation.
I would like to suggest that in future when you pay your subscription you will be entitled to the Clan magazine.
We discussed at all the Clan meetings this year how to increase the membership. As you know we have tried mailshots which have been a failure. We recruit members at Clan Gatherings where we are represented but the suggestion has been made at all our gatherings that every present member of the Clan Association should recruit two more members. How about your spouse and children?
Finally, I would just like to say that visitors to the castle and gardens will always be welcome, but please, to assist the reduced staffing levels, would visitors contact Ian Menzies at West Kilbride 823847 to let him know when you are likely to be at the castle. It would greatly assist if visits could be between 9a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday to Friday to allow Ian some time off.
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