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History
The 1970's
by Donnie Mackenzie On 19 March 1971, in Stornoway YMCA, a group of like minded young and possibly not so young men gathered together to discuss the possibility of establishing a Round Table on the island. Area 13 Extension Officer Alex Munro of Huntly presided over this first ever meeting.
The fourth meeting saw Kenneth Morrison voted into office as Chairman, with Norman Maclean as Vice-chairman and Douglas Brekke as Secretary. Mother Tablers from Huntly continued to visit and explain into the small hours the principles of Tabling. The main business involved the organisation of the Inaugural Dinner which was attended by 230 and the Charter in March 1972 (attended by 137), which began with the presentation of a minibus to the Lewis Retirement Centre.
Several meetings in the early years ended up in lively debates lasting until after midnight as Table sought a local identity and characters got to know one another. Some of the ideas from these sessions proved useful and the first event within the community requiring organisation was 'It's a Knockout' while the first inter-club meeting was with the RAF boys for the 'Bone of Contention' Trophy, where nobody cared who won or lost. The first major community services project was the restoration of the Ui cemetery, ancient burial grounds of the Clan Macleod, where paths were laid, grass cut and missing stones unearthed.
In order to provide some local friendly rivalry, Stornoway No. 1065 gave birth to its only offspring, Isle of Skye No. 1133 in November 1974. Each Charter anniversary of this birth has resulted in a number of unforgettable visits and we look forward to 2004.
There were rumours (very strong) about the Chairman and the RAF C.O. threatening to release the mooring ropes of an 'O' Class British submarine moored at King Edward Wharf . It required a dozen strong Tablers to prevent them.
Table continued to flourish and rebuilt a derelict house for a pensioner and organised a car stunt show attended by 4,200 people over two nights. By August 1976 Table were organising the local Carnival with their King Arthur's Castle winning the best-dressed float award.
In March 1977, 'The Magnificent Seven' attended the 50th Anniversary of RTBI at Norwich No. 1, the Founder's Table. This was followed by the chartering of the 'M V Suilven' for a never to be forgotten 'Booze Cruise' and the entering of teams in 1978 and 1979 to Grampian T V's 'Top Club' where the semi-finals were reached each time.
Colin Mackenzie was elected as Area 13 Chairman in April 1979, the same year that Table was involved in the restoration of the Whalebone Arch, a well known tourist attraction. This was undertaken at a cost of £4,000.
Stornoway were now celebrating five years of being located in the County Hotel with genial Host Bill Low and until he left for Aberdeen ten years later his 'Hole in the Wall' bar became the focus of many a night of fellowship.
The 80's
The 90's
The 00's
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