Elspeth Blackshaw tells us how a 'Together Again' microgrant from Creative Lives helped Fèis Spè pay for much-need space for their young people to rehearse and learn in.

"Fèis Spè  provides access to top quality tuition and performance opportunities in traditional music and Gaelic for young people in Badenoch and Strathspey. We provide opportunities for all participants to increase their awareness of local Gaelic culture and acquire skills in the language. 

We organise an annual Feis Week in the October holidays when up to 90 young people from ages 5 to 18 come together for a week of tuition in Gaelic song and drama, dance and traditional music. There are also instrument classes throughout the year. Older participants can join one of the two Feis Spe bands and play at local ceilidhs and gigs.

The usual places for classes and band practices were local schools where accommodation was free. But during the pandemic, teaching and practice had to happen on Zoom. When restrictions lifted the problem was where to practice. The schools did not open up at first and village Halls are expensive - which is where the Creative Lives microgrant came to our rescue.

The £300 allowed us to pay for the hire of Carrbridge Village Hall so band practices and classes took place there until the schools let us in again.

Thank you, Creative Lives from Feis Spe!"