Leicester Caledonian Society

Yes, the apostrophe IS in the right place! Usually, President’s night is to welcome and introduce our own President to members and visiting Presidents from other Societies. This year, the Society planned for the third time to combine our successful Haggis supper with President’s night but without our own current President, the hosts for the evening were Chairman Andrew Kay and Council member Maureen Thorpe.

The event was held in St Peter’s church hall, Glenfield on 3 rd March 2012. Around 70 members, friends and guests enjoyed a fine ceilidh style evening starting with a drinks reception. Andrew Kay welcomed members and introduced the visiting Presidents and partners from other Scottish Societies in the East Midlands. These included Bedford, Huntingdon, Kettering and Corby plus this year’s EMASS President, David King and his wife Gwen.

Hugh Mackay acting as MC got the dancing going to the splendid music of Peter Scatterty. The Leicester RSCDS dance display team led by Doris Buchanan then gave a fine demonstration of how it really should be done.

At suppertime, the “Chieftain o’ the pudden’ race” was piped in by Honorary Piper Brad Yates and Addressed with style by Hugh Mackay. A most enjoyable meal of Dumfries haggis, tatties and neeps was prepared and served by our caterers, “Rival Catering” followed by dessert and coffee.

Raffle tickets went well with brisk sales by Val Mackay and Phyll Moyce raising a goodly sum for Society funds and the prize tickets were drawn after the meal.

Then followed a rousing display by members of our Society’s pipe band led by Brad Yates but piper and Council member Carl Wilkinson introduced the tunes with a few word of background information.

Dancing continued for the more energetic while others worked at quiz sheets provided by Colin Harrison. Answer sheets were given out and tables honestly marked their own efforts. The winning table was the dance display team.

After the last waltz the Chairman thanked all for coming and those whose hard work made the evening a success and David King (EMASS) responded with a vote of thanks from the visiting Presidents. The evening concluded with a heartfelt “Auld lang syne”.

Altogether a very enjoyable event and again “Thank you” to all who came along and made it all possible.

The Society held its traditional Burns night dinner at Birstall Golf Club on 20 th January 2012 with the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Robert Wann as guest of honour. Chairman Andrew Kay was Master of Ceremonies. About 75 members and guests attended.

The haggis from Dumfries was piped in by honorary piper, Brad Yates and addressed by past president Hugh Mackay. During the meal of haggis, tatties and neeps preceded by scotch broth and followed by Scottish raspberry and oat shortcake we were entertained by music from Peter Scatterty.

Fraternal greetings from 15 kindred societies were read by honorary secretary Margaret Spence and followed by the loyal toast. A toast to Leicester Caledonian Society was proposed by Birstall lady president Chis Winder and past president Hugh Mackay replied with a toast to Birstall Golf Club. A toast to the City of Leicester was proposed by Birstall president Peter Stokes and the Lord Mayor graciously replied. The toast to The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns was given by Dr Robert Graham and traditionally honoured in silence. The toast to the Lassies was amusingly given by Society member Ken Orbell and Council member Eleanor Donaldson gave a witty reply. During the dinner a collection raised £292.00 for the Birstall Golf Club President’s charity – LOROS. After the meal, the more energetic souls enjoyed a medley of dances to Peter Scatterty’s music followed by Auld Lang Syne and the national anthem.

This year, members of the Society again joined St Stephen’s UR church congregation for a service to celebrate St Andrew’s day, albeit a few days late on 4 th December. Twenty two members added to the congregation and enjoyed a warm welcome and interesting service combining celebration of St Andrew and Advent. Although the weather was better than last year, I only saw six kilts braving the December winds!

After the service 33 members and guests enjoyed another successful carvery lunch at the Mercure Leicester City hotel (formerly the Ramada Jarvis and before that the Grand Hotel, Leicester). We were piped into the dining room by 3 members of the recently re-formed Leicester Caledonian Society pipe band to the surprise and interest of other diners.

President Alan Mouncer proposed a toast to St Andrew and Scotland to round off an enjoyable event.

The Society’s 134 th Annual General Meeting was held at the Leicester General Hospital’s Sports & Social Club on 18 th May 2011 with President Alan Mouncer in the Chair and around 20 members present. The President welcomed the members and thanked all for support in the past year. Sadly, a long standing member, Prof David Turnock had died in a road traffic accident shortly before the AGM and members stood for a minute’s silence in respect before the meeting.

The Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer reported on a successful year with a small but useful financial surplus. Membership is steady at around 160 members.

There were no new names proposed for office or the Council and the existing Council was re-elected nem con though Mr AA Hassell stood down as Vice Chairman and Miss E Donaldson also stood down from Council. Both were thanked for their support.

The new Council is in the process of finalising events for the coming year from September 2011.

Just over 30 members in two teams played hard to be in the winning skittles team at the Rose and Crown, Thurnby, Leicester at a social evening arranged by Doris Buchanan when the inn provided an excellent hot supper at half time. The results showed Doris Buchanan had the highest ladies score and a tie between John Long and the President for the gentlemen’s top score.

Continuing a successful pattern, the Society welcomed Presidents and representatives from six other Societies in the east midlands to a President’s Reception and Haggis Supper at Glenfield church hall, Leicester.

Haggis from Dumfries was piped in, Addressed in style and consumed with relish by over 90 members and friends who enjoyed a fine ceilidh organised by President Alan Mouncer.

Entertainment included displays by the Society’s Pipe band, the Leicester RSCDS dance team (many of whom are our members) plus poetry and songs. Music for easy listening and energetic dancing was provided by Peter Scatterty.

Once again we had over 100 members and friends attending this year’s Burns night dinner held at and in conjunction with Birstall Golf Club and organised by our Chairman, Andrew Kay. He was Master of Ceremonies and gave the grace before meat using Burns’ own version, not the Selkirk grace.

The haggis was piped in by Honorary Piper Brad Yates and addressed with style by Hugh Mackay. The meal that followed was well up to the usual high standards and was accompanied by music from Peter Scatterty.

Greetings to and from kindred Societies as far apart as Dover and the Burns Federation in Kilmarnock were read by Honorary Secretary Margaret Spence. Birstall Acting Vice President Norman Abel proposed the toast to Leicester Caledonian Society and President Allan Mouncer replied in return with a toast to Birstall Golf Club. Peter Walker toasted the City of Leicester in his usual smooth style

The “Address to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns” was this year given by Sandy Aitkin, currently Honorary Secretary of the Derby Scottish Association and Burns Club. This was well considered, delivered and received and a fine tribute to the Bard and to Sandy himself.

The Toast to the Lassies was ably delivered by John Stacey and Council member Eleanor Donaldson gave a spirited and witty reply with audience participation.

Special mention must be made of the presence at the dinner this year of FIVE Past Presidents in addition to our current President, Allan Mouncer. They included: Miss Rob Cassie, Fiona Henry, Elspeth Insch, Phyllis Moyce and Hugh Mackay ( see photo ).

After a short interval, the more energetic souls took to the floor for dancing to Peter Scatterty’s marvellous music. All too soon it was time for “Auld lang syne” and away until next year.

The response from Society members and friends was even better than usual this year with initially 43 names on the list for the St Andrew’s day lunch. Unfortunately, the weather slightly cramped our turn-out with two members suffering falls on the ice and one being snow bound so that numbers were down to 37 for lunch.

There was still a good attendance at the service in St Stephen’s UR church on De Montfort Street with a friendly welcome indoors compared with minus 5ºC temperatures outside. In spite of this, I counted 11 hardy souls in kilts and bare knees! The service was led by their new minister Lyn Fowkes providing a combined Advent Sunday and St Andrew’s service. The readings were done by President Alan Mouncer and Chairman Andrew Kay. The choir and congregation were all in good voice and most enjoyed a warming cup of coffee after the service.

Lunch was held at the Ramada Jarvis hotel, Granby Street (formerly the Grand Hotel) and we were piped into the dining room by members of our Society pipe band led by Hon Piper, Brad Yates. The first course choices had been made in advance allowing us all to start together after grace said by Rev Fowkes who, with her husband were guests of the Society for the lunch. After a very enjoyable carvery lunch, President Alan Mouncer proposed a toast to St Andrew and Scotland.

The general feeling seemed to be that we should continue this very satisfactory tradition in the same way next year so make a note.

Just over 30 Society members and friends enjoyed an evening of long alley skittles at the Wheatsheaf Inn at Thurcaston, Leicester. Four teams battled for the top place and eventually the team captained by Past President Hugh Mackay won the team prize. Top scoring gent was visitor Rodney Newitt and the top scoring Caledonian Society member was Margaret Gregory who was the only person to clear the deck at one time and who received the trophy from Society President Alan Mouncer.

We had a good turn out of members and friends for a general knowledge and Scottish themed quiz at the General Hospital Sports & Social club on Friday 24th September organised by Past President Phyll Moyce. Questions were set by Colin Harrison with Graham Harrison as the quiz master. No doubt the questions were easy if you knew the answers but most of the teams found them challenging. The club staff had provided refreshments and several members had brought cakes and raffle prizes.The winning team was lead by our new Hon Secretary, Margaret Spence and they were presented with their winners' medals by our new President Alan Mouncer .

The Leicester Caledonian Society held its Annual General Meeting on 19th May 2010 with a good attendance of members and welcomed some new faces. We had managed a good year and maintained our membership numbers but would be glad to see some more new faces. Financially we had a small surplus and would be able to make some donations to charity and Council were authorised to decide these.Election of Officers and new Council members:Andrew Kay and David Walkinshaw had agreed to continue as Chairman and Hon Treasurer respectively and both were elected nem con.Dorothy Rice stepped down from her post as Hon Secretary after rescuing the Society 2 years ago and was succeeded by Margaret Spence who was elected with acclaim.
Carl Wilkinson and Moraig Yates were welcomed as new Council members.

Hugh Mackay stepped down after 6 years as President and presented the President's badge to Alan Mouncer to welcome him as the new President of this Society. Mr Mouncer thanked the members for their support and looked forward to another active year for the Society.

Over 80 members and friends of Leicester Caledonian Society enjoyed a fine ceilidh at Thurnby village hall on 6th March organised by Honorary Secretary, Mrs Dorothy Rice. Presidents or representatives of other Scottish Societies in the east midlands attended as our guests from Derby, Northampton, Rushden, Bedford and Huntingdon. A traditional haggis supper was started with the "Address to the Haggis" by President Hugh Mackay (the haggis was from Dumfries) followed by a very satisfactory meal from Rival Catering.We were entertained by displays from the Leicester RSCDS Scottish country dance display team which includes many of our own members and also by the newly re-formed Leicester Caledonian Society pipe band led by our Honorary Piper, Brad Yates. Music for dancing was provided by Heather Hawthorne of "Heather Mixture". Colin and Graham Harrison dreamt up quite a stiff Scottish quiz to challenge the grey matter. Altogether a very good evening with many new faces and we hope to see them again.

The Society enjoyed another excellent Burns night dinner with 110 members and guests at Birstall Golf Club and welcomed Councillor Roger Blackmore, the Lord Mayor of Leicester and the Lady Mayoress as our guests of honour.

The meal included Scotch broth followed by genuine Scottish haggis, tatties and neeps after the haggis had been piped in by Honorary Piper Brad Yates and addressed by President Hugh Mackay. Raspberry shortcake and coffee rounded off the meal.

Greetings from kindred Societies were read by Hon Secretary Dorothy Rice. Toasts were proposed to the Society by Mr Keith Rawson, President of Birstall Golf Club and Dr Hugh Mackay replied. The City of Leicester was toasted by Peter Walker and the Lord Mayor graciously replied.

We were particularly fortunate to welcome Major (Ret’d) John Paterson, former President of the Robert Burns World Federation to give a witty, informative and enthusiastic Address to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns.

The Lassies were toasted by John Seditas and Miss Eleanor Donaldson gave an amusing and spirited reply.

During the meal we were entertained by a selection of music from Peter Scatterty on his accordion and after the interval he continued with music for dancing.

A draw in aid of the Lord Mayor’s charity, the Mablethorpe holiday homes for children, raised over £250 in the evening and was won by Eleanor Donaldson.

We thank all who supported the evening, the speakers and the club staff for a truly remarkable occasion and particularly Andrew Kay for the organisation.

Leicester Caledonian Society members swelled the congregation of St Stephen’s UR church for their Advent Sunday and St Andrew’s day service. The service was led by Mr Christian Jones and the lessons were read by President Hugh Mackay and Chairman Andrew Kay.

After the service, 38 members enjoyed a carvery lunch at the Ramada Jarvis hotel, Leicester and were piped into lunch by members of the Society’s newly re-formed pipe band led by Brad Yates.

A select gathering of members and friends enjoyed another great evening of long alley skittles at the Wheatsheaf Inn, Thurcaston with hard fought matches and an excellent meal. Eric Bunce won the trophy and his wife, Ann had the top ladies score. The winning team was led by John Seditas. Thanks again to Andrew Kay for organising the evening and all who helped.

Seven Society members again competed for this cup at Birstall Golf Club. John Seditas and Andrew Kay posted the best (equal) scores but John Seditas won the cup on local rules with a better back nine. John Stacey took the “two club” trophy with the only two of the day. Both winner and runner up were presented with suitably inscribed pewter golf trophies. The competition was played on a warm sunny afternoon over a course in superb condition and was enjoyed by all the players.

The AGM had an average turnout of members who heard that after a slow start we had a nearly full programme of events during the year which were enjoyed though support could have been better. The Hon Treasurer reported a small loss on the year largely due to increased costs but subscriptions would remain unchanged. Officers and Council members were re-elected nem con but more Council members are needed.

About 130 guests enjoyed a splendid evening of Scottish entertainment organised by this Society in conjunction with SICUL (Society for Inter-Cultural Understanding, Leicester) at the National Space Centre, Leicester. This was our contribution to the celebrations of the 250 th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet in 1759.

The event included displays by the Leicestershire and Rutland RBL pipe band, an illustrated talk on Burns life and works, Scottish country dancing display, Scottish songs, accordion playing by David Price of the Soar valley Accordion Club, a recitation of the poem “Tam o’Shanter” by Tom Kelly from Corby with illustrations by Hugh Mackay and a haggis supper.

The event raised £1,000 in aid of the Robert Burns memorial homes and the Space Centre’s own charity for disadvantaged children.

Once again this evening was a great success with 36 members and friends in 9 teams for another evening of brain testing fun at Judgemeadow College. Phyll Moyce organised the event and produced a splendid supper. Questions were set by Colin and Graham Harrison. The winning team again comprised Mr and Mrs Weynberg with Mr and Mrs Headley who were presented with winner’s medals by President Hugh Mackay. Thanks to all who helped.

We used a different venue and format for this event in Burns’ 250 th anniversary year. The haggis supper was held at the Leicester General Hospital Sports and Social club with club staff catering and a Scottish country dance display by the local RSCDS display team ( many of whom are Society members ). President Hugh Mackay addressed the Haggis in traditional fashion and gave a short illustrated “Immortal memory” address using “Powerpoint” slides. Peter Scatterty provided his incomparable music for dancing by the good turn out of members and friends.

120 members and guests attended an extra special 250 th anniversary Burns dinner at Birstall Golf Club organised by Chairman Andrew Kay. The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Manjula Sood was our guest of honour and was presented with a Scottish quaich by President Hugh Mackay to commemorate the occasion. The President also Addressed the Haggis and gave the Address to the Immortal memory of Robert Burns. All of the other speakers were first class as was the meal of Dumfries haggis and the entertainment by Peter Scatterty who provided music for easy listening and dancing.

We had a splendid ceilidh at St Peter’s church hall, Glenfield with dancing to Peter Scatterty’s music, a hot supper and a wealth of talent from the East Midlands Association of Scottish Societies which extends from Huntingdon and Bedford in the south to Derby in the north. The latter won the quiz trophy yet again! It was a grand night and we thank all who came and helped.

About 70 Society members and guests enjoyed an evening of Scottish country dancing led by Doris Buchanan to the music of Bob Shakespeare and his band at the Braunstone Civic Centre. As ever, the “bring and share” supper was excellent.

We had a fascinating, amusing and informative talk with slides and video of how Dave Hill realised his ambition to own a Scottish island which is situated between Lewis and North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. You too could share his dream with your own bit of Scaravay.

New Council member, Eleanor Donaldson who is a professional dietician, gave a fascinating illustrated talk on Scottish foods, where they come from and why, plus a quiz and a tasting of traditional Scottish food and drink. This was a splendid afternoon and we look forward to further talks.

As a new venture, President Hugh Mackay gave a slide show and talk on “The Mackay country” illustrating some aspects of the history, people, geology, flora and fauna of the north west highlands and how life in that remote area has changed over the years.