December 2009 Newsletter
Dear Fellow Caledonians
It is hard to believe that we are at the end of another year and the next few weeks will fly by as we become engrossed in all the preparations and festivities of the Season. Yet, we look back with amazement to see how much has been accomplished in our personal lives and in the Society over the past twelve months.
The Hallowe’en Party at McClelland Adult Centre was well supported and much enjoyed by the residents. We were pleased to hand over R270 towards funds to the Centre at the end of the evening. Thank you to all who contributed to making this a happy occasion.
REMEMBRANCE DAY will be observed at the Cenotaph (opposite the Museum) on Sunday 15th November at 10.30 a.m. The Pipe Band will be in attendance and, in my absence, Senior Chieftain Nookie Middleton will attend with the Lady President and will lay a wreath on behalf of our Society.
ST ANDREWS DINNER will take place at the M.O.T.H. Hall on Saturday 28th November starting 7 p.m. sharp. Ian Murdoch of 43 Air School in Port Alfred will be the guest speaker; the Pipe Band and Highland Dancers will be there to entertain you and an excellent menu has been arranged. There are still a few seats available at R65 per person. Please phone Sandra on 043-7261500 as soon as possible to book. The caterers require final numbers by Monday 23 November.
ST ANDREWS SERVICE is to be conducted by our Hon. Chaplain Des Plint at 8 a.m. on Sunday 29th November at the Cambridge Methodist Church, Hebbes Street. We are looking forward to a good attendance.
30th NOVEMBER is St Andrews Day and, to honour the Patron Saint, arrangements have been made to fly the flag at the City Hall that day. Something to look for when you venture into the city.
HOGMANAY will be celebrated in the Oak Room at Parklands on Thursday 31st December commencing at 8.30 p.m. The cover charge will be R20 per adult and children under 12 years will be free. Champagne / grape juice will be served at midnight. Pease bring your own drinks and a plate of food for a shared table. It would be appreciated if you could advise Sandra – 043 726 1500 approximately how many people you are planning to bring. This event was a great success last year and we look forward to an excellent evening together.
THE SOUTH AFRICAN TATTOO which was held at Montecasino, Johannesburg, during September will be screened on SABC 2 on Sunday 13th December at 8 p.m. Some of our own Highland Dancers participated. This is an outstanding event and will be worth watching.
THE ANGUS HIGHLAND AND IRISH DANCE ACADEMY presents its end-of-year concert on Thursday 26th November 2009 at 6.30 p.m. in the Port Rex school hall in Chamberlain Road. Admission is R15 for adults and R5 for children under 12. Tea will be served. This is an opportunity for all the dancers to show what they have learned and gain confidence and experience in dancing in front of an audience. Your support would be appreciated.
THE M.O.T.H.s A very special bond has been established between our Society and the M.O.T.H. Shellholes in East London and our members are invited and welcome to attend the listed functions:
Tuesday 1st December Port Rex shellhole open night 7.00pm for 7.30pm start.
Friday 11th December Carols by Candlelight 6.00pm. Starting time to be confirmed – will let you know.
BURNS SUPPER will be upon us before we know it, so please diarise Saturday 23rd January 2010 at the M.O.T.H. Hall. Starting 7 p.m. sharp. Your committee is already well ahead with plans. The cost will be R65 per person.
MEMBER NEWS.
Congratulations and all good wishes to Robert Rankin and Nadege Olekhnovitch on their marriage on 21st November. “May you ere be just as happy as we wish you aye to be”.
It is good to have Elliot and Cynthia Murray back after their recent holiday.
Condolences are extended to Nookie Middleton on the passing of her sister-in-law in Cape Town. Our thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time.
Marrian Mathieson has had a spell in hospital and we are pleased to report that she is home and much improved. We trust that you will soon be restored to good health Marrian.
Cynthia Murray and Wally Le Roux will both be undergoing surgery this month and we wish them successful operations and speedy recoveries.
PIPE BAND:
The parade for Spargs reopening on 24th October went well and St Albans and St Michaels-on-sea report successful bazaars on 31st October. The presence of the band and Dancers must have assisted.
On Sunday 8th November the Band paraded for the Remembrance Day Service in Kingwilliamstown. In spite of the closure of Amatola Commando and King’s incorporation into Buffalo City Municipality, the former commandos have kept the flag flying high. The post-parade social was held at the Lion’s Club, Lovedale Campus. Of interest were the piles of Boer War rifles and bayonets that were burned and buried at the end of hostilities and recently uncovered during extensions to the college.
Upcoming Parades:
15th November – Remembrance Day Service in EL. Rob Wallis and Edgar Willis were instrumental in the restoration of the Cenotaph, and the new granite plaques were unveiled on Wednesday 11th November at 11 a.m. The Band has been given the honour of leading the parade of 150 BVR soldiers plus sentries and ex-Servicemen. Of historical interest: The mace that will be carried by the Drum Major was first drawn from R.N.V.R. stores by Ralph Anley’s father, Percy, and remained with the Band when the R.N. handed over its duties to S.A.N. In 1990 John Ball was made custodian of the mace in recognition of his service as D/M. In 1997 the Band made the decision to ask Natalie to continue as custodian in recognition of her loyal support of John. The D/M’s sash that was drawn at the same time was retired and a new sash was presented during the Band’s 80th year in 2000.
28th November – St Andrews Dinner.
5th December – Hospice Bazaar. Watch press for venue and times.
6th December – St Georges Presbyterian Church 125th Anniversary Service.
16th December – Kidd’s Beach Christmas Fair.
23rd January 2010 – Burns Nicht
13th February 2010 – Cathcart Country Expo
Practice: Monday at the Drill Hall from 7.30PM. Learners from 6.30PM. Contact Robert: 082 897 8571. The Band will take a rest from 16th December and resume practices in early January.
S C D C
The Christmas Party will be held at Com Office, 6 Pearce Street, Berea on 1st December at 7.30 PM.
All are welcome – please bring drinks and a plate of eats.
The Dancers will take a Christmas Break and resume activities in February.
For more information phone Alan Woodhurst (043 7213295) or Merylees Burgess (043 7210375) or just turn up at 7.30 PM at Hams Club.
LADIES GROUP.
The ladies will conclude the year with a Christmas lunch on 1st December. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 2nd February 2010 at 9.30 a.m. at the home of Maureen Illingworth, 602 Parklands, Jarvis Road, Berea. Why not start the new year by joining us for a happy morning of fellowship?
BIRTHDAYS.
NOVEMBER
1 Maureen Rankin
2 Peter Marais
9 Mary Boyd
20 Sheila Wren
22 Norma Riddell
DECEMBER
4th Helen Farmer
17th Don MacKinnon
JANUARY
6th Marion Matheson/Dee Rich
9th Myrtle Fleming
25 David Boyd
26th Starr Richards
28th Andrew MacDonell
If your birthday does not appear, it is because we do not have the information.
Committee: The next meeting will be held on Thursday 14th January 2010 at 7.30PM at the home of Kim Matheson, 5 Oliver Road, Amalinda.
Your Lady President and Committee join me in wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and a peaceful and happy new year.
Yours aye
Sandra Rankin (Chief)
FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
DATE EVENT VENUE START TIME
28th Nov: St Andrews M.O.T.H. Hall 7:00 PM
29th Nov: Church Service Cambridge Methodist 8:00 AM
31st Dec: Hogmanay Parklands 8:30 PM
2010
23rd Jan Burns Nicht M.O.T.H. Hall 7:00 PM
