Dear Fellow Caledonians

A huge “thank you” to everyone for making the Chairing and Kirking of the Chief not only successful, but meaningful and well-supported occasions, setting the tone for an exciting year of fun and service ahead.

Supper at the Buffalo River Yacht Club was also much enjoyed with ten members attending.  The relaxed atmosphere, good food and fine company definitely indicate a repeat later in the year.

Saturday 21 August 2010 has been set aside to welcome the Chieftain of the Cape Province, Ivan Dickson and his Lady President, Frances to our society.  To accommodate our older members, we will meet at 3.00 pm at the Buffalo Volunteer Rifles headquarters on the corner of Fleet and Buffalo Streets. After the formalities, there will be a Treasure Hunt with an opportunity to explore the excellent Military Museum, all on the premises.  This will be followed by a bring-and-share supper and fellowship.   There are no kitchen facilities, so please bring a plate of suitable finger foods.  The bar will be open for your liquid refreshment.  Safe parking is available in the grounds.  If you need a lift, please phone Sandra 043 726 1500 and leave a message if necessary.

The Chieftain and Lady President will attend the Children’s Sunday service at Cambridge Presbyterian church in Renfrew Street at 9.00 am on 22^nd August and we would be very happy to see you there too!

A Social evening with soup and rolls, travel slides and other entertainment is planned for Saturday 11^th September.  As you will not receive another newsletter before then, please phone Sandra 043 726 1500 for details before 1^st September.

MEMBER NEWS.

Sincere sympathy is extended to the families of John McTavish and Starr Richards who passed into higher service recently.  Jean Sansom has undergone a hip replacement and is making a good recovery at home. Rosita Moorcroft is concerned for her infant granddaughter who has been in and out of hospital recently.  Please give the family your prayerful support at this time.

We welcome a new junior member, Tanya Munung. We hope she will be very happy with us.  Happy travelling to Alan Woodhurst who is in the UK for nine weeks and to Des and Frances Plint, also in the UK to visit their family.  Congratulations to Ralph and Rose Anley in the arrival of a new granddaughter in Edinburgh.  Graham Cowley has returned from a business trip to Malaysia.

PIPE BAND:

With a number of members away during September, the 90^th anniversary celebrations have been postponed until a more suitable time, possibly mid October.  The 70^th anniversary of the Battle of Britain will be commemorated on Sunday 12^th September at the East Bank cemetery.  The band will lead the parade at 10.30 am and the fly-past will be at 11.00 am.

Practise is every Monday evening at the Drill Hall at 7.30 pm; learners meet at 6.30 pm.

Contact Robert: 082 897 8571

S C D C

Dancing is held each Tuesday evening at Hams Club at 7.20 pm.  Come and join us for lots of fun and good exercise.  Contact: Rosemary Anley (043 7351207) or Merylees Burgess (043 7210375).

LADIES GROUP.

Always provides a happy morning of sharing over a cuppa. On 7^th September at 9.30 am we will enjoy the hospitality of Maureen Illingworth, 602 Parklands, Jarvis Road, Berea. Please join us – we’d love to have you with us. Contact: Mary Simpson at 043-7482314.

ECHG GATHERING. The 2011 gathering will be held in Port Elizabeth on Sunday 20^th March, a departure from the usual Easter weekend arrangement.  Please keep this date in mind.  East London will host the gathering in 2012 and will hold a meeting of all interested members at Hams Club on Tuesday 24^th August 2010 at 6.00 pm to initiate sponsorship and fund-raising projects.  Your input is much valued so please come along and share your ideas. Thank you to Mary Simpson for the donation of a tartan tea cloth which was raffled at the last function and raised R200.00 towards funds.  Nadege Rankin was the winner and Iris van de Zee received second prize of a box of chocolates. Andrew MacDonell has suggested we raffle a bottle of excellent whisky.  He has also suggested a competition for guessing how many 10c pieces it takes to fill a similar bottle.  Please help us fill the bottle.  When full, the competition will be held to raise funds for the gathering.

CONGRESS 2010. It is just around the corner in Port Elizabeth, 8^th to 10^th October.  There is still time to register if you would like to attend.

JULIE ANGUS SCHOOL OF HIGHLAND AND IRISH DANCING Roxanne Piderit and Tyla Marais danced at Basle tattoo as part of the Rhythm of Africa Highland Dance team. They did so well that they have had offers to dance at other overseas venues. Eastern Cape dancers all acquitted themselves well at the SA Championships and Inter-Provincial Competitions held in Johannesburg recently.  Congratulations to Georgia Webber on winning the beginners Highland section and Emily Frauenstein who won the novice National section.  Best wishes to everyone for the dancing exams on Tuesday 17^th August and the Eastern Cape Inter-Provincial on 4^th September. Thank you all for your continued and valued support of the Society.

Buffalo Volunteer Rifles Mess Night on the first Wednesday of every month from 5.30 pm.  The Society enjoys a very happy and mutually beneficial relationship with the BVR and our members are welcome to attend their Mess night.

Buffalo River Yacht Club offers a good meal on Wednesday evenings at an equally good price!  To book, phone Yvette Wilcox 073 028 4197.  You won’t be disappointed.

M.O.T.H.S. In addition to their regular get-together each Friday at 5.30 pm at their Hall in Elizabeth Road, you are invited to join them on Friday 22^nd October for El Alamein Parade, 5.30 for 6.00 pm and on Friday 3^rd December when their open evening will include Carols By Candlelight.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: With the high cost of cash deposits at the bank, it would be appreciated if subs could be paid by cheque or EFT where possible to East London Caledonian Society, ABSA Bank, Frere  Square Branch, Cheque Account Number 7.1010-0918.  You are also welcome to place your subs in a marked envelope and hand them to the treasurer at any Caledonian function.

BIRTHDAYS.

AUGUST

3^rd Celia Davidson
4^th Barbara Weymouth
8^th Robert Fleming
15^th Sue Piderit
15^th Lionel Latigan
25^th Pat Godfrey
25^th Iris van der Zee

SEPTEMBER
1^st Ann Woodhurst
21^st Rose Anley
23^rd Sheila Godfrey
30^th Freddie MacFarlane

If your birthday does not appear, it is because we do not have the information.

Committee: The next meeting will be held on Thursday 7^th September 2010 at 7.30 pm at the home of Kim Mathieson, 5 Oliver Road, Amalinda.

Yours aye

Sandra Rankin (Chief)

The Annual General Meeting last month was well attended, the overview of the past year as reflected in the various reports, was both interesting and encouraging and the congenial socialising afterwards made for a most pleasant evening.  Thank you to all who attended and especially those who accepted office for the new term. They are:

Chief:  Sandra Rankin  Lady President: 

Chieftains:  Nookie Middleton (senior chieftain)  Andrew Macdonell  Roxanne Piderit.

Secretary: Maureen Rankin   Treasurer:  Sheila Godfrey

Committee members: Callum MacIver; Kim Mathieson; Dave Rankin; Pat Godfrey; Robert Rankin

An additional ordinary member, Ken Scott was co-opted for a period of one year.

Other positions have been graciously accepted by: 
Hon piper – pipe major Robert Rankin
Hon chaplain – Rev Tobie Steyn
Hon auditor – John Stoddart
Rep on central council – Duncan MacDonald

Rose Thompson has kindly agreed to continue as Lady President.

We already have some exciting programmes lined up and look forward to sharing them with you.

Chairing of the Chief will take place on Saturday 17^th July 2010 at 7 pm at the MOTH hall, Elizabeth road, Cambridge.  In addition to the Installations, there will be entertainment and a bring and share finger supper.  The bar will be open for your liquid refreshments.

Kirking of the Chief is to be held the following morning, Sunday 18^th July at 9 am in the Cambridge Presbyterian church, Renfrew street, Cambridge.  Please bring a plate of eats for the tea afterwards.

On Wednesday 21 July we will be supporting the Buffalo River Yacht Club when we meet for supper at 6.30 pm for 7.00.  The cost is R40.00 per person.  As these are licensed premises, all liquid refreshments must be purchased from the bar.  Booking is essential – phone Sandra (043 7261500) and leave a message if necessary by Sunday 18^th July AT THE LATEST.

The Provincial Chieftain  will pay his official visit on Saturday 21^st August.  The function will be held at the BVR premises from 3 pm and an exciting programme has been arranged.  Please diarise this date.

MEMBER NEWS.

A very warm welcome to new junior member, Emily Frauenstein whom we all know from her delightful Highland dancing at many of our functions.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jean Watt who is recovering at home after a spell in hospital and then in Lily Kirchmann centre recently, and with Cynthia Murray who continues to make good progress after her knee operation.  Congratulations to Rob and Sue Piderit whose son, Jarrod, has recently announced his engagement.  Roxanne Piderit has left for Switzerland to dance in the Basel Tattoo.  Rose Thompson, who is on holiday in the UK has spent some time with Fiona Clark (MacIver) and also visited our old Caledonian friends Dave and Sheila Williams. Jean Sansom is off to visit family in Knysna later this month and has exciting news of her grandson, Michael Alexander, who has been invited to play cricket for Manchester for six months.  Yours truly is leaving on 23^rd July on a ten day trip to India.  We sadly record the passing in her 95^th year of Alice Casey, a former member and stalwart supporter of our society.

PIPE BAND: 

After a hectic schedule recently, the band will play at the Chairing on 17^th July and is busy with preparations for a function in September to celebrate their 90^th anniversary.

At the band AGM on 21^st June Robert Rankin was voted pipe major; Graham Cowley – pipe sergeant; Des Plint – secretary/treasurer; Edgar Willis – drum sergeant; Ryan Heidtmann – chairman .

Practise is every Monday evening at the Drill Hall at 7.30 pm; learners meet at 6.30 pm. 

Contact Robert: 082 897 8571

S C D C

The club is now under the chairmanship of Rosemary Anley and Merylees Burgess continues to conduct the classes each Tuesday evening at Hamilton Club.  You are welcome to join us at 7.20 pm for a fun evening of exercise – or just to watch and show your support. Contact: Rosemary Anley (043 7351207) or Merylees Burgess (043 7210375).

LADIES GROUP. 

Please join us on Tuesday 3^rd August at the home of Nookie Middleton, 41A Darlington road Berea at 9.30 am for a pleasant morning of fellowship over a cup of tea.  Some of our ladies called in to see Margaret Murray recently to congratulate her on her 95^th birthday. Contact: Mary Simpson at 043-7482314.

ECHG GATHERING.  A meeting to be arranged soon particularly to discuss fundraising.  Some excellent ideas have been received from members.  We would welcome anyone who would like to be part of this important aspect of the society’s work.  Please phone Dave (043 7263074) or Sandra (043 7261500)

CONGRESS 2010.  The committee has elected the chief, Sandra Rankin and past chief, Dave Rankin as delegates to represent you at the meeting and a number of members will attend as observers.  If you have any matters you would like discussed, please let us know soon so that they can be submitted for inclusion in the agenda.

JULIE ANGUS SCHOOL OF HIGHLAND AND IRISH DANCING Six dancers have been selected to compete in Johannesburg on 7^th and 8^th August at the Inter Provincial competition and SA Championships.  All good wishes for a successful event.

Buffalo Volunteer Rifles Mess Night on the first Wednesday of every month from 5.30 pm.  Caledonians are assured of a warm welcome.

M.O.T.H.S.  have a social get-together every Friday at 5.30 pm at the Moth Hall and welcome guests.  A light supper is available but must be booked in advance.

You are invited to attend the Delville Wood service on Friday 16^th July at 5.30 pm.

Please support this worthy occasion.

FOOTBALL FEVER:  Chieftain Andrew Macdonell’s brother writes for the Caledonian Mercury in Scotland.  Andrew was invited to contribute a series of articles on the 2010 soccer world cup.  These can be viewed on www.caledonianmercury.com.

BIRTHDAYS.

JULY                
2^nd Tumaini MacDonell              
10^th Barbara Largue                     
12^th John Forbes
13^th Dilys MacKinnon                 
14^th Trudi Thompson                   
16^th Callum MacIver                       
21^st Dave Rankin                        
24^th Elliot Murray                         

AUGUST         
3^rd  Celia Davidson                     
4^th Barbara Weymouth                
8^th Robert Fleming
15^th Sue Piderit                           
15^th Lionel Latigan                        
25^th Pat Godfrey
25^th Iris van der Zee

If your birthday does not appear, it is because we do not have the information. 

Committee: The next meeting will be held on Thursday 12^th August 2010 at 7.30 pm at the home of Nookie Middleton, 41A Darlington Road, Berea.

    Yours aye

     Sandra Rankin (Chief)