OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE FEDERATION CHIEF 2010 TO 2011
Ivan and I set off to the Free State on 7th April the route we took was through
Grahamstown to Queenstown and up to Aliwal North where we spent the night in the River
Side Lodge on the bank of the Orange River which was flowing strongly. The last time I
spent a night there was was in October 2010 on a return trip from Lesotho and the river
was a small trickle of water.
We left Aliwal North after breakfast and proceeded towards the N2 but the road I had taken
took me into Bloemfontein and seemed to be on the very edge of the town. No map and
no GPS. I almost died. I managed to find a sign that said N2 and when I came to the
sign that said Wekom I really thought I was almost home and dry. Ha Ha the road was
closed. I continued up to the next off ramp and skidded my way into a B & B. I have
never seen so much mud on a driveway. I was directed by an American to continue to
Winberg and then to Virgina then to Welkom.
I went through the Toll Gate as instructed and a sign said Brandfort. So I took that road.
Well talk about driving through Beirut. I have never seen so many potholes and that
continued for 57 km. I think Ivan was very pleased that he wasn’t driving and that I was
bashing my own car about and not his. We managed to get onto a newly tarred road
which was heading for Teunissen. I kept on stopping to check with workmen that we were
on the way to Teunissen and not Timbuktu.
We eventually arrived at the turnoff to Welkom and Cathy Bell kindly met us there and took
us to her home. Again Ivan was thankful he wasn’t driving as I had a tangle with the
electronic gate which closed on my car and left me with a dent in my new car.
The time in Welkom was wonderful. Friday evening we had the function in their own club
house which I wish we had in PE. We had a lovely supper and a great time was had by
all. Although once again only about 23 attended.
On Saturday afternoon the Bell Family and Mick Rickman (Rose wasn’t well) and Ivan and
I travelled in convoy to Bloemfontein. We stayed in Lavender Lane Guest house and
there we had a wonderful Burn’s Nicht. The good thing was we didn’t have to drive home.
But I must tell you that Margaret has a well trained cat. As soon as you open the suitcase,
Kitty does an inspection right under each layer of clothing. Maybe looking for silverware
or biltong.
On Sunday morning we all went to Kimberley. There we had a lovely lunch and again
only a small number of members. I am afraid it is a sign of the times.
We spent the Sunday evening at the Horse Shoe Inn where we had a congress a few
years ago. Things there have totally changed only the chalets are still in the shape of a
horse shoe.
We set off on the Monday morning and had a very uneventful and smooth trip home.
The next trip took us to Natal.
First to Margate where we spent two nights with Marge and Jack Gemmell. A wonderful
view of the ocean and a wonderful view of the eclipse. I was warned by a lady that I must
watch. I wasn’t sure what I was to watch, until she explained to me all about an eclipse.
So we did watch and it went on a lot longer than she told me it would.
Jack took us to see their home at Southbroom. A lovely place for a family holiday.
On Friday we spent time with Ivan’s sister-in-law and took her to lunch. After that we
visited my very first boss in the quantity surveying profession who lives in Kloof. So by the
time we got to Pietermaritzburg it was dark and I took the wrong road. Sally Morning
directed us to her home. Up in the hills, really lovely and green with plenty of trees.
Saturday we joined Sally at the Natal Highland Games as she was playing in the band.
Lots of dancers and the pipe bands. There were a few food stalls. The military museum
was quite interesting.
The function on the Saturday evening was held in the Moth Hall. Also not many members
but ladies from the Moth Retirement Cottages were in attendance. Entertainment was
supplied by a ladies playing the flute and a violin. Very enjoyable.
I had at times during the trip heard strange noises coming from the car. So I decided to
call out the Volkswagen roadside assistance. The poor man took the car for a drive and
what a noise it made. He took the front wheels off and removed a handful of stones which
had stuck to the brakes in the wheels and that was from the trip to Welkom. Was I
relieved as we were going down to Durban to a lunch being held there.
That was a great afternoon the weather was perfect and after the lunch Molly took us to
see her new home in the Retirement Complex.
It was great to see all the members in Natal and especially Margaret Gardiner as she was
Federation Chief when I was Chieftain of the Cape and we did the trip to all the Cape
Societies together.
Back we went to Margate and spent Sunday evening with the Gemmell’s and left at 6 am
on the Monday morning and had a very safe trip home.
We are off the Highveld on 20th August till 28th and after that will be Congress and the end
of my term of office. I must say a year has gone by so quickly and been so enjoyable.
Regards to you all,
Frances and Ivan Dickson
FEDERATION CHIEF AND CONSORT
Newsletters for ‘Out and About with the Federation Chief’
OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE FEDERATION CHIEF 2010 TO 2011 – Number 2
My next port of call was the fairest Cape in the world and the mother city of Cape Town.
We left Port Elizabeth at 8 am on 24th February. The evening before we had an unexpected visitor looking for a bed for the night. Ivan’s nephew from England who had travelled up from George and spotted someone paragliding at Wilderness. Being a dare devil he decided he would give it a try. Did I mention he was 55 and has had a bypass. Well after two weeks of training he has gone home to England the proud owner of a licence to paraglide. Mind you he did land in the fynbos and also in a tree but he put it all down to experience.
We set off along the coastal road through Jeffrey’s Bay, Humansdorp to the Storms River Bridge where we stopped to buy some jam and have some breakfast.
We set off again and after a pleasant drive to George where we stopped again to have lunch. We then travelled on reaching Cape Town at about 4pm.
We had a very enjoyable evening with another nephew and his wife. Supper was a great chicken braai and salad. We spent Friday morning with friends then travelled to stay with the Chieftain and Lady President of the Cape Gordon and Mary Wallace in their lovely town house “The Orchards” in Pinelands.
Friday evening was spent with the Chief and Lady President Eddie and Anne Stevenson and the Pinelands Society committee. It was a great evening filled with laughter. Anne presented us with a lovely clock which stands with pride of place in my lounge.
On Saturday morning while members were setting up the venue Mary took us to Cavendish Square where we walked around all the interesting shops and spent some money. We had lunch there as guests of Pinelands Society.
Saturday evening was a combined function with Cape Town Society and Pinelands Society. Chief and Lady President Stuart and Jucinta Munro from Cape Town Society, Chief and Lady President Eddie and Anne Stevenson of the Pinelands Society, Past Federation Chief and Lady President Peter and Anne McLeod were there from Fishhoek and the Past President of the Clan McLeod in South Africa and Syke. The function was attended by 105 members a wonderful turnout. The evening was spent watching the 2010 Edinburgh Tattoo in two parts and during the interval fish and chips was served. There was enough time for me to go with Anne Stevenson and meet all the members as we went from table to table. It was a great evening and I am sure it was enjoyed by all who attended.
On the Sunday morning we attended the harvest Festival Service and joined the congregation for tea after the service.
Gordon and Mary took us to a craft market. We were looking for handmade soaps. The market was very busy and many asked what the occasion was for the wearing of the kilts and tartan.
Then it was the turn of the Cape Town Society to spoil us. The committee took us to lunch at the Calvin Club. We enjoyed great company, great food and it was a wonderful afternoon although it was an extremely hot day. I was presented with a lovely gift part of which was a book “On Route in South Africa”. There are towns I have never heard of in the book. The history of the town is incredible, all about why they were started, who started them and who they are named after as well as all the interesting things that can be seen there in including the ghosts if they have them. Lots of information to help me with the rest of my term of office.
It reminds me of an uncle who used to visit us. Before he got to South Africa he used to look up some fact about South Africa, I think hoping he would catch me out. Emily Hophouse was one I remember. “What can you tell me about Emily Hophouse?” he asked, my quick response was “The lady or the submarine?” Got you there Uncle George!! I don’t remember his response. The secret is I didn’t know much about either.
We left the Wallace’s home on Sunday afternoon and stayed Sunday night with Ivan’s nephew again and left Cape Town at 7am for the return trip.
We reached Knysna at about lunch time and called on Jimmy and Morag Cruckshank we spent the rest of the afternoon with them and left at about 5pm and travelled through to Port Elizabeth.
The next event was the official visit of the Chieftain of the Cape and Lady President Gordon and Mary Wallace which coincided with the Eastern Cape Highland Gathering.
They arrived at lunch time on the Thursday and were met by PE Scottish Association Chieftain (also the Secretary) Sandra Strang. They spent the afternoon with Sandra and Bruce until I fetched them after work and took them home with me. Got them settled for the week-end before rushing them out to attend a cocktail party with the committee of the PE Scottish Association. That was another great evening. We had the Past Federation Chief and Lady President Andrew and Dawn Sked as well as Past Lady President Audrey Spence (Kennedy) present.
On Friday it was the turn of the Federation Consort to entertain Gordon and Mary and they had a tour around Port Elizabeth and lunch out. Friday evening was just a social affair to welcome the Chieftain of the Cape. But we were graced with the attendance of the Secretary and Past Federation Chief and Consort Norma and Patrick Craven as well as the Chieftain and Lady President of Highveld Robin and Glynis Kelly. They had travelled down to support the Gathering. It was a lovely evening and Gordon entertained us with a bit of a skit. We all took part in a bit of Ceilidh dancing. Great fun was had by all.
The Saturday morning was spent at home and after lunch we all went to watch the Irish dancing. Quite a busy weekend for the dancers because most of them were to be dancing at the Gathering as well. In the evening we stood in for the Chief of PE Scottish and entertained Gordon and Mary to dinner. Llewellyn was so busy with all the preparations for the Gathering which would kick off at 8am on the Sunday morning.
The Sunday morning dawned and what a perfect day not a breath of wind, in fact there had been no wind all weekend. The setting was perfect. There was all the stalls set out under the trees. All sorts of things were on sale from beads, food, framed pictures, cloths and even goods for pets. The scouts were there, the MOTHS had a shooting range, there was the tea garden with plenty to eat supplied by the members and run by Agnes Bean and all her helpers. And of course the bar which was run by Victoria Park Bowling Club. When asked if they had made a profit probable equal to a months takings the response was no, a years profit.
Plenty of people came through the gate and the VIP lunch was great and organized by Dawn Sked.
The highland dancing was excellent. That section was organized by Avril O’Leary. I handed out the medals and trophies with the assistance of Ivan. The dancers must have suffered because it was exceptionally hot for them dancing on the platforms.
Although there were only 4 pipe bands it was a great competition and most of the prized and trophies went to the band from Knysna. Prizes and trophies were handed out by Mary Wallace with the assistance of Gordon. Ivan was so excited that Knysna had won because that is his home town.
So my next port of call is the Orange Free State. Welcom, Bloemfontein and Kimberley on 7 – 11 April 2011.
Regards to you all,
Frances Dickson
Federation Chief
OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE FEDERATION CHIEF 2010 TO 2011 – Number 1
The start of my term of office on 9th October 2010 was doing well till after Congress and I got home. I really don’t know what the problem was but I developed an unbelievable pain in my head and ended up in the hospital having a brain scan. Fortunately there didn’t seem to be any visible reason until they took my blood pressure. I have never suffered from blood pressure but now I have another small pill to add to my collection. As I am a type 2 diabetic I now have what they call the “X syndrome”, diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure.
In October I attended the Halloween party at PE Scottish where we entertained about 12 children from a home in Walmer as well as the few young children we have in the society. The children had a wonderful time.
In November the PE Scottish held their Burgess Cup bowls event. PE Scottish against the PE Bowls Club. The estate agents REMAX assisted by providing prizes and many of their agents took part in the game. The bowls club won the competition but we presented “Reach for a Dream” with the amount of R6 000.00.
I also attended the Remembrance Day on the 14th November to lay the wreath on behalf of the Scottish Society. I decided to wear my father’s medals. My father died at the age of 92 years and 8 months and I just felt even though he didn’t die in the 2nd world war I still wanted him remembered for the part he did play. He was in the “D” Day landing and had a mention in dispatches to the King for a brave deed done while he was serving with the 8th Army in North Africa.
In November I made my first official visit to my home society PE Scottish. This was over the weekend 26 to 28 November. A lovely cocktail party was arranged and held at the home of Llewellyn the Chief. Although not many of the committee attended a great time was had by those who were there.
In Port Elizabeth there is a Museum dedicated to the people who lived in the area of South End and due to the group areas act were forced to move elsewhere in the city. Every time I passed the museum I would think that I really wanted to go and see their very good exhibitions. So we decided that that would be the outing the Chief would be taking the Fed Chief and Consort. What an enjoyable morning that was. Very interesting to see photos of beautiful weddings, huge sports events and many other photos.
We then proceeded to have lunch at the Ocean Basket in Walmer and spent quite a long time chatting about where the Scottish movement was heading in the future.
Their St. Andrew’s Function was held on Sunday and took the form of a lunch. The toast to St. Andrew was by Alistair Wilson and I was fascinated by the information he had in his address things I had never known. I did my address and my gift was quite interesting. Two boxes one round and the other square. I opened the round one first and judging the picture on the box I thought is was chocolates and turned to Ivan and said that that must be his as I can’t eat chocolate but it actually was lovely plates and a turntable for cup cakes and I have promised the ladies a tea party. I will have to find the cup cakes as I am not one for the kitchen. In all it was a great week-end even if we did have to sleep in our own bed.
My next visit was to East London. We travelled to East London on Friday and were accommodated by Ann and Alan Woodhurst. Ann is a very busy woman as she is a Presbyterian minister. It was very kind of them to put us up as they already had two ladies visiting from England. We all had a great time together. A cocktail party was arranged at the home of Ken Scott and Linda and did it rain. My goodness the water was falling off the awning like Victoria Falls. There was lots of thunder and lightning to go with it. But that didn’t affect the great fun we had on the evening.
Saturday morning we went to the Farmer’s Market. Lovely flowers and fresh produce as well as jams and hand made goodies were on sale. Ivan and I were so surprised to meet a couple we had played volley ball with 40 years ago and they were here on holiday from America. Saturday evening was the Society’s Burns Supper attended by about 60 people including visitors from England, America and Spain. Entertainment was by young dancers, pipers and the reading of burns poetry. Chief Sandra Rankin did the address to the Haggis which had been made by Cullum McIver in a sheep stomach. The Toast to the lassies and the response were a husband and wife team.
The meal besides the haggis was lamb pie with veggies and the desert was ice cream and shortbread with Atholl Brose either to drink or to pour over the ice cream. A great time was had by all and we received a lovely gift of a photo album.
On Sunday morning we attended a church service and afterward Chief Sandra, Ivan and I visited Jimmy and Margaret Murray both are becoming very frail. Margaret is still as bright as a button and can tell you all about people and events which happened in the past at the local society.We travelled back on the Sunday afternoon with no sign of any rain following us back to Port Elizabeth.
My next port of call will be Cape Town to visit the Cape Town and Pinelands societies at the end of February 2011.
