BURNS NIGHT - Kent Association of Scottish Societies

Volume 1, Issue 17
A Publication of the Thanet and District Caledonian Society
Winter 2012
St Andrew’S night
Celebration Ball
T
he sad news that
two of our past
presidents had recently died led to the current president, Mr Brian
McRitchie, calling for an
unprecedented one minute’s silence ahead of the of
the opening prayer at our
St Andrew’s Celebration
Ball 2011 evening at Margate’s Winter Gardens.
Past presidents, George Barnard
and Norman Temple were
The President Brian McRitchie and his good fondly remembered and sadly
lady Linda.
missed as both had passed away
only days before our premier event of the year. George had not been
seen for some time after he moved away from the area with his wife
Isobel to their retirement home in New Romney. Norman, on the other
hand was closely involved with the Society and in particular the golf
section until earlier this year when he resigned from the committee
due to ill health.
67 members and guests attended the event which was further saddened
with the news that our resident band, Caber Feidh, will be retiring next
year and will hold their last function for us at Burns Night 2012.
Dr Alan French, past chairman of Kent Association of Scottish Socie-
BURNS NIGHT
ties (KASS) proposing the toast
to Caledonia and St Andrew,
gave us the historical background to St Andrew’s life interspersed with a few well chosen
jokes and explained how the
Saltire, Scotland’s national flag,
was created.
Past President David Walker,
giving the Toast to the Society
spoke about the Society’s recent
very successful Caledonian Adventure 2011 to Scotland and the
friendships that ensued. David
spoke about the meanings behind
the word ‘Society’ and finished
with an ancient Scottish toast to
the Society, together with a toast
to include absent friends, in particular, George Barnard and
Norman Temple.
The President concluded the
speeches by thanking his guests
of honour, members of the committee for their assistance in
preparing the Queens Hall and
tables and the Winter Gardens
staff. The evening continued
with dancing until midnight to
the sounds of Caber Feidh. ¤
Dr Alan French accompanied by his good
lady, gave the address to Caledonian and St
Andrew.
Past President David Walker accompanied by
his good lady, Linda, proposed the Toast to
the Society.
Another very successful Burns Night was held in January at the Winter Gardens, Margate with 91
members and guests thoroughly enjoying their ‘Supper’ of Haggis, Tatties and Neeps. Our guests of
honour for the evening were Mrs Valarie Wharton who gave the Toast to the Immortal Memory and
Mr Frank Howe who gave the Toast to the Lassies.
Valarie revealed some anecdotes concerning Haggis and about trying to buy some in the Harrods food hall.
She also told us how Burns was regarded in many countries of the world and of his humble beginnings.
On a lighter side Frank Howe reminded us of the importance of the lassies in our life though Burns thought
of women more, it would appear, as bed fellows. The gentle lampooning started with various jokes and
remarks including the one about the ladies putting on their lipsticks whilst driving and some even thinking a
kilt was some sort of aphrodisiac, as if! He redeemed himself however by reciting the first verse of A Red
Red Rose. Linda McRitchie responded accordingly and wittily on behalf of the lassies.
The Toast to the Immortal Memory was
P r es ide nt M r B r ia n
given by Mrs Valerie Wharton who was
McRitchie thanked his
accompanied by her husband, Ray.
guests, noting that it was
rare for a woman to do the Immortal Memory which she did
very well. Special thanks to Linda his wife for ‘volunteering’
to do the response from the lassies and to all associated with
making it a wonderful evening. This Burns Night was also
memorable for several other reasons. Firstly, it was the Society’s piper, Charlie Ferrier’s 86th birthday, after a round of
Happy Birthday from all attending he later announced his retirement from piping. Caber Feidh our resident Celidh band for Mr Frank Howe gave the Toast to the Lassies and Charlie Ferrier celebrated his 86th birthday on
the last 36 years also announced their retirement. More about was accompanied by his guest for the evening Burns Night and announced his retirement as
Mrs Barbara Kaufman.
the society’s piper.
them on the back page. ¤
Caledonian
Cullen Skink
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive or vegetable oil
1 leek, well- rinsed, chopped and
cut into rough 2cm cubes
1 litre homemade fish stock or
reduced-salt fish stock cube (or
half standard stock cube) dissolved in 1 litre of water.
200g of peeled waxy potatoes cut
into roughly 2cm cubes.
300g undyed smoked haddock fillet.
1 bay leaf.
Freshly ground pepper.
2tbs whipping cream.
Roughly chopped chives.
Cooking instructions
1. Warm the oil in a pan, add the chopped leek, cover
and gently cook for a few minutes until soft.
2. Add the stock, bay leaf, potato and haddock. Season
lightly with black pepper.
3. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Remove the haddock from the pan with a slotted
spoon. When the fish is cool enough to handle, remove
any skin and bones, then flake the haddock back into
the pan.
5. Blend a ladle full of the soup in a liquidizer and return to the pan.
6. Stir in the double cream and simmer for another 2 or
3 minutes.
7. Add more black pepper if necessary, then sprinkle
with the chopped chives and serve.
Serve with chunks of fresh wholemeal or granary bread.
Can Cold Water Clean Dishes?
This is for all the germ conscious folks that worry about using
cold water to clean.
John went to visit his 90 year old grandfather in a very secluded, rural area of Scotland. After spending a great evening
chatting the night away, the next morning John's grandfather
prepared breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast. However, John
noticed a film like substance on his plate, and questioned his
grandfather asking, 'Are these plates clean?'
His grandfather replied, 'They're as clean as cold water can
get them. Just you go ahead and finish your meal, Sonny!' For
lunch the old man made hamburgers.
Again, John was concerned about the plates, as his appeared
to have tiny specks around t he edge that looked like dried
egg and asked, ‘Are you sure these plates are clean?'
Without looking up the old man said, 'I told you before,
Sonny, those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them.
Now don't you fret, I don't want to hear another word about
it!'
Later that afternoon, John was on his way to a nearby town
and as he was leaving, his grandfather's dog started to growl,
and wouldn't let him pass. John yelled and said, 'Grandfather,
your dog won't let me get to my car'. Without diverting his
attention from the football game he was watching on TV, the
old man shouted! 'Coldwater, go lay down now, you hear me!'
2
Classifieds
AGM
***********
24 members and committee, with 14
apologies, attended the Society’s
combined Annual General Meetings
with the golf section held in The Parish of the Holy Family Church Hall in
Birchington on Wednesday 21st
March 2012.
Golf section captain John Reid noted
his committee of Vice Captain and
Treasurer Bob Hope, Secretary Gerry
Carter along with Richard Baker, Sue
Saunders, Iain Shaw, Leona Steenhuis, Cecile Mirkowski and Mary
Rose were elected unopposed.
The Society’s main AGM followed
on and the officers and committee
remained unchanged with the exception of Past president Don Macpherson, who was installed as Vice President. Re-elected committee members
were; Hon Sec Anne Campbell, Hon
Treasurer John Campbell, Membership Sec. Mary Rose, J Clark, D
Macpherson, L McRitchie, J Reid, I
Shaw, D Taylor, N Swift and D
Walker - Editor Caledonian.
As always at the termination of Society business, members retired to a
glass of wine with light refreshments
provided by members of the committees.
Norman E. Temple
The Society regrets to announce
the death of Past President Norman Edward Temple since publication of the last edition of the
Caledonian.
Norman’s death followed an
illness which required him to
stand down from the committee
and his other interests. As a
great supporter of this newsletter it is only fitting that his
obituary be recorded in it.
Norman was instrumental in starting the Society’s golf section at
North Foreland Golf Club in an
attempt to boost membership at a
time when this started to waver.
Our thoughts go out to Maria and
family.
**********
To advertise free of charge any
Scottish related items in the next
issue contact the Editor on 01843
294277.
FOR SALE
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Grey/green medium weight Size 38
£30.00 ono Tel 01843 294277
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nearly new Size 42 £45.00 ono Tel
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Modern tartan Kilt size 40” waist with
25” drop and Prince Charlie Jacket/
waistcoat size 42R”, Belt, Sporran,
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01843 294277.
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Kilt size 40” waist with 25” drop. Minor repair needed £35 ono Tel 01843
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size 40” waist with 25” drop and Prince
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size 44” chest. £40.00 ono. 01843
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WANTED
Wanted Information on unwanted
Hi g h l a n d D res s, Ki l t s a n d
accompaniments for sale, to pass on to
those searching for the next size up or
down! Phone 01843 294277 for details.
Sharing Troubles
and Stresses
Morag told her boy friend "When
we get married, I want to share
all your worries, troubles, and
lighten your burden." Donald,
smiled and said: "It's very kind of
you, dear, but I don't have any
worries or troubles." Morag also
smiled - the knowing smile of a
woman wise in the ways of the
world and responded: "Well that's
because we aren't married yet."
Did Ye Ken?
!
Bob Dylan, the
American songwriter, acknowledged that Burns
was a great inspiration to his work
in composing the
many hit songs he
is acclaimed for.
Don’t forget the
Society’s membership
subscriptions become due
on 1st January 2013
!
3
Caledonian
Whit Ye Missed At The Pictures
S
o there we were once
again at the Palace cinema
in Broadstairs, another
year has passed and we are to
see another film with a Scottish
flavour (of course) and thankfully they are still to be found.
But once settled in our seats, our President,
Brian McRitchie, in his welcome and introduction announced that we were to see not one
but two pictures!....(somebody remarked,
‘what no Movietime News!’) You always get
one don't you……
The ‘B’ film, ‘The Glen Is Ours’, is the frequently used timeless parable of local politicians at odds with the will of the electorate.
Our hero, a recently demobbed Hector Andrews, takes to the hustings to stop Cadisburn
Glen being sold and converted from a ‘lovers
lane’ into an amusement park. As the drama
unfolds, discussion turns to argument, thence
inevitably to mayhem, in consequence of
which our hero sustains severe head injuries.
While in hospital (at death’s door) he’s given
news of the start of the polling!..
A miraculous recovery! Our hero leaps from
his hospital bed looking not unlike an incomplete Egyptian mummy with his bandaged
head, wins the vote, saves the glen and wins
the girl (but not an Oscar!)
Not too sure whether this was a drama or comedy, but could find oneself chuckling, probably in the wrong places! The action and delivery could compare very favourably with
Acorn Antiques...but it was a reasonable grace
before the meat of ‘Laxdale Hall’, our feature
film.
Set amid the beautiful scenery of the Applecross Peninsular of North West Scotland, the
film drew sighs from the audience who know
the area well even in black and white. The
village of Laxdale, an amalgam of the adjoining villages of Applecross and Milton, with
Applecross House used for the location of
Laxdale Hall.
The film opens with an outbreak of anarchy in
Laxdale’s Scottish highland’s community
when the village’s five car owning residents
refuse to pay their road fund licence until their
one road is markedly improved....An emergency meeting is convened in Whitehall and a
parliamentary delegation is despatched to talk
some sense into the residents. This delegation
It's a Girl...
Like all good, modern fathers’, Geordie was
present when his wife gave birth to their first
child. "It's a girl!" declared the midwife and then noticed the slightly crestfallen look
on Geordie's face. "Are you disappointed that
it's a girl?" she asked.
Geordie tried to cover up and replied: "Not
really. A girl was my second choice...."
By Jim Connell
is led by Samuel Pettigrew MP (Raymond
Huntley) and Andrew Flett (Fulton Mackay).
Pettigrew is entirely indifferent to both the
scenery and the community’s requests for
their road improvements, trying unsuccessfully to persuade the villagers to move away
to a new model town.
The villagers are going to have their work cut
out to bring hin round. They did of course ,
and it’s how they did it that is hilarious!
In her debut film, a pert young Prunella
Scales, as village schoolteacher Morag
McLeod, plays the love interest along with
Andrew Flett (Fulton Mackay), hardly recognisable as the irascible head warder in
‘Porridge’, playing an affable young civil
servant from the Scottish Office.
This was a highly enjoyable 1950’s comedy
and bordered on the classical.
The evening wouldn't have been complete
without our ‘get together’ and excellent supper in the Pavilion after the show. As always,
a good time was had by all!
My sincere thanks to the Pavilion who coincidently
happened to have Scottish draught beer on their pumps
that evening. I enjoyed a couple of lovely pints as
brewed by Caledonian Breweries. Ed.
Bagpiper at a Funeral
As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I
was asked by a Funeral director to play at a
graveside service for a homeless man. He
had no family or friends, so the service was
to be at a pauper's cemetery in the back
country.
As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I
got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't
stop for directions.
I finally arrived an hour late and saw the
funeral guy had evidently gone and the
hearse was nowhere in sight. There were
only the diggers and crew left and they were
eating lunch.
I felt badly and apologized to the men for
being late. I went to the side of the grave and
looked down and the vault lid was already in
place. I didn't know what else to do, so I
started to play.
The workers put down their lunches and
began to gather around. I played out my
heart and soul for this man with no family
and friends. I played like I've never played
before for this homeless man.
And as I played 'Amazing Grace ,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all
wept together. When I finished I packed up
my bagpipes and started for my car. Though
my head hung low, my heart was full.
As I opened the door to my car, I heard one
of the workers say, "I never seen nothin' like
that before and I've been putting in septic
tanks for twenty years."
Apparently, I'm still lost
London Olympics
2012
A Scotsman, an Englishman and an Irishman want to get in, but they haven't got
tickets.
The Scotsman picks up a manhole cover,
tucks it under his arm and walks to the gate.
"McTavish, Scotland," he says, "Discus"
and in he walks.
The Englishman picks up a length of plumbing pipe and slings it over his shoulder.
"Waddington-Smythe, England" he says,
"Pole vault" and in he walks.
The Irishman looks around and picks up a
roll of barbed wire and tucks it under his
arm. “O'Malley, Ireland "he says,
"Fencing”.
Did Ye Ken?
The famous London sailing ship, Cutty Sark
was originally owned by a Scotsman John
Willis and named after a character in Burns
poem Tam O’ Shanter. The figurehead is
based on the witch, Nanny, which chased
Tam home that night.
A cutty sark is a lowland Scots term for an
undergarment.
Drunk ? Who’s Drunk
Sandy was drinking at a pub all night. When
he got up to leave, he fell flat on his face.
He tried to stand again, but to no avail, falling flat on his face. He decided to crawl
outside and get some fresh air to see
whether that would sober him up. Once
outside, he stood up and, sure enough, fell
flat on his face. So, being a practical Scot,
he crawled all the way home.
When he got to the door, he stood up yet
again, but fell flat on his face. He crawled
through the door into his bedroom. When he
reached his bed, he tried once more to stand
upright. This time he managed to pull himself to his feet but fell into bed. He was
sound asleep as soon as his head hit the
pillow.
He woke the next morning to his wife shaking him and shouting, "So, ye've been oot
drinkin' as usual!" "Why would ye say
that?" he complained innocently.
"Because the pub called an' ye left yer
wheelchair there again!"
Naughty Naughty
Three lassies are walking home one night
and find a man passed out partially under a
wagon. His upper body is under a cart and
they can't see who he is; however, they
would like to help him get home. The first
woman looks under his kilt and says, "It's
not my husband". The second woman looks
under his kilt and says, it’s not my husband". The third woman looks under his kilt
and says, "Why he's not even from our
village!"
Caledonian
Wine & Wisdom
6 teams comprising 47 members and guests enjoyed another spirited Wine & Wisdom evening where question
master Clinton Sear had everyone scratching their heads
and desperately searching their memory banks for some
fine answers. At the break the unmistakable smell of fish &
chips filled the room as piping hot fish suppers were
handed out.
Winners again this year with 105 points out of a possible
maximum of 110 were President Brian and Linda
McRitchie’s team.
Other scores ranged from, runners up Jack Taylor’s team,
with 92 points to this years losers looking for the chocolate
bars with 64 points, Secretary Anne & Treasurer John
Campbell’s team.
4
Head Down
Jock had been looking forward to his first
round of golf at St Andrews and had hired
one of the local caddies to accompany him
and give advice. But despite the patient
tutoring, Jock was having a dreadful
round. After a particularly bad drive up
(or rather, off) the 18th fairway, he announced dolefully: "I think I'm going to
drown myself in the loch." His caddy
replied dryly: "Think you can keep your
head down that long?"
Heavenly Body
Old Tam after a wee dram announced
proudly "My wife's an angel!" Jock sitting
with a dour face said "You're lucky,
mine's still alive."
Piper’s Call
Andrew Smith
17 Highfields
Sutton Common Road
Sutton, Surrey SM1 3HW
Tel: 020 8641 0767
Mobile: 07968968610
Full Military Dress,
Weddings, Birthdays, Ceilidhs,
Dinners, Celebrations.
Oh What A Night!
Derek Freestone
Tel: 01843 848094
This years’ Taste of Scotland was a
Email:
deemed a resounding success with a near
[email protected]
The winning team L to R: President Brian McRitchie, Linda McRitchie, Jenny
capacity gathering at Northdown House,
Humphries, Matt Glasgow, Gill Humphries and John Humphries.
Evening and Day Dress
Cliftonville, in October. President Brian
McRitchie welcomed 78 members and
Weddings, Birthdays, Ceilidhs,
friends, new and old to the annual fixture
Dinners, Celebrations.
where all tucked into a helping of Haggis
Tatties and Neeps prepared and served by
Please mention the Caledonian
ladies of the committee, followed by
when contacting any of our pipers.
sweet, coffee and shortbread.
Entertainment during the evening was
ably provided by college students from Thanet’s Hartsdown Academy under
the title Hartsounds. Past President David Walker introduced 14 youngsters
under the direction of teachers Liz Bradshaw and Charlie Morton performed as
a choir and sang three modern numbers. A quiz set by the President was won
by the ‘Taylor’ table who were
aptly rewarded with a packet of
And the losers with the chocs L to R: Dina Macpherson, Roger Daddow, Anne Campchocolate bars. As usual, the
bell, Ann Daddow, Rick Collins, Mary Rose, Greta Collins and John Campbell.
evening rounded off with a
good old sing song led by Vice
Doctors’ Orders
President Don Macpherson,
Dr Macgregor checked over his patient and said with a puzbefore members happily dezled frown, "I can't really tell what the trouble is. I think it
parted with spring in their step.
must be due to drink." Willie said, understandingly, "Ach,
Left: The Catering Corps: L to R Memberthat's all right doctor. I'll come back when you're sober."
ship Secretary Mary Rose, Secretary Anne
Campbell and committee member Dina
Macpherson.
Below: Teacher Charlie Morton with
members of Hartsounds, from Hartsdown
Academy who entertained us after supper.
Scotland’s Klondike!
The Cononish Gold Mines at Tyndrum are still very
confident of success. They are still at the development
stage of the operation and are drilling into rock to
prove the worth of the gold and silver mineralisation.
When the worth is proved they hope to raise a total of
£22million for the pre-production costs. They expect to
produce 21,000 ounces of gold and 75,000 ounces of silver
annually. This equates to £21,000,000 annual income for
the gold and £1,500,000 for the silver. Makes the eyes
water!!
Caledonian Adventure 2011 holiday staying at the Ben
Doran Hotel in Tyndrum with the Highland Heritage group
were on hand when the news of the gold find was released.
Some of our party witnessed the BBC and ITV reporters
carrying out interviews in the village.
Members Jack and Sheila Taylor, shown far right, hosted the
winning table during the evenings quiz.
5
Caledonian
TEE TIME with John Reid
A
s always the first event Baker. Nearest the pin prizes went
of the year was the to David Jasper and David Say.
President’s Mashie We had a sumptuous meal in the
held on the Northcliffe Course on club house when the prizes were
May 16th. The weather the day presented.
A sunny if breezy Thursday
before had been awful with
th
16
August saw 23 players consqually hail showers, but we enjoyed the best of weather and 19 test the Caledonian Cup. The
players found the course in excel- course at North Foreland was in
lent condition. Later 27 sat down its expected good condition
to enjoy a very good carvery in though the rough was very ball
the club house.
threatening! The players were
joined by a further 10 for the evening meal and all 33 enjoyed the
now traditional meal. A few opted
for soup instead of haggis and
salmon as opposed to lamb. This
years Cup winner after countback
was Maureen Summers from Margaret West both with 34. They
had champagne and wine respecPresidents Mashie Winner Jill Laslett with
Margaret West.
This was followed by the prize
giving. Jill Laslett won the
Mashie with an excellent net 50.
Best man was amazingly me with
53. Well done to us both! We
were hotly pursued by Frank
Skinner with 55 and Sue Saunders
on 56 1/3. It was a happy evening
only let down a bit by the numbers. I believe a few were away Caledonian Cup Winner Jill Laslett with
on holiday and some with illness. Thelma Dewar.
So I will hope for an improvement
next year.
tively. The best men were Len
Street with 33 and Gerry Carter
32.Len got the whisky and Gerry
the wine. Nearest the pin winners
were Carol Say and David Jasper.
It was a happy and successful day.
Only seven ladies battled for
the Marie Ferrier Tray on
Thursday 11th October. They all
managed to finish their games on
the Northcliffe Course before the
Jean Armour Rosebowl Winner David Jasper rains came. The small field was
with Golf Section captain John Reid
due to holidays and sickness. We
can only hope for better things
This year’s Jean Armour
Rosebowl competition was held
at St Augustine’s on Wednesday
30th May. The 15 competitors
found the course in excellent condition and initially warm sunshine. However we were treated
to a grandstand view of a monumental thunderstorm which blew
up over Broadstairs and Margate.
It very kindly avoided us so we
Ferrier Tray Winner Maureen Sumwere able to play on without inter- Marie
mers with Cindy Cook.
ruption. The winner of the Rosebowl was our newest recruit next year. Sixteen sat down to a
David Jasper with a creditable 42 truly delicious salmon dinner after
points . Mike Summers with 40 which I told them how the tray
was a close 2nd. Top Lady was was originally presented by CharJoan Cook followed by Edwina lie Ferrier in memory of his late
wife. Sadly Charlie has now had
to hang up his pipes. The winner
with an impressive net 54 was
Maureen Summers. She was followed in by Margaret West 61
and Stella Matsubara with 63.
Maureen was presented with her
trophy by last year’s winner
Cindy Cook who could not take
part this year due to injury. Everyone enjoyed themselves.
A party of 17 assembled at East
Sussex National for our Annual
Break from Sunday 14th -16th
October. Everyone had a superb
time, despite the two courses being very wet underfoot and enjoyed excellent weather with rain
falling only at night. The golf was
certainly challenging, not helped
by the lack of run on the fairways.
It was very scenic nestling beneath the South Downs. The Staff
could not have been more friendly
and went out of their way to ensure our happiness. The accommodation was first class and the
food excellent.
Day 1 results were longest
drive Peter Saunders, Nearest Pins
David Cook and Mike Summers.
Winners Mike Summers 32 and
Tony Shrimpling 31. Day 2 Longest Drive, Tony Shrimpling.
Nearest Pins Maureen Summers
and Richard West. Winners David
Cook and Len Street 29. On the
putting green, Tony won the
Bank’s Dirk in a sudden death
play off with Len Street. Both had
rounds of 39. Day 3 was for the
Scotia Cup. It was dry and windy.
Longest Drive David Cook. Nearest Pin, Bob Hope. The winner
with 30 was Tony Shrimpling
closely followed by Richard
Baker 28 who held off David
Lord Provosts
Shrimpling
Shield
Winner
Tony
Cook and Mike Summers on
countback. The Lord Provosts
Shield went to Tony Shrimpling
89 and Joan Cook 69. Runners up
were Richard Baker 88 and Julie
Shrimpling 67.
Scotia Cup Winners Tony Shrimpling & Joan
Cook
It brought the golfing year to a
very happy end. My personal
thanks must go to Richard Baker
for organising the trip. Suggestions for next year are very welcome. ¤
The happy Caledonian golfers pictured are Margaret West, Julie Shrimpling, Maureen Summers, Len Street, Anne Street, John Reid, Edwina Baker, Richard West, Bob Hope, Sue Saunders, Mike Summers, David Cook, Joan Cook, Gerry Carter, Tony Shrimpling, Richard Baker
and Peter Saunders.
Caledonian
Anyone age 35 years or over
should definitely read this!
Checking out at the supermarket recently, the
young cashier suggested I should bring my
own bags because plastic bags weren't good for
the environment. I apologised and explained,
"We didn't have this green thing back in my
earlier days". The cashier responded, "That's
our problem today. Your generation did not
care enough to save our environment for future generations". She was right about one
thing, our generation didn't have the green
thing in “Our” day. So what did we have back
then?
After some reflection and soul-searching on "Our" day
here's what I remembered we did have.... Back then, we
returned milk bottles, pop bottles and beer bottles to the
store. The store sent them back to the plant to be
washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the
same bottles repeatedly. So they really were recycled.
But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the
grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower
machine every time we had to go two or three streets
away. But she was right. We didn't have the green thing
in our day. Back then, we washed the baby's nappies
because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried
clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine
burning up 240 volts -- wind and solar power really did
dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got handme-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not
always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is
right. We didn't have the green thing back in our day.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not
a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the
size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen
the size of Wales.
In the kitchen, we blended & stirred by hand because
we didn't have electric machines to do everything for
us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the
mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it,
not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we
didn't fire up an engine and burn petrol just to cut the
lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power.
We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a
health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she's right. We didn't have the green thing back
then. We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty
instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we
had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink
instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor
blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole
razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn't have
the green thing back then. Back then, people took the
bus, and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their mums into a 24-hour taxi service.
We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire
bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we
didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal
beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order
to find the nearest pizza joint. But isn't it sad that the
current generation laments how wasteful we older folks
were just because we didn't have the green thing back
then?
Please pass this on so another, apparently ‘selfish’, old
person who needs a lesson in conservation from a
smarty-pants young person, can read this!!"
6
T
his volume contains eighty five
fairy tales, stories, myths, legends, literary tales and comic
tales collated by Sir George Douglas
and was first published in 1901.
In the days long before the advent of
radio and television, the arrival of a story
-teller in a village was an important
event. As soon as it became known,
there would be a rush to the house where
he was lodged, and every available seat
on benches, tables, beds, beams, or the
floor would quickly be appropriated.
And then, for hours together just like
some first-rate actor on a stage the storyteller would hold his audience spellbound.
In his tour through the Islands, Campbell
of Isla, Sir George’s authority for
these stories, visited one of the old
story-tellers in his home. The man was
far advanced in years, and he lived in
a rude hut on the shore at South Uist.
Campbell describes the scene in detail.
The hut consisted of one room only.
The fireplace was the floor, and the
chimney a hole above it, so that the air
was dense with peat-smoke, whilst the
rafters were hung with streamers and
festoons of soot.
The old man himself had the manner
of a practiced narrator, he would
chuckle at certain places in his story,
and, like an Ancient Mariner or like
one of the Weird Sisters, would lay a
withered finger on the listener's knee
when he came to the terrifying parts.
A little boy in a kilt stood at his knee,
gazing in his wrinkled face, and devouring every word. And such rustic
scenes as these, as this book shows, have
by no means been without their marked
effect upon Scottish literature.
So taken was Sir George with the vernacular version of these stories he later
stated “…..because they have been clas-
Golf Expert!
sified, tabulated and scientifically
named, they are no longer the wild free
product of Nature that we knew and
loved: they have become, so to speak, a
collection of butterflies in a case, an
album of pressed wild flowers.” Nevertheless many a night was passed gathered around the hearth listening to those
well practiced in the art of storytelling
ensuring that these stories were passed
on from generation to generation. It is
somewhat ironic that since about 1900
the “old ways” began to recede and the
art of storytelling was practiced less and
less.
This book is now in one of the many
digital ways in which these stories can
live on. So curl up with this sliver of
Scottish heritage and, when you need to,
laugh at the comedy and don’t be afraid
to shed a tear during the tales of melancholy, but always be sure that your purchase will have benefited someone
somewhere. ¤
Book available from Amazon Books Ltd - IBSN978 144006403 - 6 Ed.
Anyone for Bridge?
bridge evening was
Old Tam was having his annual physical The Golf section
th
examination, when his doctor asked him held on 28 October and attracted 12
about his physical activity level. He de- tables of 4. It made an excellent
profit of £266 and was the main conscribed a typical day this way:
"Well, yesterday afternoon, I took a five tributor to our charitable donations of
hour walk about 7km through some pretty £150 to each of the Pilgrims Hosrough country terrain. I waded along the pice, Riding for the Disabled and
edge of a lake. I pushed my way through Kent Air Ambulance. This was ably
brambles. I got sand in my shoes, eyes and organised by Sue Saunders and her
hair. I avoided standing on a snake. I ladies with a bit of male muscle to
climbed several rocky hills. I took a few put out tables. Well done ladies.
leaks behind some big trees”. He went on, “
The mental stress of it all left me shattered
and at the end of it all I drank eight beers”.
Inspired by the story, his doctor said,
Golf is like marriage: If you take
"You must be one hell of an outdoors yourself too seriously it won't workman!"
and both are expensive.
"No," he replied, "I'm just a crap golfer"!!
Golf
7
A Southerner in Scotland
I
t is several years, 2002 I think, since the
Golf Section of our Society played in
Scotland. The venue was Kinross, “The
Green Hotel” with its two fine courses
and relative closeness to the border for southern travellers. Details of the rounds played
and who won the prestigious Shield and Dirk
have long since faded but many personal
memories of the visit are still fresh in my
mind and perhaps our Scottish readers will
be patient with a Southerner’s record of his
impressions of this part of Scotland and some
aspects of Scottish heritage.
Even for a band of golf addicts there was free
time at Kinross to explore the locality and on the
second morning over
a presumably normal
Scottish breakfast of
porridge, kippers,
smoked haddock,
egg, bacon, sausage,
fried bread, tomatoes, black pudding,
mushrooms, toast
and Dundee marmalade, tea or coffee,
there was ample time
to air plans for possible visits further
afield. Cyril and Audrey Rossiter were for heading north towards St. Andrews to capture some
of its magic. Captain Iain and Pat Shaw were off
to the fishing village of Crail within sight of the
Isle of May. Those keen naturalists, Bob and
Margaret Hope were heading towards Dunkeld
to see some Ospreys and thence to Pitlochry.
Ken Trowbridge, my fellow traveller on the
journey north was for visiting the castle in Loch
Levin where Mary Queen of Scots was once
held prisoner. This outing was only a short walk
to the quayside but, as we know, anything involving boats is an attraction for Ken. Also we
had broken our journey north by visiting my
cousin Mary in Tyneside (which is quite another
story incorporating as it did a somewhat festive
night out at the Bay Hotel) so perhaps Ken was
envisaging a quiet cultural day. On this free
morning I was torn between taking the bus north
to Perth or south to Edinburgh, both equidistant
from Kinross. There would be Brownie points
for visiting Perth where Betty’s grandmother
Annie Robertson had been born and educated
and yet Edinburgh, so near, surely should not be
missed. The buses stopped outside The Green
Hotel and as the Edinburgh bus arrived first, the
decision was made.
En route lay Dunfermline and there came instantly to mind the Ballad that most English
children knew in the years before traditional
poetry anthologies sadly gave way to more culturally diverse collections “The king sits in Dunfermline town, drinking the blood-red wine, Oh
where will I get a skeely skipper to sail this new
ship of mine?” I am possibly not alone of my
generation in remembering lines learned at
school. Whenever there is a heaving full tide at
Broadstairs harbour I remember Sir Patrick
Spens’ voyage to “Norraway”. “When the sky
grew dark, the wind blew loud and gurley grew
the sea.”
Also in Dunfermline, apparently, a delight of my
youth, Moira Shearer, was born. Surely “Red
Shoes” must be one of the best films ever made
in the 50’s. Another star born here was Liverpool footballer, Billy Liddell, loyal to the club
throughout his career. I had not known that Dunfermline was the burial place of Robert the
Bruce (of his body but not his heart) - and that
his name is carved in stone around the Bell
Tower of the Abbey. Andrew Carnegie built a
library here in this his birthplace “to bring into
the monotonous lives of the toiling masses more
sweetness and light.” Eventually the bus pulled
into Edinburgh. Had Betty been with me, we
would no doubt have lingered for shopping in
Princes Street, but time being limited I took the
quickest route to the castle.
It was a steep climb past Lady Stairs House
where the Scottish
W riters
Museum
is
housed. It would
have been rude
to have stopped
for only the
briefest time at a
museum celebrating the collective genius of
Robert Burns, Sir
Walter Scott and
Robert
Louis
Stevenson. It had to be a pleasure delayed. From
the square at the top the magnificent view made
clear the strategic dominance of Edinburgh Castle. Guarding the entrance stood the statues of
those powerful old adversaries of the English,
Robert the Bruce and William Wallace. I felt the
same slight feeling of awe and antipathy that I
had felt when standing at Napoleon’s mausoleum in the Pantheon some years previously on
my first visit to Paris. And of course there had at
one time existed “The Auld Alliance” with
France which had kept us English on our toes.
Who would want to be on the receiving end of
“Mons Meg” or any other of the cannon, still
pointing out protectively over the city?
What impressed me greatly during my tour of
the castle was in the top tower, up a winding
stairway leading to a small circular stone chapel
dedicated to Queen Margaret of Scotland who
was revered for her exemplary life and her influence within the court of her husband King Malcolm.
My visiting time was slipping away as I left the
castle and approached The Scottish National
Gallery at the bottom of the hill. I entered prepared for a fairly frantic tour of the vast collection but I progressed no further than the first
gallery where a unique exhibition was being
presented. It featured “Rosslyn” a name or place
quite unknown to me but the word itself was so
seductive that I bought the ticket and the catalogue for something I fancied might prove as
mysterious as Tintagel or Lyonesse. The room
itself was dimly lit but full of paintings, architects’ drawings and historical documents, lit
individually and thereby standing out more and
attracting attention. It was what you might call
an “Aladdin moment” a lavishly illustrated book
written by Lady Helen Rosslyn and Dr. Angelo
Maggi explained it all. What they wrote concerning the history and the associations of the
place was a revelation which this ignorant southerner cannot contain…so presuming on my
reader’s patience.
Caledonian
By Frank Skinner
Rosslyn lies six miles from Edinburgh, according to The Edinburgh Magazine of 1761 “a place
formed by Nature for Heaven”. In the eighteenth
century the ruined castle and its chapel attracted
writers and painters from Scotland and beyond
all fascinated by its history and its picturesque
setting.
Alexander Naysmith whose portrait of his
friend, Robert, graces our table menus on Burns
Night, painted several views of Rosslyn. He
wrote of a visit there: “One morning in the early
part of the summer of 1787 we met at my house
at 5o’clock. The morning was fine and we
walked out to that romantic spot. It was the first
time my friend had been there. This was one of
the days of my life that I look back to with intense pleasure.” In the Exhibition was a painting of the two men at the ruins of Rosslyn done
by son James Naysmith from a sketch of the
visit.
Burns also marked the occasion by a poem to the
local lady innkeeper:“At Roslin Inn
My blessings on ye, honest wife
I ne’er was here before,
Ye’ve wealth o’ gear for spoon and knife,
Heart could not wish for more,
Heav’n keep you clear o’ strut and strife
Till far ayont fourscore,
And by the Lord o’ death and life,
I’ll ne’er gae by your door.
The history of the Lords of Rosslyn goes back to
the Norman Conquest. In 1070, William St.
Clair, a cousin of William of Normandy, was
given land by King Malcolm of Scotland possibly as a reward for ensuring the safe passage of
Princess Margaret to Scotland after the defeat of
the Saxons and the dispersal of their court. William St. Clair became a loyal and trusted favourite of King Malcolm and his Queen. Successive
Knights of St. Clair fought for Scotland against
the English on numerous occasions, notably at
the Battle of Rosslyn, and with King Robert the
Bruce at Bannockburn. They were entrusted to
convey the Kings heart to Jerusalem but were
intercepted by a Moorish army in Spain. Many
were killed and their bodies and Bruce’s heart
came back to Scotland.
The famous Chapel was built near the castle in
1446. Its interior and the masterpieces of stonemasonry have held world-wide interest and
given rise to many legends. The intricate carving
and the strange effects of light and shadow give
it a special atmosphere. The French pioneer
photographer Louis Daguerre caused a sensation
in Paris in 1824 and later in London when he
exhibited his Diorama of Rosslyn.
The Exhibition certainly left me with a debt of
gratitude to the organisers and the National Gallery of Scotland and much to think about as I set
off to catch the bus back to Kinross and the next
and final day’s golf. ¤
The Caledonian is the newsletter of the
Thanet and District Caledonian Society .
Any correspondence in relation to the
publication should be addressed to :
The Editor
Caledonian
84 Western Road
Margate,Kent CT9 3QW
Caledonian
8
Caber Feidh - Final Performance
in Kent, held in January 1979, was the Burns Haggis Supper Dance, held in
Queenborough Hall, hosted by the Sheerness Group. I remember it as if it were
yesterday, with Caber Feidh playing the tunes”. He continued, “It was, therefore, really nice to be at the band’s last dance held in the Alpha Hall at Birchington, in March”.
Over the past 30 plus years the band has played at various Thanet and KASS Our photograph shows the band with gifts presented to them by the Society
functions. Dr Alan French, KASS Past president and recent Society guest at St following their last performance. Caber Feidh leader Roger Waterson said “We
Andrews Night, remembers their start well when he said “My very first dance first played for the Caledonian Society, I believe, in March 1976” and then
stated “Let me say again what a privilege it was to come and play for you for
all those years. Please pass on my warmest regards to all my other old friends
down there.”
It was on Saturday 3 March 2012 at the Thanet and District Haggis
Supper Dance that Caber Feidh played for the last time. MC David
Howe and President of Thanet and District Caledonian Society Brian
McRitchie brought an end to an era with presentations to members of
the band.
The Midge Season in Scotland.
The season begins in April and ends in 0ctober.
The worst part of the season tends to be June. The Highland
Biting Midge, top of the league, when it comes to biting
midges, usually makes his first appearance in April and
stays active for around three months. They start to disappear towards the end of August and can be seen in other
parts of Scotland.
Caber Feidh at their last gig – the Thanet and District Haggis Supper on 3rd of
March 2012. From left to right: Tom MacAulay on piano, Donald Lennox on
drums, Duncan Murray on fiddle and leader Roger Waterson on accordion.
Fareweel to Scotia
This poem by William Air Foster (1801-1864) will
strike a chord with many who have left Scotland, especially if the departure is late in life. Inevitably, there is
some regret at the loss of even minor things which are
familiar.
Fareweel to Scotia
Fareweel to ilka hill where the red heather grows
To ilk bonnie green glen whaur the mountain stream
rows,
To the rock that re-echoes the torrent's wild din,
To the graves o' my sires, and the hearths o' my kin.
Fareweel to ilk strath an' the lav'rock's sweet sang For trifles grow dear whan we've kenn'd them sae lang;
Round the wanderer's heart a bright halo they shed,
A dream o' the past when a' others ha'e fled.
The young hearts may kythe, though they're forced far
away,
But its dool to the spirit when haffets are grey;
The saplin' transplanted may flourish a tree,
Whar the hardy auld aik wad but wither and dee.
They tell me I gang whaur the tropic suns shine
Owre landscapes as lovely and fragrant as thine;
For the objects sae dear that the heart had entwined
Turn eerisome hame-thoughts, and sicken the mind.
No, my spirit shall stray whaur the red heather grows!
In the bonnie green glen whaur the mountain stream
rows,
'Neath the rock that re-echoes the torrent's wild din,
'Mang the graves o' my sires, and the hearths o' my kin.
Meaning of unusual words:
ilka / ilk = every
kythe = perform (a miracle)
lav'rock = lark
dool = grief, mourning weeds
kenn'd = known
aik = oak
gang = go
haffets = locks of hair, especially at the temples
Another Scottish midge, that also likes a good bite, although, not as
severe, is the Garden Midge, it hangs around a lot longer than the infamous Highland Biting midge. Its season ends at the end of October.
Many people say the season is now extending due to climate change
temperatures rising, if this is the case, the little blighters will be in their
element and biting will be set to continue for much longer.
Despite their tiny size, we all know that mosquitoes and midges can at
their least ruin a holiday, fishing trip or simply being able to sit out in
the garden, to, at their worst, cause serious health problems. In some
parts of the UK – e.g. much of Scotland – the problem with midges is
so serious that it can actually prevent people going
outside at all at certain
times of the day. There's
been no-end of products
put onto the market in
recent years to combat the
problem, from sprays,
creams and even nets
which cover the head.
Some of these products
have helped the problem,
but all have drawbacks
and some are arguably
ineffective.
But
now
there's a range of products
which finally means that
people can work and enjoy
leisure activities however
bad the mosquito or midge problem is.
There is a new product, new to the U.K, ThermaCELL and Procter Pest
-Stop is the exclusive distributor in the UK for all the products. So how
does it work? ThermaCELL uses revolutionary, patented technology to
dispense a small amount of repellent into the air over a long period of
time. ThermaCELL is powered by a butane cartridge which provides
the cordless, portable heat necessary to operate the device (batteries are
not needed). It directs the heat to a metal grill. A mat saturated with
Allethrin, a copy of a naturally occurring insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers, is placed on top of the metal grill. The heat generated
by the butane cartridge vaporizes the repellent allowing it to rise into
the air, creating a 15 x 15 ft (225 sq ft) mosquito and midge-free-zone
in minutes. The repellent is very unpleasant to mosquitoes and midges
but, when used as directed, will not harm humans or pets. And how can
we be so confident about how effective the products are? Well the U.S.
Army currently use them in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, which is
considered to be a fair recommendation!
The ThermaCell units are available through Amazon and cost about £20 with refills
around £6.00 .....Ed.