Dover and East Kent Scottish Society
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       ST. ANDREW'S NIGHT SUCCESS
 
 
         
  Posh Menu designed, published and 
Printed by Graham Hutchison                                              The Stone Hall prepared for Guests.
 
In spite of only 45 members and guests attending our St Andrew's Dinner and Dance this year
the committee had decided to go ahead with the event and jolly good thing they did !
 
With the grateful co-operation of Dover Town Hall (Thanet LeisureForce) the event proved
a most enjoyable evening. The catering was superb, speeches illuminating and the dancing
was somewhat spectacular.  Even though we may show a loss on the event it must go
down as a great success.
 
 
                                      The President's Top Table Guests                               
Wendy Whitman (Mayor's escort), Veronica Farquhar, Neil Farquhar (President)  The Rt. Worshipfull the Town Mayor of Dover, Veronica Philpott.
                                                                                                                                            Maj. John Paterson (retd)  Mrs Joan Paterson.
 
 
 
 
 The catering was first class both in terms of the quality of the food and of the service by Val and her staff.
The President and Toastmaster kept a firm grip on proceedings with the welcome, toasts and speeches being delivered without
a hitch other than our erstwhile MC/Toastmaster seemingly intent on those attending partaking in a sort of musical chairs
by asking folk to sit down and then be upstanding at the occasion of the Toast to the Escort of the Haggis.
Barry and Lynne Vasquez performed this task with pride and enthusiasm - their first duties since joining our Society - I am sure there
will be many more over the next few years!  Piper Margaret was brilliant as usual and ready to blast the pipes whenever beckoned
by the President, Toastmaster or Dance Director !
 
Stalwart of the Society - it seems a major understatment considering his involvement over the years - Harry Hutchison, delivered a
rousing and sincere Toast to the Guests, explaining that the Secretary had been quite late in asking him to undertake this important task
due to the first choice cancelling.
I am sure those present would confirm that Harry could never be "second choice" and were suitably encapsulated by his rendition.
 
The Right Worshipful the Town Mayor of Dover, Veronica Philpott (hereafter referred to as "Ronnie") replied on behalf off the guests remarking
that she had frequented many a Scottish Society occasion over the years and always enjoyed the warmth and sincerity of the hospitality afforded. 
She said she was sure she was speaking on behalf of all the guests in stating these events were some of the friendliest and most fun anyone could
ever attend and thanked, and toasted, all the members of the Society.
 
The main speech was given this year by John Paterson who the MC introduced as a former President of this Society and past president of
The Robert Burns World Federation and that there probably was not a person alive who knows more about Scotland.  John gave an inspiring
and informative toast to St Andrew and Caledonia during which he involved the audience and asked specific questions, including what is Scotland's
National Anthem, which evoked numerous responses, eventually the correct one was mentioned - God Save the Queen.
 
John gave an insight into many places in Scotland highlighting the vagaries between even closely located communities and the differences in
dialect which makes it almost impossible to understand if you came from elsewhere.  He concluded with a rousing toast to St Andrew and
Caledonia adding that whilst we should rightly be proud of our patron saint and homeland, so should all other people's be proud of theirs.
 
 
       
              
 Harry with his Toast to the Guests                                            Probably the Funkiest Eightsome Reel in History !
 
           
 
     Lynne and Barry Vasquez - Escorts to the Haggis                             John Paterson
 
 
       
              A less than packed stone hall - but enjoyable nonetheless                                                          Piper Margaret
 
Music was provided by the Frank Wharton Duo and the Dancing Director - Nan Walker introduced all the dances with aplomb!
Despite only 45 attendees the dancefloor, although appearing somewhat massive, was occupied for most of the evening with all dances
being actively participated in.  Perhaps with so few in number, people felt compelled to get up and have a go.  Time simply flew by and there
were lots of tired, flushed and sweaty faces by the close.  Whether is was getting on down to "the Doon",  Waltzing about to various
connotations of such, Stripping Willows, Dashing White Sergeants - incidentally the Town Sergeant, Chris, is a very attentive and Dashing
  Sergeant, and various other Scottish Country Dances for which Nan had printed off programs so we thought we knew what we were doing ! 
Perhaps Len Goodman and co may not have been so impressed to award us SEVEN !  -  but nobody could have failed to be impressed by the
Eightsome Reel, which after some verbal encouragement from our President Neil, who likened the start to a "Confusion Reel", Nan got 8
volunteers to show the rest how it should be done. I doubt there has been a funkier eightsome reel, with some vigorous stepping to,
mixed with a hint highland fling and calypso !  The participants looked like they were enjoying the dance as I am sure we all did watching
from the sidelines - respect to those taking part who perhaps did not previously know a Canadian Barn Dance from a Barn Owl !
 
Brilliant stuff and how great again for the Town Mayor Ronnie to still be up dancing at the end and in fact stayed well past mid-night -
having a good blether with us all.  The evening closed with President Neil thanking all those who contributed to making this event
possible, particularly his hard working committee and then we sang the traditional Auld Lang Syne - lead by our Harry and then full voice choirs
of Flower of Scotland and the National Anthem- God Save the Queen - for those who may be confused.