DURBAN CALEDONIAN SOCIETY
FOUNDED 1882 FEDERATED 1922
Chief Mike Jackson 031-701 5944; Scribe: Betty Cruise – 031 261 3271
P.O. Box 51164, Musgrave Road 4062; email: cruisedavide@hotmail.co.uk
NEWSLETTER – April/May 2012
KINDRED SOCIETIES QUIZ 27 January 2012:
The BCHA/1820s hosted a very well attended quiz with eight teams [+-60 folk!] competing for the coveted Silver trophy. Alan Job tried to give a mix of “toughies” and light-hearted questions and sincere thanks go both to him and to all the ladies who contributed towards the varied fillings for the rolls. The results [out of a possible 282 points]: MENSA took the cup with 210.5 pts (74.9%); 2nd BCHA (‘Magnificent 7′) 202pts (71.9%); 3rd BCHA (‘The Simpletons’) 174.5 (62.1%); 4th ANZA (A) 173.5 (61.7%); 5th BCHA (‘Lady Birds’) 170 (60.5%); 6th Durban Callies 158.5 (56.4%); 7th ANZA B 134 (47.7%) and determined to win some form of trophy, BCHA (‘Dodos’) took the wooden spoon with 107.5 pts (38.3%)!
BURNS LUNCH 5 February 2012:
We had a very good turn-out for our Burns lunch. Margaret addressed the haggis which was piped in by Gordon & carried by past chief Noel. Margaret & Nancy delighted us with Burns poems & Nancy & Joe’s grandson entertained us with his singing( I wonder where he inherited that wonderful voice?). Almost-newly-wed Micky gave us ladies a lovely toast & his mother, Lyn replied. Nancy delivered the Immortal Memory & a number of pipers played for us . Altogether a very successful & enjoyable day.
BOTANIC GARDENS T B KIOSK:
A few of us are still busy at the kiosk on the first Tuesday of the month.
MEMBERS NEWS:
Since our last newsletter we have lost our very dear friend & a hard working member of our society Past Chief Sheila Mackenzie She was well known in piping circles & tributes came in from all over the country. We will all miss her & our deepest sympathy goes out to Alistair, Alan. Gail & the boys. We wish Alistair a safe trip to Scotland to see Alan & family next month.
Congratulations to one of our Hon. Life members, Cecil Ritson who turned 90 at the end of March. Past Lady President Rosemary Smith has visited us from Australia & is staying with her daughter in Richmond
The Dunsmore challenge took place on March 24th. There were 12 competitors & the results were first 1 med A. band, second 1med B band & third Pietermaritzburg Callies.
It is good to hear that Anne- Marie Ellerbeck is progressing well after her stroke.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations, to those celebrating Birthdays
In May: 11th Rosslin Wilkins 25th Elva Steyn and
In June: 1st Joe Dunsmore 6th Bas Ellerbeck 9th Joyce Peet
13th Margaret Adam and 28th Doreen Stuart-Saunders.
Congratulations, to those celebrating Anniversaries:
In May: 1st Carol & Graham Allan and 8th Rosslin & Michael Wilkins and
In June: 11th Molly & Noel Gould and 25th Nancy & Joe Dunsmore.
BRITISH PASSPORTS
The BCHA are now issuing forms & using a courier service for people requiring British Passport applications or renewals. They are situated in the Berea Bowling Club grounds in Fergusson Road (off Brand Road) Durban. Phone 031-202 6174 for an appointment.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
KINDRED SOCIETIES QUIZ – Friday 4 May 2012:
We are the hosts at the next quiz at Westville Library at 6.30pm on Friday 4 May.
NATAL PROVINCIAL CHIEFTAIN’S VISIT – Sunday 6 May 2012:
We will be hosting a bring & braai to celebrate the visit of our Provincial Chieftain, Kerrith Chalmers & her husband Harry. Please bring your own meat & cutlery plates etc. A cash bar, salads & rolls will be available The cost will be R25 to cover hall rental. Please phone me (031-261 3271) if you wish to attend. We need at least 25 to cover the hall cost etc.
NSG – Saturday 23 June:
The annual Scottish gathering will be held at the NMR Headquarters. Cost will be R20 per person.
“A Bagpiper’s Lament – a Deeply Moving Story”
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 backcountry.
As I am 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 apologised 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 my heart and soul out 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 of 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!”
