JANUARY- FEBRUARY 2012 NEWSLETTER

Dear Fellow Caledonians

Welcome to a bright NEW YEAR! May you enjoy good health, happy days and many pleasant surprises throughout 2012.  Following a well-supported St Andrew’s Dinner and an excellent service at St Paul’s Presbyterian Church during November, the public was treated to the sound of the bagpipe and Highland dancing in front of the City Hall with the Saltire proudly flying overhead on St Andrew’s Day.  We are most grateful to the City Council for allowing us the privilege of celebrating in this way each year.  Hogmanay again proved successful and was much enjoyed by all.  Burn’s Supper is upon us and this will also be the official visit of the Chieftain and Lady President of the Cape Province, our very own Elliot and Cynthia Murray.  Please book as soon as possible for Saturday 21^st January 2012 at 7 pm.  We will meet in the Oakroom, Parklands 74 Jarvis Road, Berea for a delicious meal and fine entertainment.  Tickets are R80.00 per person (children under 10 R40.00).  Phone Sandra (043 726 1500) before Wednesday 18^th January.  Remember to bring your own drinks and glasses!

Stirling Presbyterian Church has invited the Caledonians to attend early morning worship on Sunday 22^nd January at 7.30 am.  A piper or two will be in attendance and the Provincial Chieftain will receive a special blessing in his home church.  Your support would be much appreciated.   A Valentine’s Tea is scheduled for Saturday 18^th February at 10.00 am.  St Andrew’s Club has been a popular venue in the past and we will confirm this in the next newsletter.  In the meantime, please make up your tables by inviting your friends to join you at R30.00 a head.  Tea and entertainment will be provided plus lucky draws and lots of fun.  Profits will go to the Eastern Cape Highland Gathering to be held in East London on the 7^th April this year.  Sandra looks forward to receiving your bookings.  Phone 043 726 1500.

NEWS OF MEMBERS A number of members have enjoyed travelling both near and far during the festive season and reports are that the MacDonell kids have built their first snowman whilst visiting in Scotland with parents Andrew and Claude!  During their visit to Cape Town, Elliot and Cynthia Murray were able to perform their duties as Provincial Officials, attend Elliot’s ‘varsity reunion and spend some quality time with their family.

PIPE BAND will meet for practise on Monday 16^th January after a short recess.  They will be in attendance at Burn’s Supper, the service at Stirling Presbyterian and at the Cathcart Country Expo on Saturday 11 February.  In addition they will play for the Valentine’s Tea on 18^th February and Music in the Park on 18^th March.  All this whilst preparing to compete at the Highland Gathering in April.  Practice takes place each Monday evening at the Drill Hall at 7.30 pm – learners at 6.30 pm. Contact Rob – 082 8978 571.

S.C.D.C will resume on the first Tuesday of February at 7.20 pm at Hamilton Club.  In preparation, John and Evelyn Stoddard will be showing a video of Scottish Country Dances at their home, 6 Ivy Place, Vincent Heights, on Tuesday 31^st January at 7.30 pm.  Please bring your dancing shoes!  Contact Merylees (043 721 0375)

LADIES GROUP John and Lorna Thompson again hosted our end-of-year luncheon at their beautiful home in a manner fit for Royalty.  Their continued love and support and friendship is very special and greatly appreciated.  The next meeting will take place at the home of Sandra Rankin, 102 Parklands, Jarvis Road, Berea at 9.30 am on Tuesday 7^th February. Visitors and new members are always welcome. Contact Rose on 043 726 3114.

EASTERN CAPE HIGHLAND GATHERING 2012 The Band Prospectus is out and preparations are gaining momentum as the 7^th April rushes toward us.  Fundraising is ongoing and there is much work to be done.  The next meeting is on Thursday 19^th January at 7 pm at the home of Dave and Maureen Rankin, 9 Nelson Avenue, Cambridge.  You are welcome to attend.  If you would like to offer your help in any way, please phone Dave 043 726 3074 or 082 9000 948.

HIGHLAND AND IRISH DANCERS Emily Frauenstein delighted the audience with her dancing at Hogmanay.  In February dancers will travel to Cathcart to dance at their County Expo on Saturday 11th February.   Contact Roxanne (082 455 8661).

Congress 2012 will be held at the Cedar Park Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg from Friday 12^th to Sunday 14^th October.  A discount is offered for payments received by 29^th February.  Booking forms are available from our secretary, Maureen (043 726 3074).  Full package R1750 sharing.

Ladies Kilts for sale.    Heather Dunn has a number of kilts sizes 10 and 12 in various tartans.  Some with matching scarves, jerseys and shirts.  If you are interested, please contact her on 083 314 2875 or 041 581 3584 or email: heatherd60@gmail.com.

BIRTHDAYS

JANUARY              6 Marrian Mathieson                       6 Dee Rich

09 Myrtle Fleming                           28 Andrew MacDonell

FEBRUARY           10 Derek Farmer                            12 John Fyfe

20 Kim Mathieson                          29 Maureen Illingworth

COMMITTEE

The next meeting will be on Thursday 9^th February 2012 at 7.30 pm at the home of Dave Rankin, 9 Nelson Avenue, Cambridge.

Yours aye

Sandra Rankin (Chief)

FORTHCOMING EVENTS