Please accept my apologies for the nonproduction of the April ScotlandSA.

As you may have heard on the radio or read in the papers, your editor’s house was burgled and lap-top computers stolen. There are suspicious circumstances in that nothing else was stolen, except a few items from the bar!

What the media failed to report is that the computers contained a lot of Caledonian Society information which is now lost. This inevitably disrupted the publication of this newsletter.

From the Federation Chief’s Desk, April 2012

Greetings and Salutations. I hope all have had a peaceful and safe Easter.

David and I travelled to East London, arriving there on Friday morning after an uneventful journey, except for all the “Stop/Go’s” and we were caught on each of them.

We were warmly welcomed by our host and hostess Cynthia and Elliot Murray. After unpacking and settling in, Elliot took us the Selbourne College fields where the Eastern Cape Gathering was to take place. We spent a restful morning, watching others preparing the fields, for the dancing, piping and band events.

On Friday evening, we enjoyed a Cocktail Party at our hosts’ home. Here we met with the members and committee of the East London Society. Also present were visitors from other Cape Societies. At this event we were presented with a very unusual gift, a replica of a Scottish Targe, (a round Scottish shield). This was personally crafted by our very gifted host, who is a very competent Carpenter.

Saturday morning saw us at the Selbourne fields for the start of the Gathering. The gathering was small but the spirit good and the weather played with. David and I performed a couple of duties i.e.; to open the gathering and present the prizes at the end. Well done to the East London Society for a job well done.

On Sunday morning we attended “Sun Rise” Church Service at Nahoon beach. Again the weather was great. It was fantastic to watch the sun come up over the sea.

On Monday morning we made our way home. Again, we would like to thank our hosts, the Murrays and the East London Society for a most enjoyable weekend. Good luck to all in East London.

East London Caledonian Society

From Chief Sandra Rankin

News from Scotland

Boxing legend Frank Bruno stuns neighbours after moving into Glasgow flat

Steve Smith and Lauren Crooks, Sunday Mail, 6 May

BOXING legend Frank Bruno is taking the high road to love, we can reveal.

The former heavyweight champ has moved in with his Scots girlfriend – to the astonishment of neighbours in Glasgow.

He has been spotted working out on the flat’s balcony, using a tree trunk instead of weights.

And he is often seen out and about behind the wheel of his bright red Bentley, waving to fans and signing autographs.

Frank, 50, arrived in the Gorbals last week to spend more time with ­hairdresser Nina Coletta.

He looked fit and well after recent treatment for exhaustion.

And the pair looked happier than ever after being reunited in the once tough neighbourhood.

The former champ relaxed at home while pretty Nina left to run her busy hair salon on the outskirts of the city.

He filled his time with regular trips to Green’s gym in Finnieston, showing off his muscular physique as he left the flat wearing just shorts and shoes.

Frank talked about new love Nina when he appeared on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories TV show last month.

He said: “She is a great girl and we get on well. I just want a little bit of happiness for myself. I’m not sure about marriage.”

When he wasn’t pushing weights at Green’s, Frank improvised his own fitness routine, lifting a huge log on Nina’s balcony.

One neighbour said: “Everyone is talking about Bruno, nobody can believe he’s here. He is definitely our most famous resident.

“He was spotted straight away because his car sticks out a mile in this area.

“But he’s been very down-to-earth and very patient with people asking for autographs.

“We see him exercising on the balcony every day. He swings a giant log above his head. It’s either that or dancing to his music in his sunshine.

“He seems well on the road to recovery, and he looks like he is enjoying being in Glasgow.”

For the most part, Bruno’s flash Bentley – with its personalised FRB 1 plate, for Franklin Roy Bruno – stays parked just outside Nina’s apartment building while the couple drive around in her modest Volkswagen Polo.

The happy couple were seen driving around together last week, enjoying blaring music in the sunshine. Frank, dressed in shorts, T-shirt and straw trilby hat, didn’t seem to mind being spotted as he leaned out of the car window puffing a huge cigar.

He later visited Nina at her salon before enjoying a cafe lunch then returning to her fourth-floor flat for a workout.

Soon he was back on the road again, lapping up the attention of his fans as he toured Glasgow with his car stereo on as he, regularly stopped to chat with shoppers and pose for pictures with well-wishers.

An onlooker said: “Big Frank was in his element – he looked really happy with life and loved the fact he was being recognised wherever he went. People were doing double-takes as he drove past, then he’d stop and sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans.

“You just don’t expect to see Frank Bruno driving about in Glasgow.”

Last month, Bruno, who suffers from bipolar disorder and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act in 2003, admitted himself to a private hospital suffering from exhaustion.

Friends said he was also heartbroken after a recent split from Nina, though they quickly got back together. And it looks as though Frank might be serious about a permanent move to Glasgow after he was spotted looking at homes for sale in an estate agent’s window.

He told Piers Morgan that Nina has become a big part of his life.

He added: “We’re taking each day as it goes. I can see light at the end of the tunnel.”

Owner’s shock as dog is robbed of Ross County top and club ribbons

Daily Record, 4 May

A stunned pet owner has told how his dog was mugged – for its football top.

Greg Cormack had dressed his cocker spaniel Davie in a Ross County T-shirt and red, white and blue club ribbons to mark the team’s First Division title triumph.

But ahead of the celebrations at the Staggies’ home match against Hamilton last weekend, neds snatched 13-year-old Davie from outside Greg’s shop and robbed him of his gear.

Greg, 58 – who has a shoe and drapery store in County’s home town of Dingwall, Easter Ross – said: “I was only distracted for a moment and when I looked out, Davie had gone. It all happened so quick.

“I dashed outside and had a glance down the close next to the shop. And there was Davie – naked. Someone had mugged him. They had taken his Staggieman T-shirt and club colour ribbons. I was staggered.”

Now the hunt is on to find the dog-napper.

Greg added: “Davie is a character and well known on match days. I can’t imagine a Ross County fan doing that to him. And I wouldn’t want to blame a Hamilton supporter either.

“But someone obviously liked the T-shirt and nabbed it off him. We would love to find out who mugged him.

“My wife says Davie needs counselling now as a victim of crime. It was a bizarre incident and Davie seems none the worse for wear for his ordeal.

QUIZ

D’ye ken?

1. Where are the ‘Downie Dens’?
2. Which great King of Scots was originally Earl of Carrick and Lord of Annandale?
3. For what is Jenny Geddes remembered?
4. What in Edinburgh was the Luckenbooth?
5. What is Arthur’s Seat?

Did ye ken?

1. Where is the Kitchener Memorial Tower? Marwick Head, West Mainland, Orkney.
2. With what art are the MacCrimmons associated? Piping and pipe music.
3. What remarkable local attraction brings many tourists to Inverewe? Gardens
4. Where would you find a cathedral dedicated to St. Magnus? Kirkwall, Orkney
   1. What was the Bateable Land? The land between the Esk and Sark on the Borders of England and Scotland, not firmly held by either country but ‘debateable’.

Federation Congress 2012

The Convener and Committee look forward to welcoming you to the 88^th Annual Congress which this year (2012) will be held in the Up market Suburb of Sandton in the City of Gold.

The venue is situated close to all major highways which allows for easy access to the conference centre where ample parking is provided under security. It is situated on the Western Service Road in the suburb of Woodmead. Details of how to reach it will be forwarded to you on request.

We have two airports OR Tambo International near Kempton Park and Lanseria in the Krugersdorp District where flights can be met. Kindly advise us when booking for Congress of your arrival and departure times.

You will have noticed on the booking form below that we have kept our costs in line with those of the Welkom conference and have as is our custom, in Gauteng, offered you the early bird special for payments received by the 29^th February 2012.

We have also given you the option of paying over nine months.

Yours truly,

Fred Brokenshire

 COMBINED CALEDONIAN SOCIETIES OF THE HIGHLAND PROVINCE

Booking form for the 88^TH Annual Congress of the Federated Caledonian Societies of Southern Africa to be held at the Cedar Park Hotel & Conference Centre, Woodmead, Sandton, Friday 12 October 2012 to Sunday 14^th October 2012

 

First Name                                          ………………………………….

Surname                                             ………………………………….

Postal Address            …………………………………………………………….

…………………………………….  ……………………………….

Email Address             ……………………………………

Contact No.                 ……………………………………

Capacity (Please circle)  Delegate/Official/Observer             Delegate/Official/Observer

Society                         ……………………………………

Accommodation (please circle) Double/single

If double, name of person sharing……………………………………………………………………..

 

Booking options                                                                   No of persons                 Amount

Full congress package                        R1 750

(Per person sharing 14h00 Friday to 10h00 Sunday)            ……………          R…………..

 

Single supplement                              R2 000                         ……………         R…………..

 

Non hotel residents,                            R 600 per person         ……………        R…………..

(Includes ceilidh, business session, ball, church service; does not include Sat lunch)

 

Only attend Ceilidh (per person)        R 120                           ……………         R…………..

 

Only attend Ball (per person)             R 350                           ……………         R…………..

 

Hair appointment to be made:                        Yes / No

The following payment options are available.

1. Early bird special: R1 650 per person sharing if payment is received by 29 February 2012. May be paid in three equal installments of R 550 per month.
2. IF you do not take up early bird special offer the amount payable will be R 1 750 per person sharing – (eight payments of R 200 and a final payment of R 150) .
3. The single supplement is  R 2 000 per person  which can likewise be spread over (Eight payments of R 220 and one final payment of R 240)

1. 4.    ALL PAYMENT S MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE 31 AUGUST 2012.

Banking Details

ACCOUNT – Federated Caledonian Society of Southern Africa

Standard Bank of Southern Africa

Braamfontein Branch

Bank Account Number 00 241 165 2

Branch Code  4805

Please fax deposit slip to: 011 465 1979 or email to fredb@telkomsa.net

Follow us on facebook: Congress link: http://www.facebook.com/groups/301317209894036/320089458016811/#!/SA.Federation