We really did have a great “Burns Night”, lots of new faces and very good feedback. Thanks to all who contributed to the success of the evening – the caterers, the ladies who served up, Stewart, Skylah, and all who took part in the formalities. We did have time for the party dances and a few Scottish dances from Stewart our Piper for the evening. We had quite a few new memberships on the evening, with many who were unaware of St Andrews existence at Herbert Park. We must look at our PR and work closely with the local newspapers to promote the Society to its full potential. Unveiled on the evening were gifts from other Societies donated back to St Andrews By Elaine Sinclair, from the gifts Sandy and Elaine received while Chieftain and Lady President of the Transvaal Juniors 1988-89. We thank Elaine for the donation and hope this starts a trend that would allow us to build up a Caledonian Museum.

Next up on the Calendar is our VALENTINES DANCE 18^TH FEB. Usual Venue Time 6.30 for 7PM. Be part of it and dress up in red / pink and white. As usual we will serve a light meal, tea and cake. Bookings as per usual. Please contact tommy@tommystoys.co.za, sms 084 517 5454. Fax offline at the moment as this is being upgraded and we are at the mercy of Telkom. R50.00 Adults : R20.00 Children 12yrs and under

Herbert Park will be having a Fun Valentines Bowls day on the 12^th of Feb. R40.00 per person. Includes Braai Pack and Salads. Dress Red and White if you find yourself at a loose end why not join in the fun, Loan bowls for those who haven’t got. “Support the Club it is our Home”

The Dancing season starts on Saturday, 25 February 2012.Time10:00 until 17:00…

Where: Freeway Park Primary School, Elsenburg Road, Boksburg, South Africa

HIGHLAND DANCING INFORMATION

* Start time: 10h00 sharp

* Beginners, Novice, Intermediate and Premier Highland and National events

* Championship sections (under 16 years and 16 years and over)

* CLOSING DATE FOR DANCING ENTRIES: 19 FEBRUARY 2012

For more information on the Highland Dancing events please contact the convenor Reval Saaym an E-mail: elnas@execmail.co.za

Please note this is the qualifying competition for the Inter-Provincial competition. Championship dancers may dance in both Championships and Premier. Trophies will be awarded as usual for championships.

The championship and premier dancers will be chosen from the premier section for inter-provs.

“Oor wee Champion” Starts her 2012 Charity drive at this festival. Last year she raised R10000.00 for the children of St Marys Home, Can we top this? Of course we can. Let’s get behind Skylahs Charity Challenge and Sponsor or donate to this amazing Girl.

Contact Linda linda.guest@hotmail.com or W 011 680 2390 to find out how to contribute or Facebook link http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Skylahs-Charity-Challenge-2012/192982364064315

“Let’s show them the only mean in a “Scot”, is that we mean to show our support”  

Following that we go into St Patricks Night which this year is on our function date 17^th March so let’s see all those little Leprechauns, and we still have lots of time to come up with smart outfits, a little stitch here and a little stitch there and we are A for away.

All for this month

Slainte

Tommy Soutar (Chief)

Don’t forget the “Early Bird special for “Congress 2012” ends at the end of February So an Ideal gift for Valentine’s Day would be a Ticket to Congress. 12^th – 14^th October: Cedar Park Hotel. Woodmead Sandton.

A Day at the Races “Intercontinental Day” and “Presidents Cup” Fun for the whole Family 28^th April 9am till 5.30pm Come along and support your Societies and the Charity Day.

Website and Facebook links 

Federation website www.scotlandsa.co.za

Chief Tommy Soutar http://www.facebook.com/tommy.soutar?ref=tn_tnmn

St Andrews 

http://www.facebook.com/tommy.soutar?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/St-Andrews-Scottish-Society-Johannesburg/111579715577118

St Andrews History http://www.facebook.com/tommy.soutar?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/St-Andrews-Scottish-Society-Scottish-History/127713897340454

Federated Caledonian Society

http://www.facebook.com/tommy.soutar?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Federated-Caledonian-Society-of-South-Africa/239226126092527

Federated Caledonian Society Congress 2012

http://www.facebook.com/tommy.soutar?ref=tn_tnmn#!/SA.Federation

Randfontein Caledonian Society

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Randfontein-Caledonain-Society/269079473133421

Eastern Johannesburg Caledonial Society

http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/305238306164262/

East London Caledonian Society

http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/ELCalSoc/

Cape Town Caledonian Society

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cape-Town-Caledonian-Society/207973342602092

Bloemfontein Caledonian Society

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bloemfontein-Caledonian-Society/165244253567598

Goldfields Caledonian Society

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100003046275724

Pipe Band Association of South Africa

http://www.facebook.com/#!/PBASouthAfrica

If your Society has a facebook page that is not above please let us know.

Happy New year to all our Members and Friends as can be seen from the pictures that we have managed to load on facebook we had a whale of a time, with Big Ben chiming the countdown then the “indoor fireworks”, the piper playing “Auld Lang Syne”, the popping of champagne corks and the balloons falling from the ceiling all at the same time. It truly was amazing, what a finish to a fantastic party. Pictures have been posted to facebook but we’re having a problem loading more than 4 at a time. Never mind we will get there. Great to see so many new people at the function, I’m sure they will all be back. Everything ran so smoothly thanks to Fred and Heather who stood in at the last minute as Helen was at hospital with Lorna who I’m happy to say has fully recovered and is at home again. Big Jimmy Weir  phoned from Scotland to wish us all the best for 2012, it really made the night. To Bernie and all the Staff at Herbert Park a big thank you.

Our Next Function Is “BURNS NICHT” on the 21^st of January 6.30 for 7pm. Again not an ordinary stuffy function. We are there to celebrate his Birthday and although we go through all the traditional aspects of the night we will still make time for dancing. Stuart Third will be our piper for the evening and “Oor Wee Champion” Skylah Guest will be doing a few dances for us. The rest of the Programme you will have to wait and see. We will serving a meal, plus shortbread, tea and cake. Of course No Burns Night would be complete without “The Great Highland Haggis” which will be suitably addressed.

Cost R65.00 Adults and R30.00 Children 12 or under.

The Following are provisional dates for your 2012 diary

Valentine Dance 18^th Feb                        6.30 for 7pm   Herbert Park

St Patricks Function  17^th March          6.30 for 7pm   Herbert Park

Easter Parade 21^st  April                           6.30 for 7pm   Herbert Park

Federation Welcome 19^th May                6.30 for 7pm   Herbert Park

Bowls Day 16^th June  (Saturday)                                 9am Herbert Park

and/or

Fund Raiser for Congress 25^th June                     T.B.A   Herbert Park

Christmas in July 21st July                   6.30pm for 7pm Herbert Park

A.G.M. 29^th  July                                                        2.30pm Herbert Park

Chiefs Night 18^th  August                     6.30pm for 7pm Herbert Park

September Spring Dance                     6.30pm for 7pm Herbert Park

Halloween Party 20^th  October         6.30pm for 7pm Herbert Park

St Andrews Night 17^th November     6.30pm for 7pm Herbert Park

Children’s Christmas Party 6^th December    2.30pm Herbert Park

Hogmanay Party 31^st December       7.30pm for 8pm Herbert Park 

All functions will be held in the Top Hall at Herbert Park.

Congress will be held at the Cedar Park Hotel Woodmead Sandton

12^th to 14^th October. All are Welcome Booking form Attached.  

Click  Booking Form Congress 2012  to download Booking Form

            The following Gatherings and Competitions have been announced by the PBASA  for 2012,

http://www.pbasa.co.za/     http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/PBASouthAfrica

• 2012
  • 25/02/2012 : Sandy Mallen (Solo Piping Competition)
  • 31/03/2012 : 100 Guineas (Solo Piping Competition)
  • 07/4/2012 : Eastern cape Highland Gathering,
  • 14/04/2012 : Lyttelton Manor (Regional)
  • 28/04/2012 : South Coast (Championship)
  • 12/05/2012 : Celtic Fest (Regional)
  • 26/05/2012 : De La Salle (Regional)
  • 16/06/2012 : Pretoria Boys (Championship)
  • 23/06/2012 : Natal Scottish Gathering
  • 30/06/2012 : Gathering to be advised
  • 14/07/2012 : St Benedict’s (Regional Final)
  • 28/07/2012 : Benoni (Championship Final and S A Champs)
  • 06/10/2012 : George Ackroyd (Solo Piping)
    

    That’s all we have time for this month.
    

  • Cheers
    

  • Tommy Soutar (Chief)