A valentine’s tea was held at The Oakroom, Parklands, on Saturday 18 Feb. Proceeds towards the Nampak Eastern Cape Highland Gathering 2012 which will be held at Sepborne College, East London, on 7 April 2012.

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Pipers and Highland & Irish Dancers participated in the 2011 Cathcart Country Expo at Roslin Farm. This biannual event is in aid of Callie Evans Lodge and attracts participants from all over the E. Cape.

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March
Friday 2nd 1800. Games evening. 12 Hudson Ave. R60pp. Fundraiser for ECHG.

April
Saturday 7th Nampak Eastern Cape Highland Gathering. Selborne College

Eastern Cape Highland Gathering
On Saturday 07 April 2012
At Selborne College, East London
Eastern Cape Highland Gathering
On Saturday 07 April 2012
At Selborne College, East London

Competition Rules

1) Competitors must obey the steward.
2) Each team must comprise eight dancers.
3) Groups may enter as many teams as they wish, but no dancer may compete in more than one team.
4) Original or any suitable music may be used.
5) The organisers will decide by draw, prior to the competition, in which order the teams will appear.
6) Each team shall perform both dances correctly eight times through, starting with the reel/jig.

7) Copies of mark sheets shall be available to the trainers of each team.

Dances shall be danced as written. Copies of dances are attached.

9) Teams will be judged on technique, correct performance, teamwork, general appearance and spirit of the dance.

10) Mathematical errors may be pointed out to the judge, but marks awarded are final and will not be discussed.

11) Entry fee R80-00 per team.

12) Closing date for entries is the 17th of March 2012.
Entries payable to:
Account holder: Eastern Cape Highland Gathering
Institution: Standard Bank Vincent Park
Account no: 27 778 702 5

13) Cheques to be made out to Eastern Cape Highland Gathering and sent with your completed entry form to:
The Convenor
Eastern Cape Highland Gathering
P.O.Box 465
East London
5200

14) Enquiries: Tel 043 7261500 Fax 0866771932 Email drankin@vodamail.co.za

Piping and Drumming Prospectus

SOLO PIPING EVENTS
This contest is held under the auspices of the Eastern Cape Highland Gathering and in terms of their Contest Rules. All competitors are deemed to be familiar with these rules.

EVENT 1 NOVICE – MARCH
Competitors to play a two-parted 2/4 March.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

EVENT 2 NOVICE – STRATHSPEY & REEL
Competitors to play a two-parted strathspey and a two-parted reel.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

EVENT 3 NOVICE – SLOW MARCH
Competitors to play a two-parted Slow March.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

EVENT 4 UNDER 21 – MARCH
Competitors to play a four-parted 2/4 March.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

EVENT 5 UNDER 21 – STRATHSPEY & REEL
Competitors to play a four-parted strathspey and a four-parted reel.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

EVENT 6 UNDER 21 – JIG & HORNPIPE
Competitors to play four-parted tunes or two-parted tunes repeated.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

EVENT 7 OPEN – MARCH
Competitors to play a four-parted 2/4 March.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

EVENT 8 OPEN – STRATHSPEY & REEL
Competitors to play a four-parted strathspey and a four-parted reel.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

EVENT 9 OPEN – JIG & HORNPIPE
Competitors to play four-parted tunes or two-parted tunes repeated.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

EVENT 10 OPEN – SLOW MARCH
Competitors to play a slow march or a slow air of four parts or two-parted tunes repeated.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

EVENT 11 OPEN – PIOBAIREACHD
Competitors to play a piobaireachd of their own choice.
1st prize R100.00 2nd prize R60.00 3rd prize R40.00

EVENT 12 PRACTICE CHANTER
Restricted to learner pipers.
Competitors in this event may not enter any other event.
Competitors to play a tune of their own choice with or without music.
Certificates will be presented for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.

EVENT 13 SPECIAL MARCH – FETTES TROPHY
This event is unique to the Eastern Cape Highland Gathering. Competitors are required to play four parts of Glendaruel Highlanders written by Pipe Major A. Fettes.

EVENT 14 OPEN – DUET
Competitors to play a two parted Slow March\Air and four-parted Hornpipe,
Each competitor may only participate in one duet.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

EVENT 15 OPEN – QUARTETTES
Competitors to play a ¾ March with harmonies.
Competitors to play a four-parted march or a two-parted march repeated.
Each competitor may only participate in one quartette.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

SOLO DRUMMING EVENTS
This contest is held under the auspices of the Pipe Bands Association of Southern Africa and in terms of their Contest Rules. All competitors are deemed to be familiar with these rules.

EVENT 16 DRUM PAD COMPETITION
Open to beginners of all ages who have never competed in any band contest or solo drumming contest. Competitors to play a march in any time signature of minimum two parts and to demonstrate control of basic rudiments. No piping accompaniment is necessary.
Certificates will be presented for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.

EVENT 17 NOVICE
Play one 4/4 March of minimum four parts with piping accompaniment.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

EVENT 18 UNDER 21
Play one 2/4 march, strathspey and reel of minimum four parts each with piping accompaniment.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

EVENT 19 OPEN
Play one 2/4 march, strathspey and reel of minimum four parts each with piping accompaniment.
1st prize R80.00 2nd prize R50.00 3rd prize R30.00

PIPE BAND EVENTS
This contest is held under the auspices of the Pipe Bands Association of Southern Africa and in terms of their Contest Rules. All competitors are deemed to be familiar with these rules.

NOVICE JUVENILE & JUVENILE BANDS

EVENT 20 NOVICE JUVENILE BANDS – SLOW MARCH QUICK MARCH
Bands to play a two-parted slow march into four parts of 6/8 quick march.
1st prize R250.00 2nd prize R150.00 3rd prize R100.00

EVENT 21 NOVICE JUVENILE BANDS – QUICK MARCH SELECTION
Bands to play a selection of quick marches in any time signature.
1st prize R250.00 2nd prize R150.00 3rd prize R100.00

EVENT 22 NOVICE JUVENILE BANDS – OVERALL WINNER – EVENTS 20 & 21
1st prize R250.00 2nd prize R150.00 3rd prize R100.00

EVENT 23 NOVICE JUVENILE BANDS – BEST DRUM CORPS
To be judged during Events 20 & 21
1st prize R100.00

EVENT 24 NOVICE JUVENILE BANDS – BEST BASS SECTION
To be judged during Events 20 & 21
1st prize R100.00

EVENT 25 JUVENILE BANDS – MARCH, STRATHSPEY & REEL
1st prize R250.00 2nd prize R150.00 3rd prize R100.00

EVENT 26 JUVENILE BANDS – MEDLEY SELECTION
Bands to play a selection of 3 to 5 minutes.
1st prize R250.00 2nd prize R150.00 3rd prize R100.00

EVENT 27 JUVENILE BANDS – OVERALL WINNER – EVENTS 25 & 26
1st prize R250.00 2nd prize R150.00 3rd prize R100.00

EVENT 28 JUVENILE BANDS – BEST DRUM CORPS
To be judged during Events 25 & 26
1st prize R100.00
EVENT 29 JUVENILE BANDS – BEST BASS SECTION
To be judged during Events 25 & 26
1st prize R100.00

SENIOR BANDS

GRADE 4

EVENT 30 GRADE 4 – QUICK MARCH SELECTION
Bands to play a selection of 3 to 5 minutes.
1st prize R450.00 2nd prize R300.00 3rd prize R250.00

EVENT 31 GRADE 4 – MARCH, STRATHSPEY & REEL
1st prize R450.00 2nd prize R300.00 3rd prize R250.00

EVENT 32 GRADE 4 – OVERALL WINNER – EVENTS 30 & 31
1st prize R450.00 2nd prize R300.00 3rd prize R250.00

EVENT 33 GRADE 4 – BEST DRUM CORPS
To be judged during Events 30 & 31
1st prize R150.00

EVENT 34 GRADE 4 – BEST BASS SECTION
To be judged during Events 30 & 31
1st prize R150.00

GRADE 3 SENIOR BANDS

EVENT 35 GRADE 3 – MARCH, STRATHSPEY & REEL
1st prize R450.00 2nd prize R300.00 3rd prize R250.00

EVENT 36 GRADE 3 – MEDLEY SELECTION
Bands to play a selection of 3 to 5 minutes.
1st prize R450.00 2nd prize R300.00 3rd prize R250.00

EVENT 37 GRADE 3 – OVERALL WINNER – EVENTS 35 & 36
1st prize R450.00 2nd prize R300.00 3rd prize R250.00

EVENT 38 GRADE 3 – BEST DRUM CORPS
To be judged during Events 35 & 36
1st prize R150.00

EVENT 39 GRADE 3 – BEST BASS SECTION
To be judged during Events 35 & 36
1st prize R150.00

GRADE 2 SENIOR BANDS

EVENT 40 GRADE 2 – MARCH, STRATHSPEY & REEL
1st prize R550.00 2nd prize R400.00 3rd prize R350.00

EVENT 41 GRADE 2 – MEDLEY SELECTION
Bands to play a selection of 4 to 6 minutes.
1st prize R550.00 2nd prize R400.00 3rd prize R350.00

EVENT 42 GRADE 2 – OVERALL WINNER – EVENTS 40 & 41
1st prize R550.00 2nd prize R400.00 3rd prize R350.00

EVENT 43 GRADE 2 – BEST DRUM CORPS
To be judged during Events 40 & 41
1st prize R200.00
EVENT 44 GRADE 2 – BEST BASS SECTION
To be judged during Events 40 & 41
1st prize R200.00

ALL BANDS

EVENT 45 DRILL, DRESS & DISCIPLINE
To be judged during Events 21, 25, 31, 35 & 40

EVENT 46 BEST DRUM MAJOR – IN FRONT OF BAND
To be judged during Events 21, 25, 31, 35 & 40
1st prize R200.00 2nd prize R150.00 3rd prize R100.00

EVENT 47 BEST DRUM MAJOR – LINE ABREAST
To be judged immediately before Massed Bands.
1st prize R200.00 2nd prize R150.00 3rd prize R100.00

MASSED BANDS
All bands and band members are requested to participate in the Massed Band Display which shall take place directly after the Drum Major Contest.

ENTRIES
Closing date for entries is the 17th of March 2012.
Entries payable to:
Account holder: Eastern Cape Highland Gathering
Institution: Standard Bank Vincent Park
Account no: 27 778 702 5

CONTACT DETAILS
Rob Rankin cell 082 897 8571
E-mail rankin@telkomsa.net
P O Box 465
East London
5200

ENTRY FEES
Band
NOVICE JUVENILE BAND (All Contests) R115.00
JUVENILE BANDS (All Contests) R135.00
GRADE 4 BANDS (All Contests) R155.00
GRADE 3 BANDS (All Contests) R165.00
GRADE 2 BANDS (All Contests) R205.00
NOVICE & JUVENILE DRUM MAJORS R 20.00
OPEN DRUM MAJORS R 30.00
Individual
All individual piping and drumming contests R20.00 per event.
Piping duets R30.00 per event.
Piping quartettes R40.00 per event.

PLEASE NOTE
Entry fees must be paid before the contest. No band will be allowed to play if the entry fee and the PBASA levy have not been paid.
ALL COMPETING BANDS ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MASSED BAND FINALE

PBASA LEVY
In addition to the above entry fees, a PBASA Levy of R140.00 is to be paid by each band and included with the entry fees. This levy will then be paid over to the PBASA by the gathering convenor.

APPEARANCE MONEY
Appearance money will be paid per band based on distance traveled.
0km to 50km (local band) R0.00
51km to 300km R400.00
301km to 750km R800.00
750km + R1200.00

CONTEST RULES
1. This contest is held under the auspices of the Pipe Bands Association of Southern Africa (PBASA) and in terms of its Contest Rules. Bands should ensure they are completely familiar with these rules before participating in the gathering.
2. The order of play will be drawn by the contest organiser and advised to all competing bands not less than one week prior to the contest date.
3. All bands are required to make use of the final tune up area in order not to disrupt the performances/final tuning of bands. (Rule 20.4)
4. All band entry fees will be subject to payment to the PBASA of an additional 140.00 levy per band, which will accrue to the PBASA to fund training of Band members/Judges/cover the cost of overseas Judges.
5. Late band entries may, at the discretion of the contest organiser, be accepted, subject to the payment of an additional surcharge of 50% on the total Band entry fee, which will exclude the PBASA additional training fee. (Rule 20.5)

NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER THE ORDER OF PLAY HAS BEEN CIRCULATED TO THE COMPETING BANDS.

6. The PBASA shall appoint a PBASA representative to whom all queries in terms of the rules shall be referred. No verbal disputes arising out of any decision taken on the day will be entered in to. Complaints, objections and other matters relative to the competition will only be considered if they are referred in writing to the Secretary, PBASA whose decision shall be final.
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EASTERN CAPE HIGHLAND GATHERING
Dear Fellow Celts

You are cordially invited to participate as Read the rest of this entry »

Burns Nicht on Saturday 21 January was honoured by the official visit of Provincial Chief and Lady President Dr Elliot and Cynthia Murray.

CHIEF Sandra Rankin
LADY PRESIDENT Rose Thompson
MASTER OF CEREMONIES Ken Scott
HONORARY PIPER Robert Rankin
HONORARY CHAPLAIN Rev. Ann Woodhurst
HAGGIS BEARER Snr Chieftain Andrew MacDonell
ARTISTS
East London Caledonian Society Pipe Band
Vocalist: George Mountjoy
Poetry: Willie Crichton
Pianists: Brian & Colleen Smith
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WELCOME
PIPE BAND
INTRODUCTION OF THE CHIEFTAIN OF THE CAPE PROVINCE
PRESENTATIONS
GRACE
PIPING IN OF HAGGIS
SILENT TOAST
ADDRESS TO THE HAGGIS
STARTER SERVED
TOAST TO THE LASSIES and REPLY
MAIN COURSE
ENTERTAINMENT
DESERT
COFFEE
VOTE OF THANKS

The East London Caledonian Society Pipe Band paraded, together with the Buffalo Volunteer Rifles, M.O.T.H.s, S.A.Legion and others at the Cenotaph on 13 November 2011, being Read the rest of this entry »

The 87th Congress of Read the rest of this entry »

On Satruday 1 October 2011 The Buffalo Volunteer Rifles (formerly The Kaffrarian Rifles) celebrated Read the rest of this entry »

The title sponsor draw for the 2012 Eastern Cape Highland Gathering took place at Hemmingways Amphitheatre on Saturday 29 October 2011.

The draw was supported Read the rest of this entry »

A very enjoyable whisky tasting was hosted by Andrew MacDonnel on Saturday 24th September. Proceeds to the E.C. Highland Gathering. The ongoing whisky raffle has still not been won. For those who have not attempted (and those who should try again … and again …) an empty Glen Morangie bottle has been filled with 10c pieces. The number of coins is the combination for the lock that chains down a full bottle of Glen Morangie. Only R5 a ticket and the winner takes the whisky. Try your luck at the next E.L.C.S. function!