More than 100 people Read the rest of this entry »

The Chairing of the Chief of the East London Caledonian Society took place at Read the rest of this entry »

The Society has been honoured and humbled to receive a CERTIFICATE OF GOOD COMRADESHIP, the highest award presented by the MOTH organization to a non-member. The presentation was made by the District Old Bill, Maurice Abrams, at the Open Meeting on 7th June 2011 in recognition of a long-standing bond between our organizations which includes the services of the Pipe Band at parades and functions over a period of 70 years. We look forward to this association continuing for many years to come.

ROYAL MACNAB

Members of the East London Caledonian Society Pipe Band recently participated Read the rest of this entry »

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the East London Caledonian Society will be held at the MOTH Hall, Elizabeth Rd, Cambridge, East London on Wednesday 29th June 2011 at 19:30.

Members are expected to attend and interested friends are most welcome.

Apologies for non-attendance must be made through the Chief, Secretary or Committee Member.

Proposal: The committee has proposed that subs be adjusted to R65 for full members and subs for country, pensioner and junior members be accordingly adjusted as per the Society’s constitution. Please consider this and give your opinion at the AGM.

Maureen Rankin
HON. SECRETARY
A G E N D A
1. Notice convening the meeting.
2. Welcome by the Chief
3. Obituaries
4. Apologies for absence (to be noted in register)
5. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 24 June 2010
6. Matters arising from the Minutes.
7. REPORTS: a) Society
b) Treasurer
c) Pipe Band
d) Caledonian Ladies Group
e) East Cape Highland Gathering
f) Scottish Country Dance Club
8. Election of Office Bearers for the ensuing year:
(i) Chief
(ii) Chieftains
(iii) Hon. Secretary
(iv) Hon. Treasurer
(v) Executive Committee Members
9. Appointment of the;
Hon. Chaplain
Hon. Piper
Hon. Auditor
Representative on Central Council
10. General
There will be tea and eats after the Annual General Meeting.
The East London Caledonian Society
(All Correspondence to be addressed to the Secretary)
P 0 Box 465
EAST LONDON
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HELD AT 19:30 ON JUNE 24th 2010
M.O.T.H. HALL, CAMBRIDGE, EAST LONDON

PRESENT: Chief Sandra Rankin presiding.
19 Members signed the register.

NOTICE OF MEETING: Notice of meeting was read by Secretary Maureen Rankin

WELCOME: The Chief welcomed all who attended.

OPENING: Elliot Murray opened the meeting with a prayer.

OBITUARY: The Chief asked all to rise to remember the following: Drum Major Adrian Thackeray, Brian Cook who have passed to higher service during the past year.

APOLOGIES: 12 Apologies were recorded.

MINUTES OF THE AGM HELD ON 23rd JUNE 2009: The minutes of the last AGM were available for all members to read and were taken as read. Adoption of the minutes was proposed by Dave Rankin and seconded by Callum MacIver.

MATTERS ARISING: There were no matters arising

REPORTS:
SOCIETY’S REPORT:
Fellow Caledonians, Friends,

Let me begin my report with a question: What has the past year meant to you as a Caledonian? Think about that as you listen to the reports and reflect on some of the special moments you have enjoyed.
I have been blessed this year to work with an enthusiastic and supportive committee and have been much encouraged by the camaraderie, care and co-operation between sections of the society and its individual members and adherents.
Membership has waned a little and we presently have 75paid-up members on our records. We need to grow this number in the coming months and would appreciate your input for ways to attract new, and particularly, younger members. This society has been alive and well for almost134 years and we need to ensure its continued good health long after you and I are here to tend it.
Founded on the structure of our constitution, the programmes and events on the Caledonian calendar provide a platform for expression of our common interests which in turn is the glue that holds us all together. I am glad that there has been plenty of that sticky stuff in evidence throughout the past twelve months.
Monthly meetings, in order of their occurrence, have included: the Chairing of the Chief, with the Kirking next morning; a games evening; travelling lunch; Halloween when we entertained the residents at McClelland Adult Learning Centre; St Andrew’s Dinner, followed by St Andrew’s service the following day; Hogmanay; Burns Supper; Fish and Chips an sailing at the Buffalo River Yacht Club; picnicking at Music in the Park; the visit of the Federation Chief when the ladies flaunted their “period costumes” and everyone tried their hand at a game of croquet, and the year was rounded off with a most enjoyable Ceilidh in May.
In addition, a number of members attended Congress at Carnival City in October 2009 and the Western Cape Highland Gathering in Cape Town in April 2010. The society was also represented at the Remembrance Day Service in November 2009, when a wreath was laid; and the 125th anniversary celebrations at St George’s Presbyterian Church in December 2009.
I am sure you will agree that a very special spirit pervades when any group of like-minded people get together to persue noble interests and even more is this apparent when those diverse groups are able and willing to combine for their mutual pleasure and benefit.
I refer particularly to the M.O.T.H.s, the Buffalo Volunteer Rifles and the Buffalo River Yacht Club with whom we share a very special bond of friendship and have come to regard as part of our “extended family”. Thanks you all for a relationship which I trust will only grow stronger through the years.
Thanks are also due to the Julie Angus school of Highland and Irish Dancing and to the individual dancers whose performances enhance many of our functions; and to Cameron Middleton for his support in so many ways.
Sincere thanks to the Pipe Band, the Scottish Country Dancers and the Ladies Group for their tireless efforts in promoting all things Scottish.
Thank you to our honorary Chaplain, Rev Des Plint and his wife, Frances; the honorary Piper, pipe major Robert Rankin and our representative on Central Council, Duncan MacDonald for their willing and gracious service.
Then to my Lady President, Rose Thompson and to every member of the committee – thank you for a job well done. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve with you all.
And now I will ask you again – what has the past year meant to you as a Caledonian?
I trust that you are all inspired and that you will meet the new Caledonian year with enthusiasm and expectation.

Thank you all
Sandra Rankin
CHIEF

The adoption of the report was proposed by Callum MacIver and seconded by Sheila Godfrey

TREASURER’S REPORT:

The Hon. Treasurer then presented her report.
1. The financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2010 have been audited by John Stoddard and signed by him and are exactly as was presented to the committee at the committee meeting held earlier this month. Unfortunately he has had to proceed to Johannesburg before I had a chance to collect them so he mailed them some 10 days ago and presumably are now in a post office somewhere. I have produced copies of the balance sheet and income statement, as apparently unaudited but these will be given to the secretary as soon as they are on hand.
2. The auditor suggested, and this has been preliminarily discussed at committee level, that some of the bank funds (perhaps up to R10 000) be invested to earn interest. This will be attended to as soon as possible.
3. There has been no proposal to increase the subscriptions from:
a. R60.00 per adult member
b. R45.00 per country member
c. R40.00 per social pensioner (upon application)
d. R20.00 per child
Please note that if subs are going to be banked by someone other than a member, please let me know on whose behalf the payment is being made. At present we have one sub for last year having been paid by a person named Davenport and I don’t know to whom this is to be credited.

Nookie Middleton proposed the report and Ken Scott seconded

PIPE BAND REPORT:
The Pipe Major presented his report.

We are once again at the time when we must take an honest look at ourselves and re-plot our course forward. While we are still a very small band, the number of up and coming members is encouraging. A concern I have is the number of people that miss a lot of practices. The only way we can progress to our full potential, is to practice and play together. A lot. While I do understand that for various reasons people will be unable to attend at times, we all need to limit our absence to absolutely unavoidable situations. A poor turnout has a negative effect on the morale of those that have attended. In a small group such as ours, each member counts for a large percentage of the membership. Just by arriving at practice, you have already made a difference and the practice will be much more productive for your input. I do receive some criticism that the band is not active enough, there is not enough “fresh” music and attendance is too low. This cannot be any one person’s responsibility. We must all see to it that we are pulling our own weight before complaining. If each person just focuses on attending and making music, most of our problems will solve themselves.
We currently have a nice crop of learners and beginners who need to be helped and encouraged. This is everybody’s responsibility. We need to stand and play together to show them what a great family they are joining.
One of the opportunities that is on the horizon is the Tattoo at Monte Casino. This will be a great experience for all who participate. To take part in an event such as this, we are expected to look and act like professionals. Now is a good time to get into the habit.
Our band is now 90 years old, which is quite an achievement. We are here because of those in the past who worked for success. We owe it to the next generation to give them the same opportunity. Together we can raise the band to its rightful place and enrich our own lives and those around us.
Remember: Life is an occasion – let’s rise to it.

The adoption of the report was proposed by Andrew Macdonell and seconded by Elliot Murray

Caledonian Ladies’ Group:

Nooke Middleton gave the report on behalf of the ladies
.
At present there are eleven ladies in our group. We are happy to have Rose Thompson and Barbara Largue join us. Both ladies have been long standing members of the Caledonian Society and we hope they will enjoy our regular meetings. Rose is now able to attend as she has retired and we wish her every happiness in her retirement. She is at present on a well deserved holiday to her family and friends in the United Kingdom.
Despite the fact that Pat Johnson is no longer with us, her daughter, Lorna, and husband, John, hosted our Christmas Lunch at their home in Gonubie, on 1st December. The lunch and beautiful venue was enjoyed by us all. We very much appreciated their kindness. This is always our last gathering for the year and we go into recess until February. However, five of the ladies attended and catered for a Christmas tea with Margaret and Jimmy Murray.
We enjoyed the official visit of the Federation Chief, Jean Kelly. As usual, the Ladies Group presented her with a gift to mark her visit to East London.
Our big fund-raising event was the showing of the Tattoo in the Oak Room at Parklands on the 4th May. This realized a profit of R425 which will go towards the funding of the catering for the VIP guests at the Highland Gathering. Our Ladies Group is responsible for this and we are already discussing plans for this important event in our Caledonian Calendar.
The Lades would like to extend their thanks to the Society for their support and especially to our Chief, Sandra, who is also a member of our Group. We would also like to extend an invitation to all Caledonian Ladies to join our happy group on the first Tuesday of every month. You are needed to help with fund raising and to assist with the catering of the VIP guests at the Highland Gathering.
We wish the Chief and Caledonian committee every success for the coming year.

Nookie Middleton – Secretary Ladies Group.

The adoption of the report was proposed by Maureen Illingworth and seconded by Joan Legg

ECHG Report:
The Convenor presented his report:

The 2010 Western Cape Highland Gathering took place at Edgemead Primary School in Cape Town on 3 April.

Peter Ross and his team did an excellent job. The P/M of Cape Town Highlanders held up the massed band march off just long enough to congratulate his Cape Town Callies counterpart, who was also band convener, on a job well done. A general murmur of agreement was heard in the ranks.

East London’s Highland Dancers lived up to their usual high standards. In the Highland section Emily Frauenstein won the trophy for beginners twelve and over while Inke Cronje was runner-up for the under elevens. Tyler Marais and Roxanne Piderit excelled in the Irish dancing with Tyler walking away with a trophy.

Callum Hitchcock made his first entry into novice solo piping and visibly (and audibly) improved between his first competition and his last. His standard of piping and his enthusiasm have increased, which is what the competitions are really about.
Robert and I joined two “country members” from Gauteng for the quartets. Last minute problems with transport kept us out of the band competitions, but the East London members from all sections of the Society were seen and appreciation was expressed for the effort made to attend. There are many East Londoners living in Cape Town and some came to the Gathering simply to find out how things are in the Eastern Cape.

The Scottish Country Dancers made up two sets for their demonstration. Excuse me while I search out our Country Dancers and mouth “2012. Challenge.”

Some very interesting stalls were available for the bargain hunters. During the past month I have come to realize that nobody was selling or, um, ‘playing’ vuvuzelas over the Easter Weekend. There really is a merciful God.

And while I’m jumping between years, a certificate from SANBS was received for support in collecting blood during 2009. As I’m sure you remember, the mobile clinic was at our Gathering.

Fund raising for 2012 has begun. The video of the Edinburgh Tattoo netted R425; Maureen Illingworth won the Easter Hamper, which raised R890 and the recent Ceilidh added another R260.

After the incoming Society Chief and committee have had time to settle in, a meeting will be held for all interested parties towards the next East London Gathering. Please be prepared to make some contribution in ideas.

As a starter, I have an idea of raffling the title sponsorship to businesses in East London and surround at R500 a ticket. A business can spend this money from petty cash, but we have to sell at least 60 tickets to raise our minimum requirement of R30 000.

Cash or (negotiated) kind is acceptable. ComOffice, for example, sponsored our programmes in 2006 and 2009. All ticket holders will receive advertising exposure, regardless of who wins the sponsorship title. Your input to making this work will be appreciated.

Another free ticket will go to Ken Scott’s business. Ken has been storing the dancing platforms, for which I wish to publicly thank him. We do need to find a permanent home for the platforms and we are looking for an area 3m x 2m x 2m. Again, your input please.

An idea tabled at the last committee meeting and the Band AGM is to have a monthly “mini-gathering” featuring East London. The format will be on the lines of the Tartan Day demonstrations done at the Zoo and at Court Crescent.

There are at least three advantages:
1) We get exposure. We can’t attract new members if nobody knows who we are;
2) Band and Dancers have a regular opportunity to work together, as separate units and combined. Working as a team is a lot more difficult when it consists of more than one person;
3) Individuals gain confidence and experience. Every dancer and every band member present will be required to do one solo performance.

The Country Dancers are invited to join us as often as possible, acknowledging that they do not have an art conducive to soloists. And, of course, the Society members could simultaneously show the tartan.

Again, your input is important. There may be a valid reason why your idea can’t be used, but your idea might also be extremely helpful towards a successful Gathering.

Port Elizabeth will host the 2011 Gathering and we look forward to the weekend. On their behalf, please support. It’s only a 600 km round trip.

The adoption of the report was proposed by Roxanne Piderit and seconded by Sue Piderit.

SCDC Report:
The report was read by Nookie Middleton for Chairman Alan Woodhurst.

We are very pleased to welcome Val and Shirley to the club and they have been coming very regularly since they joined. But we would appreciate some more new members, since sometimes during the past year we have had to cancel a meeting because less than 6 dancers have been available.
However, we have enjoyed dancing on most Tuesdays for 10 months of the year, December and January being considered too hot for dancing, except that the first Tuesday in December we met at Cameron’s ComOffice and are very grateful to him for letting us use his premises.
On a few occasions we did manage to have at least 10 people present, so we were able to try some 5 couple dances.
We are normally very happy with our venue and have adjusted our subs to cope with the new cost. Occasionally a big function is using all the downstairs rooms, and then we have to dance upstairs, where there is a limited size wooden floor surrounded by carpet.
Our official meeting time is now 7.20 pm. This gives us a chance to pay and change our shoes so that dancing can begin at 7.30 pm.
We are very pleased to have had 2 very important people with us for the last year, who have both agreed to continue for the next year: Merrylees, who organises the dances and helps us to learn new ones; and Sheila, who collects our money, pays the bills and deals with the bank.

The adoption of the report was proposed by Sheila Godfrey and seconded by Pat Godfrey

ELECTION OF OFFICER BEARERS:
Past Chief Callum MacIver took the chair and called for nominations. Sandra Rankin proposed by Rose Thompson for Chief, unaimous second

Sandra Rankin took the chair and called for nominations for the committee. The following members were elected by the meeting.
Senior Chieftain: Nookie Middleton
Chieftains: Andrew Macdonell & Roxanne Piderit
Hon. Secretary: Maureen Rankin.
Hon. Treasurer: Sheila Godfrey
Committee Members:
The following members are about to serve their second year: Robert Rankin, Pat Godfrey and Callum MacIver
The following members were elected for two years: Rose Thompson, Kim Mathieson, and Dave Rankin.
After discussion by the meeting, Ken Scott was elected as a supernumery committee member.

The following appointments were approved by the meeting:
Hon. Chaplain: To be decided later by incoming Chief Sandra Rankin.
Hon. Piper: Robert Rankin.
Hon. Auditor: John Stoddard.
Representative on Central Council: Duncan MacDonald.

GENERAL
There being no further items for discussion, the meeting was closed at 20:35.

Brett Tidswell October 13 at 12:51pm Reply • Report
Hello to all my piping friends,

I have prepared a booklet of Read the rest of this entry »

From: Lairdswell [lairdswell@sainet.co.za]
Sent: 07 September 2010 12:06
To: Dave Rankin
Subject: Re: Coelacanth band member

Hi Dave,
Following our chat on the phone, I confirm Read the rest of this entry »

Hi Dave. I’ve got my blog up and running now and potential learners can start by Read the rest of this entry »

THE RISE OF THE SCOTTlSH
STYLE OF SIDE DRUMMING

By W. G. F. Boag

About the Author: Mr. Boag is assistant to the Keeper of the Scottish United Service
Museum in Edinburgh Castle He has been a percussionist for over forty years and has
performed with top Pipe and Drum Bands such as the Edinburgh Special Police Band Mr.
Boag is also a leading orchestral percussionist, instructor and music historian.

Sometime during the years immediately following the Crimean War, an event Read the rest of this entry »

Members went sailing on the yacht “Kind of Magic” under the able seamanship of Ralph Anley and Colin Wilke. Read the rest of this entry »