NEWS & UPDATES

The February 06 Update

The 144th Annual Gathering will be held on Friday 3rd March 2006, in Partick Burgh Hall, 7 for 7.30 pm start. The Chairman for the evening is Professor Ian Campbell, son of the late Gold Medallist, Mary C MacNiven. The Artists are The GIA Pipers led by Pipe Major Andrew McCowan, Morag McKay, Iain McPherson, Medallists Alison Rapson and Archie McLean, Barra. Norma McDougall is at the piano, and Fergie MacDonald and band, will give us a selection of dance music
The Gathering Dance is being held in the Oran Mor Hall, at the top of Byres Road, from 10pm till 2am. Fergie MacDonald and his band will provide the music.
Tickets for both Concert and Dance may be obtained Elizabeth McAuley, treasurer, Catherine MacArthur secretary or myself, The Lochside Hotel Bowmore, or at the door of the Concert.
Come and join us, and meet up with friends.

The 150th anniversary of the GIA occurs in 2012. Already plans are in hand to make it a memorable year. An Islay tartan is being designed. It is seen as being used by Members, people with an interest in Islay, Islay organisations, and the general tourist business in Islay.
Many other special events are envisaged and you will be informed when dates etc are firmed up.

The 200 club. At the last Business meeting, it was decided that a new bank account would be opened for the 150th Anniversary, and the income from the 200 Club would be dedicated to it. This would enable donations for the Anniversary to go straight to this account.
Please encourage members and friends to join the 200 Club for this worthy cause, application forms can be obtained on line, from our secretary, from myself or at the Gathering.

Burns Supper We had a most enjoyable evening on the 21st of January in the St Vincent Bowling Club Hall. Members and friends gathered to honour the Bard. The Haggis was piped in by Pipe Major Andre McCowan, carried by Peter Mackin, and addressed with vigour by Past President Gordon Caskie.

It has arrived!

Before the Attack

Past President Roy Cameron gave the grace and we enjoyed a meal provided for us by Flora.

After a short interval, The Immortal Memory, was proposed by John Haining, a Vice President of The World Burns Federation. John gave an insight to the conditions that prevailed during the short lifetime of Robert Burns, and the wonderful works he produced.

The Toast to the Lassies was given by Jim MacArthur. He had us in stiches with his stories, but despite them, his admiration for the fair sex shone through!

Dr Joan MacKenzie gave an apt reply, rebutting some of Jim’s comments, and hit back with some pithy remarks of her own.

The Reply

Satunum McElroy sang a selection the Bards works, to the delight of the audience, she was accompanied by Norma.

Satunum singing

Despite having to chair the evening and give the vote of thanks I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Present were several guests who had never been to a Burns Supper before, they loud in their praise and vowed to attend other Burns Suppers in the future.

The Hainings relaxing

Before going Home

We still need members to volunteer for Committee, please come and join us.

The GIA needs you

Bye for now, hope to see you at the Gathering, Alasdair