The January 2007 Update

I wish a Happy and Prosperous New Year to all Ileachs, and readers of this site.

Another Mod has come and gone, and Islay seniors and juniors featured in the prize lists. Dunoon again proved a popular venue, and many folk caught up with friends frae a’ the airts.

Our St Andrew’s Dance was held on Saturday 2nd December, in the St Vincent Bowling Club Hall. It was well attended and dancers of mixed ages enjoyed the music of ‘The Big Squeeze’.

After the 200 Club draw, and the Raffle, a presentation was made to Catherine MacArthur for her service to the Association. Catherine resigned as GIA secretary at the last AGM, due to a promotion at work making greater demands on her time.

Catherine MacArthur

Our next function is our Burns Supper. It will be held on Saturday 20th January 2007, 7 for 7.30 pm. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the venue is changed to Westerton Hall, Bearsden.
The performers bar one, are members of the GIA.
The Address to the Haggis will be delivered by Past President Gordon Caskie, and the Selkirk Grace by Past President Roy Cameron. The toast to the Lassies will be given by Malcolm Campbell, and The Reply, by his wife Elizabeth. Iain Carmichael will sing songs of Burns, accompanied on the keyboard by Norma McDougall. The Haggis will be piped in by Pipe Major Andrew McCowan.

The Immortal Memory will be proposed by Bob Dalziel. Bob is acknowledged as being one of the top speakers in the World on Robert Burns . He is a past President of The Robert Burns World Federation, and of The Lanarkshire Association of Burns Clubs. He was the Convenor of the Schools ‘Burns’ competition and supervised 160,000 entries.

With such a toast list as above we expect tickets to be in demand, and I would advise that if you wish to attend that you contact Caroline and order your tickets as soon as possible. Please note that because we will not have a bar, pleases bring your own refreshments and glasses.

Our Annual Gathering will be held in Partick Burgh Hall on Friday 9th March 2007. The Chairman will be Professor Sir William Stewart from Dundee. The Soloists are Alison Campbell (Glasgow), Marie-Louise Napier (Granton on Spey), Duncan McDonald (Greenock and Oban) and Norman MacArthur (Dingwall). Norma McDougall will provide the accompaniments on the piano. The Islay Pipers with Pipe Major Andrew McCowan will entertain us. We are privileged to have Fergie MacDonald and his band performing at the concert as well as playing at our Dance in The Oran Mor, which starts at 10 pm.

Tickets can be obtained from the Secretary, or any committee member. Remember that Dance tickets can not be bought at the Oran Mor.

The GIA 200 Club winners

for November were : 1. J Herd, 2. A Aitken, 3.K Caskie

for December were : 1.I McAllister, 2. M Pollock, 3.E Campbell,

If not a member of the 200 Club, please ask for an entry form, complete it and return it to our Treasurer. The funds raised from the 200 Club are set aside for our 150th Anniversary Celebrations in 2012.

That’s it for now, remember the change of venue for the Burns Supper, and once again A’ The Best for 2007,

Alasdair