Helensburgh & District Highland Association

Dance held at The Commodore Hotel 24 February 2023 

A seasonably chilly February evening welcomed 43 members and 3 non members to an evening's dancing at the Osprey Suite in the Commodore. Thankfully – and unusually for Helensburgh on dance nights - it was rain free, making the journey to and fro more pleasant than usual. It should be mentioned that 44 members' tickets were actually paid for with one life member who couldn't attend generously donating the ticket price. 

Accompaniment for the dancers was provided by the Gavin Piper Duo with the man himself, a stalwart of the Box and Fiddle circuit, on the button box, ably assisted by Calum Wallace on drums. It has to be said that the music was simply superb, from the choice of tunes to the perfect tempo for set dances, waltzes (old time and modern), foxtrots and everything else in the programme. 

The evening commenced with the traditional greeting by President Neil MacLeod and the dancing commenced with the Eva Three Step in the somewhat idiosyncratic Helensburgh style with the band keeping the dances coming in fairly quick succession thereafter. It was pleasing to note the floor being full for most of the dances with the set dances generally having at least a couple of sets in action. 

Tea and coffee were served at half time, not without difficulties being encountered with the hotel's service: beverages were not timeously produced, with the initial provision of tea being neither sufficient nor hot enough and both tea and coffee pots requiring to be refilled. Not the first time there have been problems with the hotel's service! In addition the hotel were either unable or unwilling to provide the usual sandwiches for the band necessitating a quick trip to Tesco to procure the same. 

The raffle was also held at half time and raised the not inconsiderable sum of £131. A big thank you to those who purchased tickets and especially to donors of the prizes. It's worth noting at this stage that, given the regrettably continuing low turn out at dances the income from raffles (which was intended originally to be a means of raising money for charity) is heavily subsidising the cost of the functions which would otherwise show a loss. In this instance total ticket sale amounted to £382 while expenditure on the hall, band etc. was £488, showing a loss of £106 without raffle income and a meagre profit of £25 taking the raffle into account. On a happier note Secretary Anne Thorn announced to the assemblage that President Neil MacLeod and wife Christina were celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss with Christina being presented with a bouquet of flowers, all much to the surprise of the President. 

The evening ended about 11.30 pm with closing remarks by the President followed by the last waltz and Auld Lang Syne. 

The next dance will take place on Friday 31 March In the Osprey Suite with music provided by the James Coutts Duo. 

Well Done to all the Dancers! 

Dance report for January 27^th 2023

The Band on this evening was the Burns Brothers SDB.

With their fantastic music and tempo all those in attendance had a great evening of dancing and banter amongst their family and friends.

We had visitors from Virginia USA and Insch Aberdeenshire. Unfortunately due to some poor weather on the night, some members on holiday, the Burns Supper Season plus one or two under the weather with the latest flu etc there were only 43 persons in attendance.

There was the usual varied selection of dances and tea & coffee served at the interval, and asking around the company they all felt it was a great night although a few of the friends were missing.

Looking forward to the next dance on February the 24^th and to see all the well kent faces and a few more new ones perhaps to fill the dance floor and get the rest of the season back up to speed.

Sam Mennie

Christmas Supper Dance 2022

Report & Photographs of the Function....

Christmas Supper Dance Report 2022

Dance held at the Commodore Hotel on Friday 9^th December 2022

Welcome and opening remarks by Neil MacLeod, Honorary President.

The Commodore was booked for 9^th December as later dates in December were otherwise unavailable.

The evening began at 8.00pm with a warm welcome and a few opening remarks from Honorary President Neil MacLeod.

There were 71 people in attendance including 12 non-members. On this occasion, conveniently, refreshments were obtainable from the bar within the dance hall area.

The ever popular Charlie Kirkpatrick Scottish Dance Band provided the music with a  range of dances from the planned programme starting with ‘Flirtation Two Step’, a wee change from the traditional first dance, the ‘Gay Gordons’. The Band hire cost was £460.

A Christmas supper was served with previously selected options of steak pie, vegetarian or ham salad followed by tea or coffee and mince pies, and the meal was enjoyed by everyone. The raffle which followed raised the princely sum of £198. A grateful thanks to ticket buyers and to those who generously provided prizes.

After the dinner Santa and his elf visited each table delivering beautifully wrapped chocolates.  The programme then commenced with the variety of dances proving to be very popular with dancers on a busy floor, played in the Band’s inimitable style.

The evening was deemed to be a resounding success by all accounts with comments from dancers including, “A very good night”, “Excellent”, ”A great band”, “Friendly atmosphere”.

The Honorary President concluded the evening by thanking everyone for attending what proved to be a most entertaining and well attended evening. No dance would be complete without the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne and this evening was no exception.

There was a loss of £108 after deductions for venue hire, ceilidh band and other associated costs were taken into account.

The next dance will again take place in the Commodore Hotel on *Friday 27^th January 2023 with music by Burns Brothers Scottish Dance Band.

*Footnote: As the next dance will be held just two days after traditional Burns Night on 25^th January, a wee acknowledgement may be appropriate, for according to Burns himself, "In my seventeenth year, to give my manners a brush, I went to a country dancing school.” (where he also met the local lassies no doubt!)

Bob McCafferty

Round the Tables 

...................................

 And well Done the Dancers……………………

And well Done Father Christmas 

and his faithful Elf 

Friday 25^th November 2022 8p.m. -11.30p.m.

Venue: Helensburgh Civic Centre, 28 East Clyde Street Helensburgh G84 7PG

Band: Wayne Robertson

Some Photos from the Evening: