Helensburgh & District Highland Association

 

 

Dance Held at St. Patrick's Church Hall, Dumbarton on 24 June 2022

 

The second dance of the post covid era took place again at St. Pat's in Dumbarton with Susan

McFadyen's three piece band providing some excellent music for the dancers on a seasonably warm

evening (though, in true Helensburgh fashion, the rain made an unwelcome appearance for the

journey home).

A variety of couples' dances was complemented by the customary full quota of (four) set dances and

it was gratifying to note that, despite one or two hiccups, the various movements were successfully

essayed by participants who hadn't danced them since before the pandemic.

42 members and 9 non members were in attendance, somewhat down on the last dance in April due

perhaps in part to the holiday season and the concurrence with the Royal Highland Show at

Ingliston. Ticket sales amounted to £426

Tea/coffee and biscuits were served as usual at half time with thanks to the good offices of the bar

staff to whom the £1 per head proceeds were again donated. The raffle also took place after the

refreshments and raised the sum of £164. Thanks go to those who purchased tickets and particularly

those who donated prizes. Profit for the evening after expenses amounted to £113.50.

The next dance will be held on Friday 26 August and will see a return to the newly refurbished

function suite at the Commodore Hotel in Helensburgh with music being provided by the Steven

Carcary SDB.

The long delayed AGM will also be held at the interval when a number of committee members will

be stepping down and (it is to be hoped) their replacements will be nominated and approved. While

a letter from the vice president was distributed at the June dance and a further letter is to be sent to

members outlining the critical situation in which the Association finds itself with reference to

committee membership the import of these is worth reiterating. Of the current twelve members of

the committee (two short of the optimal fourteen) five will be standing down at the AGM after long

service. Only one individual has thus far indicated willingness to join the committee. Unless at least

four others step forward for appointment the committee will have no choice but to recommend

dissolution of the Helensburgh and District Highlanders Association, in which event the August

dance will be the last of a series of events stretching back some 115 years. Anyone willing to serve

on the committee is strongly urged to contact President Neil McLeod (01436 831284) or Vice

President John Johnston (01436 675191), or, indeed, any other committee member as soon as

possible.

 

 

Event photos....... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dance held at St Pats Hall Dumbarton 29th April 2022

 

 

Dance Held at St. Patrick's Church Hall, Dumbarton on 29 April 2022

Due to the ongoing works at the Commodore Hotel in Helensburgh (of which more later) the first

post covid dance was relocated to St. Pat's Church Hall in Dumbarton, an excellent substitute with a

large floor ideal for dancing. Playing on the night was the Stuart McKeown Band with Stuart's

inimitable brand of lively music starting the evening with the Gay Gordons Two Step. Attendance

on the (reasonably clement) night was encouraging with 54 members and 17 non members dancing

to a selection of old favourites with most attendees staying to the end of the evening at midnight.

Tea/coffee and biscuits were served at half time by the hall staff (who also manned the bar) and the

proceeds from the usual £1 charge for refreshments (£48) were, in this instance, donated to the staff

as a token of appreciation.

The usual raffle took place at half time and raised a total of £219 which, it had been decided, is to

be donated to the Ukraine appeal. The committee has subsequently resolved to round up this

amount to £300. Many thanks to those who donated prizes for the raffle. Profit for the night after

expenses and donations amounted to £217.

For reasons outlined below there will be no dance in May, but due to a recent fortuitous cancellation

at St. Pat's we are now able to hold the next dance at that location on 24 June, subject to the

availability of a band on that date. Regrettably no dates have yet been able to be ascertained for any

following dances due to uncertainty as to when the function suite at the Commodore might be

available. Works there are currently under way to replace the floor after it collapsed and the

management has thus far been reluctant to confirm a completion date. In any event the charge

proposed for the hall has doubled, which raises concern as to the feasibility of the venue for the

future given the falloff in numbers attending over the last couple of years. St. Pat's unfortunately is

fully booked for the foreseeable future and no other venue of comparable size (and at reasonable

cost) is immediately obvious. Suggestions welcome from members, Any updates will be posted as

available.

Finally – a plea (and a warning). The mandated number of committee members per the constitution

is 14. there are currently 12 members of whom 5 have expressed the intention to stand down at the

next AGM. Without at least the same number of new members stepping forward the position for the

future is unsustainable and the Association is in imminent danger of being wound up after an

existence of some 112 years. In that light we would ask any members of the Association (or indeed

any current non members) willing to participate in the committee to make themselves known to the

Secretary or any other committee member as soon as possible.

 

 

 

Christmas Supper Dance Held at the Commodore Hotel on 6 December 2019

 

 

Despite inclement weather and some confusion over the start time (erroneously specified on the tickets) the dance started pretty much to schedule at 8 o'clock with a welcome by President Neil MacLeod and 75 members and guests welcomed the Charlie Kirkpatrick SDB providing the music on the night. Enhanced by Charlie's craic and the mellifluous tones of Derek Hamilton's occasional vocals the assemblage enjoyed a variety of dances until supper was served at 9 o'clock. Congratulations to the hotel staff for a prompt and efficient service  and a delicious meal.

 

The raffle took place after the meal with the prize table being particularly laden on this occasion. Of particular note was a delightful log sculpture of a seated figure. Over £120 was raised on the night and thanks go to those who purchased tickets and especially those who contributed prizes.

 

Regrettably there was no appearance by Santa and his elves this year, Santa and his chief elf having opted instead for a Caribbean cruise (and who can blame them)!

 

Dancing thereafter continued until midnight with closing remarks and thanks being made by the President before the last waltz and Auld Lang Syne completed a thoroughly evening

 

The next dance will be the Hogmanay Dance with the Stuart McKeown SDB, an all ticket affair. The next regular monthly dance will be on Friday 31^st January in the Osprey Suite at the Commodore as always with music provided by the Nicky McMichan SDB.  

 

 

Round The Tables........... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dance Held at the Commodore Hotel on 29 November 2019

 

 

The dance took place on a bitterly cold and frosty evening with 40 members attending together with 15 guests and 1 carer. It was good to see a number of folk from the Monday evening Dumbarton class attending for the first time as well as a young couple who gamely attempted some of the more unfamiliar dances.

 

The evening commenced with a welcome by President Neil MacLeod who also referred to a letter handed out at the door outlining the need for new committee members for the coming year and commenting on the fall in numbers attending the monthly dances.

 

The dancing got under way with superb and lively music provided by the Wayne Robertson SDB ( a two piece on this occasion). 

 

The tea break ran to time with refills of fresh tea and coffee being promptly provided. The raffle followed and raised  a total of £144. Due to the absence of Gordon Hendrie and his laptop the draw had to be made manually from the old tombola tumbler and it is to the credit of Colin and Ronnie that all went smoothly. Thanks to those purchasing tickets and in particular to those who donated prizes. 

 

Tickets for the Christmas dance and Hogmanay dances were on sale on the night.

 

The band fairly raced through the programme and following an enjoyable second half's dancing, closing remarks and thanks were made by the President before an additional two dances were  completed and the evening ended with Auld Lang Syne.

 

The next dance will be the Christmas Supper Dance on 6 December with Charlie Kirkpatrick followed by the Hogmanay Dance with the Stuart McKeown SDB, both being all ticket affairs. The next regular monthly dance will be on Friday 31^st January in the Osprey Suite at the Commodore as always with music provided by the Nicky McMichan SDB.