Helensburgh & District Highland Association

Dance held at the Commodore Hotel 24 November 2023

 

 

A cold, crisp and thankfully rain free evening saw a healthy cohort of 52 members and one guest assemble for the November dance in the Osprey Suite of the Commodore. The external chill was reflected in the hall to begin with but this was to dissipate once the dancing began. In the absence of President Neil MacLeod, convalescing following a minor surgical procedure, Vice President Chris Mackie welcomed the dancers and introduced the band, Leonard Brown on accordion and Malcolm Ross on drums, and advised that tickets for the Christmas and Hogmanay dances could be purchased on the night,with tickets for the latter also being available at the Christmas dance. Volunteers were also requested to assist with setting up the hall for the Hogmanay dance with the promise of free entry for those participating.

 

The evening's activity commenced with the Gay Gordons followed by a varied selection of dances to the accompaniment of some truly superb music ranging from brisk marches to perfectly timed old time and modern waltz tunes. The first half proceeded apace and concluded a little earlier than usual for refreshments at the interval. On this occasion the Commodore acquitted itself well with the tea and coffee being available to time and in sufficient quantities despite the early start and thanks are due to the bar staff in that regard, not forgetting the efforts of the committee members involved. It should also be mentioned that the floor was in reasonable condition for dancing, something which has not always been the case of late.

 

The raffle was held as usual at half time and raised the not inconsiderable sum of £156  

Thanks as ever to those participating and in particular to donors of the prizes.

 

Admittance fees for the evening amounted to £532 with a further £10 generated by membership dues. Total income with raffle included was £698 with outgoings of £541.80 resulting in a net profit of £146.20 discounting the membership dues received.  

 

Dancing continued after the interval and the evening ended with an address and thanks from the Vice President. The band, on this occasion a little unexpectedly omitted the traditional  playing of Auld Lang Syne.

 

The Christmas supper dance will be held in the Osprey Suite of the Commodore on 15 December with music provided by the ever popular Charlie Kirkpatrick SDB.

 

Photos to follow 

 

November, Christmas & Hogmanay 

 

Our next monthly dance will be held on Friday 24th November from 8p.m.-11.30pm in the Osprey Suite of the Commodore Hotel, 112-117 West Clyde Street , Helensburgh G84 8ES. Drinks can be purchased from the bar. Tea/coffee and a biscuit will be available at the interval when the raffle will be drawn. Leonard Brown will be playing for us that evening. Tickets priced at £10 for members and £12 for non-members can be purchased on the night or reserved from Association Secretary Anne Thorn (07490 274 871 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

 

Tickets for our Christmas Supper Dance (Friday 15th December) and Hogmanay Dance will be on sale that night.

 

Christmas Supper Dance

Friday 15th December 2023 7.30p.m-11.30p.m. (earlier start time)

Venue: Osprey Suite, Commodore Hotel, 112-117 West Clyde Street, Helensburgh G84 8ES

Band: Charlie Kirkpatrick

Ticket price: £28 for non-members which includes a main course, tea/coffee and a mince pie. Bar & Raffle. 

Tickets must be purchased in advance of the event and are available at the next event (Friday 24th November) or from the Association Secretary Anne Thorn (07490 274 871 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

 

Hogmanay Dance

Sunday 31st December 2023 9.00p.m - 2.a.m. (Doors open at 8pm. Last entry 10pm)

Venue: Geilston Hall, Cardross. 

Band: Stuart McKeown. 

Ticket price: £20 for non-members which includes tea/coffee. BYOB, snacks and supper. Raffle. 

Tickets must be purchased in advance of the event from the Association Secretary Anne Thorn (07490 274 871 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) 

 

 

************************************************************ 

 

Dance Report October 2023

 

Dance held at the Commodore Hotel on Friday 27^th October 2023

 

 

Association President Neil MacLeod made his customary opening remarks welcoming everyone to the dance and introducing Johnny Duncan, our musician for the evening.

 

There were 38 people in attendance, all but one person being members.

 

Johnny Duncan proceeded to perform the first of the wide range of dances ‘The St. Bernard’s Waltz’ utilizing his digitally produced music backup equipment to produce an impressive sound accompaniment.

 

The first part of the dance was concluded with ‘The Pride of Erin Waltz’ before the interval for tea and coffee and of course the ever popular raffle.

 

During the evening tickets were on sale for both the Christmas Dinner Dance and the Hogmanay Dance. Tickets for both dances will be available to buy at the November dance.

 

The raffle raised the tidy sum of £120. Thanks to ticket buyers and to everyone who generously provided the welcome array of prizes.

 

After the interval the programme continued with the planned schedule of dances, starting with ‘The Gay Gordon’s Two Step’. The music was slightly different from the traditional Ceilidh style which was nonetheless enjoyed by most of the dancers who adapted to the subtle differences in tempo.

 

The Honorary President concluded the evening by thanking everyone for attending what proved to be a most entertaining night which concluded with the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne.

 

The profit was £100.20 after deductions for venue hire, ceilidh band and other associated costs were taken into account. The musician hire cost was £250.

 

The next dance will again take place in the Commodore Hotel on Friday 24th November 2023 at 8.00pm with music by the Leonard Brown Duo.

 

 

 

 

*******************************************************************

 

 

 

 

 

******************************

Tickets for the Christmas Dance and Hogmanay Party Dance are now on sale..

 

Christmas Supper Dance Friday 15th December  members  £24  and £28 for non members.

 

Hogmanay Party Dance  Tickets  members £14  and £20 for non members.

 

****************************** 

 

 

Dance Report September 2023

 

Dance held at the Commodore Hotel on Friday 29^th September 2023

 

Welcome and opening Remarks by Neil MacLeod, Honorary President.

 

 

At the start of the evening at 8.00pm, Honorary President Neil MacLeod began his opening remarks with a genial welcome.

 

There were 52 people in attendance, all members on this occasion. The bar within the dance hall area was open for refreshments.

 

The music was performed by the Wayne Robertson Duo, under nicely illuminated stage lights, providing a range of dances starting with the ‘Flirtation Two-Step’ to an immediately full floor of dancers. The Band hire cost was £420.

 

Tea and coffee was made available timeously at 9.30pm thanks to Eddie who ran the bar during the evening in a most efficient, courteous and helpful manner.

The raffle that followed raised the tidy sum of £154. Thanks to ticket buyers and to everyone who generously provided an abundance of prizes.

 

After the interval the programme continued with the schedule of dances played at the Band’s sometimes brisk pace and enjoyed by dancers on a busy dance floor.

 

Comments were readily provided by members during the course of the evening including, “The dance was excellent”, ”A good and cheery band”, “Fast moving tunes”. A few mentions were made about the floor condition towards the end of the evening.

 

The Honorary President concluded the evening by thanking everyone for attending what proved to be a most entertaining and well attended evening. And of course the evening was concluded with the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne.

 

There was a profit of £109.20 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 October 2023 with music by the Johnny Duncan Duo.

 

*Footnote:

As it happens, the next dance coincides with the last weekend of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival in Edinburgh. This is the World’s largest celebration of storytelling anchored in Scotland, an acknowledged nation of storytellers or “Seanchaidhean” in Scottish Gaelic. So, who among us will have a tale or two to tell?

 

Bob McCafferty

 

 

 

Well Done, all the Dancers