The Scot in Amersham

Gold to Diamond

Further recollections of The Amersham and District Scottish Association

Written by Anne Wright

Mr Alan Rouse The Association's honorary piper

The last ten years have been good for the Association. All the Presidents we have had have been excellent and have participated fully in the work of the Committee.

1995-96 Starting our fifty-first year David Seiler became President. He had been on the committee for many years helping to revive the Association in 1983. With his charm and laid-back enthusiasm together with support from his wife, Lesley, he tried in every way to make it a successful year.

1996-97 Beatrice MacPhee was President. Again Beatrice joined in everything including the dancing group, and was a great supporter of the Bridge Drive - one time bringing three tables of friends along.

1997-98 Following on, Bill Lawrie as our President entered into all events, and it is Bill whom we have to thank for leading our dancing group which meets every Wednesday during the Winter. He has turned up every week for 1 7 years to instruct us, play the music and dance if needed. He always has a smile though his patience must be severely tried as we struggle to learn the dances. We are also grateful to Wynne, his wife, for her support. Bill also acts as MC at our St Andrew's Night Dinner Dances.

1998-99 The next President was Craig Aitchison, a truly great supporter of the Association together with his wife Eileen. He served as a very efficient Chairman for many years, always ready and willing to help. We are indebted to him for his loyalty. It was Craig who with David Seiler and Anne Wright saved the

Association from closing in 1983. During Craig's year of office he introduced the Association Golf Day, a very popular event.

Mr David Seiler

Mrs Beatrice MacPhee

1999-2000 Jim Anderson was the next President. He joined the Association with his wife Margaret, in the late 1980' s but soon became a committee member and took over as our Treasurer. A very dedicated member, in his calm and efficient way steers us to making a profit on almost every occasion. For many years due to Jim's calculations we have been able to give £1,200 to various charities at the end of each year.

2000-01 During this year Archie McNair became President. He has been a member of the Association for many years and had previously served on the committee. He and his wife, Rosemary attend the weekly dancing and have been staunch members since jommg.

2001-02 Isobel Barrack then became President and was always willing to help with any catering if asked. Isobel has been the source of a number of new members - whenever she hears a Scottish voice she, in her friendly manner, speaks to them and asks if they have heard of the Association and if they would like to come to a function. Since the start Ronald, her husband, rarely missed the weekly dancing with Isobel coming when her other commitments would allow.

2002-03 Dowling Munro became President following Isobel. John, Dowling's brother, had previously been President in 1980 and 1992. He is always willing to host the parties when required and give any support he can to the functions. Before he and his wife, Ella, moved to their present home, their previous garden was a favourite venue for BBQs. With the Association members being hardy Scots, BBQs and Garden Parties are held whatever the weather and on one occasion the Munros turned out their garage for us to shelter in during a heavy downpour.

Mr Bill Lawrie with his wife Wynne

Mr Craig Aitchison with his wife Eileen

2003-04 Gillian Munro followed her brother in law to become our 59th President. She and her husband, John, have been very supportive of the Association over many years especially bringing their children and grandchildren to the Hall owe' en parties. Many years ago, Gillian made the large Scottish flags which still adorn many of our functions.

2004-05 Andrew Swann was elected to be President during our Diamond year as he and his family have done so much for the Association. Wendy, his wife is brilliant at organizing the children's games for any of the parties, particularly the Halloween. He was first President in 1993/94. His mother, Georgie, was also President in 1976/77 and again in 1986/87. His son, Robert, is our technical advisor and set up our website www.amscot.org.

Mr Jim Anderson with his wife Margaret

Dr Archie McN air

During the ten years we have tried to vary some of the events although the Burns' Night Dinners and St Andrew's Night Dinner Dances have kept their traditions. Of course we have been very fortunate to have had our Association piper, Alan Rouse, attend all main functions. Whatever the weather Alan has stood outside piping and welcoming in the guests for both these occasions. He also adds to the tradition of piping in the haggis on Burns' Night. The Burns' Night Dinners have been held in a variety of venues namely: The Licensed Victuallers Hall at Denham, Harewood Downs Golf Club, The Bellhouse Hotel in Beaconsfield, Latimer House and Stoke Place Country Club. All of these events have been well attended. The Hall owe' en Party has also been held every year although we now rely mainly on grandparents bringing their grandchildren. These parties are still very popular with those who attend. The Bridge Drive has been held every year and has been run very efficiently by Elizabeth Stirling, a Past President and Honorary Life Member. The afternoon is well known for a good Scottish tea during the interval and a vast number of prizes. We are indebted to Elizabeth for running this most profitable event. The Spring event has varied from a Ceildh to evenings with other Scottish theme. Several years we have had 'a taste of Scotland' which provided the members with various Scottish dishes and comments such as "my mum used to make this" and "I haven't had this for ages" were heard. Added to this there would be some singing, a dance or two and of course a quiz. Needless to say these evenings are very well received. We have had some very interesting speakers and slide shows following our Annual General Meetings. The business part is dealt with efficiently and a supper is then provided followed by the entertainment. A good proportion of the Association's members are present.

Mrs Isobel Barrack with her husband Ronald

Dr Dowling Munro with his wife Ella

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The summer activity has again varied. We have had several tea parties in various gardens, The Wrights now have three large gazebos for us to use and keep everyone dry if necessary! We have had two very successful lunches in Bill and Anne's garden. The lunches were fund raising to enable us to subsidise the Diamond Bums' Night Dinner at Latimer House. On each occasion we raised over £1000 profit which was only possible because the committee members with helpers did the catering. The Inaugural Supper Party starts our new season in September when we meet for an informal supper and chat. This is another popular event to which we can invite prospective new members. Throughout the seventeen years the weekly dancing has continued with Bill Lawrie. A few dancers have attended most weeks from the very beginning. We even had a demonstration team(!) for a while who were asked to entertain at several local events including the Sunday service for the combined Amersham on the Hill Churches. During Dowling Munro's presidency the committee were asked to provide a Scottish evening at the Chalfonts Nursing Home in honour of Robert Burns which they willingly agreed to do. The haggis was bought and the song sheets prepared. Unfortunately, no-one told the weather to behave and it snowed! The snow got thicker and thicker as the afternoon turned into evening and the group of singers and the song sheets got stuck in a snow drift and never arrived! However the President arrived with Ella and a few others. Eddie Galloway recited the Address to the Haggis and Dowling told the residents how a haggis was made. We added to the entertainment dancing the Gay Gordons around their chairs and Carol Cunningham sang 'John Anderson my Jo'. Most of us left as soon as it was over to slide back to our cars while the residents sat down to the haggis, tatties and neeps.

Mrs Gillian Munro with her husband John

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Mr Andrew Swann with his wife Wendy

The Association was founded in 1946 by twenty five local Scots among whom were George and Joan Todd whose daughter and her husband are still members today. Archie and Jessica Campbell's grandson and his wife are also active members. The last of the founders, Mr McKinnon, achieved the age of 100

and is now represented by one of his daughters.

I quote the late Don Kennedy's words after he wrote the first 50 years of the Association "Yes the Scot in Amersham is alive and well" and we look forward to many more years.

The Amersham & District Scottish Association Presidents

1995-1996 1996-1997 1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005

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Mr David Seiler Mrs Beatrice MacPhee Mr Bill Lawrie Mr Craig Aitchison Mr Jim Anderson Dr Archie McNair Mrs Isobel Barrack Dr Dowling Munro Mrs Gillian Munro Mr Andrew Swann

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