YOUNG CALEDONIANS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 34, 21 December 1945, Page 5

YOUNG CALEDONIANS

COMPLIMENTARY CHRISTMAS SOCIAL J BROTHER SCOTS FOREGATHER Exceeding all expectations the success Avh'ich attended, the complimentary dinner and social function promoted by the Whakatane Caledonian Society in the interests of the Young People's Club has. ensured, that the. same happy gathering which took place last Saturday evening wiJl be repeated annually. Approximately 140 attended and the warm spirit of fellowship which prevailed was once, again evidence of the splendid .social force which the Society is, in this town and district.

Ranged in a central square the tables which carried the Christmas fare wen; in themselves a delightful sight and when all the guests liad assembled, the father of all Christmas puddings was piped round the hall and, laid in front of Chief Sim.i ons with due' ceremony. The task of carrying the. pudding behind the slow-moving pipers fell to Miss Joyce Flay, whose diminutive figure fairly trembled under the excess weight. she accomplished her perilous journey with credii to herself, and nobody died of heart failure', as the pudding made its un : steady way round the. hall. Full justice was done to the sumptuous spread and immediately the I oast list was honoured with Mr Harry Mole acting in, the role of Toastmaster. Details were, as follows: 'The Loyal Toast'-—Mr Harry Mole; The Young Peoples' Club'—Chief W. J. Simons and Miss Romela Winstone; 'The Caledonian society'—Mr George Brabant and. Mr W. Hurst; 'Members With The Forces'—Mr George Ramsoa and Mr C. F ■ as; 'The Junior Band' —Mr Roland King and Mr Don McKenzie; The Ladies'—Mr Des Carling and Miss Maureen Dines; "J "c > uture' Mr C. Kingslev-Smith. The next item was a departure in the shape of an historic Scottish play by members of the Young Peoples' Club. It was. entitled 'Berwick Castle/ and portrayed a known incident from Scottish history whereby the famous warrior known as The Black Douglas successfully stormed the castle in the interests of the Scottish patriots under the immortal Bruce. The curtain rose on a scene on the battlements Iwith Madge Elliot, a Lowland refugee (played by Miss Anne Little;j,ohn) nursing her infant child and singing the lullaby which has now come down in history "llush ye hush ye, my little pet ye: Hush ye,' hush ye, dinna fret ve: The Big Black Douglas shall not get ye." . The part of the sentry,, a Lowlander fighting with the English invaders was well portrayed by George Goodall, while. The Black Douglas himself was vigorously enacted by Mr George Brabant. The Highlanders who "scaled the. wall and finally took Berwick Castle by surprise were George Ilamson. Des Carling and lan Law. The whole play was exceedingly well staged, a feature being the realistic stage' properties which included a brazier and all the equipment, shields, swords and spears, of the period. The dance which followed was well in keeping with the Caledonian i events during tbe year, and was in- , terspcrscd with several enjoyable 1 items. Music was supplied by Mrs King's orchestra from Waimana, which was as popular as ever. and the round Gay Gordans and Chain AValtzes, were in particular demand. Items were given by the Band while an enjoyable exhibition dance by Misses Phyllis Rivett and Joyce Flay received warm applause. Particularly popular were,the duets of Miss Doherty and Mr Alan Stewart who were recalled time and > time again. The evening concluded with Auld Lang Syne after three cheers had been given for Mrs Jim Martin who was responsible for the making of the giant Christmas pudding.