SCOTS’ DANCING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 October 1940, Page 6

SCOTS’ DANCING

SAINT ANDREW SOCIETY GATHERING EVACUEE CHILDREN PRESENT. ITEMS BY PIPE BAND. The presence of a number of the recently-arrived Scots children gave added interest to the Saint Andrew Society's monthly gathering held in the Masonic Hall on Saturday evening. There was a very large attendance, and Scots and old-time dancing was indulged in from 8 p.m. till midnight with all the enthusiasm and enjoyment that invariably marks the society's gatherings. The society had extended to the Scots evacuee children and their foster parents an invitation to attend the gathering as guests, and it was gratifying to the society that a considerable number of them were present, including a party from as far away as Featherston. The children were made very welcome and entered wholeheartedly into the entertainment provided. It was a delight to see how these youngsters threw themselves into the reels and other Scots dances included in the programme. The children endeared themselves to all, and it was particularly pleasant to see the obvious affection already existing between them and their foster parents. Mrs Robert Page, who had'been foremost in the entertainment of the Scots children on their arrival, was also present as a guest of the society. She took the opportunity of presenting to each child a photograph of the child and its foster parents, taking during the luncheon at which Mrs Page had entertained them.

The dances included in the programme were mostly Scots, with an occasional old-time dance to provide relaxation from the more strenuous exercise afforded by reels and country dances. The dance-music was excellent throughout. Pipe-music for various dances was provided by Chief's Piper Pickett, and Pipers Trass and Barnes.

During intervals in the dancing, the Society’s Pipe Band gave two very acceptable selections. The band made an excellent showing, despite the loss of a number of members through the calls of military duty. The band was led by Pipe-Major Barnes. Drummer Marchbanks carried out very successfully the duties of drum-major, in the absence in camp of Drum-Major Tooby. Masters Sexton and Ryan also earned enthusiastic applause for their solo dances, a fling and a scan triubhais. for which Chief's Piper Pickett provided the music. The Chief, Mr H. Mackenzie Douglas, extended a welcome to the visiting Scots children and their foster parents, and congratulated both the children on the class of homes that had been found for them, and the foster parents on the character of the children entrusted to them. He also announced that there was only one more regular monthly gathering to be held by the society this season. There was on display at the gathering a doll in Highland costume, to be raffled for patriotic purposes. This was donated by Mrs Allan Graham, and was a remarkable piece of work. The kilt and plaid were of the finest knitting, and must have taken hours of assiduous application in the making. The sale of tickets for the raffle produced an enthusiastic response. The evening closed with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem, for which Mrs J. Y. Douglas provided the piano accompaniment.