scottish newsletter - victoria highland games & celtic...
TRANSCRIPT
S E R V I N G T H E
S C O T T I S H
C O M M U N I T Y O F
G R E A T E R V I C T O R I A
E D I T O R :
L A R R Y S C O T T
World Championship of Haggis Hurling!
SCOTTISH NEWSLETTER
F E B R U A R Y 1 , 2 0 1 9 V O L U M E 4 : I S S U E 2
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E
World Champion- ship of Haggis... 1
Upcoming Events: February 2 Barry Shears Book Release 2 Upcoming Events: March 3 St. Brigit’s Day 3 Scottish Reading Group 4 Burns Suppers 4 Burns Memorial Concert Photos 5 Winspear Burns Dinner, Pipers 6
Contact Information: Scottish Groups,
Dance Instruction, Businesses 7
He said: 'It brings back an old Scottish custom that hasn't been seen since about 1700 and then having a fun contest out in the fresh air and add-ing it in with Burns season and it's just great fun. 'I had a shot, I thought it was only fair, and my throw managed to reach 136 feet which I thought was very good but I have been doing this since 2009.
“I've ran every other championship going to try and beat the world record. You have to have a very good sense of balance and be able to pivot quite far so that when you swing your hips and release then it's got the most momen-tum. You want the haggis to skim through the air rather than skim to prevent it from splitting on the ground.”
******** But back on January 25, 2004, haggis hurlers throughout the world were stunned to learn that their sport wasn't ancient at all. It was just a modern invention. The news was broken by Scotland's Sunday Herald which reported that the sport had been invented in 1977 by, of all things, an Irishman — Robin Dunseath. Despite the recent origin of the novel sport, it seems to carry on as a new tradition where Scots gather for fun. Editor hoaxes.org/weblog/comments/haggis_hurling
Reprinted from Daily Mail, January 29, 2017. Editor: The last World Championships of Hag-gis Hurling was in 2017, because the 2018 event got cancelled due to bad weather. Hence the most recent available ‘report’ is from 2017.
ALLOWAY, SCOTLAND: The World Championship of Haggis Hurling was held on Sunday, January 29th at the 18th Century home of Robert Burns - but no one won the top prize of a year's supply of the dish. The prize was on offer to anyone who could surpass the current world record but unfortunately no one was suc-cessful. The present World Record for Haggis Hurling was set at 217 feet by Lorne Coltart at the Milngavie Highland Games on 11 June 2011, beating Allan Pettigrew's 180 feet record, which had stood for over 20 years.
Modern Haggis Hurling is judged on the basis of distance and accuracy of the hurl. Any split or burst haggis is immediately disqualified, as the haggis must be fit to eat after landing. There were 83 contestants who entered the event with the age range from as low as four years old up to 75 years old. The winner on the day was Josh Noel who threw at a distance of 145 feet. For the past five years the contest was held in the bard's hometown of Alloway, South Ayr-shire, but this year it was moved to Ellisland
Farm, Dumfries and Galloway. This is the site where two of Robert Burns' children were born and where he got married. It is also where he wrote Auld Lang Syne, Tam O'Shanter and Ae Fond Kiss. Stuart Cochrane organised the event which used 20 haggis in the competition from local butchers Mogerlys of Dumfries.
Competitor Bill Boyd in Robert Burns era costume prepares to throw a haggis during the 2017 World Haggis Hurling Champion-ships in Ellisland Farm, Dumfries&Galloway.
Competitors take turns.
Upcoming Events: February 2019
February Weekend of Highland Dance Competition
9:30 am, February 9, 2019 – Victoria High School Theatre. For entry form:
victoriahighlandgames.com/games/wp-content/
uploads/VHGA-February-2019-Entry.pdf
9:30 am, February 10, 2019 - Mount Douglas Secondary Gymnasium. For entry: https://vhda.weebly.com/upcoming-events.html
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Brentwood Scottish Country Dancers
These are all simple dances called. Fun Friday for February 2019 is
February 8 from 7:00-8:30 pm at 1229 Clarke Rd. in Brentwood.
All ages are welcome. Valentine theme.
78th Fraser’s Highlanders Pipe Band is looking for a bass drummer!
Practice is at the Pound and Animal Adoption Center, 564 David Street, Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. for band,
9:30 a.m. for the drummers. For more information about the
position, please contact Gary Louis at 250 882-3200.
Vancouver Island Scottish Country Dance Society
Valentine Social Tea Dance
3:00-6:00 pm - February 16 City Light Church Hall
550 Obed Avenue, Victoria $10.00 Admission.
All dances will be briefed. Dance programs available at https://viscds.ca/events-2/
Vancouver Island Piper’s Club Richard Findlay and Guests February 2, 2019 - 8:00 pm
Venue is Sergeants Mess at the Bay St Armoury, Victoria.
For parking enter from Field St off Douglas, going north. Admission is $10.00 Cash bar.
Groundhog Day: February 2
Murdo McMarmot quotes an old Scottish couplet:
"If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year."
Candlemas Day is always on February 2, marking the midpoint of winter. The
timing of Groundhog Day may be based on the old couplet.
Winter School 2019
Seabeck Conference Center, Seabeck, WA Smallpipes, Fiddles & Guitars
Monday, Feb. 4th – Friday, Feb. 8th, 2019
https://celticarts.org/winter-school-19/
Maritime Piper Lives Part Time on Vancouver Island
ROYSTON: Barry W. Shears is a native of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, who now lives part time in Royston. He is an acknowledged expert on the history of traditional pip-ing in Nova Scotia and its intrinsic connection to the Gaelic language, music and culture of the province.
He has recently come out with two books, shown above. The two volumes feature history, culture, images, bag-pipe and fiddle sheet music, and Gaelic puirt-á-beul songs from the 19th- and 20th-century piping tradition of Nova Scotia. To read more or to order the books, go to:
http://www.bradanpress.com/shears-collection/
Victoria Scottish Gaelic Choir
"My Heart's in the Highlands Concert and Tea"
An Afternoon of Love Songs Sunday, Feb.17th at 3:00 p.m. Trinity Presbyterian Church —
2964 Tillicum Rd.
Please email [email protected] to reserve tickets. $10 per person.
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Upcoming Events: March 2019
Vancouver Island Piper’s Club Colin Magee & Gord Kavanagh
March 2, 2019 - 8:00 pm
Venue is Sergeants Mess at the Bay St Armoury, Victoria.
For parking enter from Field St off Douglas, going north.
Admission is $10.00 Cash bar.
March 1st - St. David’s Day St. Brigit’s Day - February 1st
St. Brigit’s Day is the first of Feb-ruary. This is when every Irish farmer or shepherd expects the first lambs. And it is then the days are long enough to walk into town and walk home, all in daylight, and
able to see the first primroses.
St. Brige, Brigit, Brigid, Bridget was a prob-lem child. But who was Briget? By tradition she was a triple goddess. Let’s take a look at some of the versions of her fabled story. Long, long before a man named Jesus brought a message of care for the poor and excluded, the inhabitants of Ireland knew about Brigid, child of the Dagda, the father-god of Ireland. It is thought that she was associated with the im-portant skills of healing, care for cat-tle and smithcraft, as well as fertility and poetry. She is reputed to have organized the rebuilding of a hospi-tal after a fire in 325 BCE. From the early days of
Christianity in Ireland, also Scotland and Brittany, she is known as a child who was to be placed in the household of a tribal leader. Such child-exchanges
were an attempt to build tribal linkages to encourage co-operation rather than warfare. When her wealthy father went into the leader’s home, naturally he left
his sword outside, and Brige was to keep it safe, as it had a beautiful jewelled hilt. Along came a poor man with his children. Of course one of the jewels
was given to him to buy food. Others were given away. Eventually the father came out, with the chieftain eager to meet the new member of his
household. Neither was happy and the arrangement was cancelled. However, Brige then pleaded to be
allowed just
enough land out-side the chief’s house for her to
spread her shawl. Naturally as she spread it, it grew and grew, until
she had enough land and re-sources to start
farms, and build schools and hos-pitals. Cont’d p.4
Vancouver Island Scottish Country Dance Society
Ceilidh Dance 7:30 pm, March 16
Dance Victoria 2750 Quadra St., Victoria $10.00 Admission
Music by Mary Ross & Janette Polson.
All dances briefed and walked through.
VISCDS Annual Workshop and Ball Saturday, April 6, 2019 Registration starts February 1, 2019
https://viscds.ca/events-2/
for the links to Workshop and Ball. Any questions, please e-mail [email protected]
St. Patrick’s Day Lunch Cook St. Activity Centre
12:00-2:00, Friday, March 15
Don't forget to wear your best green out-fit. Entertainment of Irish dancing and Celtic music will follow after lunch. All ages are welcome. Please purchase your tickets in advance. Tel. 250 384-6582. $12 Members/ $15 General
The Victoria Welsh Society is not hosting a St. David’s Day lunch this year. The Society is in the pro-cess of dissolving, in response to several years of a declining member-ship. Best wishes to its members in making a difficult decision.
Brentwood Scottish Country Dancers
Sunday Afternoon March 10, 2:00—3:30 pm
All ages. All easy dances called. The Centre in Brentwood — 1229 Clarke Road next to library.
Oil on canvas by Barry Maguire, Ireland
St. Brigit cross
Brige now had sufficient land on which to build her monastery. The leader and his entire household were dismayed and amazed. They realised that this woman was truly blessed by God. The leader became a patron of Brigit’s monastery, assisting her with money, food and gifts. Later he converted to Christianity. It was on this land in Kildare that she built her dual monastery c.470 CE.
Article submitted by Victoria resident Vanessa Hammond, who sometimes leads spiritual pilgrimage trips to Celtic sites in Ireland and other parts of the British Isles. +++++++++
Changes in the Sons of Scotland Benevolent Association
The Sons of Scotland was formed in 1876 to help Scottish immigrants settle into their new lives in Canada. Later, a benevolent fund was established to help members in emergency situations, and in 1937 we were incorporated under a Fed-eral Charter and became an insurance company.
The last 15 years have been an uphill battle to main-tain sales at a higher rate than the payout of death bene-fits. Unfortunately, we did not have the resource of funds required to advertise like the large companies and the Government regulations were getting more onerous as time went on. Reluctantly, we decided to sell the insurance aspect of
our association in order to protect those people who had
bought insurance through us. Our Camp system continues to operate and will do so as long as we have people inter-ested in belonging to our group. Submitted by Keith Feir—Sons of Scotland, Victoria
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A joyful Brigit stands beside her holy well in Kildare, Ireland (south-west of Dublin).
Photo: Vanessa Hammond
Scottish Reading Group
An informal Scottish book group is starting in Victoria. The group will meet two or three times a year, but not in the summer months. The meeting dates will likely be around Scottish national or festival days when possible — think St. Mungo's Day or Glen Saturday — and in locations where food and suitable drink can be had. The first book is His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet, based on a true crime in the Scottish highlands. This is an intriguing book that is informed by traditional Scots folk ways. If interested, please give your contact info to Neil Campbell either by email at [email protected] or text 778-677-7216.
Burns Luncheon at the Cook St. Activity Centre on January 25, 2019
Piper Ray Field (above) & Carol Turnbull (right), who is Exec. Director of Cook St. Activity Centre
Piper Jim Ritchie, Haggis Bearer Bob McCrone, Ode to Haggis– Duncan Robertson, Saltire Society
Burns Supper - Saltire Society and Royal Victoria Yacht Club members and guests, at RVYC on January 26, 2019
Attendance at Burns Memorial Concert was 167 people, including the performers. Justin Hagen reading poetry of Robert Burns at Kirk Hall of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Victoria
Soloist Adam Hanna singing “The Star of Robbie Burns” with Victoria Gaelic Choir at Burns Memorial Concert, January 27, 2019. Photo by Alec Provan
Robert Burns “Weekend” in Victoria: Events on This Page - January 27, 2019
Van Isle Scottish Country Dance Society at Burns Concert
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Kathleen Laurie School of
Highland Dance at
Burns Memorial Concert
Photos by L. Scott unless otherwise credited.
Piper Jim Ritche, Irwin Henderson, Gordon Robinson (Provost of Saltire Society) laying wreath at the Burns Memorial in Beacon Hill Park—January 27, 2019 Photo by Alec Provan
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Haggis Procession, Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band, Winspear Centre in Sidney, January 26, 2019. Photo Credit: Drum Major Randy Evans.
Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band members at Burns Dinner, January 26, 2019. Five hundred people attended, making it the largest Burns event locally. Photo Credit: Drum Major Randy Evans.
Piper Mel Johnston at the Burns Memorial Concert, January 27.
Piper René Cusson at Burns Supper, Saltire Society, held on January 26, 2019
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Scottish Culture:
Saltire Society of Victoria: Contact is the Provost, Gordon Robinson 250 477-8317 or the society’s Scrivener (secretary), Larry Scott 250 213-5239.
Sons of Scotland Benevolent Association: website www.sonsofscotland.com For inquiries, contact Keith Feir at 250 652-5773 or [email protected]
Victoria Gaelic Choir: The group sings in both Gaelic and English. www.victoriagaelicchoir.com
Victoria Highland Games Association: President is
Jim Maxwell. www.victoriahighlandgames.com
The Celtic Connection: Burnaby based tabloid pub-
lishing since 1991. www.celtic-connection.com
Websites: The Scottish Banner is a digital download subscrip-tion service. View at: www.scottishbanner.com
Bruce Knight Memorial Piobaireachd Competition
https://www.facebook.com/bruceknightmemorial
Scottish Review is edited by journalist Kenneth Roy, www.scottishreview.net
Rampant Scotland is a site begun in 1996 and written
by Alan Scott at: www.RampantScotland.com/letter.htm
Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners. Did you
ever work in the UK? You may be eligible for a pension.
[email protected] www.britishpensions.com
Dance Instruction:
Brentwood Scottish Country Dancers: Contact [email protected] for more detailed infor-mation. Classes happen at Brentwood Centre.
Vancouver Island Scottish Country Dance Society: www.viscds.ca Weekly classes for various levels of ability. Further information may be had from Dora Dempster, [email protected]
Bon Accord Highland Dancers: Lynne Griffiths. Tel. 250 479-7804 [email protected]
Glengarry Highland Dancers: Carolyn Phillips-Cusson. Tel. 250 758-0208 or email for information to [email protected]
Kathleen Laurie School of Highland Dance: Tel. 250 213-9627 [email protected]
Kathy White’s Island Highland Dance Academy: [email protected] Cell 250-710-0837
Katie Dean School of Highland Dance: H 250-920-3513 cell 250-514-8110 [email protected]
O’Brien School of Irish Dancing: Teachers — Mairead O’Brien/Crystal vanBoven. www.obrienirishdance.com Tel. 604 340-2370.
Victoria Highland Dance Association. Sponsors competitions, etc. Contact at www.vhda.weebly.com
Victoria School of Irish Dance: www.victoriairishdancers.com Contact Alison Paladini at 250 888-9421 or [email protected]
Victoria Area Pipe Bands:
BC Pipers` Association serves solo Highland Bagpipers, Scottish Drummers and Pipe Bands in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. www.bcpipers.org
Canadian Scottish Regimental Association Pipe Band www.canadianscottishregiment.ca
Castle Cary Pipes and Drums. For info go to: www.castlecarypipesanddrums.ca
443 Squadron RCAF Pipe Band. P/M Stephen Kelly [email protected] or [email protected]
Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band. www.gvppb.com Pipe Major James W. Troy; Drum Major Randy Evans.
Pipe Band of the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s). Drum Major Glen Ereaut, contact at [email protected]
Saanich Peninsula Pipe Band. For info go to: www.saanichpeninsulapipeband.blogspot.ca
78th Fraser’s Highlanders Pipe Band. Contact Pipe Major Dave Hjalmarson at [email protected] 2136 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps Pipes and Drums. www.2136cadets.ca
VanIsle Caledonia Pipe Band. Pipe Major Cole Griffiths Tel. 250 857-5260 www.vanislecaledonia.com
Local Businesses With Celtic Flavour:
Bard and Banker Scottish Pub, 1022 Government St, Victoria www.bardandbanker.com
Caledonia Meats. Haggis makers. Email: [email protected] or 250 857-5260.
Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan Cresc, Victoria. Built by Scottish coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. https://thecastle.ca/
Fraser Orr’s Butcher and Deli, 108-1931 Mt Newton Cross Rd., Saanichton. Haggis, Scotch pies, etc. www.fraserorrsbutcher.com
Freedom Kilts, 1919 Fernwood Rd, Victoria www.freedomkilts.com
Irish Linen Stores, 1019 Government St, Victoria www.irishlinenvictoria.com
Irish Times Pub, 1200 Government St, Victoria www.irishtimespub.ca
Island Bagpipe, 5775 Alder Way, Nanaimo www.islandbagpipe.com Bagpipes and much more.
Lion Rampant Scottish Pub, 6777 Beaumont Ave., Duncan. www.lionrampant.ca
North of Hadrian’s Kilts and Celtic Clothing, 264 Island Highway, Victoria www.northofhadrians.com
Out of Ireland Irish Importers, 1000 Government St., Victoria: www.outofireland.ca
Victoria Caledonian Distillery & Twa Dogs Brewery does tours and events. www.victoriacaledonian.com
If you would like to be on the free email mailing list for the Scottish Newsletter, contact Larry Scott by email at [email protected] There is no print version available.