Scoop made it to the National, it was touch and go but we got there. 40 Scottish Group Vans (plus Davy and Joyce) rallied at Kelso (over 360 vans in total at the National). Chairman Tom was quoted as saying he had the easiest job with all the willing volunteers he had and asked Scoop to pass on his thanks to everyone, consider it done Chairman T.
Plenty happening during the National Rally weekend, all credit to the hard work of all involved.
Scottish group members excelled in the Homecraft with a win for Marion for her Shortbread, Paddy, Audrey and Val all doing well. Bill Campbell won with his famous Gingerbread cake, keeps his cooking skill a bit of a secret does Bill. Julia got 3 firsts in the wine drinking competition, my kinda gal that Julia. (that would be the wine MAKING Scoop, oops!). Our quiz teams gave it their best but some of their questions were awfie hard, right good try though.
The Scottish dogs did well with rosettes for Jesse, Harvey and Blue. Young Bracken made Cath and Charlie very proud with a first in his class.
A couple of beautiful days fooled us into thinking summer was here, we sat out late having a drink and a chat, an impromptu sing-song erupted led by Robert Mackie who has definitely found his singing voice. Rob and Pauline carried our banner in the parade supported by some handsome lads and lassies in the tartan.
Scottish Group provided marshals during the weekend. Field Marshall Morag took no nonsense from any arriving early and wanting in, Henk and Morag did a double stint through the busiest part of the day, Paddy, Cath, Marion and Val all sweated away during the afternoon sun marshalling like demons! well done to them and all who helped especially Marlene who would make a fine Lady Chairman when old T hangs up his chain of office.
Saturday night, what a night, we clapped in all our visitors. Scoops hands were sore clapping there was hunners of them. A fine welcome from Robert, a Selkirk grace by Forbes then down to the exciting bit for Scoop as Charlie and the Piper brought in the Haggis, a hairy moment as Scoop almost forgot what he was going to say, Scoop had forgot his specs and couldn’t read his prompt card, then a fabulous recovery to give the beastie it’s last rights in the time honoured fashion. A fine haggis meal, a good company, and a great band made the dance that night a belter. Old Scoop was complemented by a sexy Irish burd saying “you canny be a skinny-ma-link to look good in a kilt you need a good bit o’ Scotch beef on ye” at least Scoop thinks it was a complement? The dance floor was full all night Big Robert was like a whirling dervish, Henk was the best dressed Dutchman in the hall with his kilt flying in his wake. What a party we had even Scoops missus thought that a walking crutch was some sort of new fangled dancing accessory, suffered a bit the next few days.
Scoop and Big Robert represented the Scottish group at a fabulous Group Conference, what was it about Scoop? Eh, don’t remember, Robert took the notes it was on the Saturday before the Big Night out. A chat on the insurance of rally’s methinks.
The AGM passed without anything contentious, at the Members meeting Robert Mackie spoke well on proposed changes to the Articles of the Constitution, his questions (and there were a few) were very well received by the members present and challenged the COM to rethink their wording a fair bit. Keith also raised a fine point on access to legal
assistance for the groups.
Irene Campbell dressed 3 super hampers to raffle for charity, well done to all who sold tickets and raised £470 to go to a Help for Heroes charity, Erskine Hospital. Two of the three hampers stayed in Scotland with Tom Cribb and Bill Tait having winning tickets. Scoop enjoyed the big Scottish group rally catching up with old friends, Pat complete with bionic hip and nice to meet Chris. Good to see Jimmy Loftus out to play, can that fella party. There was a few new members and first time ralliers, R Ellis, Mr & Mrs Tooms, Mr & Mrs Smith apologies to any I have missed, it was good to see you all and haste ye back. Late news, Scottish Group won the Founders Trophy, awarded to the group who travelled the most cumulative miles to attend the National, even in our own back yard we travelled the furthest, well done us.
Scoop met the lovely Kelly from the magazine, she survived her first visit to Scotland and said she might come back “if all the chaps are as handsome as you Scoop” WHAT CAN I SAY!
Join us at Blairgowrie, August 25 – 29 and then perhaps going to South Shields Sept 2 - 7 with Northern Counties.
Send some National photos to Ged, he loves sitting for hours up-loading on his computer.
Scoop heard one of the Scottish ladies was seen showering in the gents at Kelso, who was it? Don’t know, but Scoop is on the case!
Cheers
Scoop
