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Hawick Callants Club |
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ANNUAL DINNER 2007
Callants Club President Norman Turnbull presided over one of the finest annual dinners at the Mansfield House Hotel last Friday night (2nd March 2007)
Stand-in principal
guest Alan Williamson was given a standing ovation by club members for a
five-star keynote speech – which was prepared at two weeks’ notice. The other
speeches throughout the evening were of the highest order while, one by one,
the entertainers tickled the hairs on the back of the neck with a series of
Common Riding favorites.
Following a delicious
meal, the formal part of the evening was launched by President Turnbull who introduced
the High School Rector as his guest; and if members were impressed by Mr. Williamson’s
sparkling curriculum vitae, they were about to be mesmerized by a 30-minute
speech which had been beautifully crafted. The High School Rector spoke about
the history of the school, the role it plays in the local community, and the
vital role the community plays in helping guide young people in the right
direction. He spoke about the day-to-day pressures of his job, and about the incredible
dedication his
staff show to their profession. He went on to highlight the role that good
teaching can play and how it can inspire young people to greater levels.
Members then
squeezed onto the saddle of Hamish Smith’s bicycle as he took them on an
inspiring tour of the Scottish Borders in his toast to Border Art and
Literature. Spoon-fed by artist Anne Redpath as a
child, Hamish proved some of Anne’s artistic talent had clearly rubbed off on
him with an informative speech which took in the regions monuments, starting at
the Horse, then stopping off in Denholm,
Selkirk, and many other spots before arriving back in the grey auld toon.
Proposing the
toast to Oor Ain Auld Toon, Ian A. Scott began on a slightly dark note
highlighting the problems the town has faced recently with politics, employment
and sport. But Ian had clearly put a great deal of thought into how these
situations can be reversed and said that despite the problems that exist,
Hawick is still a fabulous place to bring up a family, and that comes from the
great sense of community spirit which still exists. He then suggested that the
town should try to develop its equestrian heritage further into a possible new
industry, while the green culture should also be looked at as a prospective new
employment sector.
Giving the state
of the nation address, Provost Kenny McCartney recalled many of the highlights
within the town over the previous year, while urging people to look forward to an
exciting few months, with the Common Riding and the Heart of Hawick project.
Proposing the
toast to Common Riding and Cornets, Douglas Telfer gave a fascinating account of his childhood years growing up immersed in
the Common Riding, and also spoke fondly of the great impact Cornet Craig Reid
and his Lass Nicole Baxter had made on last year’s celebrations.
In one of his last
official roles as 2006 Cornet, Craig thanked the people of the town for
allowing him to live his dream. And once again, he showed an incredible ability
to say the right thing at the right time, with his speech well received by
members.
Bringing the
curtain down on another great evening, vice president Henry Douglas thanked
President Norman Turnbull for expertly chairing a fabulous event and for
providing speakers and entertainers of the highest
quality.
Entertainers.
Bert Armstrong: The Callant and The
Border Queen, Bob Muir: The Raiders, David Nuttall: My Borderland, Henry Douglas: The lassie that works in the mill,
Ex-Cornet Robbie Pringle: My old shecoe, Ex-Cornet
Philip Murray: A Border Burn, Bernie
Armstrong: Wat must go a’ reiving, Douglas Telfer: The hill
road to Roberton, Viv
Sharp: Bonnie Teviotdale,
Ian Landles: And we ride, Ronnie Tait: Meda’s Song, Ex-Cornet Ian Nichol: Up
wi’ auld Hawick,
Ex-Cornet Philip Murray: Teribus, Pianist, Ian Seeley
Thanks to Graham Ford
for this report