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On Friday evening 44 of us enjoyed a wonderful MAC CRANMOG
Burns Night at Brampton Golf Club. There was a lot of tartan from varying
clans_ on display.
Peter MacChapman gave the evening added authenticity by turning out in full
highland dress. His main concern was the sudden clumsiness of Sarah
MacLightfoot, who kept dropping things under the table, not sure why! At one
point he was pursued out of the room by Cecile and Judy!!??
The haggis was trumpeted in by Wee Jimmy MacBarham, wearing impressive
headgear, Malcolm MacArthur addressed it!
We had a super meal which was then followed by the entertainment of the
evening. The President, Philip _MacBell_ started the proceedings.??Poems were
read by Judy _MacBell_ and Vanessa Nessie MacBarham. John MacBarrie gave a
tribute to the lassies, Sarah MacLightfoot gave a hilarious reply on behalf
of the lassies. Our Chairman, Haydn _MacLightfoot_, also sporting a magnificent
hat and hairdo, then brought the proceedings to a close, thanking everyone
for taking part. An excellent evening was enjoyed by all.??
TOP HATS & TIARA
By Jacqui Booth
Well it was that time of year again, the annual Cranmog Birthday Bash and this
year being the 38th was to be a Top Hat and Tiara affair very posh!??
Saturday morning saw members arriving at the Dolphin Hotel, St. Ives from all
corners of the country. Many met up for lunch at the Golden Lion in town
where friendships were renewed. The early afternoon was spent blowing up
balloons and decorating the function room in preparation for the main event.
Everyone gathered for drinks in the bar from 6pm, where there was great
interest in how everyone was turned out. Some were dressed as if for the
opera, with top hat & tails, silk scarf and stick, while others took a
more amusing approach varying from a stove pipe hat sporting a union jack to
a huge Mad Hatters Tea Party offering. ??There were hats with cars on and
ladies in top hat fascinators or glitzy show girl top hats.
Most ladies, however, glammed up, matching elaborate tiaras to their ball
gowns. Everyone looked splendid.??We enjoyed a meal of toasted goat_s cheese,
followed by breaded lamb cutlets and an array of deserts, topped off with
coffee and mints. During the meal, a pea-shooter war was declared with paper
balls flying everywhere. I was aware that Ted Rawles seemed to have a
particular aim (no pun intended) in trying to remove my hat he didnŐt
succeed! Balloons were also flying around the room. I think the waiting staff
managed extremely well amid this mayhem.
Following the meal the evening got into full swing with The Five Star Road
Show disco. We were then entertained by _The Cranmog Crackers_, who this year
had a new male dancer in the line up.
Then presentation of awards followed.,
Brian Wake was presented with
an engraved tankard as a thank you for his work as Treasurer from 2007 to
2011 and also as Webmaster.
The Alan Woodsford Memorial Trophy for Unsung Hero was this year presented
to John Barry in recognition of his role as Cranmog photographer.
The 2010 Pit Stop Challenge was again presented to the team, just to make
sure we don_t forget what it looks like!!
Finally, an Honorary Lifetime Membership Certificated was presented to John
Crummie in recognition of his work as Centre Secretary for 28 years. The
award was accepted in his absence by founding members, Philip Bell and Laurie
Povey, who then gave us some anecdotes on the life and times of JC. The
framed certificated will be presented to John by Philip in the near future.
Thanks were given and a bouquet presented to Judy Bell for organising the
whole weekend. She then advised us that the next Birthday Party would be the
last she would organise. We are therefore looking for someone to take over
from her, who ideally could work alongside her next year to ensure a smooth
take over. Mind you, she will be a very hard act to follow.??
The evening continued with dancing till midnight when we decamped to the main
bar for the raffle. Thank you to everyone who donated bottles for the prizes
and to those who purchased tickets, this income pays for the free bar during
the evening and your contributions are much appreciated. It was then off to
bed to rest our weary dancing legs, although I believe some stayed later in
the bar, Philip Bell earning the accolade of Last in the Bar so he informed
me!? br> ,
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