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SCOTTISH BRANCH 2018
Capt (MAA) GJ Webster RAPTC Secretary RAPTC Scottish Branch
The 2018 Scottish Association Branch Gathering took place over the period 2 – 3 June 2018 utilising the excellent facilities of the Green Hotel in Kinross. This is a great facility that benefits the needs of the Branch members. In traditional Scottish Branch style the very competitive Golf competition started on Friday morning on the beautiful Kinross Golf Course. 18 golfers teed-off in blistering sunshine.
The trophies this year were won by:
• Ladies Winner - Mrs Anne Jennings.
• Open Winner - John McGonigle
• Stapleford Winner - John McGonigle
• Scratch Winner - Tom Mulligan
• Honest John Trophy - Capt (Retd) Mike Mooney
Once the Golf was settled the evening activities unfolded. There were rumours circulating around The Green Hotel that Elvis was in the building. In the distance a guitar could be heard being tuned and the vocal tones of a Rock and Roll star could also be heard. As the Branch members took their seats in the McMillan Suite, you could feel the excitement starting to grow. Through the curtain he came like a bat out of hell, the one and only; Capt (Retd) Mike Mooney, aka Snakehips. Mike entertained us for over an hour with classic tunes from the 50 and 60s.
Saturday’s festivities started with the usual pre-dinner drinks in the bar. In traditional style, the guests were “piped in” by OCdt Wallace, from the City of Edinburgh University Officer Training Corps (CEUOTC). The guests were welcomed by the Lt Col (Retd) Dougie Peters who gave a short speech regarding the forthcoming activities. After the main course, OCdt Wallace played a fantastic piping set of traditional tunes and once dinner was completed the
Branch Members received a warmly welcomed RAPTC update from Lt Col (SMAA) Scarr RAPTC.
The Corps SM also delivered a quick speech and took the opportunity to present SSgt (SSI) Shackleton with the Corps SM Coin. Well done and many congratulations on a great achievement! Once our glasses were recharged it was time to settle down and witness a superb display of Scottish Highland Dancing from the young ladies of Sarah Hendry, School of Dancing. These young ladies thoroughly deserved their standing ovation. The evening concluded with Ceilidh music performed by the Tay Sliders Ceilidh Band. This part of the evening is always entertaining watching our Branch Members trying their hand at the Dashing White Sergeant and the Gay Gordons. Thankfully there was an endless supply of brufen available to our elder members.
Events do not happen without hard efforts from others. Special thanks must go towards Lt Col (Retd) Dougie Peters and Mrs Liz Korda (Branch Treasurer) for all their hard work over the year.
2019 will see the “Gathering” taking place in the same location over the weekend 7th and 8th June 2019. This will be a great weekend of entertainment and I urge more serving members to attend.
If there are any Association members’ living in the Scotland Branch area and are not yet on the mailing list but would like to be please contact: Lt Col (Retd) Dougie Peters, the Branch Chairman or Capt (MAA) Grant Webster, the Branch Secretary, to be included for future Gathering dates and Association information. Also the RAPTC Tartan can be purchased by contacting any of the Scottish Branch Committee. Best wishes and hope to see you all next year.
Golfers - as least some claim to be!!