HAWKES BAY SCOTTISH DINNER
Clan Donald Hawkes Bay hosted a dinner on the 8th of July for “Clan Donald and Friends”. International Tartan Day falls on 1 July and the dinner helped to mark that occasion as well as providing a bit of winter cheer.
The dinner attracted 46 guests, including the Clan Donald National President Christine Martin and her husband Elwyn, who is the Clan Donald South Island Commissioner. Also in attendance were the North Island Commissioner Tom McDonald and his wife Lynnette, who is a Vice President of Clan Donald Auckland, and John and Trish McKechnie from Clan Donald Wellington.
Clan Donald Hawkes Bay’s Piper, Maurice Chisnall, who is the Pipe Major of the City of Hastings Pipe Band, piped in the visiting dignataries, and also piped in the haggis for the Haggis Ceremony which was held at the beginning of the evening, after which he entertained those present with a selection of pipe tunes. Later in the evening Robert Arrell, from the Napier Pipe Band, played for the gathering as well.
From the left. Elwyn Martin, Lynnette McDonald, Peter Mackie (Treasurer HB), Jill McDonald, David McDonald (President HB), Christine Martin, Doug McGechan, Ruth Parker, Bruce Parker, Bev Fothergill, Lyn McNaughton, Glennis McDonald, Ian McDonald, John McKechnie, Trish McKechnie, and kneeling Tom McDonald.
Robert Arrell and Harry Renfree from the Napier Pipe Band, Doug McGechan, Glennis and Ian McDonald.
Ian Brown, Diane Peters, Tim and Denise Godfrey.
Bruce and Ruth Parker.
Lynnette McDonald, John and Trish McKechnie, Christine and Elwyn Martin.
Peter Mackie, Jill and David McDonald, Greg Rowe.
Robert Arrell from the Napier Pipe Band.
Hawkes Bay President David McDonald was very happy with the success of the evening and with the number attending. By opening the occasion up to “Friends of Clan Donald” as well as members, it is much easier to attract enough people to make the occasion financially viable as well as enjoyable for those participating – literally “the more the merrier”.