JULY/AUGUST 2001
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 9
Over 12,000 Visitors Enjoy Scottish Hospitality at the BC Highland Games
VANCOUVER - June 30 was a glorious sunny day, a perfect day for the B.C. Highland Games sponsored by the United Scottish Cultural Society of Vancouver. The annual event is held at the Coquitlam Town Centre Stadium in Coquitlam.
The grounds were a sea of kilts, as Highland dancers and pipers mingled between competitions. A great family atmosphere always prevails at the Games with lots of room for the children to play and soak up the many aspects of Scottish culture.
One fascinating booth for the younger folk this year was the one hosted by the 78th Fraser Highlanders. Here, they were enthralled to see the vintage muskets and cannon on display and peppered members of the garrison with questions about their function.
As usual, the Scottish Cultural information booth was a hive of activity with volunteers directing people to various activities while answering the many questions about the culture. I spoke to Jim Bain, the President of the Scottish Cultural Centre, shortly afterwards. He said this has been their best year to date, with well over 12,000 people in attendance.
He related an amusing story about an incident which took place on the night before the Games. Just as volunteers and set up crews were preparing to shut down for the evening, a camper van pulled into the darkened north parking lot.
Assuming the tourists has arrived to attend the opening of the Games the following morning, Jim approached the van with a greeting and an invitation to park inside the stadium for the night.
The response was a puzzled look and an explanation in halting English that they were German tourists on a driving tour of British Columbia. They had become lost in the darkness after turning off the Trans Canada Highway.
Jim explained that a huge Scottish event would be taking place the next day and invited them to
JIM MAIR of the 78th Fraser Highlanders was the Mace Bearer at the Kirkin' O' the Tartan Ceremony on June 24
DANCERS with the Elizabeth Johnston School of Highland Dancing carried the tartan at St. Andrew's-Wesley Church.
stay inside the stadium. Next morning, they awoke to the sounds of bagpipes and all the sights and aromas of traditional Highland culture. The only phrase which required no translation was the universal expression, "beer tent."
After receiving directions to assist them on their journey, the Germans were sent along their way with warm smiles and friendly waves all around. A true example of the warmth of Highland hospitality. For more information on Scottish events in Vancouver, call (604) 263-9911.
VOLUNTEERS from the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society manned the Scottish Cultural information booth at the B.C. Highland Games in Coquitlam on June 30. At the far right in this photo is Bill Carracher who is also a volunteer distribution driver for The Celtic Connection.
TWO COMPETITORS pause during their rehearsals in preparation for their performance before the adjudicators.
Winds of Change in Bagpipe World
The increasing competition between the world's Grade 1 pipe bands is leading to battles to transfer top musicians from one band to another and using tactics reminiscent of world football to attract the top players.
Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band (striving to return to Grade 1) has signed up Canadian piper Michael Grey who was recently voted the world's greatest bagpipe music composer.
And others have been accused of offering inducements to secure the services of top players.
The World Pipe Baud Championships will take place in Glasgow on August 11 and bands will be striving to remain in the bagpiping "Premier League." Relegation to a lower grade can mean less prestige, prize money and lucrative sponsorship.
But the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association is considering tightening the controls on the transfer of players.
Last year, when Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band won the World Championship they had two Australians, a Dane and a piper from Ireland and this year they will have another Australian.
THE ALEXANDER BROTHERS
(Direct from Scotland)
DON'T MISS TOM& JACK THIS TIME!
Saturday, October 6th - 8:00 P.M.
At the Scottish Cultural Centre
8886 Hudson Street (at 73rd) Vancouver Advance Booking - $18 At Door-$20 For tickets call: (604) 939-3963 or (604) 984-9110
Scottish Cultural Centre
E^BM** Looking for just the right place to celebrate a Wedding, an Aiiniversary, or a Special Occasion? Need a large, medium or small room to host a seminar or training session*? Want a location easy to find and close to the Airport? The Scottish Cultural Centre is equipped to meet your needs with rooms to host from 40 to 400, a large commercial kitchen and a bar. You are united to visit the Centre, view the facilities and discover our competitive rates.
SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE CENTRE
SEPTEMBER 28TH, OCTOBER 26TH, NOVEMBER 23RD & DECEMBER 28TH ARE CEILIDH NIGHTS
Come join us for a night of Scottish Ceilidh Dancing from 8 -11 p.m. Cost is $6 including live music and refreshments. For info, please call Duncan MacKenzie (604) 436-3193. Sponsored by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
OCTOBER 6TH - THE GAELIC SOCIETY OF VANCOUVER
Presents "The Alexander Brothers" Scotland's International Entertainers. Tickets go on sale July 15. Call (604) 939-3963 or (604) 984-9110.
The Scottish Cultural Centre 888(3 Hudson St. (tit 73rd) in Vancouver CALL US AT (604) 263-9911 OR FAX (604) 263-9510