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FROM BRITAIN For Christmas
• Cadbury Selection Boxes • Cadbury Biscuits
• Mincemeat & Christmas Pudding
• Scottish & English Jams, Jellies & Marmalades Selection of Royal Edinburgh
Gift Tin Shortbread
From bur deli: Black Pudding • Ayershire Ham, Bacon, Haggis, Chicken Pies,
Steak & Kidney Pies and a Selection of Other Meat Pies .J&ar^ • Pasties and bridies
Then, treat yourself during this busy season to a hot buttered scone, smothered with jam and
Devonshire Cream and a steaming pot of tea — Delicious!!
THE BRITISH HOME
Open 7 days a week 11-6 - Sunday 1-5 3986 Moncton Street, Richmond, B.C. V7E 3M1 (Steveston) Telephone: (604) 274-2261
HAVE YOUR FAMILY NAMES, CRESTS, TARTANS, OR COMPANY LOGOS CUSTOMIZED ON MUGS OR T-SHIRTS Mugs $14.95 T-Shirts $18.95 / THE PERFECT GIFT! X STILL TIME TO ORDER FOR CHRISTMAS. MugShots (604) 272-0020 or Fax (604) 272-4484
Scots' Hogmanay-of Home and Hearth
By RON JOHNSTONE N1752, Britain adopted the Gregorian Calendar, eliminating 11 days from the year and moving Scottish new year celebrations from October to December. As with most innovations from the south, the Highlands and Islands staunchly refused to comply; resistance to the alteration continues in some remote areas.
As part of the Hogmany preparations, a thorough cleansing of search of gifts. The leader walked the home was essential, other- sunwise around the fire or wise the home would remain around the house itself, a ritual untidy throughout theyear. Cup- believed to ensure good luck for boards were filled as New Year tne coming year.
approached, emptiness at Hog- jn several Highland locations, 190o The completesix volumes manay warned of a year of pov- Hogmanaywas linked to the pre- are available from Lindisfarne
In the Western Isles, groups of boys, with a leader wearing a sheepskin, visited houses in
HOGMANY VERSE
The Song of Hogmany (from John MacRory, Tolorum, Benbecula)
Tonight is the hard night of
Hogmanay I am come tonight with a lamb to
sell
The old fellow yonder sternly said
He would strike my ear against a rock.
The woman, better of speech, said
that I should be let in; For my food and for my drink, A morsel due and something with it!
•
Taken from the Carmina Gadelica, hymns and incantations collected by Alexander Charmichael in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland between 1855 to 1899.
Translated into English, the first two volumes were published in
vious harvest, when the last sheaf
Press, RR#4, Box 94 A-l, Hudson,
The position of clouds in the itself, an item of singular impor- M™Vn'HWi
night sky were noted as harbingers of the weather for the coming year; northern clouds suggested a good year, eastern clouds a reasonable one, a cloudless sky heralded a bad year.
tance, was collected by a specially selected person, usually a little girl. After being decked with ribbons, it was stored until Old Yule when it was put outdoors to feed the birds.
SCOTTISH CALENDAR OF EVENTS
[gift.
The first foot was the first person who crossed a home's threshold in the new year. A fair-haired person was a sign of bad luck and an unwelcomed first foot; a first foot who was believed to have brought bad luck would never again be invited to the home.
Fires failing to burn through the In Argyllshire and the Isles, spe-
year's closing day and night cial "shinty matches" marked the . „„ _ _ .
were thought to be malevolent end of theyear. The games went December 10-B.C. fipers Asso-
death in the family during the ers; before rules and pitch di- (604) 522-6797 for details, coming year. The importance of mensions were stand ardised, in-
a good fire most likely lead to ter-township matches were December 16 — Christmas fun, line the use of fuel as a first foot eift played over the entire country- dancing and more. $5 at the door,
' side 8886 Hudson Street. Call (604) 263-
9811 for details.
In Fife, the game of "Kyles" con-„ , „„ n , _\ ... ,
sis ted of trying to rolf or throw Dece|"b" 28 «r.R*oy2^<\tt,85
an iron ball on the ground or ^"^^""^.f^f^^
,L,„„„i, i_____ ,. UP Between dance. Call (604) 435-2306
through hoops. At Wenyss, an- fm deUi,s
other Hogmanay game,
"Yettlings," involved throwing December 31 — Hogmanay at the stone balls from one goal to an- Scottish Cultural Centre. Sponsored Other. by tne Moray, Nairn and Banff As-
sociation. Highland dress, black tie Some communities used the eel- For every Scot, Hogmanay holds or business suit Doors open at 7 ebrations to help their less fortu- memories of home and hearth, PM. Reserve at (604) 980-0950.
?h!L^emberS by "thig8ing" °f d3yS by and d3yS t0 January 7 - Gaelic Society of
Thigging songs were sung by come. Vancouver, ceilidh and dance at
of theFdUWrtTh1* r.°JUnd,S 1 hoPe everyone's cupboards are the Scottish Cultural Centre. Tick-
^SS^^Twtai f,u11 and that pe,fce 4d rsper-ets $1°at the door'
where it was most reau red -ty 316 y°^rS thr°u8h the c°m" January 14 - B.C. Pipers Associa-
lng year. Happy Hogmanay! tion knock out competition at the
Scottish Cultural Centre. Call (604) 522-9697 for details.
January 21 — Burns Supper sponsored by the Moray, Nairn and Banff Association at the Scottish Cultural Centre with entertainment by the Garioch Blend direct from Scotland. Tickets $25. Call (604) 980-0950 for reservations.
January 25 — Burns supper at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Call (604) 224-1344 for details.
January 27 — Burns celebration and dance. Dance to the Garioch Blend. Sponsored by Moray, Nairn and Banff Association at the Scottish Cultural Centre. Tickets $15 at door. Call (604) 929-2748 for details.
January 28 — Burns supper sponsored by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society at the Scottish Cultural Centre. Call (604) 224-6991 for details.
January 28 — Burns supper at the Gizeh Temple sponsored by the Sons of Scotland #16. Call (604) 521-1092 for details.
January 29—The annual accordian and fiddle session at 3 PM. Come to listen or dance —bring your instrument and join in. Tickets $7 at the door of the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver.
Dance Supplies ahd Scotch Measure
Full Line of Dance Supplies Complete Highland Outfitters - Kilt Making
224 - 6th Street Courtenay, B.C. VON 1M1 * (604) 338-6580
724 Johnson Street Victoria, B>p.
V8W;IN1 (604) 383-681$
rm
=The=
BRITISH
CONNECTION
a wee bit of Scotland, EnglandfIreland & Wales
Specializing in: Tapes, CD's, Videos, Celtic Jewelery, Books, Newspapers and of course, British Sweets and Food Items. We Do Mail Order Country Club Centre, Nanaimo Phone or Fax (604) 751-2728
