Selangor Scotsman Dec 2013

SELANGOR SCOTSMAN Newsletter of the Selangor St. Andrew’s Society December 2013

www.ssas-online.com 1

Committee Chieftain Chuck Jeffery chieftain@ssas.com.my

CHIEFTAIN’S CHATTER Merry Christmas and a

Vice-Chieftain & Hon. Secretary Alan Bernard secretary@ssas.com.my Hon Treasurer Hector Ingram treasurer@ssas.com.my Committee Members Bernie Williams Donna Millar Elaine Cameron Jeff Ross Kathleen Whyte Lee Smalley Lorna Mair Pauline Geddes Yvanka Jeffery

Happy

New

Year

when it comes. I hope to wish you Happy New Year personally at the Hogmanay

party

at

Ploy after the bells. At the

time

of

writing

tickets are still available for our Hogmanay party, so if you’ve nothing planned?

It is an exciting time for us with the first KL Highland games planned for the 18th of May next year. We will be calling out for assistance

Resident Past-Chieftains

in terms of organising this event over the next

Ali King (2012) Johan Murison (2011) Richard Thompson (2010) Paul Henderson (2009) Alistair Paterson (2008) Hector Ingram (2007) John Thomson (2006) Roger McGowan (2005) Patrick Russell (1997 & 2004) Tristan Russell (1989) Stewart Forbes (1987)

couple of months and I encourage you to roll

Newsletter Editor Lee Smalley newsletter@ssas.com.my

Don’t forget to book for the Burn’s Supper, ticket

Membership Secretary membership@ssas.com.my Charities Kathleen Whyte Alice Smith School Governor Yvanka Jeffery Web-Master John Thomson

up your sleeves and help us. We have attached a description of the games for those who are not familiar with such events and to show your friends.

I would like to thank my organizing

committee for a great St Andrew’s Ball and if you were in attendance I’m sure you’ll agree they did well.

sales are going fast. I hope to see you there.

HAVE A GREAT FESTIVE SEASON! Yours Aye

Chuck Jeffery Chieftain The Selangor Scotsman is sponsored by Asian Tigers Transpo Movers (M) Sdn Bhd Lot 6, Jalan Ragum 15/17, Seksyen 15 4000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Eshan Tel: +603 5565 2200 Fax: +603 5513 3788 www.asiantigers-malaysia.com

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The Highland Games

We plan to hold the first Kuala

in the region of 23,000 spectators from

Lumpur Highland games on Sun-

around the globe. Worldwide, however, it

day the 18th May of 2014 at the

is exceeded in terms of spectators by two gatherings in the United States: the 50,000

Bukit Kiara Polo field between

that a2end Grandfather Mountain in North

Damansara and Mont Kiara.

Carolina and the even larger gathering—

Highland games are events held

the largest in the Northern Hemisphere

throughout the year in Scotland and other

that has taken place every year since 1865

countries as a way of celebrating Scottish

hosted by the Caledonian Club of San Fran-

and Celtic culture and heritage, especially

cisco. This event is currently held on Labor

that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain as-

Day weekend in Pleasanton, California..

pects of the games are so well known as to

The games are claimed to have influ-

have become emblematic of Scotland,

enced Baron Pierre de Coubertin when he

such as the bagpipes, the kilt, and the

was planning the revival of the Olympic

heavy or strong man events, especially the

Games. De Coubertin saw a display of High-

caber toss. While centred on competitions

land games at the Paris Exhibition of 1889.

in piping and drumming, dancing, and

The Java St. Andrew’s Society of Ja-

Scottish heavy athletics, the games also

karta claim to host the largest highland

include entertainment and exhibits related

gathering or games in the Southern Hemi-

to other aspects of Scottish and Gaelic cul-

sphere In a good year they have claimed as

ture. The Cowal Highland Gathering, better

many as 7000 spectators. It is unlikely that we

known as the Cowal Games, held in Du-

will exceed their numbers in our first year but

noon, Scotland, every August, is the largest

it is our inten?on to offer a similar spectacle

Highland games in the world, attracting

and would hope that it becomes a fixed event

around 3,500 competitors and somewhere

in the KL social calendar.

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The Highland Games will include:HEAVY EVENTS

Although quite a range of events can be a part of the Highland athle?cs compe??on, a few have become standard.

•

•

Caber toss: A long tapered pine pole or log is hoisted by the compe?tor who balances it ver?cally holding the smaller end in his hands (see photo). Then the compe?tor runs forward a2emp?ng to toss it in such a way that it turns end over end with the upper (larger) end striking the ground first.

Stone putt: This event is similar to the modern-day shot put as seen in the Olympic Games.

Instead of a steel shot, a large stone of variable weight is oEen used, the thrower is allowed to use any throwing style so long as the stone is put with one hand with the stone res?ng cradled in the neck un?l the moment of release.

•

•

Sco!sh hammer throw: This event is similar to the hammer throw as seen in modernday track and field compe??ons, though with some differences.

•

Weight throw, also known as the weight for distance event. The weights are made of metal and have a handle a2ached either directly or by means of a chain. The longest throw wins.

Weight over the bar, also known as weight for height. The athletes a2empt to toss a 56 pound (22KG) weight with an a2ached handle over a horizontal bar using only one hand. Each athlete is allowed three a2empts at each height, the highest successful toss wins.

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PIPE BANDS The most memorable of all the events at the games is the massing of the pipe bands. Normally held in conjunc?on with the opening and closing ceremonies of the games, we would expect 100 pipers and drummers to a2end our compe??on including the many local pipe bands as well as some visitors from Brunei and Australia. The result is a thunderous rendi?on of tradi?onal favourites Scotland the Brave or Amazing Grace, and other crowd-pleasing favorites.

It is, in fact, the music of the bagpipe which has come to symbolise music at the Games and, indeed, in Scotland itself.

But the pipes and drums are not the only music which can be heard at Highland other forms of musical entertainment, including popular music. We intend to have a Rod Stewart tribute band at our pregames dinner concert and a bagpipe playing rock band called the “Red Hot Chillie Pipers”. We have had both of these bands perform at our events before and each were given thunderous applause.

DANCE We will hold a Highland dancing exhibi?on as well as a ScoKsh country dancing compe??on.

OTHER EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS. We plan a wide variety of other ac?vi?es and events including junior track and field involving the local interna?onal schools. Bike races per age group. Five a-side soccer and touch rugby tournaments for youngsters will also take place on the main field. Various food vendors will also offer assorted types of tradi?onal ScoKsh refreshments and local foods.

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Oh What A Night!

St. Andrew’s Ball, 23rd November 2013 Hilton Double Tree Hotel, Kuala Lumpur “We filled the dance floor. It didn’t really come apart. The band was amazing. What a great night. I am so exhausted, I danced every dance”. These were just a few of the comments overheard as the night drew to a reluctant close with the final rendi?ons of Auld Lang Syne s?ll ringing in our ears. What a wonderful way to end a wonderful night surrounded by friends, with a good ?me had by all.

The Ball actually started at 10:00am for the organising team. Organising the lay out of the room takes quite a while. The coats of arms have to be proudly displayed for all to see, the plaques of past chieEains who have earned their names engraved on brass plaques need to have a posi?on of prominence on the stage.

The haggis has to be checked again and again to ensure the poor chef has got the instruc?ons right. The silverware has to be polished and displayed. In the background one hears the trumpe?ng of the bagpipes ?ll the noise moves to a crescendo in the foreground and the pipe band marches forward to accompany the haggis party as they prac?ce for the evening. 6

Then Rusty Nail appear rather bleary eyed to do their sound checks and finally the li2le girls from ISKL arrive in a gaggle of great excitement as they find out where they need to stand on the dance floor. The music has to be organized so everything will go without a hitch on the night.

There is a massive difference when we all return that evening. The Ballroom with it’s craEy ligh?ng has transformed the scene of frene?c ac?vity into a serene fairyland just wai?ng for the party to begin.

The guests arrive looking splendid in kilts and ball gowns. We greet each other, as many would not have seen each other since the last get together which for some of us would have been the previous January with the Burns Supper. For others it was the previous week at dance prac?ce in Hampshire Park.

AEer the formali?es of the speeches, the guests were able to relax and enjoy the fine food and wine with a touch of Scotch here and there. The speech to the haggis was appreciated, the amazing bagpipe music and display were excellent and the junior dancers showed us, that ScoKsh Dancing is a piece of cake. Then it was our turn. The dance floor was packed in seconds. Everyone joined in, and a lot of merriment was had. Long live the Ball.

By Bernie Williams

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More Images from the Ball

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SSAS Whisky Tasting Evening 9th November

difficult to beat and the team consisting of Lorna Mair, Elaine Cameron, Pauline Geddes, Mandy Tunstall and Clare Smith walked off with first prize. The quiz was set by Lisa Ingram and thank-you to her.

The Chieftain and his wife kindly allowed the whisky tasting to be held at their hoosie on the 9th of November.

The plan for the event was to have a whisky tas?ng compe??on with 5 different drams, a quiz with a ScoKsh flavour but more than anything else, to have a sociable get-together and a news. With food being supplied by Jarrod and Rawlings and a cash bar, all the elements were in place for a splendid evening.

Lee Smalley was our wonderful barkeeper for the evening and thank-you to her for helping out and making sure the beer and wine were cold. The food from J&R’s complemented everything nicely and the salt beef was par?cularly good.

All in all, a fun evening with much thanks to Chuck and Yvanka for allowing the event to take place at their home and for doing much of the organising.

And to start with the whisky tasting; there were 5 to be picked and scored, a Speyside, an Island, a Lowland, an Imposter (blended whisky as opposed to malt) and a “Bogie”, which, as well as something originating in the nasal passages, in this context means a “whisk[e]y” product from outside Scotland. This time it was from Japan and not many picked this up. There were some serious sniffings and samplings going on around the tasting table but the Chieftain had concocted a fairly difficult set of whiskies to pick from and the scores were on the low side. The winner however, emerged as Mark Embleton and his prize was a bottle of Old Pulteney.

Until next year then………. (And in leaving, a picture of the Chieftain contemplating his “Bogie”) Hector Ingram

There was also a quiz and thankfully, the quiz had lots of pictures rather than words, which suited the whisky tasters in par?cular, but the girls were

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Ali King reports on

The Great Bri,sh Ball

Well what a fantas?c night was had by all, and by all accounts a record number of guests a2ended this year’s Great Bri?sh Ball. We were treated to a night of free flow champers all night long, and it didn't take long for us to get in to the mood for dancing.

The foyer as usual was decked out Great Bri?sh style showing our true colours. Whilst sipping my champagne and wai?ng for the nights entertainment to begin I had the chance to catch up with many of my friends, who incidentally I only see at the ball these days. AEer being called to dinner we ate the most sumptuous meal, washed down with copious amounts of very nice wine.

comments that they had upped their game this year. I always think they are fantas?c and get that crowd on to floor with their first song every ?me.

This year was no different and I danced all night long, by the ?me the disco started I was done with dancing. I had a wonderful ?me enjoying some cheese and port and watching those with some energy leE! We did manage to last un?l around 3am, very good for us I may say. Rumour has some lasted ?ll 6am, another hour and they could have gone for breakfast!!

Well done to all concerned organising the event it was simply a splendid evening, I very much look forward to next year’s ball. One last word on the next years ball……get your ?ckets as soon as they come on sale, there were many people who were leE disappointed this year.

See you all there next year.

I have to say this year’s chairwoman gree?ng was done very tastefully, star?ng off in London outside Buckingham Palace and finishing of on the stage at the ball. It was all done by video, very interes?ng indeed I found it. It seemed like everyone else thought so to, as the room was silent during the gree?ng.

Moving on to the highlight of the night, the band once again was Big Verne & the Shootahs… well how good were they this year ? I heard lots of

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Ali x

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Our Welcome Back Nicht took place this year at KLGCC Bowling Club on Saturday 28th September.

It was well a2ended by over 50 people and a great night was had by all.

We had almost everyone bowling in the compe??on and there where some very compe??ve spirits! And others that were just full of spirits!! We had some quality prizes donated and these were awarded to the top 3 places in the bowling compe??on. We also had a loser’s prize because everyone knows it’s not all about winning but the taking part that counts!!

The photo top right shows the top three bowlers on the night. First prize went to Freddy Lydford, second place was Paul Henderson and third place was Lauren Geddes, however with Lauren’s nego?a?ng skills she was able to swipe the 2nd place prize from Paul, she was not bothered about coming second but was determined that bo2le of Baileys was hers!!

Our last place prize went to Elaine Ferguson who wore here Scotland tee shirt with such pride.

She is pictured here with our ChieEain Chuck Jefferey and Paul Geddes who put the teams together on the night.

Appeal on behalf of Beneficiaries of the Aged European Society The fund was started as a collec?on in the early 1900s to pay the passage home of a lady whose husband had died in Selangor leaving her des?tute. AEer serving its ini?al purpose it was decided to follow up on the idea by turning it into an ongoing fund to help others in similar circumstances. The purpose of this appeal is not to ask for money but to ask for volunteers to visit the beneficiaries from ?me to ?me to give them some company and ascertain whether there is anything in par?cular that can be done for them. John Thomson has been very kind in visi?ng Clifford Standley several ?mes which has been greatly appreciated by Mr Standley and which John says he also enjoyed. However, it would be wonderful if others could help in this. What I am asking for is a li2le help with outreach and possibly iden?fying others with a European connec?on in need of help. If you have a few hours to spare and would like to help please contact Tristan Russell by email on tbr@boh.com.my

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Forthcoming Events Date

Event

Venue

31st Dec 2013

Hogmanay Party

Ploy Restaurant, Damansara

25th Jan 2014

Burns’ Supper 2014

Inter-Continental Hotel, KL

TBA

AGM

TBA

17th May 2014

May Concert

Hilton Hotel

18th May

Highland Gathering

Bukit Kiara Polo Field

Selangor St. Andrew’s Society Burns Supper 2014 Tickets are now on sale for the Burns Supper which will be held at the Intercon?nental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on the 25th January 2014. Details of the event are on the flyer overleaf. This event is always popular and has been sold out on a number of occasions well in advance of the event. To avoid disappointment please book your ?ckets/tables early. Further details can be found at the Events page of the Society website.

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A Man’s A Man For A’ That Is there for honesty poverty That hings his head, an' a' that; The coward slave - we pass him by, We dare be poor for a' that!

For a' that, an' a' that, Our toils obscure an' a' that, The rank is but the guinea's stamp, The man's the gowd for a' that.

What though on hamely fare we dine, Wear hoddin grey, an' a' that?

Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine, A man's a man for a' that.

For a' that, an' a' that, Their tinsel show, an' a' that, The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor, Is king o' men for a' that.

The annual Burns’ Supper is fast approaching and will be held at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on 25th January 2014. In preparation for Burns’ Supper all over the world, many people will be studying and considering extracts from Burns’ poetry to augment their speeches and toasts.

Ye see yon birkie ca'd a lord, Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that; Tho' hundreds worship at his word, He's but a coof for a' that.

For a' that, an' a' that, His ribband, star, an' a' that, The man o' independent mind He looks an' laughs at a' that.

The poem most commonly recited is “Tam o’ Shanter”. And indeed, a few years back, the Society engaged the services of Scottish actor, Chris Tait, who delivered “Tam o’ Shanter” in full costume as if it was Robert Burns himself speaking. As part of the Immortal Memory Toast it was an amazing performance and stunning tribute!

A prince can mak a belted knight, A marquise, duke, an' a' that; But an honest man's aboon his might, Gude faith, he maunna fa' that!

For a' that, an' a' that, Their dignities an' a' that, The pith o' sense, an' pride o' worth, Are higher rank than a' that.

Then let us pray that come it may, (As come it will for a' that,) That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth, Shall bear the gree, an' a' that.

For a' that, an' a' that, It's comin yet for a' that That man to man, the world o'er, Shall brithers be for a' that.

Chris Tait delivering Tam o’ Shanter at the Burns’ Supper 2008 , Nikko Hotel, Kula Lumpur 16

that self respect doesn't come from inherited wealth or titles.

thoroughly enjoy Tam o’ Shanter, and in fact committed the whole poem to memory many years ago, but my personal favourite poem of Robert Burns is “A Man’s A Man for A’ That”.

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Verse Five is a prayer that sense and worth shall eventually triumph over other virtues and be accepted by all mankind. Burns imagines a future world in which all people will live as brothers, in mutual respect and trust. He optimistically predicts that I"t's coming yet, for a' that". Well, given the state of the world today, it is evident that it hasn’t yet arrived, but during the season of goodwill it is still a worthy ideal and one that will endure.

It was first published anonymously in 1795 as Burns was concerned about reprisals. In the poem, Burns expresses some radical views on class distinction and was very critical of the ruling classes.

In Verse One, Burns declared that the lack of financial means or one’s position in a social class should not be the measure of a man's true worth.

"The rank is but the guinea's stamp" means that social status or standing of a person is rather superficial and can be compared the imprint upon a golden guinea coin. The man's true character is the gold.

However, the sentiments expressed in Verse Five have had an international impact as I know from personal experience. I once undertook a consultancy project to St. Petersburg on behalf of the International Atomic Energy Agency, relating to response methods to deal with nuclear smuggling. I inter -acted with senior officers of the Russian Customs Service.

Verse Two continues the theme, stating that the wearing of ordinary clothes or eating plain wholesome simple food again is not a true indication of a man’s character. He goes on to say that appearances are just like tinsel and all for show. He categorically states that honesty is worth more than fancy clothes!

After a few days of working together I was having a drink in a bar near to the Russian Customs Academy with one of the very senior Customs Officers and his minders who were security service personnel. With my background in both UK and Hong Kong Police, we began to swap stories and found that we had common ground in many areas, despite, the differences in, culture, society and political ideology. I commented that the world was changing. A few years previously it would have been unthinkable that we could have even met or that we could have had such a frank exchange of views.

Verse Three was probably the one that might have provoked an adverse reaction from the nobility.

Burns talks about a “birkie” (young man) who struts around, and has the title of Lord, but can only be regarded as a “coof” (an idiot). He concludes that any man who learns to think for himself would look upon the affectation of the aristocracy with scorn.

Burns may have been correct that such commentary would have provoked some adverse reaction in 1795, but not all nobility found such sentiments to be offensive. For example, it is known that Her Majesty, Queen Victoria thoroughly enjoyed reading Burns poetry and her personal favourite was “A Man’s A Man for A’ That”. She had the poem read aloud to her on several occasions when she was in residence at Balmoral.

The senior customs officer, who had hitherto not said one word in English, preferring to use an interpreter, turned to me and said, “For a' that, an' a' that, It's comin yet for a' that That man to man, the world o'er, Shall brothers be for a' that.”

Verse Four continues with the theme which is, yet again, critical of the nobility. Burns comments that princes can hand out titles at will, but honesty and good sense are worth much more than any title and

I was utterly astonished!

John M. Thomson

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A little update from our Charities Co-ordinator Kathleen Whyte Last month we sponsored the Note of thanks from Monica McLean Volunteer at Stepping Stones

children from the Stepping Stones Children’s Home’s Fun Day Out to Desa Water Park which was organised by Monica MacLean.

On behalf of Stepping Stones children's home we would like to say a huge thank you to the Scottish Society for making this day out to Desa Water Park happen. This

Committee members Elaine Cameron and Lorna Mair went along to help out on the day and both said that it was a wonderful day out and it was fabulous to see the children having so much fun.

is their second outing this year thanks to the Scottish society. The kids (and big kids..... Our band of trusty helpers! ) all had a wonderful day… Slides, lazy rivers and the biggest delight was the wave machine with music!

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Petrosains KLCC Trip – 21 November 2013 Sponsored by Selangor St Andrews Society Another fun day out that we sponsored for the ACR refugees was headed by ‘Aun?e’ Trine and helped by all the other wonderful ‘Aun?es’ and this was also a fabulous day out for the children. To give you a be2er insight, here is just one of the lovely thank you le2ers wri2en by one of the children.

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I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…

Just like the ones I used to know.

As I listened to Bing Crosby singing this old song the other day it made me feel homesick and craving a bit of good old ScoKsh winter.. Not the damp rainy days, Scotland can keep those but I really do miss the crisp cold dry days. There’s nothing be2er than geKng all wrapped up in your winter woollies and heading out for a bracing walk and then coming home to a big bowl of home made soup! I leE Scotland in December 2003 and moved to Singapore, aEer 4 years in the tropics we moved to Perth, Australia with long hot summers and mild winters and have now been in KL for over 3 years. I realised that I hadn’t

of the sta?s?cal likelihood of snow based on

spent Christmas as I know it at home for 10 years . So

climatology, we know that a snowflake has

as I pondered what it would be like to have a white

fallen on Christmas Day 38 ?mes in the last 52

Christmas it got me thinking how many white Christ-

years, therefore we can probably expect more

mases have there actually been in the UK?

than half of all Christmases to be a 'white Christmas' in this sense.

So what exactly is a White Christmas? For many people, a White Christmas means a complete covering of

Snow lying on the ground on Christmas Day -

snow falling between midnight and midday on 25 De-

as we would expect from typical Christmas

cember. However, the defini?on used most widely,

scene - is much rarer. There has only been a

notably by those placing and taking bets, is for a sin-

widespread covering of snow on the ground

gle snowflake (perhaps among a mixed shower of rain

(where more than 40% of sta?ons in the UK

and snow) to be observed falling in the 24 hours of 25

reported snow on the ground at 9am) four

December at a specified loca?on. The met office can

?mes in the last 51 years.

accurately forecast if snow is likely on any given Christmas Day up to five days beforehand. In terms

Christmas 2010 was the last white Christmas in the UK. It was extremely unusual, as not only was there was snow on the ground at 83% of sta?ons - the highest amount ever recorded - but snow or sleet also fell at 19% of sta?ons according to the Metoffice UK. Well there you have it, I know there’s only one chance we’d ever get snow in Malaysia and that’s nae chance!!

Lee Smalley

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Scotland’s very own Nicholas McDonald pipped at the post in X Factor 2013 Final Motherwell’s

Nick McDonald 17 years old has been pipped at the post in this year’s X Factor Final. Nicknamed Baby Buble by his mentor Louis Walsh and Nicky Blue Eyes by judge Nicole Sherzinger Nicholas seemed to win the hearts of the na?on week aEer week in this year’s compe??on, but Prison officer Sam Bailey has been crowned the UK's 10th X Factor winner aEer the public picked her over ScoKsh teenager Nicholas McDonald in the final show of the series.

AEer it was announced that Sam had won she was quick to sing her compe?tor's praises.

"I don't know what to say," she said. "I just want to say that I love that boy to pieces, Nicky McDonald, and he needs to get an album out as well.

"He's got the most amazing voice. I love him to death." McDonald, 17, returned the compliments. "If I was geKng beaten by anybody, it was going to be Sam," he said.

"I just want to say thank you to absolutely every single person who voted for me.

"This is not the end of me - I know I'll have an album out."

Nicholas, 17, spent most of yesterday in talks with agents over the show’s live tour and

reps who will plan his future as a solo star before returning home to Motherwell.

The sixth-year pupil at St Aidan’s High, Wishaw, said there was no disgrace in not winning the show, whose Sunday night final was watched by 10 million. He said: “People like Olly Murs, One Direc?on and JLS have never won the show, but are highly successful.

NICHOLAS McDonald's mum Eileen insists she's thrilled her son was pipped for X Factor glory - because she'll get him home for a family Christmas. Proud Eileen believes it will be great for the teenage singer to return home to family and friends before planning his music career.

Eileen said: “I am happy with the outcome and so is Nicholas. “What will be will be. We will hopefully be able to keep some work and family life balance and Nicholas will be able to follow his dreams, make an album and tour and do what he does best”.

“Our family life and friends are really important to us and the good thing about not winning the compe??on is that Nicholas will have more control over that.”

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Other Scot’s doing us Proud "No ma2er how excited I try to sound, my voice always sounds boring - that's just my voice. I'm sorry. I'm very excited right now. Thank you very much everyone."

Murray is the fourth tennis player to win the award in its 60-year history, aEer Ann Jones in 1969, Virginia Wade in 1977 and Greg Rusedski in 1997.

Sports Personality: Sir Alex Ferguson's BBC Diamond award Andy Murray has been voted the 2013 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The 26-year-old Scot became the first Briton in 77 years to win the Wimbledon men's singles ?tle with victory over Novak Djokovic in the summer. Wales and Bri?sh & Irish Lions rugby union player Leigh Halfpenny was runner-up, with jockey AP McCoy third.

"I'd like to thank all the public who voted, for giving me so much support over the last couple of years," said Murray. "It's made a huge difference."

The ceremony was held at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, although Murray was presented with the award in Miami where he is training ahead of the new season.

Mar?na Navra?lova, the 18-?me Grand Slam cham- Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson pion, handed the trophy over. was given a special BBC Sports Personality Diamond Murray, who was third behind cyclist Sir Bradley Award during the show's 60th edi?on on Sunday.

Wiggins and heptathlete Jessica Ennis in 2012, said: The Scot, 71, re?red in May aEer 26 years as man"Thanks to Mar?na for giving this to me. She's pos- ager at Old Trafford. Ferguson won 38 trophies dursibly the greatest tennis player of all ?me. ing his ?me at the club, including 13 league ?tles, "I've got a few people to thank - my family first. A two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and lot are there in the crowd. They've supported me four League Cups. since I was a kid, making a lot of sacrifices for me. I couldn't have done it without you.

"This is a wonderful honour for me. Thanks to the "My team are also all standing behind the camera BBC and everyone for this award," said Ferguson. here. They've been with me for a long ?me and I "I've had a great life, a great career. I'm s?ll busy. also couldn't have done it without them. Thank you I've not gone away but, you know something, I to all of them." picked the right ?me (to re?re) as 27 years in this Of the public, he added: "I know some?mes I'm not industry is very difficult. the easiest person to support but I've had a lot of pressure on me for a long ?me. I'm glad I managed22"Once again thanks very much." to do it.

The 2013-2014 Committee Chieftain

Chuck Jefferey Vice-Chieftain and Hon. Secretary

Hon. Treasurer

Immediate Past-Chieftain

Alice Smith School Trustee Governor

Alan Bernard

Hector Ingram

Ali King

Yvanka Jefferey

Bernie Williams

Donna Miller

Elaine Cameron

Jeff Ross

Kathleen Whyte

Lee Smalley

Lorna Mair

Pauline Geddes

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