Selangor Scotsman July 2014

Selangor Scotsman Newsletter of the Selangor St. Andrew’s Society July 2014

www.ssas-online.com

Committee

Chieftain Alan Bernard chieftain@ssas.com.my Vice-Chieftain Lorna Mair vicechieftain@ssas.com.my Hon. Secretary Donna Miller secretary@ssas.com.my Hon. Treasurer Hector Ingram treasurer@ssas.com.my Committee Members Bernie Williams Elaine Cameron Kathleen Whyte Ken Crawford Kenny Ross Lee Smalley Yvanka Jeffery Resident Past-Chieftains Chuck Jeffery (2013) 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) Newsletter Editor Lee Smalley newsletter@ssas.com.my Membership Secretary membership@ssas.com.my Charities Kathleen Whyte Alice Smith School Governor Yvanka Jeffery Web-Master John Thomson

Chieftain’s Chatter It’s that time of the year again when we pack our suitcases and head westwards on that big metal bird, eagerly looking forward to a well deserved holiday and the opportunity to reunite with family and friends. Since there are no seasons in Malaysia – dry and wet don’t count !, I usually associate the commencement of the UK summer with the Wimbledon Tennis Championship.

Yes, it’s now time for me to pack my rain jacket and a warm jumper, as I’m never quite sure whether it’s going to be 14 Deg.C. and wet, or 30 Deg.C. and beautifully sunny.

Regardless, I’m really looking forward to my annual migration west as I’m sure you are.

The Inaugural KL Highland Games took place in mid May and was attended by over 3,500 people. A little bit of Scottish culture was brought to Kuala Lumpur for the first time and I’m sure the annual KL Highland Games will become even more successful in the years to come. In addition to the monies raised, the children from the various charities were treated to a great day out – something they will remember for the rest of their lives. The thank you notes from the children, included later in the newsletter, made all the effort and hard work truly worthwhile.

The Concert the previous night sold out within a week and I’m sure you will agree with me it was one of the best events we have ever organised. I’m pleased to confirm the date of the 2015 KL Highland Games as the 17th May, with the Concert taking place the evening before. The 2015 KL Highland Games will be bigger and better and to make this happen we will require many more volunteers to assist us. If you’d like to help, either with the organisation or on the day, please drop me an email or give me a call. Bernie’s detailed “Games” report follows later in the newsletter.

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

The Inter-Society golf Tournament was held in June at the Templar Park golf club, home-ground for several of our Society golfers. Perhaps it was the insider knowledge of the course that led to some amazing individual scores and a resounding overall victory for Team Scotland ! Well done team !

It was a great honour to attend the wreath laying ceremony at God’s Little Acre cemetery in Batu Gajah on the second Saturday of June. To meet family members of fallen soldiers and planters, some wearing their father’s military medals, was a very memorable and fulfilling experience. I can still hear the lament, beautifully played by a Gurkha Piper, in my head.

The "New Members Night" was held at Kenny’s abode in late June with many new and long term members in attendance. I sincerely hope the “newbies” enjoyed the initiation ceremony organised by the hosts those masks were spookily realistic !

Our next events are :Welcome Back Nicht on the 13th September - details will be distributed soon.

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If you haven’t purchased your 2014 Great British Ball tickets please remember to do so before you leave on holiday as the event is expected to "sell out” soon.

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The 2014 St Andrew’s Ball will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton on the 22nd November – a great venue ! The “Scottish Ceilidh Band” will be entertaining us so expect a fabulous evening of dancing. Tickets will go on sale from early September.

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Have a safe journey home and fingers crossed for a lovely warm, dry and sunny summer…. Here’s hoping!

Alan

The 2014-2015 Committee Chieftain

Alan Bernard Vice-Chieftain

Hon. Secretary

Hon. Treasurer

Immediate Past-Chieftain

Lorna Mair

Donna Miller

Hector Ingram

Chuck Jeffery

Bernie Williams

Elaine Cameron

Kathleen Whyte

Lee Smalley

Kenny Ross

Ken Crawford

Yvanka Jeffery

Forthcoming Events Date

Event

Venue

13 Sep 2014

Welcome Back Nicht

TBA

18 Oct 2014

Great British Ball

Shangri-La Hotel

22 Nov 2014

St. Andrew’s Day Ball

Hilton Doubletree

31 Dec 2014

Hogmanay Party

Ploy, Bukit Damansara

24th Jan 2015

Burns Night

Hilton Double Tree Hotel, KL

Welcome Back Nicht Saturday 13th September 2014 Venue: tbc

Great British Ball 2014 Tickets are now on sale for this year’s GBB and details of the event can be found on the flyer in this newsletter. This event is always popular and has sold out on a number of occasions. To avoid disappointment please book your tickets/tables early.

Bernie Williams Reports on the KL Highland Games Concert The Red Hot Chilli Pipers ? Here in Malaysia?

How can we contain ourselves? Rod Stewart? What’s he doing here? He’s amazing. I absolutely do not believe that Craig Hill will be here again though, surely he’s had enough of KL by now, even the Beach Club must be losing some of it’s pull. No pun intended.

The Hilton Kuala Lumpur had done the St. Andrew’s Society proud as ever. The ballroom looked fabulous.

The tables were beautifully decorated, the coats of arms were up and the stage was ready for the get go.

As people arrived on May 17th 2014, looking splendid they were able to kill two birds with one stone. They were able to buy their wristbands for entry to the games on the following day.

The long previously deserted foyer began to fill up with guests, the noise volume filled the air as guests excitedly greeted each other and anticipated the events of the evening to come. As soon as we were all seated, Craig Hill came skipping down the aisle. Yes I mean skipping with two very elegant Etihad air hostesses walking languidly behind him as instructed but doing their best to try to keep up with Craig. Of course Craig started the evening off with a bang making selfdeprecatory remarks as ever and relaxing the audience before he went for the jugular and seized upon unsuspecting people in the audience and started on them! The rest of us found this extremely funny from the safety of underneath our tables.

The food and service was up to the usual Hilton excellence. Thank you Hilton. From the first “ real “ roll in a variety of colours and bread types served together the tasty starter, the meal was on to a winner. The chocolates at the end served on the multi tiered plates were the pièce de résistance .

And then the Red Hot Chilli pipers were on, with their beautiful sometimes black, and sometimes red swaying kilts. They played up a storm and remained scintillating to watch, their musicianship and dance moves all totally synchronized. It looks good, it sounds great but it’s a safe bet that many, many hours go into not only the music all performed from memory but the choreography as well. Well done boys. Some of those chaps look as if they should still be in school.

Before the audience can catch their collective breath on comes Rod Stewart aka Paul Metcalf who sang his songs

with his usual aplomb, his jacket barely clutching at his shoulders to stay on him, as is the Stewart style. We all got up and danced to his numbers, bawling out the words to Maggie May. The dance floor and surrounding carpet was packed and before we all knew it Auld Lang Syne was on. Of course everyone crosses their arms at the wrong time and get tied in knots as they all surge forward but that is part of a brilliant night, carefully orchestrated for months in advance by the super St Andrew’s Society and the concert team in particular many thanks to Donna Millar, Lee Smalley and Lisa Alkhalil for a job well done. You did us proud!!

More Photos from the Concert

Report on KL Highland Games

by Bernie Williams

Getting into Bukit Kiara was like getting past Fort Knox or getting into the American Embassy here in Kuala Lumpur.

There were RELA teams, guards, Bukit Kiara’s own security and finally a young Dutch gentleman on the gate who listened very seriously to my earnest plea to get in as I was transporting dancers to the stage. I did not have my security pass so it was no easy feat to get in. Wished I had brought the axe men with me instead of the sweet little dancers. Anyway, we got in.

ing on there were several runners who had taken off around Bukit Kiara on a run, we were all waiting for them to arrive back as the Axe men were aswinging.

It was all happening. The Scottish Dancers went on stage and performed the Petronella with great aplomb.

I believe we got the penultimate parking space in the whole club, and squeezed into it just as another car hemmed in the front of mine. I really hope that no one is going anywhere for a while as no one will be able to get out. Out we all piled and dragged our suitcase full of kilts and dance shoes over the mud, up the stairs and trundled over the field. The exquisite sounds of beautiful angelic music filled our ears as we neared the stage. Already in action were the singers from The Bel Ami Chorale and friends. It seemed strangely incongruous to hear such exquisite music drifting like mist over the polo fields. At least there was not a horse in sight. We managed to find ourselves a seat in the very impressively set up VIP area. Then I set off. After all this was a first. The very first ever-Highland Games in Malaysia. How amazing.

On the far side of the field, rugby was in full progress, the guttural sounds of bodies hitting the ground and each other was pretty well overwhelmed by the bagpipes being played from my vantage point every corner of the field. There were twelve different Bands getting their instruments tuned and played as they paraded manfully around the grounds all seemingly in perfect synch. It was an amazing sight to behold. Some of the pipers and drummers were in white from head to toe; many had kilts from regions that the pipers themselves would never have seen. The Sikh band was complete with turbans and kilts and sashes! A member of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Mr. Craig Monro was judging the individual pipers on their ability, whilst Mr. Allan Wallace from Singapore was the drum judge. And still rugby was played.

Adjacent to the stage were bits of tree trunks attached by nails to a base. Apparently this was for the Axe men!

The Axe men hailed from Australia. None of them wore a kilt. However they made up for their non-kilt wearing by wielding axes and chopping through the massive tree stumps. The technique was very interesting. First they hollowed out a space in the middle of the stump then used the axe to cut through the tree at an angle. . Oh yes, the Axe men were standing atop their trunk of tree as they were chopping. All rather alarming. As this was go-

So continuing on our rounds of inspection of the Highland Games. JJ from Capital Radio did a great job as the MC; he even did a little Scottish dance for us resplendent in his Pink Silk Kilt. He alerted us to the fact that the Heavies were ready to compete. Four well muscled gents walked onto the field and stood under a bar. A very high bar no less. They took it in turns to throw a yellow 30-pound weight over the bar. How did it not land on their head? How could they be so cool and just stand there waiting for this weight to drop back out of the sky. It was a bit like watching a Tom and Jerry cartoon; one’s heart is in one’s mouth awaiting the great fall from the sky. The Heavies: Nick Elliot and William Falconer from Scotland, Aaron Neighbour from Holland and Jeremy Hogg from Australia were amazing. I think they could have picked me up and thrown me over the bar quite happily and without a lot of energy expended.

While all this was going on, time did not stand still on or off the Polo field. Many International Schools had sent fully fledged athletic teams to participate in events around the field, the rugby boys continued to play and the pipe bands continued to be heard in quite amazing harmony. At one point the ISKL dancers suddenly heard Scotland the Brave being played

all around the field and panicked thinking that they were meant to be lining up to go on stage as that was their entry music for both the Petronella and the Reel of the 51st!

The little children were also entertained with fishing for plastic ducks, sticking themselves to the sticky wall, painting large pebbles and of course the bouncy castle was a great hit. Added to this there were 200 children from various charity groups present who competed in mini Highland games all afternoon. The Tug-o’-war well supported on the day and the judges were Blair Robertson and Ruth Hutt. All got through this reasonably intact!

The food vendors were excellent donating part of their hard earned money to charity, which was very kind of them. There was even a celebrity sitting amongst the food stalls Mr. Victor Ubogu born in Nigeria who is a former Bath and England rugby union player. Thanks for visiting us Mr. Ubogu.

Attention is captured again as a loud roaring noise blocks out the sounds of the pipe bands, a bunch of Harley Davidsons do a drive by, what an amazing sight, and every bike different to the one before it. Just then Keely McBride makes her debut on the stage and performs a 6 step highland fling, we are mesmerized. Luckily for us being in Malaysia we were also treated to shows by National troupes: Pakngah Productions, KL swing, SJI Naval cadet band, Klang Mu Zha Ghong Hong De Sports association and Dhol Highlanders drum group. Now we wouldn’t be getting that in Scotland would we?

Our grateful thanks go to the organizing team - Mr. Chuck Jeffrey, Mrs. Donna Millar, Mrs. Elaine Cameron, Mrs. Yvanka Jeffrey, Mrs. Lorna Mair, Mr. Ken Crawford, Mr. Hector Ingram and Mr. Alan Bernard and all their subcommittee members. However there were numerous others involved in this venture and as we all know these things need a lot of time and effort so thank you one and all including all of you who attended on this beautiful morning and rainy afternoon. After all we needed to have a little bit of Scotland somewhere and we got it in the rain!

Photos by Revi Bernard

More Photos from the Highland Games

And even more Photos from the Highland Games

KL Highland Games Results RUGBY 7’S UNDER 12’S, UNDER 16’S AND SENIORS

KL Highland Games Results TUG O’ WAR LADIES 1st St David's 2nd Mont Kiara Menace 3rd Bravies MID 1st Badass Monkies 2nd GPS HEAVY 1st Sids Bar 2nd J&Rs 3rd Talisman

HIGHLAND RACE RESULTS MENS Gold Mark Williams Silver Nathan Breasma Bronze Andrew Spedding WOMENS Gold Rina (GPS) Silver Jalina (GPS) U18’S WOMENS Gold Afia

KL Highland Games Results

Pipes & Drums PIPEBAND Gold Kuala Lumpur Pipes and Drums A Silver Sri Dashmesh Pipe Band Bronze Malaysian Pipe Band Club GRADE D SOLO PIPES Gold Lilbahdur Gurung Silver Bhupinderjit Singh Bronze Harvinder Singh NOVICE SOLO PIPES Gold Izzat Manni/Cai Longkuan Silver Haris Amir/Amanda Gan Bronze Nimeshkumar Gurung

GRADE D SOLO DRUMMING SNARE Gold Tripert Singh Khalsa Silver Keshminderjit Singh Bronze Hazwan Idris TENOR Gold Sukhpreet Kaur Silver Irwan Effendi

NOVICE SOLO DRUMMING SNARE Gold Daniel Ng Silver Syed Eqbal Faznel BASS Gold Sri Deshmesh Pipe Band Silver Malaysian Pipe Band Club Bronze Kuala Lumpur Pipes & Drums A

Inter Society Golf Tournament 2014 June 1

st

saw the Inter Society Golf Championship

hosted, as per tradition by the previous year’s champions who were SSAS. There was a change of venue this year with the organising team opting to hold the tournament at Templar Park. 124 golfers took part and for the first time ever the American Association of Malaysia and the Canadian Association of Malaysia took part also. The weather was kind (ish…) and although there were a few showers for the most part it did not interrupt play too much. Once again SSAS were the winning team with highest combined Stableford points and we were closely followed by MANZA in second place and St. Patrick’s in third place. The top golfer was also part of the winning team with Chuck Jeffery having the highest individual score of 41 points.

Christian Wood owner of “Across the Road” bar in Bangsar laid on a free cocktail bar at the 16th hole which was very well received and the hot pies he served weren’t bad either. Committee members Donna and Lee were our bar maids on the day. A very special thanks must go out to Wendy Boyd, Jackie McLeod, Linda Pyott , Linda Ross, Susan Stevenson, Karin Stewart and Angela Watt. From a hassle free Registration, keeping all refreshed on the course to making the prize raffle such a superb fund raiser, the day would not have been the success it was without their involvement and help.

Everyone has agreed that the bar has been raised this year and we look forward to hosting this exciting event again next year.

Report by Lee Smalley & Ken Ross

Batu Gajah Memorial Service The ceremony held at “God’s Little Acre” Batu Gajah on the 14th June 2014 was superbly organized and attended by approximately 300 people. The wreath laying proved an emotional moment for many of those attending including myself. The Royal Malaysian Police provided the guard of honour, which was duly inspected by the Deputy Chief of Police of Perak. After prayers, the last post was played followed by one minute's silence, and then YDH Dato’ Paramasivam laid the symbolic wreath, while the lament was played by the Ghurkha Pipers from Brunei.

Background The Commemorative Ceremony for those who fell in the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960) and were interred in the Cemetery at Batu Gajah which the planters fondly named as “God’s Little Acre”, has been held annually since 1980.

The, then Officer Commanding Police District Batu Gajah, DSP R Thambipillay, with the permission of the Chief Police Officer Perak, Deputy Commissioner of Police Yuen Yuet Leng, initiated this ceremony, in conjunction with the Police Week Celebrations, which was held on April 10, 1980. The remembrance

day at God’s Little Acre is observed on the second Saturday, annually in June by friends and relatives of those planters, miners, members of the Malayan Police Force, the Commonwealth Forces and the general public, who gave their lives in the defence of the security and integrity of the emerging nation.

There are only 116 of these lying in repose in the cemetery. The ceremony held annually also symbolically commemorates the sacrifices of thousands of others who died for same cause. They too gave their lives in the fight against insidious Communist Terrorism immediately after the declaration of the Emergency and into the early years of Independence. The Commemorative Ceremony which was run under the aegis of the Perak Planters’ Association (1984 to 2000) and continues to be organized under the umbrella of the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) Perak (from 2001), receives strong support from the planting community, well - wishers, the various High Commissions and overseas Regimental Associations.

Report by Alan Bernard, Chieftain

More Photos from Batu Gajah Memorial Service

VIP Guests

Royal Malaysian Police Guards

Highland Games Scotland 2014 Schedule For anyone spending some time at home in the summer you might find this useful‌

JULY 2014

AUGUST 2014

5th July Forres Highland Games

2nd August Aboyne Highland Games

5th July Luss Highland Games

3rd August Bridge of Allan Highland Games

12th July Famous Alva Games

6th August Skye Highland Games

19th July Lochcarron Highland Games

9th August North Berwick International Highland Games

19th July Taynuilt Highland Games

9th August Dundonald Highland Games

19th July City of Inverness Highland Games

14th August Ballater Highland Games

22nd July Inveraray Highland Games

17th August Crieff Highland Gathering

25th July Durness Highland Gathering

23rd August Lonach Gathering

26th July Balquhidder Highland Games

http://www.lonach.org/

26th July Dufftown Highland Games 27th July St Andrews Highland Games 30th July Arisaig Highland Games

23rd August Bute Highland Games 28th August Argyllshire Gathering 28th – 30th August Cowal Highland Gathering

SEPTEMBER 2014 6th September The Braemar Gathering 13th September Pitlochry Highland Games 20th September Invercharron Highland Games

Other Events in Scotland this Summer T in the Park Music Festival, Kinross 10th t0 13th July Rewind 80’s Music Festival, Scone Palace 18th to 20th July Commonwealth Games in and around Glasgow 23rd July to 3 August Edinburgh Fringe Arts Festival 01 August to 25 August Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo 01 August to 23 August Ryder Cup Gleneagles, Perthshire 23rd to 28th September

A little update from our Charities Co-ordinator Kathleen Whyte Just a note to let you all know about how much fun was had by the children from some of the charities we support! The children all arrived filled with excitement looking forward to their big day out, most of them had never seen kilts and bagpipes or tasted Irn Bru before so it was going to be so much fun! As you can see from the gorgeous thank you notes, they had the time of their lives!

On arrival each group were given their complimentary wristbands, then everyone gathered at the mini games tents. They then had lunch and goodies and then the games began! We had the sack race, wellie boot throw, egg and spoon, mini-caber throw & relay race. The children loved it and everyone was a winner with 1st , 2nd & 3rd receiving winning badges and the rest of the team received some sweeties J Even the “Scottish style’ rain didn’t dampen enthusiasm and fun was had by all.

The teams included children from: Special Children of Ampang; Mobiliti; Stepping Stones; Chin Refugees; Harvest School – Dignity for Children; Rumah Kids – Grace Community and Pure Lotus Hospis who made the exciting road trip from Penang to KL which included a sleepover. Special thanks to our friends at Talisman, as they had a tent beside the mini games and they very kindly gave the children copious amounts of complimentary ice cream, Irn Bru and lots of goodies all day long, I even had my first Irn Bru Margarita and it was yummy!

The children then enjoyed complimentary tickets for the kids village and my oh my did they have fun!

Special memories of the mini games for the children I am sure will stay with them for a long time! I would like to send a special shout out to my helpers on the day, Elaine Cameron’s family; Avril, Joan , Lauren and James ; Gemma Whyte; Monica & Charlie Maclean, Kevin & Jamie Maclean; Carole and Colin Findlay; Marina Cauley; Elaine Cresswell; Maisie Hutt and boyfriend; Lani Crawford & Kathryn Mathie.

After the games, we also distributed over 200 boxes of leftover Highland Games bottled water that was kindly donated by the sponsor to be shared around the charities, our very special thanks to Earnest Jude of Mobiliti for kindly delivering for us. We also distributed water to Liz Dixte for the Chins Medical Centre, The Lighthouse and Home of Peace.

One of our other sponsors Etihad also kindly delivered KLHG mini hand fans and balloons to Special Children of Ampang and MAKNA. Special thanks to all of our kind sponsors for their valued support for KLHG. The event was a wonderful success and seeing all the wee happy smiley faces of the children sure made me feel good! I am also sure you will agree the 1st KL Highland Games was a great way to introduce Scottish culture to Kuala Lumpur with some fun along the way!

See you all there next year!

Kathleen x

A Selection of Thank You Letters from the P4 Students at the ACR School