Lang may yer lum reek in Stratford

The Stratford and District Scottish Society celebrated its centennial with a lunch at the Pioneer Village's Shakee Pear cafe last Sunday afternoon. The original society came into being after a very successful Burns Night in January 1912. At the inaugural meeting 110 members were present and all had a strong desire to preserve the customs and traditions of their motherland for future generations. The society enjoyed Scottish country dancing and formed a pipe band which competed in regional and national competitions. Such was the demand for pipe and drum lessons in the early 1960s the band had to put an advert in the local paper saying they were full and couldn't take any more learners. They held Highland Games in Stratford in 1963 and 1964 and in 1978 they held a Military Tattoo to mark the Stratford District's Centennial celebrations. Burns Night and, to a lesser extent, St Andrew's Day have always been highlights on the society's calendar. The original society had to apply to Scotland and get permission to hold a Burns' Night celebration. They then had to follow a strict protocol for events, unlike modern-day Burns Nights which are far more relaxed occasions. Sunday's celebrations saw guests entertained with a display of Highland Dancing by children from the Morgan B. School of Dance as well as the Female World Champion herself. Proceedings were rounded off predictably with the toasting of the haggis in true Robbie Burns style and some pipe band music. ELAINE PICKFORD- SOUTH TARANAKI STAR Last updated 11:12 03/05/2012 John Campbell and Winston Kerr pipe in the haggis.