MCCNI Rally Burns Weekend Friday 24th January until Sunday 26th January 2020
Well, what a weekend!! From the warm welcome from Selma and Elmer and Jane and Frank on Friday night it was all go.
The Fun started on Friday night with Davy and Joan from the North West Swing Dancing Group, we had a lovely Demonstration, then the Audience participation started, right feet and left feet were getting mixed up but I think some of us finally got there and did something resembling a ‘Swing’ dance. After that we danced to DJ Joe.
On Saturday morning, a bit nippy out there, but if you wrapped up warm it was lovely. We were close to Bushmills, bus routes and a lovely walk along the Tram Track to Portballintrae. There also was a wide variety of things to see and do in the Hall, needlework, calligraphy, creative crafts, all with Tea, Coffee and biccies included, there were also games for the children.
Saturday night at 6.45 pm saw the start of the Burns Supper Celebrations. The Haggis was addressed by Jane and after this we had Haggis, Neeps and Tatties. The Lassies address was by Dessie Ross and the Laddies reply was by Irene Hewitt, both very enjoyable, all toasted with a wee shot of Scotch Whisky. This was followed by the Craiganee Scottish Ceilidh Dancers with more audience participation. The dance music was from Clearwater and before we knew it was 1am in the morning, where did the night go.
On Sunday morning we were back to the Good Old Coffee morning. 57 Vans had turned up and we had 3 new members, Barry and Rita who have transferred from the Welsh Group (their loss is our gain), Davy and Diane Mercer and the Gibson Family. We had quite a lot of birthdays – Billy Little, Norman Willis, Robert Coalter, Irene Hewitt, Ruth Ross and Cynthia Willis and at the younger end of the spectrum little Amelia was a year older at the beginning of January. David and Bridget Gilmore were warmly applauded on their new Motorhome- many happy miles.
The Entry draws were won by Colin and Rhonda Smith, Jim and Pamela Douglas and Roy and Evelyn Brennan. The Quiz was won by Davy and Evelyn Pirie.
Displaying Olympian levels of stamina Selma took to the floor to close out our weekend, warmly thanking us for coming and getting a deserved round of applause for her army of participants and helpers.
It was a herculean effort by our hosts and there can be no better recommendation for our members than “Haste ye Back in 2021”!!
Our next Rally is at Sperrin Integrated College, Pound Road, Magherafelt on Friday 14th February 2020 for our Valentines weekend Celebration. This will include an ‘Extraordinary’ General Meeting on the Friday Night. Look forward to seeing you all then.
Thanks to Roy for all his Photography.
Yvonne Little