The Saint Andrew’s Society of the Algarve held another successful annual Saint Andrew’s Ball at the Penina Hotel on Saturday 30 November – great that this year it coincided with Saint Andrew’s Day. Our piper Malcolm MacGillivray greeted guests into the hotel and then led the parade into the ball after the champagne reception.
As usual the Hotel Penina produced a superb buffet – including preparing a cake with the Saint Andrew’s cross – and the friendly and attentive staff ensured that everything ran smoothly. For the nineteenth year running the Scottish ceilidh band “The Sound of Islay” entertained guests warmly. They, along with contributions from piper Malcolm, ensured that the dancing was both energetic and enthusiastic leaving just enough strength for a lusty “Auld Land Syne” on the stroke of midnight.
The Society was very grateful to its sponsors EuroFinesco for once again contributing to the costs of transporting the band from Scotland and to Medal Insurance for covering the costs of the flower arrangements. Blevins Franks kindly sponsored a table and supplied the whisky for the raffle and for our next Burns Supper. Janette Owenson once again organised the flower arrangements and Alison Hohnbaum kindly arranged the magnificent hamper.
The Society hopes that the Ball will have whetted appetites for their next event – the Burns’ Supper at the Ponte Romana restaurant in Silves on Saturday 25 January 2020. So please put this event in your diaries now and watch for further details later.
And if in the meantime you would like to practise your Scottish country dancing skills give Mardie Cunningham a call (282 356029) about the sessions at the Nobel International School in Porches on Monday evenings.
If you would like to know more about the Society – no need to be Scots – give Chieftain Doug McAdam a call on 935 577 362 or Treasurer Kathy Prentice on 919 635 246.
Doug McAdam - Chieftain
