The Saint Andrew’s Society of the Algarve once again held a highly successful Saint Andrew’s Ball at the Penina Hotel on Saturday 25 November with well over 100 participants. Our piper Malcolm MacGillivray greeted guests into the hotel and then led the parade into the ball after the champagne reception.
As ever the Hotel Penina looked after us wonderfully well. They produced a superb buffet – including preparing a cake with the Saint Andrew’s cross under balloons in the shape of the number “10” signifying the number of years they had been hosting our Ball. The friendly and attentive staff ensured that everything ran smoothly.
For the nineteenth year running the Scottish ceilidh band “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. An unexpected treat to bring the evening to a close was a moving bagpipe duet with Malcolm and band drummer Andrew who is also a talented piper.
The Society was very grateful to our sponsors EuroFinesco for once again contributing to the costs of transporting the band from Scotland and to Medal Insurance for covering the cost of the magnificent heather table decorations made by Janette Owenson.
The Society hopes that the Ball will have whetted appetites for their next event – the Burns’ Supper at the Restaurante Ponte Romana in Silves on Saturday 27 January 2018.
Put this event in your diaries now and watch this space 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 School in Porches on Monday evenings from 7.30-9.30 pm.
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
Photos ©A Dean. monchiquephoto@gmail.com
