"BERT HARKINS' CEILIDH"

The Lions and Tigers in Paradise Wildlife Park must have wondered what these "sounds of the jungle" were as they heard the sound of distant bagpipes coming from the Speedway Museum. The animals had no need to worry as the occasion was the first "Scottish Ceilidh" in honour of the first Scottish President of our World Speedway Riders' Association and  was staged at the new Events Marquee beside the Museum.

The skirl of the pipes was by Piper, Richard Wooster, who "piped in" myself (as President of the WSRA) and the Scottish Branch Chairman, Jimmy Tannock, and our Clan, which included my friends, Alex & Evelyn who had flown down
from Aberdeen and Norman & Karen who had flown down from Glasgow, plus "President Elect" for 2009, Terry Stone and WSRA Committee member, Pete Saunders into the Marquee for an evening of fun, food and frivolity and some good old Scottish Country dancing to keep us fit and warm.

The Ceilidh was organized on behalf of the WSRA by former rider, Pete Sampson, who owns Paradise Wildlife Park with the proceeds being split between the World Speedway Riders' Association and the National Speedway Museum. Peter and his staff had got into the mood of things by dressing  in tartan "kilts" which looked as if they had previously been tablecloths in the Park restaurant with tartan tammies (hats!) and sporrans made from some kind of animal hair. I believe that next day, some of the goats in the Park seemed to have gone bald overnight!

Peter and his "Clan" may have been imitation Scotsmen, (check out the photographs), but it is said that imitation is the sincerest form  of flattery, so thanks, guys!

The evening began with a "Twilight Tour" (it was pitch dark!) of the Park to see some of the animals including the majestic Rocky, the huge tiger plus lions, wolves and other nocturnal creatures before returning to the Museum for some pre-dinner drinks. The Twilight Tour and pre-dinner drinks warmed everyone up in time for the Scottish Country dancing which everyone enjoyed. Jimmy Tannock, who was not dancing, but sitting tapping his feet to the enthusiastic music of Harry's Band remarked that this was pure torture for a Scotsman. "Why is that?" I asked him, "Well", said Jimmy, who had come down from Glen Orchy for the event,  "that band is playing Scottish music so good and infectious that I want to get up and dance, but I can't because of myasthma." Despite his non-dancing role, Jimmy enjoyed the music and other entertainment as he helped his landlord for the weekend, Terry Stone to empty a bottle of finest Scotch Whisky.

In the various breaks to get our breath back, we had Katherine Wooster giving us a display of Highland Dancing and her fleet-footed brother, Christopher demonstrating the Highland Sword Dance,.......with real  swords! Not the type of dance to try if you have had a "wee dram".

The raffle included prizes such as boxer Charlie Magri's signed autobiography, World Snooker Champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan's signed photo  and snooker cue plus a framed montage of photos of new Formula One World Champion, Lewis Hamilton and best of all (in my opinion) an toy tartan teddy bear playing the bagpipes!

And so funds were raised for the WSRA and the Speedway Museum and everyone had a great time. Our thanks go to Pete Sampson and his staff for their never-ending enthusiasm for our Association and for our Museum and we could
not have staged this fund-raising event without them.

In March 2009, Londoner, Terry Stone will  take over from the Scots as the new President of the WSRA so I wonder if he will have a 'Pearly Kings & Queens Night' in his honour  next year?

Bert Harkins

photos to follow shortly