We were delighted to return to Singapore in January 2006 for our fifth visit to the city. We were hosted by David and Marion White throughout our stay and they are a brave couple to have welcomed us into their home knowing how we can keep people up all night, eating and drinking and making merry! We wish to thank them both for their kind and continuous hospitality and appreciate all the driving around they did for us, ensuring we always arrived where we needed to be on time. Marion is Chieftain of the Singapore St Andrews Society until April 2006, and the Burns Supper in the Tanglin Club was the last of the major functions for Marion to preside over during her Chieftainship. The evening was very well attended and ran smoothly with a fine meal, good speeches and everyone up for a rousing 'Wherries' session or three, including some wonderful players in the 'orchestra'! The usual 'impromptu' acoustic sing-along session afterwards in the Tavern next door was good fun, albeit the bar shut at two, and we were all flung out shortly after!
A new venue for us this year was the British Club, impressively situated on the highest point in Singapore City. We were ably looked after by Brian Toft, the general manager and Sueme Ho who took care of all our needs, and we would like to thank them and their staff for a wonderful day in the club. The aim of the evening concert was to launch a new series of musical events being held in the refurbished 'Windsor Lounge', and our audience enjoyed a fine meal in the Windsor before we took to the stage to entertain them with the Wherries usual musical madness and mayhem. A well attended function with fun for all.
With the kind assistance of Rob Kozma, who supplied a large amount of sound equipment, we again played at a 'Scottish evening' in the Sportsman's Bar on Orchard Road. Harry and Sharon Martin served mince and tatties to an appreciative crowd of folk throughout the evening while The Wherries played a number of sets. We were joined on stage by the 'Singular Girls Choir' who sang a couple of fine tunes for us and Yvonne Tan of the MacLion Pipe Band accompanied us on "Rowan Tree". The bar was heaving with folk and a great night was had by all. Our thanks to Harry and Sharon and staff of the Sportsman's for their generosity and friendship.
The band was invited to a reception by Alan Collins, the British High Commissioner in Singapore, to welcome the Round the World Clipper Yacht racers who had recently arrived in Singapore. The Clipper "Glasgow" was one of ten yachts from as many countries taking part in the race, and the fleet made an impressive sight moored by the quayside. Good luck to the "Glasgow" on the next leg of the race.
Our last performance before heading for home was the second Burns Supper of the week for us held in a large function suite in the clubhouse at Fort Canning, close to Clarke Quay on the Singapore River. This Supper was arranged by Harry and Sharon of the 'Sportsman's' with catering by the Grand Hyatt Hotel. MC for the evening was Donald Findlay QC who was taking no prisoners, and interval music was supplied by the very proficient MacLion Pipe Band (Formerly Merlion). The Wherries played two short sets before having to dash off the catch the 4.00 am flight to Heathrow. A fine end to a hectic but very enjoyable week's tour.
Kilts on mass at the Tanglin Club
C'mon ye Scotland!
The St Andrews Burns Supper. Too much red tape - gone white!
The Singular Girls Choir and The Wherries in fine form at the Sportsman's
Ken, Bob and Dave with Alan Collins, the British High Commissioner and right, Yvonne Tan of the MacLion Pipe Band with The Wherries