Notes on the origin of the St Andrew Group - formerly the St Andrew Society of Paphos.
St Andrew Society, Paphos
(A brief account of its early history and foundation presented by Harry Fenwick at the Society's 20th birthday 'party' held at 5th Floor Restaurant, Paphos.)
Having been closely associated with the Caledonian Society for many years in Kenya, on arrival in Cyprus I naturally joined the same Society here in Limassol.
After tiresome “to-ing and fro-ing” between Paphos and Limassol for several years, I asked the Chieftain, Ian McArdle, if I could try to start up a Branch in Paphos. He agreed and I organised a meeting of friends in the Boadicea Travel Club run by Charles and Loula Dickie. 23 turned up. We were in business!
At that time, by sheer coincidence, I overheard a lady with a Scottish accent in Phillippos Supermarket. During our conversation I found out that she was a Scottish dancing enthusiast and could also teach it. To cut a long story short I found a place where we could hold our dancing… the old International School near the old Post Office in Paphos. so, we duly turned up … there were now 24 of us! With my cassette music player and music tapes we began with the basics and had our first eightsome reel with Alison (Rennie) alternating between the piano and dancing. Her husband, Martin was a great help with the music and he made a large carrying box for our music player, speaker, cassettes, etc. etc.
We continued like this until our numbers outgrew the school hall. We found another new hall in Emba where we continued for a while.
All this while we had formed a husband and wife Committee consisting of myself, Jimmy and Sylvia Bennett, Ron and Nora Fawkes and Innes and Edwina Ritchie. Sylvia became Secretary and Ron became Treasurer. Jimmie took on as Vice-Chairman, (it having been decided that “Chieftain” was too grand a title!) Nora was a Graphic Artist and prepared many fantastic decorations for our functions which we held in various hotels and Tavernas … until Ron and Nora discovered The Ambassador, where we spent many happy years using this popular Taverna as a base for our functions.
Although we managed to arrange a piper from the Base each year, one of our members, Duncan Fraser could play the accordion. I managed to borrow one from a Cypriot gentleman which Duncan played beautifully. Later, Martin who had been practicing valiantly, played for us.
I’m afraid I was a poor Chairman as Sheila and I were chasing our scattered family around the globe, usually for three months or more around Christmas time. I felt guilty as this meant that each year we missed out on either the St. Andrews Ball or the Burns Night which was unfair to the Committee.
Around this time, with our Branch membership having grown to over 80, we found relationships with the main Caledonian Society in Limassol were becoming more and more strained. Mainly due to distance spoiling our jointly held Functions and finance! We had to pass over all our subscription each year to HQ and beg for money to help cover our expenses! It didn’t work well.
We decided to separate and change our name to the St. Andrew Society. Innes Ritchie put in our application which was approved by the Society in Edinburgh. And so, we became the St. Andrew Society.
At this time, I was due for retirement and stood down at our AGM. I handed over the Ian Loudon-Cox ably assisted by his wife Bridgette. A new Committee was formed, to which Ron Fawkes and Innes Ritchie were the only original ones to continue.
Since that time the Society has prospered more and more under a succession of wonderful, talented and dedicated Chairmen and women, including I am happy to say my friend Alison who did so much to bring the Society, as we know it today, to such success.
Harry Fenwick
(A brief account of its early history and foundation presented by Harry Fenwick at the Society's 20th birthday 'party' held at 5th Floor Restaurant, Paphos.)
Having been closely associated with the Caledonian Society for many years in Kenya, on arrival in Cyprus I naturally joined the same Society here in Limassol.
After tiresome “to-ing and fro-ing” between Paphos and Limassol for several years, I asked the Chieftain, Ian McArdle, if I could try to start up a Branch in Paphos. He agreed and I organised a meeting of friends in the Boadicea Travel Club run by Charles and Loula Dickie. 23 turned up. We were in business!
At that time, by sheer coincidence, I overheard a lady with a Scottish accent in Phillippos Supermarket. During our conversation I found out that she was a Scottish dancing enthusiast and could also teach it. To cut a long story short I found a place where we could hold our dancing… the old International School near the old Post Office in Paphos. so, we duly turned up … there were now 24 of us! With my cassette music player and music tapes we began with the basics and had our first eightsome reel with Alison (Rennie) alternating between the piano and dancing. Her husband, Martin was a great help with the music and he made a large carrying box for our music player, speaker, cassettes, etc. etc.
We continued like this until our numbers outgrew the school hall. We found another new hall in Emba where we continued for a while.
All this while we had formed a husband and wife Committee consisting of myself, Jimmy and Sylvia Bennett, Ron and Nora Fawkes and Innes and Edwina Ritchie. Sylvia became Secretary and Ron became Treasurer. Jimmie took on as Vice-Chairman, (it having been decided that “Chieftain” was too grand a title!) Nora was a Graphic Artist and prepared many fantastic decorations for our functions which we held in various hotels and Tavernas … until Ron and Nora discovered The Ambassador, where we spent many happy years using this popular Taverna as a base for our functions.
Although we managed to arrange a piper from the Base each year, one of our members, Duncan Fraser could play the accordion. I managed to borrow one from a Cypriot gentleman which Duncan played beautifully. Later, Martin who had been practicing valiantly, played for us.
I’m afraid I was a poor Chairman as Sheila and I were chasing our scattered family around the globe, usually for three months or more around Christmas time. I felt guilty as this meant that each year we missed out on either the St. Andrews Ball or the Burns Night which was unfair to the Committee.
Around this time, with our Branch membership having grown to over 80, we found relationships with the main Caledonian Society in Limassol were becoming more and more strained. Mainly due to distance spoiling our jointly held Functions and finance! We had to pass over all our subscription each year to HQ and beg for money to help cover our expenses! It didn’t work well.
We decided to separate and change our name to the St. Andrew Society. Innes Ritchie put in our application which was approved by the Society in Edinburgh. And so, we became the St. Andrew Society.
At this time, I was due for retirement and stood down at our AGM. I handed over the Ian Loudon-Cox ably assisted by his wife Bridgette. A new Committee was formed, to which Ron Fawkes and Innes Ritchie were the only original ones to continue.
Since that time the Society has prospered more and more under a succession of wonderful, talented and dedicated Chairmen and women, including I am happy to say my friend Alison who did so much to bring the Society, as we know it today, to such success.
Harry Fenwick