Jonathan Sayers and Tom Hye recite the list of casualties from Clan Hay at the Menin Gate ceremony
by Tom Hye
Convenor, Continental Europe
At last, the Clan Hay Pipe Band's long awaited tenth St Andrew's Day party had arrived!
This year, we were delighted to welcome Hank Collins and his wife Suzanne, who travelled from New York to be with us. The pip band is very grateful to Hank and Suzanne for their support which enabled the band to travel to Edinburgh in 2009 and Bannockburn in 2014. It was a wonderful reunion and the pipers welcomed Hank and Suzanne like members of their family.
There were visits to Brussels, Bruges, Ypres (where a special Last Post was played), Bastogne and Antwerp. Edwig Vrijders had ensured that Hank and Suzanne had first class accommodation at Castle Huldenberg, a location with a calm, beautiful garden in Flemish Brabant.
And then, the St Andrew's Day party. Everyone enjoyed a lovely evening in Baron's House Restaurant adjoining the Baron's House, Castle Neerjsee. The highlight of the evening was the entrance of the Clan Hay Pipe Band and the inauguration of the bass drum, named Henry Lafayette Collins III, in gratitude to Suzanne and Hank Collins. Hank gave the first drum beats on the new, light-bearing bass drum.
After the excellent dinner, Philippe Vervoort, Pipe Major of the Clan Hay Pipe Band and Personal Piper to the Earl of Erroll, Chief of Clan Hay, gave a review of 10 years of St Andrew's Day celebrations which have been organized by the Clan Hay Pipe Band. Other clans are always invited and this year, for the first time, members of Clan Maclaren were present. Kenneth Maclean of Dunboig and his son Steve made a special journey from Germany, travelling respectively from Stuttgart and Dusseldorf, to support the clan spirit. We hope that next year more clans will be present.
During his speech, Tom Hye, Convenor of Clan Hay for Continental Europe, invited Jan Lauwers and Ingrid Vrijders to join Clan Hay. This was in gratitude for their tireless efforts over many years in support of the Clan Hay Pipe Band. After several toasts and a last glass we departed with a wonderful sense of clan spirit.
The next St Andrew's Day party will take place on Saturday 28th November 2015 in Belgium, venue to be confirmed depending on numbers.
Version Francaise
Nous avons regarde longtemps pour ce dixieme diner de St Andrews organise par le Clan Hay Pipe Band.
Cette fois etait aussie special, avec la venue de Hank Collins et son epouse Suzanne, specialement venant de New York qui ont tougours aide quand le Clan Hay Pipe Band etait dans le besoin en 2009 et2014 pour se render en Ecosse. C'etait une merveilleuse reunion, ou les pipers ont donne support a Hank et Suzanne comme de vrais frères et soeurs. Visites a Bruxelles, Bruges, Ypres avec une special Last Post, Bastogne et Anvers. Edwig Vrijders avait veille a ce que Hank et Suzanne avaient un super-B&B au Chateau Huldenberg. Un emlacement avec un calme et beau jardin le Brabant flamand.
Et puis le diner St Andrews. Tout le monde etait a l'heure pour profiter d'une belle soiree dans Barons House Chatea Neersje. L'aperitif etait le point culminant de l'entree du Clan Hay Pipe Band avec l'inauguration du tambour bass Henry Lafayette Collins III en ereconnaissance a Suzanne et Hank Collins. Hank a donne les premiers battements de tambour sur le nouveau tambour de base super leger a porter.
Pendant le diner d'une haute qualite Philippe Vervoort, Pipe Major du Clan Hay Pipe Band et Personal Piper du Comte d'Erroll, Chef du Clan Hay, a donne un apercu de10 ans de St Andrews, organise par le Clan Hay Pipe Band. Neanmoins, d'autres clans sont toujours invites. C'etait cette annee la premiere fois qu'un autre clan etait present, le Clan Maclean. Kenneth Maclean, Baron de Denboig et son fils Steve sont specialement venu d'Allemagne (Stuttgart et Dusseldorf) pour soutenir l'esprit du clan. Un grand merci Ken et Steve. Nous esperons que l'annee prochaine sera l'occasion de recevoir plus de clans.
Tom Hye, Convenor Continental Europe, lors de son discours, a invite Jan Louwers et Ingrid Vrijders a rejoindre le Clan Hay. Cettee gratitude pour leurs efforts inlassables, depuis des annees, pour Le Clan Hay Pipe Band. Apres plusieurs toasts et un dernireverre, nous sommes tous rentres avec un merveilleux sens de l'esprit clans.
Le Diner St Andrews suivant aura lieu le Samedi 28 Novembre 2015 en Belgique. Le lieu est encore a determiner selon le nombre de participants.