The Scottish Society of Jersey
www.scottishsocietyofjersey.co.uk/About
A whole range of activities and functions are organised throughout the year and the Committee seek dance bands and guest speakers from far and wide, to liven up the proceedings.
They include social occasions for the whole family, a celebration of St Andrew’s Night and Burns’ Night, as well as a traditional Burns’ “Stag†Supper, Summer Ball, Summer Ceilidh, Golf Tournament and a traditional Hogmanay party (sometimes!).
Its objectives of the Scottish Society of Jersey are:
- To promote social and friendly contact amongst members
- To encourage the study and preservation of the history, folklore, language, literature and music of Scotland.
- To help members and others residing in Jersey in times of adversity.
- To render assistance to benevolent or charitable bodies which, in the opinion of the General Committee are worthy of support.
How did it all start? The first entry in the first minute book of the Scottish Society of Jersey reads, "February 16th, 1928, a meeting of ladies and gentlemen interested in forming a Scottish Society of Jersey was held. There being present 10 ladies and 12 gentlemen. This was the outcome of an advertisement in The Jersey Evening Post and in a circular to any Scottish resident then known."
The foundation meeting was held at West's Cafe in St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. This cafe later became West's Cinema and in 1978, the site became a modern shopping precinct known as West Centre. At the foundation meeting, a motion to form a Society was passed, the name "Scottish Society of Jersey" was chosen. The Office Bearers and Committee were elected for three months pending a formal general meeting. This was duly convened on 12th March 1928.
At an inaugural committee meeting held on 1st March 1928, rules were drawn up for discussion and a provisional programme of activities was drafted to include: A Garden Party in May, an Outing in August, a Halloween Party in October, St Andrew's Dinner on November, a Hogmanay celebration and a Burns' Nicht. Some 50 Scots attended the general meeting held on 12th March 1928 and agreed to the formation of the Society, the rules drawn up and confirmed the first President in office. He was Captain J W J Smith, one of the founders, and he was to hold the post of President for the next five years and retired in 1933.
World War II
With the advent of the War in 1939, the Society was faced with difficulties. These difficulties became impossible with the occupation of Jersey by the German Army from 1 July 1940 to 9 May 1945. However the Society had obviously anticipated this at their Annual General Meeting in May 1940 when it was decided not to arrange any activities "owing to the uncertainty of the situation." The Society then went into hibernation for 6 years.
A special meeting recalling all members after the liberation of Jersey was held in October 1946 and it was decided to resume activities.
50th Anniversary Celebrations
1978 was the 50th Anniversary of the first meeting of the Scottish Society of Jersey and in true Scottish style a number of events were run resembling the first programme of events run in 1928. There was also the introduction of the first ever Mini-Highland Games in the Island. Several well-known Scottish entertainers enlivened the regular activities such as Jimmy Logan, Andy Cameron, Stuart Gillies, Robin Hall, Jimmy MacGregor and Peter Morrison. That year, the membership stood at over 400, 18 times the number of people who attended that first meeting in 1928.
75th Anniversary Celebrations
2003 was our 75th year. Celebrations started with the traditional Burns Night at L'Horizon on 25th January 2003. Our St Andrew's Caledonian Ball had a blue and white theme and we showed a presentation of all the folk who have contributed to the last 75 years of the Society.
Centenary
And who knows what we have in store when we reach 2028!Categories: Clubs & Associations, Culture.
