The St Andrew Society of York
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Click here to view report and images of the handover of archives to York Explore on 30th November 2021.
President's Reception 2024
On Sunday 30th June, members and friends attended 2024 President Jim Robertson's Reception at York Golf Club.
The event was hugely enjoyable and raised £238 for Jim's chosen charity of the year - Martin House.
Ukulele Night
On Friday 18th October, Society members & friends enjoyed a highly entertaining evening at the Dunnington Sports Club.
A musical treat was provided by Red Sky Ukuleles and there was a fantastic pie, chips and pea supper.
A raffle & whisky trail raised £167 for the President's charity - Martin House Children's Hospice.
St Andrew's Day Lunch 2024
Shown below are some images from our recent St Andrew's Day Lunch held at the Novotel York on Saturday 30th November 2024.
2026 Summer Party and Hog Roast
Around 40 members and friends enjoyed the 2026 Summer Party - on this occasion President Aileen Minns had arranged for a local former to provide a Hog Roast for all to enjoy.
After the food, garden games were enjoyed by many of the attendees.
A raffle was held in aid of the Venezuela earthquake appeal which raised £213.
Many thanks to Aileen for once again hosting our Summer Party in her wonderful garden.
April Fool Mystery Tour & Afternoon Tea
On Tuesday 1st April 2025, the Society held a Mystery Tour through the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside followed by an Afternoon Tea held in the Village Hall in Middleton, Pickering.
President's Reception 2025
President Frank Paterson held his President's Reception at his home in Askham Bryan, serving an afternoon tea with fizz to around 40 members of the society.
Trip to Whitby
30 members enjoyed a coach trip to Whitby organised by the Ladies Circle for a tour of the new Botham's Bakery followed by a delightful afternoon tea at Botham's new tearoom. Joe Botham, Great-grandson of the founder Elizabeth Botham led informative tours of the bakery and then provided an overview of the history of Botham's of Whitby since its founding in 1865.
Many of the group took the opportunity to buy a few of Bothams' delicacies before leaving!
Summer Garden Party 2026
40 members and their families thoroughly enjoyed this year’s Garden Party, once again held at the home of President Elect Aileen Minns in Copmanthorpe.
The weather stayed dry which enabled a full range of fun games to be enjoyed by all.
Competitive spirits were in abundance with the Putting, Chipping, Badminton, Bowling, Archery, Hoopla and the infamous Welly Wanging competitions with fabulous sugary prizes for the various winners.
Bowling, Quiz & Supper Evening
The society recently held a Bowling, Quiz & Supper evening at the York Railway Bowls & Social Club.
The bowling event was won by Janet Sharpe & Murray Halliday who were presented withthe St Andrew Society of York John Morland Trophy made by Graeme Miller.
After the bowling, Graeme Robertson ran a 50-question quiz which was won by Heather & Mike Hogg who were presented with society Quizzing Trophy also made by Graeme Miller.
Half-way through the quiz, we all enjoyed a fantastic pie, mash & pea supper followed by a delicious dessert.
An excellent time was had by all.
Tour of the Station Hall at the National Railway Museum
On 27th September, Princess Anne formally opened the refurbished Station Hall to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the National Railway Museum.
On 2nd October, President Frank Paterson hosted a group of 20 members and friends for a 90-minute explanatory tour setting the very wide range of exhibits in context.
He reflected that during his railway career he had actually used many of the now historic items!
North East Scotland Bothy Nicht - 31st October 2025
There was nae a spare seat in the hoose as 46 members and friends gathered for our Bothy Nicht—a grand evening filled wi’ laughter, music, and more Doric than the average loon or quine could handle. Background music from the Golden Years of Jimmy Shand set the tone, transporting everyone straight back to a time when accordions ruled the airwaves.
After a warm welcome (and a wee catch-up over a BYO dram or two), the evening kicked off with two fierce competitions: The Doric Dictionary Challenge—which proved that it’s very easy to be flummoxed by the mither tongue—and Old Money, reminding us just how far a ha’penny used to go.
At 7.30, nostalgia took centre stage with Films of Auld Aberdeen, Scotland the What and the inimitable Stanley Baxter starting his/her day with some enthusiastic attempts at Scottish Country Dancing.
Our charming hostesses then served a hearty supper:
🥣 Cullen Skink & Oatcakes, followed by 🥧 Scotch Pies, Beans, & Onion Gravy, rounded off with 🍫Tunnock’s Tea Cakes & a comforting cup of tea or coffee.
Once fortified, the President announced the challenge results before we were treated to some samples of the Bothy Culture of yesteryear delivered by our own members
🎵 Bothy Ballads by Frank Paterson and David Waterton-Anderson.
😂 Shaggy Dog Stories from Jim Sharpe, Aileen Minns, Jim Robertson, May Townsend, Murray Halliday, Gregor Grant, Moira Deuchars, Ian Tarbet, Alan Kinnaird, Jim Murison and a fine helping of Harry Lauder classics courtesy of David and Murray.
The grand finale was a rousing Singalong Scottish Medley, with voices (mostly) in tune. The evening closed in traditional style with Auld Lang Syne and we all left smiling!!
Our thanks to everyone who helped make the night such a success.
Welcome 2026 - First Footing
36 members and friends got the new year off to an excellent start - first footing one another in the All Saints' Hall in Poppleton on the afternoon of the 1st January 2026.
Traditional fare - shortbread, fruit cake and sweet mince pies, lubricated with sherry or ginger wine, and hosted by five lasses got the afternoon off to a relaxed beginning. A selection of old videos of Jimmy Shand, Rikki Fulton and Stanley Baxter rekindled memories for some of the company, of long past Scottish Hogmanays, and created a room full of smiles and laughter.
To get people thinking ahead to warmer weather, the theme of the brain challenges was holiday destinations.
The whole room then sang along with Andy Stewart and supported Matt McGinn telling Poppleton that
"Ye canna fling a jeely piece fae a twinty storey flat".
The afternoon ended all too soon with everyone joining hands and Jim piping us for Auld Lang Syne.
The unanimous conclusion - an afternoon of good fellowship and fun -
a great start to 2026!
2026 St Patrick's Day Celebration
38 members and friends enjoyed a fun evening at one of the society’s favourite social locations -
The York Railway Bowls & Social Club.
We enjoyed a game of bingo followed by a quiz on all things related to Leprechauns.
Who knew there’s was so much to know about these little characters and their history?
Some members excelled at creating humerous limericks in honour of themselves!
After a fabulous Pie, Mash & Peas supper, Glaswegian-born but long-time York resident Ish Herd entertained us with a great set of songs from Scotland, Ireland and the odd one from Victoria Wood’s back catalogue.
2026 President's Reception
56 members and friends attended the President’s Reception at The Cookery, York College on Tuesday 2nd June for a wonderful 4-course dinner; a perfect start to Aileen Minn’s second time as President of our society.
All the food preparation, cooking and table/bar service was the work of students at the college - such evenings take place every 3-weeks throughout the college year.
In addition to the lovely food, Aileen arranged for everyone to receive a welcome drink on arrival.
Just before the food service started, Aileen thanked everyone for coming to launch her 2nd time as President and after the meal, she talked about her exciting programme of events planned for the year ahead.
Loch & Glens in August
Sixteen members and friends supported President Aileens initiative to do a repeat visit to the Edinburgh Tattoo and enjoyed an action packed five day coach trip based on the historic Inversnaid Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond. The pictures might give you some idea of why the group had such a great few days together.
Click on the link below to see the photos from their trip.