The St Andrew Society of York
Past Events
Edinburgh Military Tattoo - August 2023
In August, Society members attended the Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the magnificent esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
The theme of the Tattoo was Stories, and the lead service was the RAF.
A flypast consisting of two Typhoon Jets accompanied by an A400 transport plane took place just before the evening performance started.
The Tattoo delivered all the usual musical and marching highlights:- the massed pipe and brass bands, lone piper, highland dancers, fireworks, a stunning light show and finished with a poignant tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II.
The weather kept fair throughout the performance.
Before the Tattoo, we enjoyed dinner at Scottish Bistro Howies close to the Grassmarket.
Summer Picnic - July 2023
After a 1-week postponement due to the inclement weather, the Society's Summer Picnic was held on 29th July at the home of Aileen Minns.
Members and friends enjoyed an afternoon together, enjoying the fun & games expertly organised by Frank Paterson.
Grateful thanks to Aileen for hosting the picnic at her home again this year.
A raffle was held in aid of the 2023 President's Charity and £123 was raised.
Quiz Night - March 2023
Members and friends of the Society spent an enjoyable evening recently taking part in a 100-question Scottish Quiz set & very efficiently-led by President May Townsend. In addition to the quiz, an excellent supper was provided by the volunteers at the York Railway Bowls & Social Club.
Quiz Winners - Sheila, Ishbel, Chris & Jim Booby Prize Winners - Andrew, Victoria, Ann & Graeme
Burns Night 2023
Fog and ice on Saturday 21st January did not prevent a large number of Society members and friends, some from long distances, gathering at the Parsonage Hotel in Escrick to celebrate the birthday of our National Bard, Robert Burns.
Click on the link below to view the special newsletter of the evening.
President May Townsend with her son Alastair and family about to enjoy the Burns Supper at The Parsonage.
Autumn Gathering 2022
President Sue Marshall welcomed over 40 members to the Autumn Gathering held at York Golf Club on 2nd October.
The Sunday Lunch was enjoyed by all who attended.
St Andrew's Day 2022 - Tree Planting Ceremony
To honour the life and reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II, President Sue Marshall led the Society in planting a Scots Pine tree in Homestead Park, supported by staff from
The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust.
Society Piper Jim Sharpe played the pipes to gather the members to the site of the planting.
Many members of the Society were present for the planting and enjoyed a hot drink at the nearby YMCA thereafter.
St. Andrew's Night 2022
Around 50 members and friends attended our St. Andrew's Night Dinner & Dance at The Parsonage Hotel, Escrick.
The Toast to Scotia was given by Ian Reynolds, referring in his speech to the works of Sir Walter Scott.
Musical entertainment was provided by the excellent "Bracken Rigg".
Battle of Byland Commemoration - October 2022
On Saturday 15th October 2022, 20 Society members of the visited the Sutton Bank Visitor Centre to commemorate the 700-year anniversary of the Battle of Byland, when Scottish forces led by King Robert I (Robert the Bruce) defeated an English army led by Edward II.
The battle was one of many fought during the Scottish Wars of Independence before the eventual treaty of Northampton and Edinburgh was signed confirming Scotland as an independent country and Robert the Bruce as its rightful monarch.
We enjoyed a look around the various exhibits before coming together as a group to sing renditions of Scots Wha Hae, Scotland the Brave and Flower of Scotland to the pipes played by Jim Sharpe.
A Memorial Stone and Information Board was then unveiled by Adam Bruce - a direct descendant of King Robert.
Afterwards we headed to the Carpenters Arms in Felixkirk to enjoy a lovely lunch in their private dining room.
2022 Summer BBQ
Past President Aileen Minns and her husband David hosted a hugely enjoyable and well-attended Summer BBQ at their home in July. The weather was largely fair, the food cooked by Jack & Jacky Marchbank was delicious and £200 was raised in the raffle for the Martin House Children's Hospice.
Burns Night 2022
On Saturday 22nd January over 60 members and friends of the Society held a very successful Burns Night at York Racecourse with special guests, the Lord Mayor of York and Civic Party.
The Toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns was given by
Murray Halliday, Vice-President of the Yorkshire District, Burns Federation.
Click on the link below to see more details.
St Andrew's NIght Dinner & Dance at York Racecourse
November 2021
Kyle Granite with Husband Niv
Top table guests with Piper Jim Sharpe
2021/22 President Sue Marshall with husband Robert