‘Sharp and Smart’ raced at Chepstow on Thursday 2nd May 2013 in her debut race for The Caledonian Racing Society and was placed 1st.  She also came 1st at Bath on the 6th May 2013. 

“Sharp And Smart” has been entered in the following races: 

Lingfield – Friday May 10^th at 3.05pm

The Yes Events Handicap Stakes’ (Class 5) (Lady Amateur Riders) for four years old and uwpards rated 61-75 to be run over seven furlongs (TURF).

Lingfield – Friday May 10^th at 4.50pm

‘The Vines BMW Handicap Stakes’ (Class 5) for four years old and upwards rated 56-70 to be run over about one mile.

Ascot – Saturday May 11^th at 3.15 pm

‘The Bovis Homes Fillies’ Handicap Stakes’ (Class 2) for three years old and upwards, fillies and mares, to be run over one mile.

]]> http://www.caledonianclub.com/2013/05/caledonian-racing-society-2/1944/feed/ 0 http://www.caledonianclub.com/2013/04/caledonian-racing-society/1931/ http://www.caledonianclub.com/2013/04/caledonian-racing-society/1931/#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:54:52 +0000 montseruiz http://www.caledonianclub.com/?p=1931 The Caledonian Racing Society have a new horse under training – ‘Sharp And Smart’ is declared to run at Chepstow on Thursday May 2nd, 7.10pm in the ‘The hardings.co.uk Handicap Stakes’ (Class 5) for four years old and upwards rated 56-70 to be run over about one mile.

She is drawn 9 of 13 and is to be ridden by Kieren Fallon.

In May   John Lowrie Morrison, Scotland’s best loved  painter of the Scottish landscape will be exhibiting in London.

Corrymella Scott Gallery will be mounting the Gallery’s   12th Annual London Exhibition for John Lowrie Morrison who  signs his pictures “Jolomo” with 65 vibrant new paintings  capturing the intensity of the light on the water and beaches of west coast of Scotland and  the surrounding islands. Locations like  Gigha, Mull, Iona, Islay, South Uist are included, together with some stunning  still life pictures. All are for sale at Gallery 8, 8Duke Street, St. James’s, London SW1Y 4BN from Monday 6 – 18 May.

http://www.corrymellascottgallery.co.uk/exhibitions/jolomo_2013/jolomo12th.html

Timed to coincide with Burns’ Night, the club offers the opportunity to view an exhibition of rare maps and pamphlets relating to Scotland and Scots abroad dating from 1578 to 1828, to help raise awareness for the British Library’s campaign to raise funds to conserve, catalogue and digitize the King’s Topographical Collection.

Also on display are a fine collection of pamphlets and maps relating to the disastrous Darien Scheme – Scotland’s attempt to become a world trading nation by establishing a colony called “New Caledonia” in the late 1690s. This includes the very rare broadsheet constitution of the Company of Scotland Trading in Africa and the Indies.

Members of the public wishing to view the exhibition should contact Daniel Crouch Rare Books or make an appointment via the Club Secretary’s office 020 7333 8712.

The Club works closely with Kinloch Anderson in Edinburgh, renowned experts on Kilts, Tartans and all aspects of Highland dress. When the decision was taken to have our own tartan, Kinloch Anderson were the natural partners. Their design team used key elements of the Club’s history. The sett of Clan Campbell was chosen as the basis of design, after the founder Neville  Campbell. The colour story is based on the saltire blue of the Scottish flag,  the purple hues as seen in the Club’s branding and finally the red from the Morrison tartan. The Club house at 9 Halkin Street was originally built for Hugh Morrison in the 1907 as his London residence .

In addition to formal highland dress, the Tartan will be featured in a number of day to day items, from an Edinburgh Day bag to a laptop cased. Permission to wear the Tartan is only granted to Members.

Using the splendid rooms and terrace on the ground floor the evening also included a private view of Scottish photographer Kevin McGarry’s  images of great Scots and stunning Scottish scenery.

]]> http://www.caledonianclub.com/2012/10/caledonian-club-bbq/1261/feed/ 0 http://www.caledonianclub.com/2012/09/an-ode-and-a-song-to-andy-murray-jock-meikle/1224/ http://www.caledonianclub.com/2012/09/an-ode-and-a-song-to-andy-murray-jock-meikle/1224/#comments Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:50:46 +0000 Caledonian Club http://www.caledonianclub.com/?p=1224 Jock Meikle is well known in the club for his Ode’s in the style of William Topaz McGonagall. This is Jock’s creation in celebration of the historic win.

AN ODE AND A SONG TO ANDY MURRAY – Jock Meikle

To the tune of Annie Laurie

Well Dunblane s Braes are bonny
Where early fa s the dew
And twas there that YOUNG Andy Murray
Gie d us his promise true
Gie d us his promise true
Which nee r forgot will be
And for bonny Andy Murray
He won the US Open for a the world to see

His brow is like the snaw drift
His neck is like the swan
His forehand is the fairest
That ere the NewYork sun shone on
That ere the New York sun shone on
And true blue is his ee

And for bonny Andy Murray
The girls will lay themselves doon and dee

Like dew on gowans lying
Is the fa o his silky moving feet
And like winds in simmer sighing
His backhand is low and sweet
His backhand is low and sweet
And by Flushing Meadows he s a the world to Scotland and me

And for Bonny Andy Murray
He is one for us to be fu o glee

Andrew Murray . Son of  Dunblane Olympic Gold Medallist London 2012…US Open Champion 2012
Jock Meikle September 13th 2012.

The Club was founded in 1891 and moved to 9 Halkin Street in 1946. Built in the Neoclassical style by Detmar Blow for Hugh Morrison(1868-1931) and the home of the Caledonain Club since 1946, No 9 Halkin Street was the last mansion of its kind to be built in London.

In addition to the marvellous architecture and beautifully proportioned rooms, the history of the Club can be viewed through a wonderful collection of art and artefacts, from the bronze entitled Courage by Sir Edgar Mackennal commissioned by the Members and unveiled by Earl Haig in 1921 to the portrait of King James VII by Sir Godfrey Kneller.

The sympathetically designed new wing opened by HerMajesty Queen Elizabeth II on Saint Andrew’s day 2006, inlcudes the library which houses a rich collection of Scottish literature, reinforcing the origins of the Caledonian Club which is often referred to as “the Scottish Embassy”.

The remarkable story of Eric Liddell, known as Li Airui, is told in the book, The Flying Scotsman, by Sally Magnusson. Sally will give the Caledonian Lecture on Li Airui, a Scotsman still greatly revered in China.

Born in China 1902 of Scottish missionary parents, Liddell’s early days were spent with his family in Tianjin before being sent to school at Eltham College and subsequently matriculating at Edinburgh University where his ability as a sportsman and runner took off.

This is the original film of Eric Liddell winning his gold medal in the 400m in 1924.

His performance at the Paris Olympiad in 1924, winning Gold in the 400 metres, was all the more remarkable as he had intended to run the 100 metres but was disqualified after refusing to take part in the qualifying race, which was to be held on a Sunday, in respect of his religious upbringing. This part of his life was immortalised in the award winning film, Chariots of Fire.

He returned to China in 1925 working as a minister and teacher and married a Canadian, Florence Mackenzie, with whom he had three daughters. He remained in China after the outbreak of war and was interned in a Japanese POW camp where he died in 1945. He is buried in Tianjin.

The Caledonian Lecture is an exclusive event for Club members. Visit the membership information pages here to find out more about the Club and membership.

Her Majesty is greeted by past Chairman Ranald Munro on her arrival at the Club on Wednesday 30th May.

HM The Queen was appointed as Colonel-in-Chief of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s) by her father, HM King George VI, on her 21st birthday in 1947.

Here is a short video of HM The Queen meeting with officers past and present from the Battalion before the Luncheon at the Club.

Find out more about The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland on their website here.

With the London Olympics fast approaching The Caledonian Club is  able to offer accommodation and dining facilities to our Reciprocal Club Members around the world.

The Club is ideally situated just off Hyde Park Corner and within walking distance of many of the Olympic Events taking part in the centre of the city. The Jubilee Underground Line which goes to the Olympic Park, can be accessed from Green Park, again only a short distance away.

The Club offers a variety of room types to suit your length of stay and the rates include a full Scottish breakfast to set you up for the day ahead. During the Games period the rules regarding dress code and use of electronic equipment are also being relaxed to allow guests the freedom the use the facilities without having to worry about bringing a suit !

Our rates per room per night for the period are :

Single Room                           £ 145.00

Double Room                        £ 180.00

Twin Room                             £ 180.00

Junior Suite                           £ 199.00

Suite                                         £ 240.00

Master suite                          £270.00

We do ask that for this period a 50% deposit on accommodation is paid by credit card to confirm the booking as we expect this to be a very busy period.

If you would like further information on the Club please feel free to contact us direct on Olympics@caledonianclub.com

Some further links which may help you prepare for your visit :

www.london2012.com/olympic-stadium

www.london2012.com/visiting

“Royal Scottish Country Dance is the most formal and correct version,” explains Alison, “while reeling is more fluid and less ‘ballet-like’…. a stickler for form might regard reeling as a lazier form of Scottish Country Dancing!

“Reeling is not dissimilar to the dances of the 17th century while hands behind backs and ‘shouldering’ hark back to its links with the military. Less defined and precise, céilidh dancing is similar to a barn dance, with a ‘caller’ to pitch the dancing at the appropriate level of dancers’ ability. Some of the simpler dances – the Gay Gordons and the Dashing White Sergeant – tend to be associated more with a céilidh.
The Caledonian Club hosts its Ceilidh and Reeling evenings twice a year – usually in March and October. “We always have a ‘caller’ and so at our events the distinction between reeling and céilidh does tend to blur slightly – it’s really about gathering people together for a fun and lively evening of Scottish dancing without being too purist!” sums up Alison.

Transcending all ages and dancing ability – and avoiding the embarrassing ‘dancing Uncle’ scenario! – céilidhs or reeling parties are enjoyable social occasions with a buzz that has guests enthusing about it long afterwards!

“Any guest at a Burns Supper will be following in the footsteps of Robert Burns’s own friends who, shortly after he died, decided to keep his memory alive by celebrating his birthday,” explains Ian Campbell, Club Secretary of The Caledonian. “A Burns Supper organised in a lively spirit will be a highly memorable event and The Caledonian is in poll-position to steer Burns Supper ingénues in through its traditions.

“Certain rules are non-negotiable for any self-respecting Burns Supper,” points out Ian, “so do  include Robert Burns’s ‘Selkirk Grace’ and ‘Address to a Haggis’ plus, of course, a speech and a toast to the ‘Immortal Memory’ of Robert Burns. A toast to ‘the Lassies’ (unless a ‘stag’ event) by a gentleman  and then a response from a lady,  recitals of Burns poetry and everyone singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’, are optional based on an audience’s wishes.”

The evening begins with the haggis being piped into the dining room. A piper leads the way, parading round the room, as the chef follows behind holding the haggis aloft.  Then the ‘haggis bashing’ follows with an animated performance of Burns’s ‘Address to a Haggis’ before the haggis is ceremonially slashed with a ‘skean dhu’ – the Highland dress knife that ‘kilties’ have tucked into their socks.

“Some ten minutes will be devoted to a serious and thought-provoking aspect of Burns’s life or work as his ‘Immortal Memory’ is honoured,” explains Ian Campbell. “To instil some levity next, at the poetry stage, you might be best to opt for a recital of “To a Mouse’ at just over 3 minutes rather than “The Cotter’s Saturday Night” lasting nearly 27 minutes!” As the strains of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ strike up, remember that this is the song which was spontaneously sung by the crowds who gathered outside the poet’s home in his final hours.”

Where space is available (as it is at The Caledonian), Scottish country dancing ensues. While sometimes seen by sticklers for form as being more of a Highland tradition, there’s no doubt that dancing adds great jollity to the evening, drawing everyone in together. Beginners,  particularly, will appreciate the step by step instructions provided by a ‘caller’.

As Burns Suppers are the perfect antidote to the post-festive season lull, we find ourselves honouring Robbie Burns across January and into early February… and sometimes into March! Our members and guests tend to place less emphasis on marking the exact date, preferring instead that a top class and truly Scottish event with the best possible performers be guaranteed at some stage around this time. If the consumption of a metric tonne of haggis and over 2,000 nips of whisky in January 2009 is anything to go by, they do just that!