SCOTS Project - www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk Document : 1358 Title : The Former Pupils' Guild of the Mary Erskine School - President's Report Author(s): Alyson K Rintoul Copyright holder(s): Alyson K Rintoul Text PRESIDENT'S REPORT 1996 I should like to welcome you all to the 1996 Annual General Meeting of the Guild. We are particularly pleased to have with us the Principal, Mr Patrick [CENSORED: surname] and the Deputy Head, Mrs Norma [CENSORED: surname]. We hope you will all stay and have some refreshments after the meeting. Last year in her report Anne mentioned that at Founders' Day 1995, the foundation stone of the new Pavilion was laid and now a year on from that AGM we are sitting (comfortably, I hope) in these very pleasant surroundings. In January I attended the official opening of the Pavilion. The girls used the red telephone box and spoke to Edith [CENSORED: surname] (Mrs [CENSORED: surname]) even although it was 2 am in New Zealand. The Guild presented the girls with a handsome music centre which Mrs [CENSORED: surname] tells me is very well used. We also gave them the ship's clock on the wall to ensure that they get to class on time. This year I have enjoyed the hospitality of the Golf Club, the SMFPC, the Tayside and the Borders Clubs. Despite being what I would call 'a lapsed golfer', the ladies of the club made me very welcome and it was a most enjoyable evening. The SMFPC held in Merchant's Hall was a most convivial occasion and we were highly entertained by a very amusing speech by Fordyce [CENSORED: surname]. The Tayside dinner was held on a beautiful May evening at the Hunting Tower Hotel in Perth. I was very sorry not to have been able to attend their AGM and Coffee morning. I spent a very pleasant evening in the Borders accompanied by Shona [CENSORED: surname], Elsie [CENSORED: surname] and Nancy [CENSORED: surname]. This year the dinner was held in Nancy [CENSORED: surname]'s house and it can only be described as a Royal Banquet. At all these events I was delighted to make new acquaintances and renew old ones. Throughout the year I have been very impressed by the talents of the girls in art, music and drama. The art exhibition was excellent and the media in which the girls had worked - so varied. I enjoyed the two musicals Ebenezer and Theseus performed enthusiastically by the Junior school. The Middle School production of "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder was most impressive. It was a real challenge for young people but they certainly brought it off. Also challenging yet very entertaining were the two plays "The Ghost" and "Sunshine" which took place at SMC. The girls who took part in these plays were from the Upper school. Guys and Dolls was a wonderfully colourful musical romp - just the thing for the end of the session - the cast threw themselves with great enthusiasm into the songs and dances. It think that it is so good that the school maintains the essential balance of musical and straight theatre. I attended the Bursary Concert held in Ravelston House. This was music "par excellence" and a concert not to be missed. Each performer was so professional and talented. I have enjoyed attending the Boarding House Committee meetings and not just for the splendid afternoon tea. I was pleased that they had such a positive report from the recent inspection. I helped to give out medals and certificates on Sports Day. I think I was in the best situation - in a small tent sheltered from the wind that so often plagues Inverleith. The Founder's Day service was, as usual, excellent and innovative as Mr Tobin introduced Kate [CENSORED: surname], the guest speaker by delighting his audience with a snatch of a song. As Kate [CENSORED: surname] was the musical director of "Joseph" in which the Junior school took part, you will understand why Mr [CENSORED: surname] felt the need to audition. The Service in Greyfriars was attended by girls from the Boarding House, a few former pupils and members of the committee. Details of Guild activities will be reported by the Secretary but I should like to tell you all that our Committee meetings now take place in the splendid elegance of a newly decorated room upstairs in Ravelston House. After amicable negotiations, the Committee have agreed to share Mrs [CENSORED: surname] attractive new office. We feel that the Guild will have a greater profile there as many of our artefacts can now be displayed. On behalf of the Guild, I would like to say how indebted we are to you both for your support and encouragement. On behalf of the Committee, I should like to thank Bill [CENSORED: surname] and his janitorial staff for their unfailing help, also Christ [CENSORED: surname] who produces whatever food we ask for whenever we request it. The President's task is always made easier by a supportive committee and this year I have had an excellent one. I must especially thank Elsie [CENSORED: surname], my Secretary, for her patience and cheerful efficiency, Shona [CENSORED: surname], my Vice President - who always knows the right answer and Nancy [CENSORED: surname] the Treasurer, who keeps us all right with her meticulous accounting. I have enjoyed this year and look forward to the events of 1996/97. This work is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. The SCOTS Project and the University of Glasgow do not necessarily endorse, support or recommend the views expressed in this document. Information about document and author: Text Text audience Adults (18+): Informed lay people: Females: Audience size: 1000+ Writer knew intended audience: Text details Method of composition: Handwritten Year of composition: 1996 Word count: 829 General description: Annual report of former pupils' guild Text medium Other: Circulated to Guild Text setting Education: Text type Report: Author Author details Author id: 918 Forenames: Alyson Initials: K Surname: Rintoul Gender: Female Decade of birth: 1940 Educational attainment: L R A M (Drama) Age left school: 18 Upbringing/religious beliefs: Humanism Occupation: Drama Teacher Place of birth: London Country of birth: England Place of residence: Edinburgh Region of residence: Midlothian Residence CSD dialect area: midLoth Country of residence: Scotland Father's occupation: Pharmacist Father's place of birth: Edinburgh Father's region of birth: Midlothian Father's birthplace CSD dialect area: midLoth Father's country of birth: Scotland Mother's occupation: Teacher Mother's place of birth: Bo'ness Mother's region of birth: W Lothian Mother's birthplace CSD dialect area: wLoth Mother's country of birth: Scotland Languages: Language: English Speak: Yes Read: Yes Write: Yes Understand: Yes Circumstances: Language: French Speak: Yes Read: Yes Write: No Understand: Yes Circumstances: With friends in France