Sunday 6th April saw 60 members and friends gather together at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel in Cambridge Street Glasgow.  It was to honour two of Scotland’s favourite Panto Stars, Allan Stewart and Grant Stott, and to present them with their Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to Scottish Entertainment.  Derek, our Chairman, welcomed everyone on the day, and then invited our Hon President Maureen Beattie to say a grace inviting everyone to enjoy the meal about to be served.  During the meal Moira Hepburn entertained us as always, with a fantastic medley of music while everyone was enjoying their food.  After the wonderful meal was over, Derek then started the proceedings by inviting Maureen back to the rostrum to make the presentations.  After the Awards were received very appreciatively, it caused great laughter and applause, when both Allan and Grant revealed that over the years, they had never received an award and it was all the more appreciated!! 

 

Allan and Grant then treated us to separate accounts of how they got together and became the favourites in Panto, namely Allan as an excellent Dame and Grant as the best and nastiest Baddie in Pantoland!!  Grant spoke first and told us that believe it or not, he had started out in earlier years as a policeman in Glasgow.  He then went on to discover acting, found out that he really enjoyed it, and established himself in the profession.  During this period Grant’s introduction to Panto brought about a friendship with Allan and they have become best buddies, creating a special magic on stage that has made them hugely  popular with audiences in Edinburgh King’s Theatre.  After Grant had entertained us with some anecdotes he then invited Allan to come to the rostrum.  Alan told us all how he had entered show business. saying again, that after all the years in entertainment, this was his first Award!  As you will all know, Allan is a wonderful impressionist and he finished his speech with an amazing delivery of numerous catchphrases of Celebrities, too numerous to mention.  They were all brilliant, instantly recognised, very much enjoyed, and received with a huge, well deserved round of applause.

 

Quite a number of people present were able to take a momento of the occasion away with them when Allan and Grant kindly allowed photographs to be taken.  After the proceedings were over, the raffle was conducted and once again a large number of donations were handed out thanks to the good people of Rothesay, Committee and friends.  A big thank you must go to Iain and Gordon Gillespie for transporting everything over via Calmac Ferries.

 

The afternoon came to an end when Derek made his collective thanks.  Mainly to Moira for the truly amazing medley of music, that she played during lunch.  It is always enjoyed and makes such a pleasant background to the lunch.  Also, a big thank you to the Hotel for serving an excellent lunch, and to the staff, for their efficient service and kind attention towards everyone.  Derek finished by thanking everyone for attending and making the day a success.  Maureen then came forward to thank Derek and the Committee for organising the day. Accompanied by Moira, everyone then joined hands in a rendition of Auld Lang Syne.    It was indeed another wonderful and enjoyable day for the Society.