On Sunday 12 April 2026, members and friends gathered in the Burns Suite of the Doubletree Hilton Hotel, Cambridge Street Glasgow, to celebrate another Society Presentation.  The recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award was Tony Roper, who along with his wife, Isobel James and five other guests, joined the company to enjoy a lovely lunch, followed by the Presentation.

 

Chairman Derek, greeted everyone on the day with some words of welcome, and then invited our Hon President Maureen Beattie to set the mood with her words of appreciation for the food about to be served to everyone.  While the lunch was being served, as is our custom, it was accompanied by a very varied and accomplished musical medley played on the piano by our own Musical Director Moira Hepburn.  Once the lunch was finished, Maureen then continued with the proceedings and asked the first guest speaker Judith Bowers, to come forward to the rostrum.  Judith then gave a little background to her work with the Charity Panopticon Theatre Glasgow and went on to explain how much support Tony has given to supporting the Panopticon.    Once Judith had concluded, Maureen then asked the next Guest speaker Louise McCarthy to come forward and speak about Tony.  Louise then went on to give a very detailed and at times very funny account of her time in theatre and of working with Tony, and it was received with great enjoyment and lots of laughter.  After Louise was finished, Derek invited Maureen to present Tony with the award which he was honoured to happily accept on the day.  Tony was then asked to say a few words and he gave a very interesting account of his earlier life and of how he discovered theatre as a career, and  went on to write the phenomenally successful play, ‘The Steamie’.  A play which has come to be almost regarded as one of Scottish Theatre’s classics.

 

After the presentation was over, the raffle was conducted by our new Hon Secretary, Annette McCann who proceeded to call our each ticket and each prize was delivered by Derek.  Indeed, our raffle has become a bit of a legend, due to the kind donations from members and friends and the fantastic generosity of businesses and the kind people of Rothesay.  All down to the hard work of Iain Gillespie, one of our committee members, and his brother Gordon who helped to transport everything over via Calmac Ferries.

 

After the raffle was concluded, it was time for some thank yous to be made.  Derek thanked the hotel staff for the their service and attention, and the chef for the lovely food enjoyed by everyone.  He thanked Annette for her hard work in helping to prepare for the event, and for conducting the raffle.  Thanks also went to Iain and Gordon Gillespie, not forgetting Calmac Ferries for getting everything there in one piece.  Derek gave a very big thank you to Moira Hepburn who always provides such a lovely  background to the meal which completes the day beautifully.  Finally Derek  thanked all present, for  coming along on the day and hopefully enjoying it ,and for participating in the day’s events.  The day was finished off with Moira accompanying everyone, playing a traditional rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’.  Another wonderful day. Enjoyed by everyone present.

 

P.S. A little addendum to the day.

 

My husband Bill (Mem  Sec),was a child of the Steamie, funded and provided by Glasgow Council for families who had limited washing facilities.  Bill’s mum would book a stall in the Cameron Street Steamie, and bill sometimes had to go with her if there was no one to look after him.  He loved it because of all the goodies given to him by the other women.  He loves Tony Presentation of ‘The Steamie’, as it is just as he remembers it.  SPOT ON!

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