The History of the Amersham & District Scottish Association 1946-2022
By Alison Bailey
“Haggis and neeps washed down with a dram” was how the local paper reported the traditional Burns’ Night Supper held by The Amersham & District Scottish Association in 1978. Piped in by the club’s own piper, Alan Rouse, that year’s the haggis was sent down from Burns’ country, Ayrshire. It was ceremoniously carried in by Nancy Haslehurst, who had also cooked it. Nancy’s father, Andrew Melville JP, originally from Ayrshire, farmed at Bury Farm, Chesham and had served as the association president from 1952-53.
Founded just after WWII, this vibrant social group continued for over 75 years before it became another victim of the covid pandemic and closed in 2022. Social events were organised throughout the year, but the highlights were the annual Burns’ Night Supper in January, and the St Andrew’s Night Dinner Dance in November. The group welcomed anyone born in Scotland, of Scottish descent, or married to a Scot!
The start
According to former president Don Kennedy, who wrote the Scot in Amersham – Recollections of 50 years of The Amersham & District Scottish Association in 1996:
“The Scots have a natural ability when outside their native land, to create their own enclave within the communities in which they reside. The evidence of this is to be found in every corner of the world and proud they are, as are their host nation, to be able to recreate the Scottish culture and traditions in another environment”.
He went on: “A look around the immediate environs of Amersham can explain why so many Scots feel at home in this corner of England, which mirrored in miniature the hills, pastures and streams of their native land”.
The Association was founded after two Scottish Air Raid Wardens in Amersham, George Todd and Russell Neil, commented on the number of their fellow countrymen living in and around the town. They decided to hold a Burns’ Supper at the Station Hotel in Amersham 25 January 1946, which was attended by 23 people. The two other members were unable to attend that night. The following year 63 people attended, and the club’s membership totalled 111.
George Archibald Todd, originally from Glasgow, was a chartered accountant who lived with his wife Alice and family at Cornercroft, Devonshire Avenue. He served twice as president (1954-55 and 1969-70), as chairman and was a lifetime member until his death in 1989.
(William) Russell Neil, also from Glasgow, was a laundry sales manager, lodging with his Glaswegian boss, Donald Macpherson Boyd at Hyrons Lodge in 1939. He settled in Littlecott, Clifton Road, Chesham Bois, with his wife Eleanor and family. The 4th president, he later became a company director and was chair of the Chesham Bois Parish Council.
Notable Presidents
Archie Campbell was the first president and held the position for four years until his death in 1950. The Managing Director of Galbraith, Campbell and Co. tin plate merchants, he also served as a councillor and was vice-chair of Chesham Cricket Club where his son, another Archie, was a star player. Originally from Scotland he lived in Amersham for 26 years with his wife, Jessica and family at Bramhall, Devonshire Road. He was also an ARP warden and was responsible for Post 20 in Amersham-on-the-Hill. Following Archie’s death, his widow was appointed as the first Vice President.
Ronald Bell MP was the president from 1964-65. Later knighted, a barrister and QC, he served as Conservative MP for South Buckinghamshire for 24 years. He was apparently an honorary Scotsman, as he was born in Cardiff, as were his parents – and his wife was born in Sussex!
Rt Hon Sir Ian Gilmour (President 1974-75) became the Conservative MP for the newly established constituency of Chesham and Amersham in 1974. Of Scottish heritage, he became Baron Gilmour of Craigmillar, Edinburgh after the death of his father in 1977.
Edinburgh born actor Finlay Currie, who lived in Gerrards Cross, was elected as president in 1967, at the age of 89. He retired the following year and died a few days later. He had acted on stage, television and film, with roles in Ben Hur and Around the World in 80 Days. However, his most famous film role was the convict, Abel Magwitch, in David Lean‘s1946 film, Great Expectations.
Jess Bonnet was the first female president, 1963-64, although “lassies” were frequent presidents in the later years. Georgie Swann (President 1976-77 and 1986-87)) encouraged the younger generation to join in events and discover their Scottish heritage, founding a popular Hallowe’en party. Three generations of the Swann family supported the Association. Georgie’s son, Andrew, served twice as president (1993-94 and 2004-05). His wife, Wendy was president 2012-2013 and their children were all active members. Their daughter, Elizabeth regularly competed with her father to give the “Address to the Haggis”.
Elisabeth Stirling (President 1977-78 and 1989-90) founded the annual Bridge Drive which raised well over £20,000 for local and Scottish charities. Anne Wright, daughter of the original founder George Todd, was another active member from childhood and served for many years on the committee. She was secretary for eight years and took over from Don Kennedy as the Association’s historian. With her husband Bill, (President 2011-2012) she hosted an annual garden party at her home in Little Chalfont and served as the last president from 2019-2022.
Burns’ Night and other events
The memory of the national Bard, Robert Burns was always kept alive at the annual Burns’ Night Supper, a key date in the calendar. On the 40th Anniversary of the first supper in 1986, the guest of honour was Radio 2 DJ and local resident, Ken Bruce who proposed the toast to The Immortal Memory. As usual, the haggis was piped in by Alan Rouse. In 1982, Alan Rouse from Chalfont St Peter, one of “the only Englishman amongst the assembly”, had been given the official title of Honorary Piper. He had already been playing at the Association’s functions for many years and continued in the role for another 40. He finally retired due to ill health and the role was taken over by Association member Ian McCubbin.
Musicians were also an important part of Association events. At the Burns’ Supper of 1986 a selection of lilts was performed by a trio of soprano, Prunella Neale, tenor Dennis Osment and pianist, Frieda Slater. An annual Ceilidh where members were encouraged to perform was a popular evening for many years. The Archie Grimsdell’s Band played at early events at the Mill Stream Restaurant and Kensworth Hotel. Punch and Judy was provided at the first Children’s Christmas Parties. In later years an Inaugural Supper, a golf day, a president’s lunch and an annual walk were introduced.
Scottish Dancing
The Reel Club, to teach and celebrate Scottish dancing was first started in 1948 and continued until 1983. However, in September 1989, Bill Lawrie, started the Wednesday evening dancing to remind members of the dances ready for St Andrew’s Night. Bill finally retired in 2006, at the age of 90.
With dwindling numbers and no social events held because of covid, a final Annual General Meeting was held on Zoom 24 January 2022 when the accounts were approved and the money left distributed to the Association’s charities. The last president of the Association has since donated items to the Amersham Museum collection to ensure that the story of “The Scots in Amersham”, continues to be told.
Despite the demise of the Amersham & District Scottish Association in 2022, the spirit of the Association is still maintained by Scots in the area gathering for informal lunches to celebrate St Andrew’s Day on 30th November, and, Robert Burns in January.
Sources
Anne Wright
The Scot in Amersham, Recollections of 50 years of The Amersham & District Scottish Association by Don Kennedy
The Scot in Amersham, Gold to Diamond, Further Recollections of the Amersham & District Scottish Association by Anne Wright
The Scot in Amersham, Diamond to Platinum, More Recollections of the Amersham & District Scottish Association by Anne Wright
The Scot in Amersham, Platinum to the End, Final Recollections of the Amersham & District Scottish Association by Anne Wright
