McAndreis Clan News
News Update: 3rd March 2010
Clan Emmigration
Dear McAndreis:
The holidays are over for the time being and the work begins once again. All to short these years seem to become.
Considering the state of the UK's continuing Recession/Depression and the uncertainty of the UK's financial future, along with rapidly rising prices and extortionate levels of tax now levied on all walks of life, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain a steady and confident standard of living. With an election looming in the coming months and the expected rhetoric promises and pledges, never meant or kept, as is the norm for these staged events. We can take no comfort in whom ever wins as little will change, and no-one here has a magic wand to fix all ills. House prices are slated to be dropping anywhere from 10 to 50% depending on who you listen to in 2010. Unemployment is to rise making life in the UK even tougher. All thanks to the mismanagement of the 12 years of Labour's Gordon Brown and his policies.
In December's meeting 2009 it was agreed that the problems now facing our clan as well as any other Scot or UK citizen/resident are become huge. We can expect little or no help from our government. Many of you are now unemployed and face huge challenges to make ends meet. Many of you have seen either the company you were employed by or the company you owned forced to close without any hope of reopening. Most of us see very little hope on the horizon.
Scotland's people live in a land of beauty unequalled, a heritage and history far older and richer than England's. We live in the greatest little nation on the face of our earth, a nation of fierce pride and courage. A people strong and vibrant willing to work for a brighter and better future for our bairns. After long thought and study on each of the problems faced by all of us here we must decide our future and what is best for the McAndreis as a clan. I can see little changing in the next year or two. With this in mind we must all act to preserve the clan and our family's well-being, safety and needs.
As was stated in the last update concerning this matter, the final decision of these matters is yours. Please see the members section for the details of the questions to be decided upon.
Moving On 2010
I would like to inform everyone there are a few more McAndreis who will sadly be moving on to their new jobs abroad. Although they remain steadfast members of the clan these economic times and the UK's continued economic downturn forced a few of us to find work outside of our Bonnie Scotland. They will be sorely missed, always loved and a much awaited return.
Moving on in the first quarter of 2010:
- Mr Michael and Mrs Carin Anderson are retiring to South America.
- Mr Robert and Mrs Stella Anderson are also going to South America to enjoy their retirement.
- Mr William and Mrs Lisa Anderson are moving to South Africa.
- Mr Callum and Mrs Anna Anderson along with Jason, Angus and Sarah, will be off to South America.
- Mr Robert Gordon Anderson will also move to South America.
- Mr John and Mrs Mary McKenzie with their new son Stephen, are also off to South America.
We wish them the very best of luck, much success and god speed.
During these difficult times we must all make difficult and/or even unpleasant decisions. It is difficult to uproot and leave one's home, leaving behind all that we love and care deeply about. Alas, in the end we must all work to survive, govern our budgets whether working or retired to make the best of our futures. We offer our heartfelt care and love to those leaving their home. As you know you all will show them all the support they will need to make these transitions as smooth and painless as possible. Each of you will be missed but we look forward to seeing you at the McAndreis Gathering September 2010.
Balgonie Castle Project: Updated 12/01/10
Dear McAndreis;
This needs to be concluded ASAP. I would ask as many of you as possible attend this at our earliest convenience in 2010. The area where the stones are to be moved to, has been cleared and stones stacked and readied for more stone to be added to the piles. We realise it must wait until the weather breaks. The area that was readied was completed by Chief Calum of Cove and Stuart of Balgonie. As Calum put it: "It was not hard nor too heavy, it was easy and fast once our minds are set to it and caution used."
Pictures will follow soon of the stone, the area the stone has to be moved over/through and of the area to stack into.
Secretary: Heike Williamson.
The Gentleman's Sword
At the end of February 2010, our last meeting of The Gentleman's Sword will be presided over by the clan chief and his captain. All members are required to attend if at all possible. Further details will be found in the members area. The Gentleman's Sword will be incorperated within the new Jacobite group, thus making it now possible for all to apply and take part.
Thank You!
Hope Vere Anderson
Dear Friends;
At present there is NO-ONE that is the chief of the Andersons despite some recent claims. However there is now a real solution to this matter at hand. This past week I had a long and fruitful conversation with the Hope Vere Anderson, upon his return from the US Smokey Mountain Highland Games. Hope Vere Anderson has decided to move forward and complete this endeavor.
As most of you know about 20 years ago Sir Malcolm Innes of Edingight recognised and appointed Hope Vere Anderson as Commander of Anderson. These facts themselves have not changed. Hope Vere Anderson has made it completely clear he wish's to see this endeavor through and completed. We will now be assisting Hope Vere in this matter. We will be helping to complete all aspects of this in order to see Anderson in its rightful place amongst the Clans of Scotland. In the past there were difficulties as there always are in these kinds of things; Hope now feels we are able to overcome the remaining resistance of difficulties which are left.
Hope has expressed his desire to see Anderson united into a cohesive and working clan. He has a large support base with a vast amount of friends, supporters and well wishers. We will assist him in his efforts to go forward and complete what is long overdue. Contrary to some opinions from within and without the system, Anderson is a clan. Sir Malcolm Innes of Edingight thought it so, and so does every Anderson I have ever met save one or two individuals, Associations or groups.
We will keep you informed of the progress with weekly or monthly updates.
The McAndreis Gathering: 2010
We are looking for entertainers for the gathering. The idea is to put on one entertainer per night (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). It will be good quality family entertainment.
It is our intention to ask Na Fir Dileas to come and put on demos and talks. We are also seeking poets and story tellers. We will have Scots historians and battlefield historians to give talks and answer questions. Performers and special guests accommodation and needs are provided compliments of the McAndreis.
We will have a dedicated food tent for all meals and snacks. A creche for your wee ones will be provided. Selling venues for both clan and local business will be provided for.
On Saturday and Sunday afternoon we will hold a ceilidh. Dancing will be to a live band.... Don't worry if you are out of practise as we will arrange for a caller to be present to walk you through the dances.
As the gathering is a closed event, attendance is by invitation only for non clan members. For those of you caravanning or intending to camp on the grounds, there will be 24 hour on-site security provided.
Ye Jacobite By Name
It has been brought to my attention the McAndreis want to form a Formal Jacobite Group as we are a jacobite clan and we wull nae stray from that path. I would agree it is a very good idea. We wull dedicate a page on the website for this with subpages for various items. After looking into two other groups that we had thought to join, the reception was nae cold but was nae warm either. It may be because we are a large group and the McAndreis would greatly outnumber the present members, possibly causing them to feel we would want tae take over. My guess at the second problem might be a sort of justified paranoia within the groups and what we all stand for. "The Government may still be listening" as one jacobite I know and respect once stated, he may be completely correct.
What name shall we use? The elders, advisors and the chief, along with all officers wull meet and decide upon a suitable name. It must reflect our beliefs, our clan and what we stand for.
We work up the details such as: code of conduct, a description of who and what we are, a mission statement, a list of events we wull attend and put on, membership requirements, just to start. If any of you have suggestions on any part of this matter please send them to either the chief or your elders.
What's In A Name?
Clan Competition
Dear McAndreis,
The McAndreis B&B which will be located in Caithness nestled in the Highlands of Scotland is, as you know, under construction. We are going to need to name it. We invite all who may have a suggestion for a fitting name to be so kind and send in any suggestions you may have to the Clan Secretary, Clan Captain, Clan Commissioner or the Clan Chief. The winning suggestion will receive an all-inclusive one week holiday as a gift for your contribution and which will be valid for two years.
Good Luck to all of you!
Dear Members and Guests,
Please read this and please discontinue emailing on this subject as there are just to many of you to respond to individually.
Many of you have been asking about the recent Homecoming Gathering 2009 in Edinburgh and the rumors about the Anderson Clan Chief being present. I can assure you the Anderson Chief was not present. Although I was not present at any of the reported incidents, it was reliably reported back to myself and others with an interest, that the chairman of the Anderson Association did claim to be the Anderson Clan Chief to several guest and visitors. If this was so, it was an incorrect claim to be made and he was in error.
Several presiding members of tents at the gathering were told by visitors and guests that they had just met the Anderson claiming to be the Chief of Anderson's. The reported response to this was. His claim is not entirely accurate.
At the convention, on Friday the 24th of July, it was Mr David Waterton-Anderson, Chairman of the Anderson Association, who asked the Honorable Lord Lyon "who chooses the chief of the clan?" The Lord Lyons response was, "The clan chooses its Chief. It must be the entire clan, not a group, not a society or association, but the entire clan must choose the/a chief."
As I was not present at any of the reported incidents I can only answer what was reliably reported to me.
It was also brought to our attention that the chairman of the Anderson Association approached the House of Gordon while at the Gathering 2009 and asked if he and the Anderson Association be allowed to join the Gordons. for further information on this please contact: Mrs Heike Williamson ha.williamson@btopenworld.com
New Members.
- Rüdiger Heil with wife, Nadine and children
- Kilian and Kirsa from Hessen in Germany
- Robert Amyot de Villeneuve-Lincourt, his spouse Lady Chrystel, their daughters Louise and Evangeline
Please welcome them into the McAndreis
Youth Council Elections
The elections are complete, the names will be posted as usual in the first week in February. The page will be updated and some pictures or animation added. This page will be made much more appealing and with more links to other sites.