Scottish President's Christmas Reception 2008

The Scottish President's Christmas Reception 2008 was held in the Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliament. Pictured here are National President, Julie Holden, Alison McInnes MSP (our sponsor for the evening) and Scottish Association President Hillary Kelly:

Unfortunately no photographic evidence is available this year of the now annual/customary visit to the Princes Street Gardens attractions, however rest assured that Mr Peterson once again persuaded a few hardy souls to join him on the big wheel etc.!!

Scottish Benefits Conference 2008 - delegates!!

A couple of additional delegates turned up for the second day of the benefits conference (courtesy of Jon Gibbs from IBS)!!! They didn't hang around long though...

Scottish Benefits Conference 2008

The Scottish Benefits Conference 2008 was held in Crieff Hydro Hotel on 3rd and 4th December 2008.

There was a packed programme and excellent feedback was received in relation to the speakers and sessions.
As is custom at Scottish benefits conference, evening entertainment was provided in the form of a Christmas dinner and disco - paper hats were the dress code of the evening, with everyone joining in the fun and plenty of energetic dancing until the "wee small hours".


A few photos are attached here - please click on title link for more....

Karaoke Chinese, Forum, Dumfries

The Scottish Association is very proud of its strong revenues and benefits forum. Meetings are well attended and quarterly meetings are supported by most authorities in Scotland.
For a number of years, of all the meetings during the year, a firm favourite has been the November meeting, usually held in Dumfries. This has become something of a tradition, as it is preceded, the evening before, by a karaoke in a Chinese restaurant in the town.
The IRRV National President is always encouraged to kick off proceedings with a rendition of their favourite karaoke number (or to settle for something which IS actually available in the limited volumes of backing tracks available in English!).


Here, Julie bravely chooses from the back catalogue of "Now That's What I Call Chinese Volume 32"

I'm sure all attendees would agree that the highlight of the 2008 karaoke was Bob Mackay's "moving" performance of "Sweetly Sings the Donkey" .... a "popular" children's classic (no, we had never heard of it either!!!).




Mike Peterson provided much hilarity by producing a Twinkle Toes bib - modelled here by Hillary (there's always one person daft enough!)

Much fun was had by all - an excellent evening as always.

Looking forward to returning in 2009.

National Conference 2008 - Performance Awards Dinner

2008 saw the greatest number of Scottish local authorities shortlisted for Performance Awards, so our Scottish Association was well represented at the annual Performance Awards gala dinner.
Kilts-a-plenty for the men (obviously not just the glitz and glamour of the ladies!) made sure that the Scots were easily identified and an excellent evening was enjoyed by all. Please click on title link for a further selection of photos from Digital Paparazzi. The whole gallery of photos can be viewed from the IRRV national website.

National Conference 2008 - Hard Rock Cafe

Scottish Vice President (and future King) Brian Jeffrey was well impressed to view his idol Eric Clapton's guitar at the Hard Rock Cafe in Manchester, during a social event at National Conference 2008.

National Conference 2008

The girls from Perth and Kinross were surprised to see a familiar face lurking around the hotel.


None other than Jim Davidson!

One for the photo album definitely....

Scottish Conference 2008 - dinner

The Scottish Association were grateful to Scott and Co, sponsors of corporate hospitality, including dinner and drinks at the 2008 Scottish Conference 2008. The dinner was excellent, held for the first time in the new Melville Hall at Crieff Hydro Hotel: Fraser and Janet Macpherson enjoy a rare moment of light relief at the hands of the After Dinner Speaker:

Although few were safe from being the butt of a joke, here Hillary "thanks" the speaker for his entertainment:

Scottish Conference 2008 - National President's charity cheque

Immediate Past National President Allan Traynor handed over a cheque to Cancer Research UK for fundraising and sponsorship monies collected during his presidential year.

Scottish Conference - Performance Award - Best in Scotland 2008 - WINNER!!!

2008 saw a record number of entries from Scotland for the National IRRV Performance Awards and a record number of Scottish entries shortlisted as Finalists in their respective national categories.

As well as the opportunity to win a national award, authorities in Scotland entering for all categories are judged against each other for a "Best in Scotland" prize.

The worthy winners in 2008 were Argyll and Bute Council, with representatives pictured below, after the official presentation and also at their stand in the awards village.

More performance awards 2008 photos can be viewed in a slideshow by clicking on the title link above.

Scottish Conference 2008 - sponsors

Pictured here is National President Bob Trahern and Scottish Association President Hillary Kelly with John Gandley and Rob De Felice of main conference sponsors Gandlake.

Scottish Conference 2008 - certificates

National President Bob Trahern and Scottish Association President Hillary Kelly presented certificates to students who had been successful in the June 2008 examinations.

A slideshow of individual student photos can be viewed by clicking on the title link above.

IRRV Scottish Conference golf 2008 - WINNER!!

Here is a picture of the worthy winner of the Scottish Golf Competition 2008 - Bob Mackay from City of Edinburgh Council, receiving his trophy from Jon Gibbs of IBS Open Systems, sponsors of the golf competition. Another photo taken later in the evening with Scottish President, Hillary Kelly. Not an "official" presentation photo perhaps .... however Bob was just so keen to keep reminding everyone he had won, after four years as runner up!!!

IRRV Scottish Conference golf competition 2008

Here are a couple of golfing photos from the Scottish golf competition 2008 at Crieff Golf Club, sponsored by IBS Open Systems.

Some took it very seriously......:

Whilst others perhaps knew less about the etiquette of golf......:Please access link from title for the rest of the golf 2008 pics.