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.

Scottish President's Christmas Reception 2007

Immediately following the very enjoyable evening at the Scottish President's Christmas Reception in the Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh, a few brave and hardy souls were persuaded that it would be a good idea to try out the big wheel, "chair-o-planes" and other attractions in Princes Street Gardens. It was sooooo coooooold!!!

Guess who's great idea it was.....? First picture gives a BIG clue:
Trying to phone for a taxi when you're that high up just isn't going to work Rob! Putting a brave face on.....


Apologies for the poor quality pictures - you can blame either the mobile phone camera, or the high altitude!

Scottish President's Christmas Reception 2007

A few photos from the Scottish President's Christmas Reception 2007 in the Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh.

Scottish Conference 2007

Certificates were presented to successful students at the Scottish Conference 2007, by National President Allan Traynor and Scottish President, Hillary Kelly

Please click on the title link to view slideshow of individual photos.

IRRV Forum - presentation to Ian Guthrie

The Revenues and Benefits Forum said thank you and goodbye to Ian Guthrie of Scottish Borders Council and wished him well in his retirement on 30 March 2007.

Forum Chair Allan Traynor presented Ian with a gift to thank him for his contribution over the years.

Scottish Association AGM 2007 - Leapark

Pictured here is newly appointed Scottish Association President Hillary Kelly with National President Allan Traynor, Past Scottish President Ian Ballance and the rest of the Scottish Association Executive.

Also pictured are the successful IRRV students who received certificates at the 2007 AGM.

TEGOVA International Conference 2006, Edinburgh

TEGOVA (The European Group of Valuers Association) held it's international conference in Edinburgh in 2006, with delegates from all over Europe attending.

The Scottish Association Executive hosted a number of events during the week including a ceilidh, which our international visitors enjoyed immensely, joining in with Scottish dancing with great enthusiasm and gusto.
Attendees were asked to wear something tartan for the evening and a prize was awarded for the best tartan effort. Here's the judges making their way along the line up:

National Conference 2006

Scottish people are well known for enjoying a good time and Scottish delegates at national IRRV events certainly demonstrate this well.

Here, John Cunningham from East Lothian Council leads a good old sing song as he shows off his incredible musical talent on the pia-pia-piano... shame the hotel staff didn't enjoy it quite so much and when a large crowd gathered and joined in the singing, they asked us politely to move along!! ... OK, so it WAS about 2am after the Performance Awards!

Scottish Conference 2006 - the Hen Do!

National President Suzanne Jones proved to be a great sport by really getting into the spirit of things for her Scottish Hen Night at Crieff in 2006. As if her presidential year wasn't enough excitement for one year, she was getting married a few days after Scottish Conference!!

Scottish Conference 2005 - team building!!

After working hard throughout the Scottish Conference 2005, a few members of the Scottish Association Executive decided to make use of the facilities at Crieff Hydro for a spot of team building fun.

Quad biking seemed to fit the bill, and a hilarious "crash" course followed.....

Oh well.... at least we looked the part!!

IRRV Scottish Conference 2005 - After Dinner Speaker

The Scottish Association was delighted to welcome Karen Dunbar (of Chewin' the Fat and other TV fame) as their After Dinner Speaker at the conference in 2005.

Scottish Conference 2005

A few photos from Scottish Conference 2005.

National President John Roberts, Scottish Association President Ian Ballance and Scottish Association Secretary Paul Evans: The Exhibition is officially opened: The group of successful students:

Forum March 2005

Presentation by Scottish Association President, Mike Peterson, to Nancy Innes at the Revenues and Benefits Forum in 2005 (I think! Someone please let me know if I've got my dates wrong and I'll amend.)

Karaoke Chinese 2004!!

A few photos from the karaoke chinese outing in 2004.
National President John Roberts looks on hopefully and waits patiently for his turn to come, as Allan Traynor hogs the microphone.... John decides to cut his losses and join in .... as the saying goes, "if you can't beat them, join them" ... after all, there's only a couple of them.... OK, so where did all these people come from...?

Scottish Conference 2004 - Golf Competition

The Scottish Association golf competition was again sponsored by IBS in 2004. Here's a few photos from the day.

The worthy winner is presented with his prize at the dinner: Runner up again then Bob?.....
Golfing is thirsty work..... The ladies eventually finish..... and it's still daylight....!!!