NLCA's 30th anniversary party, October 2006

Ceilidh social at the 'King & Queen'

By Jackie Fuller, North Laine resident

What a party! About 90 people - residents, traders, former residents and friends - came to the NLCA's Ceilidh Social at the 'King & Queen' on 13th October 2006, which was the final special social event to celebrate the association's 30th anniversary year in 2006. Some photos of the event are shown below and there are more photos on a related page.

Everyone had a good time

Old acquaintances were renewed and new friends made. Many had a go at the dancing and there was great hilarity when it all went awry. Some preferred to sit and watch, while others chose just to stand around the bar and chat. One way or another everyone seemed to be having a good time!

The speeches

During the interval while the band had a break Peter Crowhurst, Chair of NLCA during 2006, said a few words of welcome. He was especially pleased to see a number of former North Lainers who had come back for this special 30th anniversary party, quite a few of whom were former NLCA Officers or Co-ordinators. Peter summarised what the NLCA had stood for over its 30 year existence and especially all the work that had been done over the years on difficult planning and environmental issues relating to the North Laine.

He explained that the party was being subsidised from the Ted and Joan Warburton Memorial Fund  - the collection made at Ted Warburton's funeral earlier in 2006, which had been donated by the Warburton family in its entirety to the NLCA. Both Ted and Joan had very much enjoyed the ceilidh socials held by the NLCA in the past and so this party was enabling the Association to celebrate their tremendous contribution to the NLCA in so many different ways over many years. Everyone felt that they were with us in spirit.

The birthday cake

He then invited Diane, Michael and Peter Warburton to come forward and cut the special 30th anniversary cake. Diane made the first cut and Peter Warburton said a few words in response. Peter Crowhurst then invited Kelvin MacDonald, Secretary of the NLCA in its first year, to reminisce about the early days of the Association.

The beautifully decorated sponge cake was cut up and handed round so that everyone could enjoy a generous piece - it was really delicious.

[This is a shortened version of a piece previously published in the 'North Laine Runner', No 183, Nov/Dec 2006.]

The photos below are by Ruth Goodall and Jackie Fuller. Captions for the photos (left to right) are:

1. Kevin Daly greeting a former North Laine resident at the entrance to the party.
2. Peter Crowhurst, NLCA Chair, made a short speech welcoming everyone to the social.
3. Listening to the speeches
4. Kelvin MacDonald, NLCA Secretary in its first year, made a short speech, saying why he thought the NLCA had survived for so long and been so successful.
5. The 30th anniversary cake
6. Diane and Michael Warburton made the first cut of the cake, while Peter Warburton addressed the party-goers with a few appreciative words on behalf of the Warburton family.
7. Dancing to a live ceilidh band
8. Looking back: Peter and Michael Warburton photographed in serious mode at one of the very early NLCA ceilidh socials held at the King & Queen nearly 30 years ago