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What makes a great birthday cake and party? Some may say
the quality of the cook the ingredients, or others the icing, or maybe a
combination of all three of them together.
Here at ACE we celebrated our 5th birthday with a cake and party of a
different making.
This is the recipe for our very own special celebrity cake.
1. Take one cook. Jenny Ridge.
2. Add some staff. Marie Bathgate and Pol Steele.
3. Some very willing volunteers
4. A healthy dollop of very mature students.
5. Season with fun, laughter, singing and camaraderie.
6. Place in a large room with computers and microwave till ready.
Now for the party
Always start with lots of friends and neighbours, plenty of food and
drink, great entertainment, but most of all plenty of noise and to close
the celebrations some thing very special.
So what is the biggest noise we here at ACE IT can make? Well why not go
and hear the firing of the One O’clock gun at Edinburgh castle.
So the party begins
Monday. Some of the very first mature students, staff and volunteers
from ACE IT were invited by the army to see the one O’clock gun being
fired close at hand. They laid on transport with our very own number
plate SN54 OAP! Mustn’t forget MSP Sarah Boyack for
getting our party underway, and then the Golden Voices choir sang some
old time favourites just to get us in the mood.
Tuesday. The singsong sing along by the St Anne’s songsters begins; one
of the songs “Hanging out the washing on the Seigfried Line” had the
ladies waving their bloomers in a most fetching way. Oh to be young
again (sigh)
We also had a singalong with one of our outreach projects via web camera
– brilliant!
Thursday we had an inhouse demonstration of photographic restoration
techniques followed by a brilliant play by the Ageing Well group.
Friday, Now Friday was something else : THE ICING ON THE CAKE
The Royal Navy invited some of the more fit among us to visit HMS
Edinburgh while they were at Leith docks in Edinburgh. Jenny Ridge,
Maria Bathgate, Eddie Bathgate, Bill Martin, and John MacDonald were met
at the bottom of the gangplank by Lieutenant Tom McKay.
The Lieutenant made us all feel like we were Royalty and VIPs everyone
appreciated the attention and the knowledge he showed.
It had been raining in the morning and though it was a short walk to the
ship Lieutenant McKay immediately took charge of the situation. Wet
coats stored in warm dry lockers and a visit to the wardroom for hot
tea, sandwiches and cream cakes “ pity about the diet” I made up for the
cream cakes by having three cups of tea. Ah the kindness of the senior
service.
We asked questions about emails and it isn’t just us old uns that like
to send and receive them. Most of the ships company have access to
computers. While we were in the wardroom Lieutenant McKay then went on
to explain how important communications was to all on board. Whether by
normal post or electronically.
We were shown where they prepare and service the Lynx helicopter “better
than a quick fit fitter” for its important roll of defending the ship
from attack. It was amazing how quick they could refuel and rearm it.
Just as good as the formula one pit stops for Ferrari. Had to have a
seat in this one!
Onwards and down wards into the bowels of the ship passed the kitchens,
the smell of the food, maybe next time we could possible blag a meal,
passed the sleeping quarters. How small they look and into the engine
control room I was warned DO NOT TOUCH ANY BUTTONS. Then into the heart
of the ship, photos defiantly NOT allowed.
Pol would have been in his element with all the monitors
gadgets and gizmos. Our tour ended in the bridge where we shown how they
steered and navigated the ship (left hand down a bit chief!) Lieutenant
McKay explaining how and why things were done on board with such ease
and authority, that it was a great tour.
A once in a life time experience for all of us but like all good thing
it must come to an end and so it was that we said good bye to HMS
Edinburgh, Lieutenant McKay, her crew and all who made such a marvellous
day for us all.
We at ACE IT would like to say a big thank you to Commander Verney,
Lieutenant McKay and to all the wonderful personnel for making this tour
a memorable one and bringing our Festival to a stunning finale. We wish
all on board a safe voyage to where ever you go.
The icing on our birthday cake party..!” |
