Our final Sports Dinner focus is on our MC for the evening Bruce Aitchison from Happiness is Egg Shaped and our musical entertainment, the Singing Souters – also known as Tommy and Darren Knox from Selkirk.
Anyone still thinking about attending is asked to please buy their ticket by this Saturday (30 March) to allow catering arrangements to be finalised – please contact [email protected], Scott Paterson (07834522358); Keith Irvine (07773142226) or Kenny Paterson (07913767871).
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Bruce Aitchison hails from Stow and while a Hibs fan, rugby that has been the dominant sport in his life.
One of his early rugby achievements was captaining Gala Academy to a Scottish Schools Under 18 Final triumph over Dundee High School in 1997 by the narrowest of margins – eight points to seven. Only one other state school has claimed the cup since Gala Academy, highlighting what a remarkable feat it was for the young Braw Lads.
Bruce’s passion and commitment to all things rugby continued after he left school and he managed to play the sport across the world, from Gala and Watsonians to the wonderfully named Albany Knickbockers in New York to Kowloon in Hong Kong and Te Rapa in New Zealand.
The father of two then moved into coaching at various clubs such as Murrayfield Wanderers, Boroughmuir and Watsonians, alongside teaching in Hong Kong, secondary schools in Scotland and now as housemaster at Merchiston Castle School.
Inspired by a t-shirt presented to him by his brother, Bruce has also created the Happiness is Egg Shaped brand, which now includes a website, popular social media channel – including 36,000 Facebook followers – and podcast.
Under the brand name, Bruce writes blogs, carries out educational talks and after dinner speeches, MC roles and ‘other rugby related nonsense’ as he puts it.
Last year, he also completed his Breenge Tae The Borders challenge, to cycle 100 miles from Dundee to Galashiels and then Melrose, to raise money for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation in memory of his friend and hero, the late great Doddie Weir.
The Singing Souters – father and son duo Tommy and Darren Knox – will be our musical entertainment throughout the evening.
Tommy is a decorator to trade, having been self employed for 32 years and is married to Lynne from Galashiels.
A singer with local Selkirk folk group Gaelforce, Tommy also enjoys running with the Gala Harriers and cycling.
He recently completed a brilliant sponsored cycle ride to Italy with the Cycling Souters, helping to raise over £36,000 – and counting – for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. You can still donate at https://www.justgiving.com/team/cyclingsouters.
Darren works at the Border Physio Clinic in Gattonside, having previously lived in Glasgow for ten years.
It was in Scotland’s largest city he performed a number of gigs from pubs to weddings and functions.
He recently returned to Scotland after travelling in Australia and New Zealand for eight months, and has now returned to the Royal Burgh.
Thank you to Bruce, Tommy and Darren and, and Samantha Kinghorn, Richie Gray and Ryan Mania for taking part in our sports dinner in aid of Gala Cricket Club and Rowan Boland Memorial Trust.