NEWSLETTER – FALL 2008
HOUSTON GRAMPIAN ASSOCIATION
The twinning link between Grampian Region and the City
of Houston, Texas is now in its 30th year. It reaches its official
30th birthday on 11 May 2009. And that’s
when we’ve been invited back to Aberdeen on our official exchange visit which
was originally scheduled for the Fall of 2008.
SO PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS, PACK YOUR BAGS AND GET READY FOR THE BEST TRIP OF YOUR LIFE, BEING HOSTED
BY OUR SCOTTISH COUNTERPARTS IN A STYLE HARD TO EXCEL!
It was back in
1979 that the Deputy Mayor of Houston led a delegation who made the
journey to Aberdeen to sign the official twinning charter. They were flown by British Caledonian
Airways, via Atlanta, to Edinburgh and delivered by bus to Aberdeen for the
signing ceremony at the headquarters of
the former Grampian Regional Council at Woodhill House.
Shortly afterwards the Grampian-Houston Association
was formed to promote links with America's fourth largest city and oil capital
with the Houston/Grampian Association performing a similar role in Texas.
NEW
MEMBERS NEEDED:
Both associations still have several founder members,
evidence of the enduring nature of the Sister City relationship with the
Grampian Region. But it also means we are 30 years older and we are
conscious of the need to bring in new blood to build on what has been achieved
over the past three decades.
As Margaret Hadley, Chairman of the Grampian Houston
Association, says in their newsletter: “Just as business links between Grampian and Houston have expanded and matured since the pioneering days of North Sea oil,
so has our twinning relationship and we look to the next generation to carry on
the good work and take advantage of the opportunities our special relationship
presents.”
IN 2008 WE’VE:
·
Sponsored our
Annual General Meeting at the Braeburn Country Club
·
Co-hosted
with the British American Business Council, our outstandingly
successful Offshore Technology Breakfast
(see picture below)
·
Sponsored the
first Queen’s Birthday Tea at the Hyatt Regency Hotel
● Nurses’
Dinner, October 28, 2008, 7:00 p.m. (Invitations in the mail)
For the first time, the
Houston Grampian Association held High Tea in honor of Her Majesty's birthday
thus launching it as the first annual occurrence, as it will surely be held
again each year. It was a most joyous celebration and was well attended both by
members of HGA and by guests from other organizations. Held at the Hyatt
Regency Hotel in Houston, it was properly and beautifully organized by Rebecca
Roberts and she put it on the top shelf for all who attended.
|
|
|
Our guests were treated to spectacular
entertainment by the renowned Alistair Donkin, with accompaniment by Dr.
William Glick of Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston. |
He talked to us about
his role in Gilbert & Sullivan productions and sang arias from several of
them and provided a delightful time for those present. He moved through the
audience and spoke and sang directly to our guests which made for a very
personable and delightful presentation.
AND
DURING THE YEAR WE’LL BE:
·
Arranging a
Ceiledh where members and future members will be invited
·
Sponsoring
our Nurses Exchange Dinner in October
·
Scheduling
our Annual St. Andrews Pub Festivities in November
·
Working on
developing a new Police Officer exchange program between the Houston Police
Department and the Grampian Police in Aberdeen.
|
|
In preparation for our
nursing students departing for Aberdeen, a meeting was held at HBU with the
Lady Provost of Aberdeen, Sandra Stephen, representatives from HBU and HGA and,
of course, our student nurses. Mary Metz shared with the group, plans and the
itinerary for their visit to Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.
The four student nurses taking part in the 14th
exchange between the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen and Houston Baptist
University are Texas Student Nurse of the Year Danielle Cowing, Lisa Kendall
(32), of Aberdeen, Louise Conaghan (26), of Thurso, and Shannon Sinclair.
Shannon and Danielle spent two weeks visiting hospitals and medical facilities
in Grampian in May, and Lisa and Louise are looking forward to paying a study
visit to Houston in October. Albyn Hospital, Aberdeen and NHS Grampian support
the exchange financially and in light of its success, NHS Grampian and Houston
Baptist University are now exploring the possibility of arranging an exchange
of clinical staff.
Aberdeen's Lord and
Lady Provost enjoyed their first visit
to Houston in May
when they attended the Offshore
Technology
Conference and Exhibition.
They were guests of the Houston/Grampian Association
and the British-American Business Association at a
pre-
OTC breakfast at the Houston Hilton Post Oak Hotel.
Houston's Mayor Pro-tem, Adrian Garcia made a
presentation to Lord Provost Stephen with Aurise
Bain, President of the Houston Grampian Association
looking on. Lord Provost Stephen is President of the
Grampian-Houston Association for 2008-09.
Remember to visit our web site .... http://houstongrampian.com
Members can keep
up to date with news from Scotland by visiting their Association's web site at www.grampian-houston.co.uk.