Monday 15 September 2008 - Hip Bumpers New Session Started

The Hip Bumpers new session started with a bang with a fantastic evening of Fun with Hoops with Pam Wilson.

There are many new and exciting things planned, so watch this space!

Wednesday 10 September 2008 - Rumours About Hip Bumpers Folding

Following the resignation of founder member Dot Bremner on 3 September, rumours that the Hip Bumpers will be folding have been circulating.

Don't worry, these rumours are totally unfounded and the Hip Bumpers are still going strong. There are absolutely no plans to close down the group.

The new session resumes on Monday 15 September with Pam Wilson's Fun with Hoops.

Wednesday 3 September 2008 - Founder Member, Dot Bremner Resigns

One of the founder members of the Hip Bumpers Dot Bremner has, sadly, had to resign.

She says "It is with great sadness that I must inform you all that I can no longer be part of the Hip Bumpers group due to health reasons & because I am moving away from the area but wish you all every success in the future."

We wish Dot all the best in her new home and in any new venture in which she may be involved in the future.

Saturday 30 August 2008 - Hip Bumpers on National Lottery TV Programme

The results of the National Lottery Awards 2008 were announced live on BBC1, during the National Lottery programme.

The Hip Bumpers were featured, along with all the other finalists and members of the group took part in the programme.

Although we did not win our category we were very pleased to be awarded a runners up trophy. We are very grateful to everyone who voted for us and showed their support.

Sunday 10 August 2008 - The Hip Bumpers Appear at the Keith Show

On Sunday 10th August the Hip Bumpers appeared at the Keith Country Show.

Many people joined in the fun and laughter and a great time was had by all!

Thursday 8 and Friday 9 August 2008 - Hip Bumpers at St Giles Centre on Lottery Votes Campaign

The management of the St Giles Centre were, again, good enough to allow us to 'perform' there in order to get votes for our campaign to win a National Lottery Award. Many thanks to them and to Sky, who allowed us to set up our laptops in order to enable the public to vote for us.

We were inundated with people who wanted to vote for us and could hardly keep up!

Thank you everyone who voted and supported us in our campaign. Results will be announced live on the National Lottery on BBC1 on 30th August.

We're keeping our fingers crossed!!

Sunday 3 August 2008 - Great success at the Edinburgh Cavalcade

On Sunday 3 August we made a return visit to the Edinburgh Cavalcade - this time with a float.

The parade went very well and we were enthusiastically received by the crowds and the DJs.

Many thanks to Alistair and Diane of DI-AL, Scotland, who provided the lorry and masses of help to decorate it. We couldn't have done it without them!

Thursday 31 July 2008 - A Visit to Buckie Lifeboat Station

In our quest for votes for the National Lottery Awards finals we went to Buckie Lifeboat Station and had a photocall and an exhilarating ride on on a lifeboat.

The crew were fantastic, even though they declined our offer to dance, and we had a wonderful time.

Tuesday 29 July 2008 - The Firemen at Elgin Fire Station Enjoy a Dance

On Tuesday 29 July we visited Elgin Fire Station and had a fun filled time dancing with some very handsome firemen. They were some of the best dancers we have come across and we had a great laugh.

Afterwards we were taken on a tour of the Fire Station. What a wonderful job they do and what an interesting place! Following the tour we were treated to a very welcome cup of tea and biscuits in the canteen.

We are very grateful to the Elgin firemen for their support for our campaign to win the National Lottery Awards and for the brilliant morning at the fire station.

Monday 22 July 2008 - We Went to RAF Kinloss and Put the Airmen Through Their Paces!

As part of our campaign for votes for the National Lottery Awards finals we went to RAF Kinloss and had the pleasure of putting four very nice Physical Training Instructors through their paces. They also had the pleasure of putting us through our paces and did a great warm up and a 'cannon game' with two teams.

They were great sports and we had a wonderful time there.

STV were there and we were featured on North Tonight that evening.

Monday 21 July 2008 - We have reached the National Lottery Awards Finals!!!

WOW, we just can't believe it! We've made it into the National Lottery Awards Final. That's not bad for a group of volunteers from a rural area in Scotland!!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE VOTE FOR US AGAIN!!

Voting started today and closes at midday on 8 August. To vote for us you can either phone 0845 386 1502 or go to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards

If we win our category we will get £2000, which will be a huge help for our volunteer teams to carry on spreading our fun, laughter and happiness.

Thursday 3 and Friday 4 July 2008 - Hip Bumpers Danced in the St Giles Centre in Elgin to Get Votes for Their Bid for the National Lottery Awards 2008

On Thursday 3 and Friday 4 July 2008 we danced in the St Giles Centre in Elgin in order to get votes to try to get through to the finals of the National Lottery Awards 2008.

Sky very kindly allowed us to set up a laptop and connect it to the Internet at their stand in the centre so members of the public could vote for us. Many thanks to Gayle from Sky and to the management of the centre for all their help and for allowing us to take over a corner of the centre.

We got lots of votes from members of the public and staff from the units in the St Giles Centre. We even had queues at our voting station!!

Now all we have to do is wait for the results.

Wednesday 25 June 2008 - Hip Bumpers Went to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh

As part of our publicity drive to get people to vote for us in the National Lottery Awards 2008 we went down to the Scottish Parliament on 25 June where MSPs Mary Scanlon and Richard Lochhead joined in our fun routines alongside members of the public.

We were also given a guided tour of the Scottish Parliament which was really informative and interesting.

In spite of the bus breaking down on the way back and not returning until after 1am in the morning we all had a fantastic time!

Monday 16 June 2008 - The Hip Bumpers Make it to the Semi-Finals of the National Lottery Awards 2008

From over 720 entries, we have been selected for the semi-finals of the National Lottery Awards 2008.

PLEASE PLEASE VOTE FOR US. We have worked really hard to get this far and are the only Scottish group in our category.

Voting starts from 9 am on 16 June and closes at midday on 4 July. To vote for us you can either phone 0845 386 1502 or go to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards.

Friday 16 May 2008 - Hip Bumpers Fashion Show

Our Fashion Show which was held in the Longmore Hall, Keith with Hip Bumpers and local male pantomime artists, including Stewart Cree, Duncan George, Logie Gray, Rev Ranald Gauld and Charlie Simpson as models was a resounding success.

Cllr Gary Coull compered the event and the clothes were supplied by Tesco, Huntly and Blytheswood, Keith.

Many thanks to all who participated in the event, particularly our male models who made the night so very memorable.

Monday 7 April 2008 - Open Night

This evening, by popular request, a return visit was made by the South African Gumboot Dance Team from Edinburgh, with surprise performances by the talented singing duo 'The Sorries' .

The cola can dance with the Gumbooters was fantastic (and really noisy) and we are planning to take it to our workshops so everyone can have a chance to join in fun.

A lively fun-filled night was had and we all enjoyed our wine and shortbread!!

Wednesday 26 March 2008 - Tea and Tombola

The Hip Bumpers held a Tombola Night in the Keith British Legion on Wednesday 26 March in order to raise funds to take a team to Edinburgh to take part in the annual Cavalcade in August.

The hall was packed and a great time was had by all.

A fantastic £1013 was raised on the night.

Friday 29 February & Saturday 1 March 2008 - Marie Curie Collection

A small group of Hip Bumpers helped fellow member May Whittley to support the Marie Curie charity by helping with collections and distributing daffodils.

The amount raised for the charity was over £700.

Wednesday 23 January 2008 - Pole Dancing

Yes, that's right - pole dancing!!

Some adventurous Hip Bumpers tried Pole Dancing at the Foundry in Elgin with fantastic teacher Laura Collins.

Photos of survivors have been posted in the gallery on this site.

Monday 14 January 2008 - Hip Bumpers/ Oxfam Quiz Draw

Longmore Hall
7.30pm - 9pm

The regular session included the draw of the Oxfam/Hip Bumpers Quiz along with all the usual fun.

Two cheques for money raised for Oxfam from the Quiz and from sales of Jim Bremner's (Dot's husband) wonderful book were presented to Cllr Gary Coull, who stepped in at the last minute because the Oxfam Area Manager was unexpectedly unable to attend.

Saturday 12 January 2008 - Hip Bumper's Coffee Morning in the North Church Hall, Keith.

Our Coffee Morning was a huge success.

The stalls were all packed with goodies and the pancakes and scones were delicious! Our hostesses were definitely the hostesses with the mostest.

Fun entertainment was provided by belly dancers from Sisters of the Desert and Pachamama World Fusion.

Monday 7 January 2008 - Hip Bumper's First New Year Session

What a wonderful time we had with John Cunningham of Elgin City Dance Club. He taught us the very popular boogie and some jive. What we were all doing was another matter!!

What a great way to start our New Year!

Monday 17 December 2007 - Hip Bumper's Christmas Ceilidh

Our Christmas Ceilidh was a night to remember, with Scottish Country Dancing to live music from the Strathbogie Fiddlers, led and compered by the wonderfully entertaining Gary Coull, and entertainment in the intervals by Pachamama world fusion belly dance.

A fantastic spread of food was provided by the members and a happy, lively time was had by all.

Monday 26 November 2007 - Hip Bumper's First AGM

Our first AGM was well attended and the Committe was voted in by all present.

The new Committee members are:

Ken Briscoe, Anne Briscoe, Dot Bremner, Evalyne Cowie, Diane Ford, Sue Hodgetts, Mel Letham, Sylvia Letham, Jean Rennie, Muriel Smith and May Whittley.

Wednesday 19th September 2007 - Moray Voluntary Services Organisation (MVSO) AGM

The Hip Bumpers were delighted & honoured to be asked to do a presentation at the Moray Voluntary Services Organisation (MVSO) AGM, at the Mansefield Hotel in Elgin on Wednesday 19 September. The dignitaries joined the girls in a couple of fun dance routines and afterwards a delicious tea was served.

Monday 10th September 2007 - Hip Bumpers First Birthday Party

We all had a fantstic time at our first birthday party.

There was a varied lineup with American Line Dancing with the Southern Belle, belly dancing, a performance of the Time Warp and a sword dance.

A plentiful supply of wine and cheese and great raffle prizes made the evening go with a bang!!

Sunday 19 August 2007- Newmill Family Fun Day

On Sunday 19 August we supported Newmill's Family Fun Day, in aid of local cancer groups.

We were at Newmill Hall from 7.30 to 8.30pm on Thursday 16 August teaching local people our simple routines in advance, so they could join in the dancing at the end of the day.

The day was a great success and fun was had by all!

Sunday 5 August 2007 - Edinburgh Cavalcade

What a fantastic time we had at the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade! It rained all the way, but nothing could dampen our spirits on such an exiciting day.

We wore long red skirts, yellow and green t-shirts, sparkly red hats and tasselled belts and were followed by a red bus, decorated with flags, banners and bunting.

On Saturday we took part in a workshop to learn the Chinese Peacock Dance. Our brilliant teacher, Chen Weng, taught us this most beautiful dance and we also saw her in her wonderful Chinese costume in the Cavalcade.

Take a look at the stunning photos, taken by Dave, in our Edinburgh Cavalcade Gallery to see what we got up to.

Many thanks to all our helpers and supporters who made a contribution to this excellent weekend. We couldn't have done it without you!

A special thank you is due to Des, our driver, from Smiths Central Coaches of Keith, who got us there and back safely, managed not to run us over in the Cavalcade and even entertained us with his witty comments and jokes.