It is not only on the pitch that the Trades have won the respect of those who have come into contact with them;  a vital part of the club has always been the social side - from a few beers after a game to trips to other areas, right through to the more formal Trades Dinners.

Jock Imrie's authoritative knowledge of the club has again proved invaluable, and much of the following article is based on his own recollections.

The profit from these events, though never big, was most acceptable:  dances brought in a regular source of income to the club.

In the earliest years dances were held in the Drill Hall with the Arcadians Band popular at that time. Later modern dances were held in the Crown Hotel and Victoria Hotel at regular intervals for many years, leading bands of that time being

• Debonaires
• Citizens
• Edenaire Redcoats
• Tommy Graham’s Band
• Wat Spence
• Dixie Seven

The last named was led by Tom Borthwick, grandfather of Greig Oliver, later to play for the club, the Greens and Scotland.

One particular dance always looked forward to in these early days was the “Carnival Dance” held in the Crown Hotel in mid December, when the committee used to decorate the ballroom the previous evening with all types of decorations and fill a net with balloons in readiness for the “Storm Dance” at midnight the following evening as the balloons were released, with streamers and paper hats distributed all round. The dance was eventually replaced by an Annual Ball held in the Victoria Hotel for a number of years until lack of numbers forced a further alteration on this date to an Annual Dinner Dance in the same premises.

Well knowm broadcasting bands were booked for Old Tyme Country dances in the Crown hotel during the fifties and sixties, supported by full houses. Popular bands included

• Jimmy Shand
• Angud Futchet
• Boddy McLeod
• Jim Cameron
• Ian Powrie

Eventually dances were trimmed as a law was introduced that food had to be provided in order to be granted a special licence, and dances arranged thereafter were usually 1st January and Friday night of the Common-Riding both held in Victoria Hotel and always well supported.

Our weekly income from this source was much reduced from what we had been obtaining with the “Tote Double”.

The venue for the Dinner eventually became the Victoria Hotel and for two decades the attendance was always between 120 and 140. For many years over that period the club were graced and honoured by the presence of the Scottish Rugby Union President in his year of office and also many famous internationalists and British Lions have attended, including Des O’Brien of Ireland and Mike Campbell-Lamberton. A feature of the Dinner appreciated by guests and others in that era was the musical entertainment given by invited local singers and John Leishman, Gala, also the pianist who was blind “Willie Lightheart”.  (these two paragraphs by Jock Imrie)

...an event not to be missed.   For many years it was reckoned that this date was the first to be entered in the president of the SRU’s diary.  I certainly had my fair share of enjoying many hospitable nights.

And from Haddington, we read:

The Trades Dinner is an annual event to be savoured and is a glowing example of an orderly well conducted function. I have enjoyed on many occasions the entertaining expertise of Bert Arnmstrong, Addie Ingles, Viv Sharp, Henry Douglas, Ian Landles and Rod Stewart.  Incidentally it was sometime before I appreciated the significance of having breakfast with Ian Inglis after the dinner [Ian Inglis was a policeman, and custody officer at the local nick - Editor]

Great days indeed!