“Party at Leslie Manor” – A Look into the Past

February 11, 2022

I came across this article while trying to fill in some gaps in our office records and it seems too good not to share. Sandwiched between a report on the Camperdown CWA and an Anglican Minister’s visit to town, the article offers a lively account of a party held at Leslie Manor in the 1950s. Locals to the area will most likely recognise the names mentioned. The original article can be viewed here.

Fifty guests were present at a party at “Orphir,” Leslie Manor on Wednesday, April 5, given by some of his friends to Mr. “Ted” Dupleix, prior to his marriage.

The party took the form of a shower tea. The evening was thoroughly enjoyable, although, owing to host’s ignorance of how many pints are in a shower, it varied from a light Scotch mist to a major cyclonic disturbance. Tea, too, seemed de drop, but helpful suggestions were made for its disposal.

The victims were met by Messrs. Angus Maclachlan and “Andy” Steele, who were also responsible for the magnificently decorated salons. The effect of the blazing lights on the multi-colored labels, and the varied contents of the bottles was charming, while the idea of scattering a few “nines” in odd corners gave a quaint old-world air to the scene.

The dressing was superb. A very chic note was struck by two of the fashionable throng. One wore a loosely knotted tie mid way between his left ear and the back of his neck. The other wore a puce shirt liberally decorated with “taches de biere.*” Delightfully novel and informal.

Spare time, if any, was spent in playing cards or strolling in the grounds. At intervals the gathering was entertained with songs and recitations.

Mr. Alastair Maclachlan, apparently suffering from whooping cough, sang in what might have been Chinese, Mardi’s well known ballad. Cr. E. Rose’s rendition of Raitupsky’s “The Higher They Go, the Louder They Bawl” visibly affected the audience.

The survivors went home when it was light enough to avoid the garden beds, trees, fences, culverts and other “mod-cons” with which the landscape is littered.

There is some doubt as to whether the light was due to the sun rising, or merely an out building on fire. This minor point will be cleared up when the salvage gang goes to put the house back on its foundations.

Camperdown Chronicle, 19 April 1950

*Taches de biere = beer stains