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For those of you who don't already know it, Teviot Row Union House in Edinburgh is the oldest purpose built Student Union in the world. It was built in 1889 and has been run (in one way or another) by a student body, "Teviot Committee", ever since. Teviot Comittee was disbanded this year, and the last Friday night they were in control of the building was Friday 15th March 2002. After 113 Years the building said goodbye to it's last house committee.
I was involved in Teviot on a regular basis from 1993 to around 1999, in roles which ranged from cleaning up sick, through to being Convener (the boss!) for a year. I also did a lot of technical stuff as "Tech Rep", providing sound and light for events of all shapes and sizes. Without the experience I collected as a volunteer on Teviot Committee I would not be where I am today.
On Friday 15th March the Committee said goodbye, and I was one of a few "Old Hacks" who joined them for their final blast. At the high point of the night over 1500 customers celebrated the end of term, and the end of an era. For once though, the story is not about the event, it is about the people who give or gave their all to Teviot, and the horrible mixture of euphoria and grief that all shared that night.
Before the photos. I would just like to thank everyone who made my time on Teviot so much fun, and to thank the final committee for seeing the tradition out in fine style. I will always be proud to say I was a member of Teviot Committee.
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The day started with a hangover from Gavins birthday party the night before. Neil took over an hour to eat his burger for lunch.
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The porch. Every committee memer has spent many nights standing here, doing front of house security. Most of us have a few stories - I still have a scar on my face from an incident here.
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Teviot from across the square. The two turrets are the main route up to the main venue, the Debating Hall. Every item of equipment used has to be carried up those, I still occasionally have nightmares from 'humping' equipment up them!
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Typically it was a dull day, raining intermittently so the weather suited the bleak mood.
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Old hacks Linda and Kirsty strutting their funky stuff on the dancefloor in the Debating hall...
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...although Doug and Steve seem to have found something more interesting to watch.
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Even older hacks, Ewan and John. Both are former Conveners of the committee and Debating Hall DJs.
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Linda - thoughtful.
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Iain Murray, our committee dad and guardian. Older than granite but even more solid!
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Kirsty - you should see the photo she wasn't ready for!
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The committee room is where the committee chill out when on a break from duties. Note the "(ex) teviot row house committee" t-shirts, the caption around the Teviot logo on the front being "Bitter and Twisted 1889-2002"
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As 3am Saturday approached the committee congregated on the stage in the Debating Hall...
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...to show the punters how "YMCA" really should be danced...
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... and generally get carried away.
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Everyone was on a euphoric high. It's hard not to be when the room is full of punters and the music is thumping.
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At the same time though, everyone was absolutely gutted to be doing this for the last time.
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Beers were sunk ...
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... and expressions were a little strained.
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3am came and went. Josh, our current DJ in chief, announced that since it was the committees last night, they would carry on just a little longer. A few 'professional' security personnel paniced at this point, but were intimdated into compliance in true committee style!
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The punters loved it!
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A brilliant photo of all the punters doing "Reach for the Stars" to S Club 7. Only for the first time in recorded history Iain M was really getting funky and rather blocked my shot!
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The stage was heaving, no room to move...
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... The floor was heaving too...
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...reaching, dancing like they were posessed...
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... but even this wansn't enough to keep Gill awake!
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The committee were getting so funky...
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...that they all experienced motion blur!
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Ruth spotted me with my camera, and managed to grin weakly for me! By this time I don't think anyone who had ever been a part of the committee had a dry eye.
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More motion blur...
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...and "Mad Maz"!
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We don't know who the beardy guy is, but Ray is looking sooooo enthusiastic...
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...that Maz has to get even madder to compete!
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The energy on the stage matched the energy that has kept Teviot going for 113 years.
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Kit looks remarkably happy for someone who's been cut in half.
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Iain Murrays turn for a serious expression.
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Insanity!
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Emotions started to get the better of everyone as Queen "Don't stop me now" was played. The lyrics are so apt: "Don't stop me now, I'm having such a good time - I don't want to stop at all". By this time I definitely had a tear in my eye, but don't tell Ruth, she thinks I'm a proper boy.
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Josh, standing where I have stood so often in the past, surveying his handiwork - a hall packed with punters dancing for all they're worth.
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I worked lights as part of the debating hall stage crew for nearly 3 years in total...
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...watching punters come and go.
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Everyone was dancing insanely, losing themselves in the fast bits of the music...
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.. standing looking lost in the quiet bits...
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...trying to get the most out of a few final moments...
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... before the final vocal, inevitable and terrible, faded out taking with it 113 years of history.
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The final committee and friends.
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Teviot committee get to know each other so well, many lifelong friendships are born there, and shared at Old Hacks reunion dinners.
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Before the photos, in one final defiant burst we treated the punters to a rendition of "I wanna be a Teviot Ranger", possibly being sung for the first time in public. Many were shocked by the lyrics...
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We all sang ourselves hoarse until finally there was quiet.
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Everyone was stunned, numb. At this point us old hacks left the committee to their final after hours lock-in to partake in traditionnal activities such as "Debating-Hall Death-Football" and "Stair Sledging".
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We found them again at 6am when the Scotsman bar opened.
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Gavin - at last. The king of kareoke himself, a legend in his own lyrics!
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Apparently, it was a big'un.
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Mikey's hair was just spectacular!
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And Neil still looks wrecked!
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Emily and Ruth try to explain the concept of "Groundwork" to an unreceptive Josh.
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From the Scotsman on to Burger King for Breakfast. It's not just the photo. The world really was blurred by then, I was there!
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Neil didn't even have the energy left to order breakfast.
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Ruth, looking simply thrilled to have food. The last ever Secretary of Teviot Row House Committee.
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Becky, the last ever Convener, awarding certificates to those who attended "Gold Star Breakfast Club" in Burger King.
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Gold Star Breakfast Club is traditionally held in kids corner. Note the strategically placed cup weighing down a napkin to block off the security camera in the corner!
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Burger-tastic.
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No Kit, it's a camera. You can put your hands down now.
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Steve McG managing to look like an abandoned puppy thanks to the heartless Mr Murray kidnapping his intended table-mates!
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Mike says goodbye. No sleep, and he's straight off on a field trip...
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In a preminiton of later happenings Claire acquires a magic wand.
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Mr Murray, looking unaccountably smug. Maybe it's 'cos he's got a blonde half his age sitting next to him :-)
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Steve McG. The funniest man in the world.
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Now, where is Adrians hand...
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Claire preparing for her role...
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... As committee Fairy Godmother!
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Iain looks doubtful... He wants us out of the Disney Store before there are any arrests.
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Ray and Pooh.
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Rachel and Claire.
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Andy and Ruth.
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But who is this? We genuinely don't know! We just found this guy in the Toy department at Jenners and asked him to pose with the Lego man. I think he agreed because he was scared...
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I hate all photos of me. There only was one photo of me on the flash card when I loaded it into my computer. And in it I appear to be wearing a tiara and waving a wand. Oh dear.
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Claire thankfully took her tiara back as we drank more beer in "The Arcade".
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Ruth misunderstood entirely when I said "Phwoar, would you look at those puppies!".
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Gavinus Gavinissimus in it's natural habitat.
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Rachel, can you turn the colour down a little, it's 9am and I'm still drinking...
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Emily trying to prove that it is possible to take a great photo of her. For such a pretty girl (no, really) the camera really isn't kind to her!
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Ruth :-)
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No - face this way!
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Part of the "Platinum Star" contingent returning to the scene of the crime for a pint and lunch.
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Claire explained to Adrian what she had drawn. John remained unconvinced.
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Committee Dad with ammunition for a game of "Steves Seedy Shots". Don't ask.
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The way Teviot looked as we left at about 2pm on Saturday. A final look over our shoulders - can't think why it was blurred and squint!
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