Hello friends,

Thank you to those who were a part of our Burns Supper. What a splendid night it was for company, entertainment, food, and everything Robbie Burns! See our picture slideshow of the evening at www.rabbieburns.co

25 January 2012 @ the Riv

'Dreams'

WEBSITE SPECIALS - TWO WEEKS ONLY

Bob has put a range of sgian dubhs on special. Please see our website for these and other specials for the fortnight, including our popular Celtic-style gold rings.

PAEROA TATTOO: 11th FEBRUARY 2012

Bob, Sharyn & the Celtic Connexions store spent a windy weekend at the Turakina Highland Games. If you didn't make it to Turakina, there is always the possiblity of checking out the 19th annual Paeroa Games and Tattoo. Follow this link to find out more. Bob will be bringing bits and pieces from the shop, but if you have any special requests, please phone him on 0800 HAGGIS.

NEW REEDS FROM STEPHEN MCGARITY REEDS!

Bob is impressed with the high quality, low price, and easy playability of Stephen McGarity Reeds. Please email: bob@celt.co.nz, or phone 0800 HAGGIS to place an order. Reeds cost $23 each.

MACLEAN 100th YEAR GATHERING AT DUART CASTLE, MULL, SCOTLAND JUNE 2012

Are you interested in joining a small group bound for Scotland to attend this event? Please contact Bob: bob@celt.co.nz, 0800HAGGIS

Bob is in the process of preparing a schedule for this trip. Please let your interest be known, and watch this space for more information.

That's all from us today.

All the best from the team at Celtic Connexions

Hello friends,

Today is my first day in the new Celtic Connexions office, and I am thrilled to be working in this spacious, well ventilated, fairly peaceful area. Bob has been excited about this place since he first laid eyes on it, and now I can truly appreciate that excitement! 2012 marks the beginning of a new chapter for Celtic Connexions Ltd, and we hope you will all remember us when you require Celtic gifts and attire - we are still here, and we want to work with you!

Please have a look at our website: www.celticconnexions.co (just co, no nz) as this has replaced our walk in shop. You can also find us on TradeMe, username: haggis16.

Bob is especially excited about taking tours to Scotland this year. One tour to Scotland is already full, and interest for further tours is coming in strong. If you are interested in being a part of the adventure, please email Bob: bob@celt.co.nz, or phone 0800HAGGIS. Places on each tour are limited to allow for a highly personalised experience, so don't delay in making your interest known.

Bob opened his first shop a decade ago, now he is excited to be moving completely on-line.

Heidi @ 394 Grey St, not long before the 'castle' was demolished!

Thank you all for your custom over the years - we really appreciate it!

All the best,

Heidi Brown

Bob Wallace

Hello Friends,

Thank you to those who attended our St Andrew's Day celebration. I had a lovely time meeting and chatting to you friendly folk. We were incredibly fortunate to have such a fantastic line-up of talented musicians who gave wonderful performances for our entertainment. It was good fun having a go at Scottish Country dancing after so many years. We refueled with a delicious haggis meal, and then continued the dancing. If you are keen to see some photoes, please follow this link to Bob's blog.

Be sure to get your tickets and join us for our next event, the Robert Burns Supper, 25 January 2012, 7pm at The Riv Bar and Bistro, in Hamilton East. There will be music, Burns speakers, and a haggis meal. Tickets cost $17 per adult (this event is not suitable for children), includes two drams of whiskey. Email Bob: bob@celt.co.nz if you want to purchase tickets.

If you are after a new Glengarry, contact Bob for a special deal on one from our new shipment. We can also order your own Clan badge (as seen modelled by Bob) please expect up to a six week wait for badge orders. Belts, sporrans.

As mentioned in a previous newsletter, our UK suppliers have deadlines for ordering - we have now past the deadline for 2011. If you are wanting Chirstmas presents, please check that we have the item in stock. Check our Trade Me listings for available products (please still check availability, just to be on the safe side, especially when rings are concerned).

For now we hope your festive plans are going well.

Heidi and Bob

Bob with a couple of coos in Culloden

Bob is back from Scotland, with some awesome photos and stories to tell. He wants to remind you that there are only 39 days left until Christmas, and only ten days before we reach our suppliers' deadline for 2011 orders. Now is the time to buy! We have specials on our website , and on everything in store. Also, check out our listings on trademe (haggis16) we have loaded hundreds of items on here, some of which are unavailable in store.

We cannot guarantee orders made after November 26 will arrive in time for Christmas, so if you want something we don't have in stock, please order now!

We are proud to stock Art Tiles, scrolls, cushions and more by well known UK designer, Anne Stokes

All jewellery orders from St Justin must be in before November 26!

WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT

Auckland Highland Games: Saturday 19th November

Saint Andrews Day Celebration: Saturday 26 November

This Saturday you will find Bob at the Auckland Highland Games . Come along and check out the Celtic Connexions stall, and have an all-round good time being immersed in Highland culture. This should be a great day for the whole family. See you there!

Please buy your tickets to the Clan Wallace Saint Andrew's Day Celebration - there are only ten days to go, and we would love you to be there to celebrate with us!

For any enquiries, please contact Bob:

Email: bob@celt.co.nz

Phone: 0800 HAGGIS

Bob and the Celtic Connexions stall in Cambridge on Armistice Day

I hope to see you next weekend!

All the best,

Heidi

Hello friends,

The end of the year is fast approaching. If you are after meaningful gifts at excellent prices, now is the time to start looking.  If you plan to make an order from us - an order that you wish to receive before December 25th - it is very important to get in touch with us as soon as possible. Understandibly, our suppliers get very busy this time of year.

We now have Anne Stokes' new range of stunning art-work available in store, including wonderfully smooth silk cushions, and the old favourites, like tiles and scrolls, with awesome new designs.

Anne Stokes NEW Art Scroll

Anne Stokes NEW silk cushion

We have also received a new shipment of sporrans.

$75  $65 each 10 new designs available.

Sporran NEW

Sporran NEW

In regards to the Saint Andrew's Day tickets - we are very happy to receive payment via internet banking. If you would like to do this, please email bob@celticconnexions.co, include the number of tickets required and your chosen delivery address.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Perhaps next week I will have a few photos of Bob's most recent visit to Scotland to share.

All the best,

Heidi.

Hello friends,

I want to start this newsletter by thanking my brother, Nick for being such an excellent help in the shop. As most of you will know, Celtic Connexions has an extensive range of products for sale. This presents a challenge to me, and I have been working here for 12+ months! Nick has been here for less than one month, and he is already going solo, and doing a fantastic job. Nick, you're a champ!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BOB!

Bob began his 60th Birthday celebrations early, with his family in Scotland a few days ago. His birthday haggis was 'piped' in with a combination of piano, guitar and tin whistle. From the sounds of it, Bob is enjoying himself! If you are keen to see some photos from his adventures, please check out the Celtic Connexions Tours blog - where Bob has uploaded two nice little slide-shows: "Stone Henge" and "The Lizard".

These stunning pendants make excellent gifts - only $65 each, with the option of matching earrings ($120 for a set). Six gemstones available.

This post is titled 'Amber' for a good reason - during the past few weeks Amber has been the gemstone of choice for our customers; out-selling our previous number-one, Turquoise. I wonder whether people are particularly attracted to the warmth and vitility of this beautiful gemstone now that we are experiencing the tail end of the cool and dark Winter months. It is during this transition of seasons that I find myself craving the warm brightness of the sun.

For whatever reason, anyone who is interested in joining the Amber trend can get a good deal from Celtic Connexions. I am pleased to offer you any of the four lovely Amber pendants pictured above, for the special price of $65 each. Earring-pendant sets can be ordered for the special price of $120. These pendants also come in Amethyst, Malachite, Turquoise, Rainbow Moonstone and Lapis. 

Amber, Lapis, Malachite, Amethyst, Rainbow Moonstone, Turquoise

DON'T FORGET YOUR TICKET!

I still have tickets available for the Saint Andrew's Day celebration to be held in Te Kowhai Hall, on November 26th, 2011. Please send me an email for details: bob@celticconnexions.co. I would also like to hear from anybody who has Scottish goods they would like to sell on the day.

RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS

Are you wanting one of the Chillis' CDs? I am in the process of making another order, as the last lot has sold out very quickly. Please let me know which CD you want a.s.a.p. so that I can ensure you do not miss out!

All the best from me,

Heidi Brown.

Hello friends,

On behalf of Bob Wallace and Clan Wallace New Zealand, I am excited to invite you, your family and friends to celebrate Saint Andrew's Day this November. Celebrations will include live music, stalls, geneaologist meetings, dancing, a haggis ceremony and much more. Please see the attached poster for details. There is a limited number of tickets available, so be in quick! Early bird special ends 31st October.

Poster Saint Andrew.pdf

Bob and my mother, Sharyn have arrived safely in the UK. They are currently making their way through Cornwall. No doubt there will be many photos to share before long. I certainly look forward to seeing where my ancestors lived.

Thank you to those of you who have come into the shop/enquired/made an order recently. I appreciate your patience - I think I have got my head around running the shop without Bob, but it is a mission at times!

During October the shop is open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm. Please feel free to call me on 0800 HAGGIS, email me: bob@celticconnexions.co, or drop in. There are still plenty of specials to be found.

Thank you to everyone who supported the Red Hot Chilli Pipers while they were in Auckland/Hamilton. From what I hear, the concerts were a blast. I still have CDs, tee-shirts and a couple of DVDs available, if you are interested.

All the best from me (and from Bob, I'm sure, who will be fast asleep at present).

Heidi Brown