BURNS SUPPER 2016

Sat, Jan 16th 2016 at 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Another great evening of good food and entertainment, whilst raising funds for our good causes.


BURNS BEATS BLIZZARDS!

 

Despite blizzard conditions throughout the day, some 160 hardy souls battled through the snow to attend the annual Gryffe Valley Rotary Burns Supper at the River Inn. Unfortunately, amongst those unable to get there was renowned Burns speaker Jack Glennie who was scheduled to deliver the Immortal Memory. Incredibly, and with only 3 hours notice, the Rev Donald Campbell of Houston’s Killellan Kirk agreed to step in to fill the breach – barely time to get changed! No sooner had Rotarian Ronald Aitchison given a large haggis a typically robust working over as he addressed it, than Donald was up on his feet to deliver an array of amusing anecdotes on Scots society with informed insights into the life and works of Robert Burns – a truly first class example of the Immortal Memory genre. Luckily there is no truth in the rumour that Rotarian Adam McCartney will reciprocate by delivering a sermon at the Kirk!

 

Many people think that Jim Ferguson is Tam O’Shanter, and once again he held the audience in the palm of his hand with his rendition of Burns’ epic poem. Not only that, but he went on later to lead the gathering in rumbustuous community choruses of some well known Burns’ songs. This supplemented the rather more sophisticated and tuneful solos over the evening from Jan Cranston, accompanied by Helen Mills.

 

The Toast To and the Response From the Lassies are always highlights of a Burns Supper, and Gryffe Valley Rotary was fortunate to have Graham Hill and Helen McLaughlan to perform these roles. Graham, who braved the snow although just back from Australia, used some hilarious tales from the school playground to illustrate some of Burns’ references to ladies and their relationships. His closing section on the kilt was delivered in humorous verse. Helen, the first lady President of the Paisley Callants Rotary club, gave as good as she got with some scurrilous tales to back up her premise that Burns would have said that “it is good to laugh”. Her closing section was also in verse, this time on a somewhat windy topic!

 

Past President Alan Bowie, appropriately garbed in the kilt, rounded off the evening by thanking all those who had contributed to a great event.  There was of course an ulterior motive for it all - beyond that of having a really good time! The Burns Supper is an important fundraiser for Gryffe Valley in support of its local good causes, especially this year’s major project to help develop a toy and therapeutic resource lending library based at Corseford School – this will be accessed by all children who attend specialist schools in the area, giving the opportunity of making a significant difference to their wellbeing, experience, play and development.  With generous prizes from many, including corporate members the Malcolm Group and from Jason Andrews for the River Inn and the Fox and Hounds, the charity raffle helped boost the contribution from the event towards £3000 – a great testament to the hard work of President David Fairbairn, and convenor Angus Matheson with his team of organisers.

 

 

 

 

 

'What We Do' Main Pages:

Climate Change series- eminent speakers from around the UK in the months leading up to and following the COP26 summit in Glasgow in November 2021

more  
Young Writer - Gryffe Valley winners at District and National
2022-23 event now underway!!

Despite Covid the club has maintained its competitions and projects with local schools Hundreds have taken part and enjoyed some success at local, District and National levels!

more  

PLEASE USE THIS QR CODE TO MAKE A DONATION TO CURRENT ROTARY PROJECTS AND CAUSES.

more  

Long distance walking route - the length of the Gryffe Valley from the source of the river near Loch Thom to Linwood

more  
The 2023-24 Gryffe Valley Rotary competition for Young Chef was sponsored by the Fox and Hounds, Houston, the venue of the club's meetings.

Young Chefs from Gryffe High, St Benedict’s High and St Columba’s School met in Gryffe High on the 29th November to compete in the first stage of this Rotary GB and I competition

more  
2023/4 Club competition

The first round of this national competition was held in St Columba’s School, Kilmacolm on Monday 27th November. Seven teams competed, four in the Intermediate age category and three in the Senior category

more  

To encourage walking in the local environment, we are promoting local walking groups, publishing local walking routes and creating the Gryffe Valley Way, a walking route the length of the River Gryffe.

more  

The club has now spent more than £278,000 since its formation in 1995.

more  

To support disabled sailing for wheelchair users at Castle Semple Loch Gryffe Valley Rotary purchased a special powered Wheelyboat to enabled those in wheelchairs to get out onto the water.

more  
Getting ready for the Climbzone!

The club organises outings for groups of Renfrewshire Young Carers, with activities followed by a meal and drink. Some years we visited Xscape at Braehead, Hillington for the electric go-karts, and then Castle Semple Loch

more