Club Meeting

On Thursday 28th January the Rotary Club of South Queensferry brought a touch of Scotland across the border when its Virtual Burns Supper was joined by twenty-one guests from its twin club in Southport. Assistant District Governor Ann Heath from the City of Liverpool Club and Past District Governor Roger Heath from the Liverpool South Club also joined the celebration. President Irene Brownless chaired the meeting and introduced a programme of talented performers drawn from club members and their families. Following the Selkirk Grace, Robbie Brechin proposed the Toast to the Haggis and gave an interesting insight to the story behind the poem. The Immortal Memory was read by Sandy Mackenzie and after the lament Flowers o' the Forest, Jim McCulloch performed the poem To a Mouse. Alistair Rarity read Address To Edinburgh, which Burns wrote in English while in the city. After Sheena Cushnie's beautiful rendering of  Dainty Davie, Graham Leith and Allan Smith from Queensferry and Ian Hitchcock from the Southport Club performed Tam o' Shanter complete with a candle-lit graveyard scene. Norman Watson then sang Corn Rigs and Ed Kelly, in the style of Burns, gave his own poem Address to the Virus.

Vice President Derek Clark proposed the vote of thanks and the evening finished with communal singing of The Star of Rabbie Burns led by Norman Watson and Auld Lang Syne led by Hannah Rarity and Blazin' Fiddles. There was much hilarity and toasting throughout the night and President Irene closed the virtual meeting by inviting guests to stay for a chat at the bar!

This was the club's first attempt to stage such an event using Zoom. Despite a few minor technical issues, which were quickly overcome, a thoroughly enjoyable time was had by the 54 members and guests who joined the fun.