Foundation Service Evening
Wed, Jan 25th 2012 at 12:00 am - 2:00 am
This evening we plan to celebrate Burns Night!
Burns Night celebrated by Rotary Club of Kew Gardens.
It just so happened that Robert Burns Day fell on 25th January this year, which gave Kew Rotarians an opportunity to celebrate the birthday of the Scottish poet at the Coach & Horses Hotel, Kew Green.
The entire evening was ably organised by Rotarian Brigitte Faubert. The Selkirk Grace was taken by Peter King: 'Some hae meat and canna eat,and some wad eat that want it. But we hae meat and we can eat and sae the Lord be thankit.'
It has to be said that it is probable that there were only 2 people present who were remotely linked with Scotland - Richmond Architect Graham McCourt and Geoff Dobbie of Kew! The third guest was Camilla Moyya from Brazil who is on a Rotary Youth Exchange visit to the area. (See group photo).
Traditionally on Burns Nights there is an address to the Haggis, this evening also made by Peter King, (pictured with Mike Akers, right), who actually addressed 2 mop heads on a plate since the real haggis was being cooked by the Coach and Horses hotel chef. Rotary President Mike Akers gave a 'Lighthearted Toast to the Lasses' which had to be witty but never offensive and should always end on a concilliatory note - Woman is the blood royal of life; let there be slight degrees of precedency among them, but let them all be sacred.' Mike also reminded the diners that Robert Burns was born in 1759 and died, aged 37, in 1796.
Following dinner Brigitte had organised a (plastic) hammer hurling competition, and a (foam) caber-tossing demonstration, with Graham McCourt excelling with his under-leg caber demo (see photo, together with Brigitte the organiser) and David Poole throwing his caber the furthest. All of 3 metres. Coach and Horses Hotel Assistant Manager Mike Blyth, a Scot no less, provided Rotarians and guests with a reading of one of Burns' poems to end an informative and enjoyable evening.
Space does not permit us to share every Scottish joke that members read out during the evening but chances are, dear reader, that you can read them on the Rotary website - www.kewrotary.org.uk - and see our photos. Come and visit us any Wednesday evening, booking details are online.
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