BURNS SUPPER 2016

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.