A lot of fun but key causes get good backing

SCOTLAND'S Bard was well remembered at Cowdenbeath Rotary Club's Burns Supper on Friday. With close on 60 people at the event the company generously backed a prize raffle raising well over £700 for two important causes.

The club was delighted to welcome Aileen North, the District 1010 End Polio Now officer, from the West Fife Club, who explained that the long time international rotary project was still having to work hard to get the disease removed from the world. Aileen said,  “The last 25 years has seen a lot done through Rotary International's campaign to eradicate this terrible disease and it is now basically been tied down to two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the fundraising has to continue to help the teams in these countries work hard at getting vaccinations carried out to protect people.

Meanwhile the other project which saw funding realised was the club's aim to introduce a defibrillator to the north end of Cowdenbeath High Street; one at Lochgelly Centre, and another in Benarty Square, Ballingry.

“We have to thank Cowdenbeath Rotary Club for their efforts in helping the project and for every £1 raised tonight for the project the Rotary District 1010 will match it.”

On the defibrillator front, club president, Craig Bennet, commented: “Thanks to an excellent grant from the Mossmorran Wind Farm Community Fund and with support from the management of Moorelands Travel, we will have one situated at the north end of High Street; and the success of our Duck Race in September is allowing us to place another defibrilator outside the Lochgelly Centre. Backing from cash raised tonight will allow us to complete our trio of life saving machines at Benarty Square in Ballingry.

“We indeed thank everyone who has assisted in anyway to make this happen.”

The Cowdenbeath defibrilator should be in place by the end of February with the Lochgelly and Benarty machines following over the following weeks.

The entertainment line-up, at Wee Jimmies on Friday, saw Craig Bennet as MC and piper, Liam Beveridge, and pianist, Stewart Abercrombie, providing music. Poosie Nancy was Helga Campbell and the Address to the Haggis came from Hank John, with the Selkirk Grace provided by club President, Craig Bennet.

The toast 'Rotary International' was forwarded by Yolanda Hilton, with the Toast to the Lassies coming from Craig Bennet, followed by the Bard's Immortal Memory being excellently portrayed by John Gilfillan.

Songs were beautifully sung by guests Linda Ballingall and Dennis Canavan, before the Reply 'fae the Lassies' was humorously rendered by Margaret Steven.

Another song from Linda Ballingall was followed by a rendition of 'The Kilt' by Nona Doyle; and 'Willie Wassle', from Tom Russell and also a couple of poems from Archie Abercrombie.

Then came one of the major highlights of the evening, with John Gillfillan's depiction of Rabbi Burns' famous Tam O'Shanter poem which had the audience in stitches of laughter.

The evening was brought to a close by an address from Scottish NUM president, Nicky Wilson, who talked about the work of Cowdenbeath Rotary Club in the community and his delight to see the Centenary Plaque unveiled in July remembering the role the coal industry played in making Cowdenbeath the town it is today, and finally the singing of 'The Star of Rabbi Burns' and 'Auld Lang Syne' by the company.