Joint Burns Supper

The Rotary Club of Kilrymont St Andrews and the Rotary Club of St Andrews met for a joint Burns Supper in the town’s Scores Hotel.

A warm welcome to club members and guests was given by Brian Gray, a Past President of the Kilrymont Club.

Master of Ceremonies Iain MacKinnon set the scene with his usual charm and wit and introduced Hamish Tait to pipe in the haggis. The Haggis was addressed by Marilyn Rhind with great animation and vigour as she did justice to the Beast.

Following the traditional haggis, neeps and tatties meal, Iain introduced the top of the bill – the St Andrews Vocal Ensemble, known appropriately as STAVE. This is a relatively new close harmony choir, who clearly enjoy their singing and they held the attention of all with four songs. They received high praise from the audience for a delicate arrangement of “My Love is like a red, red rose”, then gave renditions of a musical theatre number and a recent pop item, Toto’s “Africa”.

Their performance concluded with a marvellous arrangement of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” which was both wonderfully rhythmic and accurate.

The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns was well-suited to the experienced broadcaster – and St Andrews club member – Jimmy Spankie. In his pithy and amusing style Jimmy hooked his audience, never allowing them to wallow in sentiment at the expense of understanding the many contradictions in the life of Scotland’s genius Ploughman Poet.

Well-known local thespian Frank Quinault then gave the Toast to the Lassies, paying close attention to the fact “we chaps can’t do without them”.

In reply, Kilrymont member Irene Walker enumerated the domestic failings of men – to some groans from the men present who were forced to agree with her. However, Irene reckoned the men had some redeeming features with their boyish charm while playing stupid games. She rather mirrored Frank’s opinion when concluding “What could we do without the Laddies?”

Kilrymont members Mike Dow and Iain MacKinnon concluded the evening’s entertainment with a couple of Burns’ songs before St Andrews member Bill Sutherland proposed the vote of thanks for a hugely enjoyable evening.

As should be the case, the proceedings were ended with “Auld Lang Syne”, a fitting and internationally recognised response to the fellowship of Rotary.

This first time joint Burns Supper will have entertainers from both Clubs