Our Burns Supper

Few poets can inspire people to pour a dram, spike a haggis and adopt hammy Scottish accents 257 years after they were born, but Robert Burns is one of them.  Although January 25 is Burns Night (his birthday), in which the poetry and wisdom of Robert 'Rabbie' Burns is enjoyed and remembered by his fellow Scotsmen and others around the country, we held ours on our usual 3rd Thursday - the 23rd January.

Ninety people-yes, I said 90-attended, and what a brilliant evening we had at the Ivy Hotel. Neil, Senga, and John had all done their homework, making the evening very slick indeed.

Neil and John, looking resplendent in their kilts, began the ritual, beginning with grace, and then John entered the dining room, carrying the haggis, accompanied by one of two pipers. He recited the Burn’s poem  address (I think, it was all Gaelic to me) , and sliced it, as tradition would have it. After raising a wee dram with the piper, He then raised the haggis-during the final line of the ode, to applause from the throng. He circled the room, with the pipers following, and within minutes we were served our first course-haggis. However, those of us with a delicate Sassenach palates, chose the melon!

Further courses followed, accompanied by ‘music’ by the two pipers. Well, I didn’t mind, but for the ‘deafies’ in the room, they made a real racket!

When we had dined- the first Burns recital was performed, the Immortal Memory (the main tribute speech to Burns). John gave a potted version of ‘Rabbie’s’ life. Did his name come from the word ‘rabble raiser’, because he was quite the laddie. Not only was he a poet and lyricist, but he was also  into politics, whisky and women. And not always in that order! It’s little wonder he died at the age of 37.

Neil then gave his excellent presentation, and the Toast to the Lassies.
Senga made a reply, quite scathing of us men, with her cynical cultured brogue which, fair enough, she did finish with a Toast to the Laddies  - bless her!

Then there were many Scottish songs, which we were able to sing along to, with the help of song sheets, and the curtain came down with a rendition of Auld Lang Syne. 

 To end the evening–  Nigel gave a vote of thanks,  It was so refreshing to hear an English accent, and I understood every word he spoke! 

Thanks Neil, and all that made the evening a resounding success. And congratulations for making a small profit, which together with an additional £100 from our Charity account will make it up to £200, that will be sent to ‘ Mary’s Meals’.

Report by Barry Turner