2023 01 Burns Night

                           30 Jan at Cowdray Golf Club

                               Burns Night Celebration

I'm including two reports of what sounds like a brilliant evening!!

Report from Andrew Mitchell

The dress code was ‘a hint of tartan’ – variations from fully kilted black tie formal wear to a simple tartan brooch meant all could comply

The evening began with Elaine Morrison’s delivery of the Selkirk Grace, enhanced by her authentic Scottish accent.

Then the stirring bagpipe music set the scene for the Burns Supper and the evening’s star attraction - the haggis - which was proudly carried in by the Chef accompanied by “piper“ Simon Flint – who did well for an Englishman!

Robert Morrison was then at the ready to attack the steaming haggis - and gave us a rousing “Address to the Haggis” followed by the first of many whisky toasts….       Well done to The Cowdray Park Golf Club kitchen staff who did us proud by presenting one of the best haggis many of us had ever eaten.

After the break, Andrew Mitchell gave a recitation of ‘Willie Wastle’ – though Burns normally loved women, this is one time when he was very definitely uncomplimentary about one -  Willie’s wife!

Rotary was indebted to Mike Love for  coming over from Farnham and giving his “Taste of Burns” in verse and song , celebrating his very short life and work and perhaps whetting a few appetites to find out more about the most famous of all Scottish poets .

To follow, Mike  put on his “Toast to the Lassies” hat and gave  his tribute to them - their influence and effect on men - all very light hearted and charming.

 Wendy Kemp gave the excellent reply as with a great deal of wit she poked some gentle fun at the laddies and this was accepted graciously by all the males present.

 Elma Macmillan finished the speeches off with a memorable and amusing Vote of Thanks.

President, Julian Goodale, donated 2 bottles of malt whisky for a raffle – proceeds went to Dementia Support, Sage House, Tangmere

An evening enjoyed by all who attended, culminating in a rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne, sending everyone home with a warm feeling of joy – whether through music and poetry or a whisky in their belly!

 And now from Elma

So many have contributed to give you a splendid evening and it is now my privilege on your behalf to say a huge thank you to them all.

 Thank you Elaine for an excellent delivery of the Selkirk Grace.

 Then the stirring music set the scene for the Burns Supper and the evening’s star attraction - the haggis - which was proudly carried in by the Chef accompanied by “bagpipe” player Simon who can now expect more bookings!

 Robert was then at the ready to attack the - minding its own business haggis - and gave us a rousing Address to the Haggis. Later I was pleased to see Robert was still sober after his “tot” of whisky. You see when I first read my own provisional programme I didn’t have my glasses on and I thought the word a “tot” of whisky was a “lot”of whisky.

 Speaking of Scotch can I thank Julian very much for his spontaneous gesture of donating 2 bottles of whisky -  proceeds of which will be given to Dementia Care.

It is not every day that the Golf Club kitchen is preparing a Scottish meal so well done to all concerned. You did us proud. And for those having haggis for the first time I hope it won’t be a one off.

 Moving on to the Toasts. We are indebted to Mike Love coming over from Farnham and for giving us a taste of Burns, celebrating his very short life and work and perhaps whetting a few appetites to find out more about the most famous of all Scottish poets. Thank you for sharing your Burns knowledge and painting a colourful picture of Scotland’s beloved Bard. Having done that Mike then put on his Toast to the Lassies hat and we enjoyed his tribute to them - their influence and effect on men - all very light hearted and given with much humour.

 This was followed by an entertaining Reply from Wendy. Delivered with a great deal of wit she poked some gentle fun at the laddies and this was accepted graciously by all the males present.

I have been given permission to tell you that in fact she has never been to Scotland. She has promised to put it on her “to do” list so we’ll be passing round the tartan bonnet before you leave. 

 A Burns Supper wouldn’t be a traditional Burns Supper without poetry and music. Thank you for doing both justice Mike and Andrew. Mike was in fine voice and Andrew gave us an excellent recitation. For an adorer of women Burns’s Willie Wastle was very uncomplimentary to his wife - and kept repeating “I would nae gie a button for her”.

 Yes lots of thank yous and there’s more - two very important people who were behind this evening……Andrew and Robert. They put a power of work into planning this Burns Supper and it has definitely paid off. Many thanks to you both and I hope you will be asked - and want to do it again.

 This evening we have been focussing on Robert Burns so I think it would be only right to let him - the laddie - have the last word…

 Some years ago our PM was visiting a hospital in Edinburgh. With a doctor by his side he entered a large ward and when he asked the first patient how he was the patient replied “Wee sleekit cowrin’ timorous beastie, oh what a panic’s in thy breastie” . A bit confused the PM hoped he would feel better soon and swiftly moved on to the next patient. “And how are you today?” he asked. “O wad some power the giftie gie us to see oursels as ithers see us”. Totally confused now the PM turned to the Doctor - “I presume this is the Mental Ward”. The doctor shook his head - “No this is the Burns Unit!”

 Thank you Rabbie Burns and a big thank you to everyone for coming this evening and to all those who gave us a memorable Burns Supper. Here’s to the next one…….

 And our thanks to Elma Macmillan and Andrew Mitchell for summing up so completely a great evening.