Burns Supper - Saturday 27 January
2007
in the Masonic Temple, Alexandria.
Another very enjoyable annual festival took place in the Masonic Temple, Alexandria when 150 members and guests sat down to an excellent bill of fare provided by Venue Caterers.
Emergency plans had to be put in place this year when our president, Ian Collins, was forced to call off at the last minute through illness. Ian caught a bug and was unfortunately unable to attend. Our Vice President, Harry Summers, proved to be an able deputy however and Fergus McLellan kindly filled Harry's slot on the top table with the toast the artists. To open the evening Harry welcomed everyone and asked for the traditional minute's silence to remember deceased members.
The ceremonial delivery of the haggis then took place, with Malcolm Gilmour piping it in. Eddie Gaughan then delivered the address to the haggis assisted by Dr. Tom Barlow and Mike Taylor . Eddie produced a fearsome looking dagger which was efficiently used to to put the beast to sleep. The accompanying drams were then swiftly dispatched before the Chairman delivered the Selkirk Grace and the assembled company sat down to enjoy the fare.
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The Immortal Memory was delivered this year by club member John Young. John is also a prominent member of Dumbarton Burns club. The best of order was maintained as John showed his in depth knowledge of the bard during a well received speech. Bob Harvey entertained the company in song ably accompanied by our pianist, Andrew Lockhart. They were followed by Tom Barlow who made an excellent job of Tam o' Shanter.
Mike Taylor provided a very humourous and knowledgeable toast to John Barleycorn before Jim Irwin sang his selection.
From his "penance stool" Eddie Gaughan then gave an excellent and once more very entertaining reading. Before the first interval "Sangs and Clatter" came from the man who needs no introduction, Lennie Moore, who once again proved how funny he can be.
Malcolm Gilmour, our piper, entertained the company with a selection to start the second half. He was followed by Jim Irwin who once again entertained the company in song before a suitably attired John Turner performed an excellent "Holy Willie's Prayer". I think I am right in saying that this is first time that John has performed at our supper but on this performance it is unlikely to be the last.
Ian McLean then did the "Toast to the Lassies", once again a very entertaining speech. Weel kent double act, Mike Taylor and Tom Barlow, performed a joint reading followed in song once again by Bob Harvey.
To conclude the evening Fergus McLellan toasted the artists thanking them all appropriately for their efforts. Fergus made a great job of this considering that he had only been asked to do at the start of the evening. The assembled company then sang Auld Lang Syne to conclude another successful evening.
