Alexandria Burns Club
Annual Festival
Saturday 21rd January 2012
The 2012 supper was once again very well attended with more or less a full hall of members and guests in the Masonic Temple in Gilmour Street Alexandria. This is the nineteenth successive year we have enjoyed the wonderful facilities there.
At the start of the evening and as is the custom, our piper Malky Gilmour piped those who were to be seated at the top table into the hall. Our chairman for the evening was Club President, Fergus McLellan who welcomed the members and guests. The top table guests, including our guest of honour Gavin Findlay from Dumbarton Burns Club were then introduced to the company.
David Kinniburgh, Euan McCaughey, Frank Kelly, Gavin Findlay and Chairman Fergus McLellan
Ian McLean, Willie McDonald, Stuart McLean and Lennie Moore
After the top table guests were seated the chairman asked the company to observe the customary one minute's silence for members who are no longer with us.
The evening's ongauns then commenced with the piping in of the haggis by Malky Gilmour. The haggis was bravely borne by our caterer, Robert Mills. The chairman then offered the Selkirk grace.
After the meal had been served there was a short interval before the highlight of the evening, the Immortal Memory. This was delivered by Ian McLean from Dumbarton Burns club. Ian clearly demonstrated his knowledge and love of the Bard's works with his Immortal Memory, which was very much appreciated by the company.
Making his debut as a singer at our supper, Andrew McAulay was up next, ably assisted by our accompanist for the evening, Andrew Lockhart (keyboard). Andrew's songs (A Man's a Man, My Love is Like a Red Red Rose, Scots Wha Hae and the Braes o' Killiecrankie) were loudly applauded by the company - a great introduction! He was followed by a rising star in the local Burns' circle young Euan McCaughey. Euan has appeared at several suppers and St. Andrew's night celebrations during the last two or three years and he will no doubt be around at many more in years to come. He never fails to entertain and his readings on the evening (Willie Wastle and Epistle to a Young Friend) were once again appreciated by the company.
Frank Kelly was next up with his entertaining toast to John Barleycorn. Frank is another who is proving to be very popular as both an entertaining speaker and a performer. Once again he did not disappoint.
The next artiste up was our fiddler for the evening, Stuart McLean. Stuart was the furthest traveled of our guests and artistes. Originally from Bonhill he has lived in Inverness for many years. Stuart treated us to a selection of Burns' music and this proved very popular with his audience. Stuart was followed by David Kinniburgh's Tam o' Shanter. David last gave us his version of "Tam" four years ago and as always the audience were entranced and entertained by his performance.
The incomparable Lennie Moore was next up, entertaining the audience with his particular brand of sangs and clatter. Lennie has become a fixture at the supper and it says it all that when discussing the upcoming event after the invitations go out many people ask, "Is Lennie on?", such is his popularity and once again he had them rolling in the aisles.
After the second interval the final part of the evening began with a selection of rousing pipe tunes from Malky Gilmour to warm up the assembly!
We were treated to more songs from Andrew McAulay before Willie McDonald's "Toast to the Lasses". Willie, whose only previous appearances at the top table have been to ensure that the guests were kept refreshed, was another who entertained.
Another reading from Euan McCaughey and more tunes from Stuart's fiddle took us up to Walter Snedden's Toast to the Artistes. Walter delivered this in his usual humourous and entertaining way. The evening drew to a close with the Chairman leading the happy company in Auld Lang Syne. This was a very enjoyable evening as confirmed by the positive feedback that your committee has been receiving. Thanks to the members again for their excellent order and for helping to make it another great Burns Supper.
A Selection of Burns Supper Images
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