Alexandria Burns Club Annual Festival
Alexandria Masonic Temple

Saturday 27th January 2024

With pandemics now (hopefully) a thing of the past the attendance returned to pre-pandemic numbers. We had 140 members and guests present for our annual festival.

New president George McCaughey was chairman for the evening. George welcomed everyone before a one minute silence was observed for our deceased members.

Guests and Artists (L to R)

Andrew Gordon, Pat Clark (front), John Wallace, Andrew McCormick (Dumbarton BC Pres.) Robert Shaw
George McCaughey (President Alexandria BC.), Jim Naismith (rear) Tom Clark, John McDonald, Billy McGuire
Tommy Munley. Ian Gordon, Gary Weir, David Bruce (Piper)

(Click image for larger version)

Our Pipe Major David Bruce's pipes signaled the entrance of the haggis, which was then addressed by club member Tommy Munley, before Robert Mills and his catering team served an excellent dinner.

Tommy Munley's Address to the Haggis, Tommy also delivered a reading later in the programme.

John Wallace - Immortal Memory

We were then entertained with our first selection of Burns songs by our band for the evening, Gun Ainm Buidhnich. This is Gaelic for "No Name Group". They entertained us again later in the programme. Newcomers to our supper, their music and singing was enjoyed by the company and I'm sure they'll be back.

Our band for the evening, Gun Ainm Buidhnich ("No Name Group")

 

Jim Naismith - Toast to John Barleycorn

Ian Gordon is another name that has appeared on our programme before. Ian is always popular with our company and once again he did not disappoint with his "Clatter"

Iain Gordon- Clatter

 

Andy Gordon on Accordion

 

Robert Shaw - ~Toast to the Lasses

Next up was club Member John McDonald debuting with Tam o' Shanter. Unfortunately no image is available for this.

Club member Gary Weir concludes the evening with his Toast to the Artists

The St. Andrew's Night dinner this year will take place on Friday 29th November 2024, in the Vale of Leven Bowling Club. Next year’s supper will take place in the Alexandria Masonic Temple on the Bard's birthday, Saturday 25th January 2024.

 

(Photos by Tom Gilmour)