Annual Burns Supper Success – 22 January 2019

An unco guid time was had by all at this year’s Burns supper wi’ aw the lads and lasses fair turnt oot in their best claes. The Savoy Park Hotel was buzzing from the start as the members and guests gathered for what was a night to remember.

Into the company of the (nearly) great and the (mostly) good, president-elect Ieuan Isaac welcomed a number of honoured guests, who were introduced by chairman Bill Boyd and who were to entertain us throughout the nicht’s ongauns. These began with a rousing piping in of the haggis by pipe-major Gordon Walker and an excellent address, by chairman Bill, to that renowned chieftain o’ the puddin race. Thereafter, the traditional Selkirk Grace preceded a mouth-watering bill o’ fare served up by Mary and the staff of the Savoy Park.

 

 

 

Well-fed an’ wi’ fu’ kytes, the company settled down to the main event heralded by a medley of pipe tunes by pipe-major Gordon. Next up was local lass (well Auchinleck) and renowned poet, Tracy Harvey, with her well-honed, recital of the old favourite “To a Mouse”.

 

Hugh Farrell, well known, local Burnsian followed with a memorable Immortal Memory delivered in his inimitable, and impressive, laconic style. Hugh guided us on an amusing and educational trip through the life of Burns from his birth in Alloway, to the farms at Mount Oliphant, Lochlea and Mossgiel, then from Mauchline to his glory days in Edinburgh, before returning to farming at Ellisland, and finishing his days in Dumfries town.

No sooner had the well-earned applause subsided than Hugh was on his feet again to toast the lassies, due to the unfortunate absence of the intended speaker. Tracy replied on behalf of the lassies with a selection of her own poetry “in ma ain accent”, expertly chosen to respond directly to some of the main elements of Hugh’s toast. Tracy’s talent for poetic humour was evident for all to hear in her rendition of both “the Kiss” and “Through the Wall (enjoy again on YouTube).

Ieuan Isaac, in his vote of thanks, congratulated all those involved and gave well-deserved credit to Ian Alexander and Hazel McCully for organising such an enjoyable event.

The evening concluded with the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne.