Waverley Communicators Lasssies L to R: Moira Beaton (President). Eileen Scott (VPE), Kirsten McKenzie (VPM), Penny Calder, Louise Kirk, The Laddies L to R: Neil MacLure, Kevin Miller (Treasurer), Graeme Buck, Duncan Thompson (Secretary), Stephen Dix (SAA), David CalderThe Burns Supper on Saturday was a huge success. Held jointly with Capital Communicators again this year, members of both clubs and their guests enjoyed a night of humour, good company and, of course, excellent speeches and recitations. Moira Beaton (President of Waverley Communicators) opened the evening with a short, well timed (2mins 14 secs) introduction about Robert Burns and revealed the truth about the haggis (it’s not a small, shy, hairy animal that lives in the Highlands; some of them are quite big and they don’t all live in the Highlands, some have been spotted on Portobello beach and in Edinburgh New Town). Eileen Scott delivered a heartfelt Selkirk Grace before the beginning of the traditional Burns Supper meal. After the soup, the skirl of the pipes announced the arrival of the haggis which was piped in by Neil MacLure. Graeme Buck addressed the haggis with affection and trenching it’s gushing entrails bright, like ony ditch, with enthusiasm.
After the main course of haggis, neeps and tatties, followed by cranachan, everyone settled down with their tea, coffee and shortbread to listen to the main speeches. Edwyn Newman (Capital Communicators) delivered an insightful and informative Immortal Memory. Duncan Thompson, addressed The Lassies with a humorous speech laced with extracts of Burns’s poetry and ended with his own, shortened version of ‘Tam O’Shanter’. Renee Philippi (Capital Communicators) brought The Laddies to their knees with a polished Reply to The Laddies.
The main speeches over, Eileen Scott compered the next part of the evening when members of both clubs recited Burns poetry and song. Capital Communicators member Su Shenzhi Su gave a very sweet recital of My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose. Also from CC, Ian Henderson recited Pretty Peg and Eu Jin Teh, resplendent in full traditional attire, told us why My Heart’s in the Highlands. Waverley Communicators member David Calder was very convincing as the minister in Holy Willie’s Prayer; Neil MacLure, by popular demand, told the story of Tam O’Shanter; and Penny Calder told us Kate’s side of the story in Kate O’Shanter. Simon MacLaren of CC brought the performaces to a close by singing Green Grow The Rashes O’. After the vote of thanks by the Club President, Simon led us all in a rousing few choruses of Burns’s most famous work Auld Lang Syne. Everyone enjoyed the evening and, of course, we will no doubt do it all again next year.
Burns Night is tomorrow, 25th January. I hope everyone who is celebrating has a very enjoyable evening. If you would like to hear the recording of Neil MacLure’s Tam O’ Shanter go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFBNnu2NRnQI will let you know when the other recordings are available on the club’s private video site.
Everyone looks great! Glad the evening was a success.
Hi Eu Jin
You looked splendid in your kilt.
Very nice Moira. It was a lovely evening and I enjoyed it very much (with my kilt on).