Burns Night Supper a great success!

WOW! What a fantastic evening we had on Friday 27th January for our first URC Burns Night Supper (just two days after the official Burns Night). We gathered for the traditional meal of Haggis, neeps and tatties (that’s mashed turnips and potatoes for the uninitiated!). The Church’s Barrett Room was resplendent with the Scottish saltire and Royal Standard flags in abundance. All the traditions were followed: the Selkirk Grace was read by John Napier (resplendent in his Napier clan tartan); the haggis was brought in (sadly, not piped in), and John read the “Address to a Haggis”. At this point it became very apparent that a tremendous amount of work had been put in by the catering team and all those who prepared the venue so well – a truly wonderful achievement.

 

And after the delicious meal (not forgetting the scrumptious Whisky Bombe dessert), Celia Nelson, our hostess for the evening, gave us a few words reminding us of the life of Robbie Burns, followed by the toast to ‘the immortal memory’. And that signalled the start of the entertainment…. We adjourned to the Church Parlour, where we were soothed by some traditional Scottish folk songs by Val Clarke and yours truly, while the Barrett Room was cleared and converted to a dance floor, (many thanks to those who did all this!). Cue Celia for some dancing, including of course the ‘Gay Gordons’ and the Dashing White Sergeant’. It seemed a shame to stop for a while (or perhaps it was recognising that lungs and limbs need a respite!) and we returned to the Parlour for coffee, tablet (another traditional Scottish sweet treat – specially made by John Napier) and more entertainment from the singers, this time including “yourselves” (I did not know that ‘you canna shove yur granny off a bus’ was traditional??). There was one more chance for another dancing session, including the not-so-elegantly-performed ‘Strip the willow’! and then it was time for ‘Auld Land Syne’ and carriages to take us home.

 

All in all, an uplifting, happy and joyous occasion. And it must be said that its success owes everything to the old adage that detailed preparation brings its own reward: it was very evident that much hard work had been done behind the scenes by the organising team from the Internal Life committee and their helpers. Thank you all! Those who attended I’m sure will agree that it was one of the best events put on at Princes Street for many a while!