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Burns night at Ballywillan Orange Hall

Thursday, 2 February 2012

Members of the Ballywillan Community and Cultural Group and guests pictured during Burns Night at Ballywillan Orange Hall.

A very successful Burns night supper and appropriate Scottish music and entertainment was held on Tuesday, January 26 in Ballywillan Orange Hall to mark the 253rd anniversary of the birth of one of the world's most famous bards, Mr Robert Burns.
As the visitors were being seated they were provided by a warming glass of non-alcoholic punch, very welcome on a showery, cold evening.
The traditional parade in of the top table guests were led in by the piper. The Group Chairperson, Mrs Rae Campbell, gave a very warm welcome to the many guests who were attending and introduced those seated at the top table.
After the chairperson and the gathered audience had recited what is known as the 'Selkirk Grace', some hae meat an canna eat etc. etc the Haggis was carried in by Mrs Pearl Adams suitably attired led by Piper Mr David Caldwell from Omagh, and a member of the world famous Scottish Power Grade One Pipe Band.
In full Scottish dress Miss Elaine Stewart carried in the traditional toasts for the piper, chef and reciter. The address to the Haggis was then delivered in true Scottish style by Mr Jimmy McKeegan followed by the traditional toast to the Haggis.
A most appetising meal of bashed tatties, neeps and the traditional Haggis was then served to all by the ladies of Irish Country Kitchens. Mr Caldwell then played a short selection of lovely pipe tunes that kept the gathering entertained.
The next address and toast to 'The immortal memory of Robert Burns' was delivered by Mr William Adams, who, although not from Scotland, had been blessed by having a headmaster in his primary school days who was an avid follower of the 'works of Burns' and at an early age was encouraged to learn about Burns. He went on to give a short insight of Burns during his short lifetime of just 38 years as Robert Burns died in Dumfries hospital on the 21 July 1796.
Next Mr Samuel B. Kane proposed a yoast to the ladies in a most witty and genial manner saying without the fairer sex men would be the loser. He concluded by thanking all the ladies gathered for the Burns night. Mrs Roberta McMullan replied on behalf of the ladies in a manner that was very appropriate on the night getting in some very amusing phrases to explain why men are depending on the ladies so much.
The final toast was to Her Majesty the Queen on this her 50th Diamond Jubilee year and was proposed in a sincere and respectful manner by the Group Past Chairman Mr Hopkin Stewart.
A musical selection of Burns songs was then rendered by the very talented Mrs Diane Cuthberson, accompanied by Russell on accordion and David on bagpipes. Mrs Campbell then proposed a vote of thanks to the various speakers who had excelled in different ways, the ladies who prepared and served the meal, the musicians who had entertained so superbly, the car park attendants, ticket sellers and anyone who had helped in any way to make the evening the success it was.

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