Alan Ramage pipes in Mark Wong carrying the Haggis
David Hogg and the
Immortal Memory
Margaret Black recites
Bessy and her spinning wheel
Jenny Ramage
Reply from the lassies
Bill & Maggie
Agnes and the Meenister
Gordon the vote of thanks
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| | | Burns Supper - 24 January 2020 |
A
great crowd from across the Penicuik churches and beyond joined the
Burns celebration on Friday 24th at St. Mungo's church hall. The
kitchen team had worked tirelessly to provide a traditional meal of
Haggis Neeps and Tatties, followed by trifle, tea, coffee, biscuits and
cheese. A full programme of entertainment, with poems and songs from
Burns wide repertoire had the audience singing, laughing, and foot
tapping.
Our evening began with a warm welcome to our audience, by Gordon MacDonald our Master of Ceremonies.
Gordon
told us that our haggis had travelled no less than 128 miles to reach
us tonight. Burns Suppers started 1802 to celebrate Burns Birthday on
January 29. Someone pointed out that wis'na his birthday, so thereafter
it became January 25, so here we are. A celebration on the west coast
of America will be led by Gordon's son who carries a haggis wherever he
goes! This year Burns night coincides with the Chinese new year of the
rat, not to be repeated for another 76 years or so. If you thought the
haggis had travelled far, then the haggis was to be carried in tonight
by St. Mungo's member Mark Wong, who lived previously in Hong Kong,
securing the farthest travelled honour, unchallenged.
Rev John Urquhart, recited the Selkirk Grace, followed by the piping in of the haggis,
led by piper Alan Ramage, with Mark Wong carrying the platter with the
'steamin' haggis. Gordon once again rose to his feet to address the haggis,
asking everyone to raise their glasses in a toast to the haggis. Alan
then piped it out, to be cut up into portions for our meal.
The
kitchen team had worked hard to produce our hearty meal which we then
enjoyed. Haggis, bashit neeps and champit tatties was followed by the
affectionately called 'Tipsy Laird' trifle. Biscuits and a wide
selection of cheeses, with tea or coffee completed a magnificent Burns
Supper meal.
Time for some entertainment, which began with David Hogg taking to the floor to present the 'immortal memory'.
David has spoken at many a Burns supper, including an occasion in the
Russian city of Moscow, as a student. We hear how hagis was an unknown
dish in Russia and how they got round that. David broke into song with
'My love is like a red red rose'. We hear how Burns used language in
different ways, depending on his audience. Auld Scots was supplemented
with the Russian poet Pushkin, who with Glinka, the Lennon and
McCartney of their time, penned a song, part of the song of
Solomon, which David sang in Russian. David finished by asking us to
raise a glass to the immmortal memory of Robert Burns.
Margaret Black took the floor to recite 'Bessy and her Spinning Wheel', before Alan introduced us to some musical entertainment, in harmony with sisters Valerie and Marion.
The first of four songs 'Ye Banks and Braes O' Bonnie Doon'. The trio followed with 'My Heart's in The Highlands',
to which Alan added a third verse, as he thought it too short with only
two verses. The third song was again 'Ye Banks and Braes O' Bonnie
Doon', but not the version we heard earlier. Burns wrote this version
earlier 'Ye Flowery Banks O' Bonie Doon', sung to a melody written by Alan.The final song from the trio was Burns most recorded love song 'Ae Fond Kiss'.
 John Urquhart returned to the microphone to present the Toast to the Lassies. Of course this has to be followed by the 'Reply from the Lassies'. Jenny Ramage provided an amazing story, with more than a few twists, extolling the supremacy of the lassies.
Bill Webster introduced a poem,
entitled The Auld farmers new years salutation to his auld mare Maggie,
on giving her the accustomed rip (handful) of corn to hansel (good
luck) in the new year. Bill's wife Margaret 'Maggie' came out with the
horse, which is the Maggie in the poem. Bill then recited the poem.
Alan then took to the stage once more, helped once again by Marion and Valerie, starting with 'A Man's A Man for A' That'. This was followed by 'Green Grow the Rashes O'.
Agnes Ovenstone then recited a poem programmed as The Meenister, but titled 'Maw, Whit if he Ever Gets Oot?'.
Though not written by Burns, it could have been. There was a time when
ministers preached with passion, fire and brimstone, in order to get
their message across to the congregation. While they meant to impress
their parishioners and keep them on the straight and narrow, did the
ministers ever think of the impact that their sermons would have on the
children in the church? This poem, by an unknown author, illustrates a
young Sandy McGrime's reaction!
Time for a singalong, with Alan teaching us, and leading. 'Rantin', Rovin', Robin'. Marion and Val provided the encouragment. Gordon gave the 'Vote of Thanks', before Alan led 'Auld Lang Syne'.
A great Burns Supper celebration, enjoyed by everyone. We hope you enjoy the recordings in this story.
Published 28 January 2020
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