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Whiting Bay Golf Clubhouse was the venue for Arran’s first Burns’ Supper of the 2008 season last Saturday night.
Entertainments officer Johnnie Kelso of Viewbank brought together an impressive line-up of speakers; a mixture of local and mainland talent to keep the evening going with a swing.
The 61 guests were greeted by foot-tapping accordion music provided by Jo Earle.
‘It was a full house,’ said Johnnie. ‘We could have squeezed a couple more in but the girls would have had difficulty waiting table.
‘I’ve tried to use local stock for speakers to supplement the mainland folk.’
After an introduction by Johnnie Kelso, chairman Robbie Glen made a welcoming speech and club captain Scott McConnell gave the Selkirk Grace. Young Andrew Earle tuned up to pipe in the haggis which was carried with aplomb by Bar Eden chef Andy Robinson. Whiting Bay’s own Zoe McGovern addressed the haggis with gusto and a toast was joined by the whole company. Waiting staff came forth with plates of cock a leekie soup and the evening proceeded at pace.
Chairman Robbie Glen lives in Strathaven and is famed as an after dinner speaker. He was a speaker at Lamlash Golf Club Burns Supper last January and is able to draw on anecdotes from his vast experience as deputy governor of Barlinnie Prison and governor of Cornton Vale Prison, Scotland’s only female establishment.
Robbie told the Banner: ‘This is my only Arran date this season. I am speaking at a Burns Supper in St Andrews next Thursday followed by one in front of 1,200 guests at Grosvenor House, London on Friday.
‘Then on Saturday I am recording a Burns Supper at the Thistle Hotel in Glasgow which will be broadcast on Westsound and Clyde radio. On Friday 25 January I will be doing an actual Burns Night supper in Belfast.’
In his introduction he lamented the current lack of star quality Scottish footballers and joked: ‘Nowadays you can qualify to play for the country if you’ve got a Scottie dog or eaten a Scotch egg.’
John Rankin of Bridge of Allan gave the Immortal Memory and Tam Young, now of Whiting Bay and formerly of Govan, gave the Toast to the Lassies. Sheila Gilmore of Shiskine replied from the lassies and Allan Nicol of Largybeg performed verses from the bard.
Ile Morrison and Bill McLaughlin entertained with Burns’ songs and the vote of thanks was given by Brian Adair of Milngavie.
Johnnie Kelso said: ‘I take my hat off to Vicky McAlister of the Bar Eden who did excellent catering under difficult conditions. It was a great night and even the English folk enjoyed it!’
