burns night - 25th january 2020

President Marlynn addresses the haggis

Once again we had a great turn out for Burns Night with around 70 members and friends. It was really good to see four of our newest members attending. Our President Marlynn had chosen well to bring the Revd Fraser Aitken (pictured here) down from Ayrshire to propose the toast to the immortal memory of Robert Burns. By way of background Fraser was minister of Ayr St Columba Church between 1991 and 2019, until his retirement, a much loved minister, evident by the sometimes ‘dubious’ jokes he told during his address! Overall an excellent tribute to the Bard.
President Elect Alison Paton proposed the toast to the toon we bide in, reflecting on her early days in Campbeltown and her studies in York, as well as the York love affair with chocolate!
The Lord Mayor gave an amusing unscripted reply and delighted everyone by reciting verses from Tam O’Shanter!
The evening wouldn’t have been complete without the usual light hearted toast to the lassies, given by Frank Paterson and the response from Helen Porter.
All in all an enjoyable occasion and thanks to all who assisted with the arrangements.
President Marlynn with her top table guests