Auld Lang Zoom – a Provincial hit!
What a great turnout of some 350+ members, friends and families – it was always going to be rather special. We were delighted with a warm welcome from Tim MacAndrews, DepProvGM, who went on to conduct the running of the evening in a very professional manner – all the way from South Africa!
Our ProvGM, Tom Quinn, was next up in the company of the lovely Eunice and he gave his Address to the Haggis which, as always, was very polished and very well received. There was a short musical interlude whilst those who still had Haggis to devour, did so. During the evening, Tom and Eunice reprised some of their very popular parodies from a few years ago. Still as funny and pertinent now as then.
The next item on our menu was the “Immortal Memory” delivered by W.Bro Kim Halifax in his own inimitable and amusing style which, as he promised in the first few sentences, took less than the “regulation” 30 minutes!! Great one, Kim.
We were then treated to the Toast to the Lassies which came from a young man who will definitely be going places (Leicestershire for starters!), the Assistant Grand Master, RW Bro Stephen Davison who presented this from what appeared to be the grand sitting room at Davison Towers. Amusing, erudite and sincere, he soon had us all nearly believing him! Actually, it was a really good and sincere toast to which us laddies responded in true Masonic form!
Then came the Response on behalf of the Lassies, which was in the hands of the master of humorous repartee, our Deputy Grand Master, RW Bro John Prizeman who, in an attempt to avoid recognition had donned the habiliments of the Clan McBequ’aar so as to blend in with total anonymity. Sadly, John, it didn’t quite work as most(?) of us recognised your wit and charm as soon as you commenced your response. It was a response which truly had us poor mortals in Lincolnshire and elsewhere in tears of laughter throughout. Don’t ever change – apart from the false beard!
The Burns Night President, RW Bro David Ashbolt, in the company of the ever-radiant Vanda, then gave a short address to us all and which ended with the Loyal Toast. The finale of this most enjoyable evening was the joining hands and singing of Auld Lang Syne which was led with the style and panache we have come to expect from our ProvGM, RW Bro Tom Quinn.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the production of this extravaganza and especially to the 350+ who attended and made it so worthwhile.
Without a doubt, a very great success in bringing everyone together in Fellowship, Harmony and Fun whilst remembering a great poet and a Mason, Robert (Rabbie) Burns.
