Provincial Burns Weekend goes down a storm!
This year’s Provincial Burns Weekend got off to its usual cracking start with a casual dinner on the Friday with musical accompaniment. Once again we were blessed with cold – but gloriously dry and sunny – weather for those who wanted to explore Bournemouth or walk along the promenade on the Saturday. Tim MacAndrews, as President, opened the Saturday evening with some welcoming comments and, in a change of guard, Vincent Driver gave the Address to the Haggis which had been piped in by Paul Burgess. After the sumptuous meal the assembled 190 brethren, partners and guests heard the Toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns given by Tom Quinn. Then there was the Toast to the Lassies by Nigel Scott-Moncrieff followed by a spirited response from Mrs Marilyn Markham (to much applause). There then followed the main event as the audience was entertained first by Tom Quinn and David Nunn and then by Tom and Eunice who, in accordance with established custom, pulled no punches by including a humorous mention in their songs of many of the senior people around the room!
The event does have its serious side too as the raffle, with its several valuable prizes, raised around £3,000 – the proceeds going to the London MBF. The whole evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all present and of course benefitted from being under the jurisdiction, guidance and control of an excellent Toastmaster, our very own Lui Hui.
With thanks to Henry Hobson for the photos.
