U3A Denia enjoy Burns' Night celebration
A brilliant evening to celebrate Burns' Night was enjoyed by all at El Comercio.
First up was our Compère for the evening, U3A president, Ken Yendall. Following his introduction, the haggis was piped in by Jim Carnichan, who looked a splendid sight in his full regalia.
Mairead Huurman, also looking great in her tartan, presented the haggis. Peter Syme then addressed the haggis in the words of the great Robbie Burns, a slightly unsettling sight as he gestured with a very large knife!
Then followed an excellent performance of poems written by Federico García Lorca, and sung by Klàra Sarkada, Master of Musical Education and Director of the Orfeón Choir of Denia.
She was accompanied on classical guitar by Älvar Bertomeu, who also performed an instrumental piece with great skill.
After dinner (haggis of course!), The Immortal Memory was recited by Alf Mossop, who went on to give his 'Toast to the Lassies', and Norma Syme gave her 'Response to the Laddies'. Both speeches were very entertaining and amusing.
We then joined in a singalong with a number of Scottish songs performed by 'The Jukaholics' ukulele band including 'Scotland the Brave' and 'Donald Where's Your Troosers!' In a break from tradition at Burns' Night events, the final song was 'Waltzing Mathilda'. This was a suggestion from Ken, as January 26 is Australia Day, and by this stage it was the 26th in Australia!
Cazzie Millington gave us a beautiful solo rendition of 'My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose', with words by Robbie Burns.
After the raffle, we had a go at some Scottish Country Dancing, with varied levels of success! Trying to keep us all in order was Norma Syme, but some of us, myself included, were not the best students. Great fun!
To round off the evening, Compère Ken thanked all those who had worked so hard to organise the event, then led us in Auld Lang Syne.
All in all a very successful event, which raised the sum of €284 towards the Family Day Out for residents of the Children's Care Home in Dénia, organised by U3A Dénia every summer. A most worthwhile cause.
By Mary Bolger