Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Hospice’s first ever supper a tasty treat
JEAN WARD
There was a taste of tradition on the menu at the inaugural St Andrew’s Hospice Burns supper.
More than 100 guests and members of Whifflet Burns Club raised a glass to the Bard at the Airdrie hospice.
Four former past- presidents from the Coatbridge club, along with current president Mitchell Gibb, proudly took their places at a distinguished top table.
Past-president David Gemmell got the night underway with an excellent address to the haggis, piped in by the hugely talented Darci Burns.
A Burns night feast, served by Graeme Anderson and his staff, was followed by music from the ever popular Three Amigos ensemble.
Past- president Brian Martin then delivered a witty, humorous and informative immortal memory.
The guests, some of whom enjoyed their first ever Burns supper, appreciated the clever way in which it was presented.
And following a stirring version of A Mans a Man from the Three Amigos, pastpresident David Gemmell gave an energetic, entertaining and accomplished rendition of Tam O’Shanter, which enthralled hospice staff and guests.
The evening continued with past and current president Mitchell Gibb charming the audience with a hilarious, yet at times poignant, toast to the lassies.
This was followed by a haunting version of Ae Fond Kiss and in the final speech of the evening the lassies experienced sweet revenge with Ruth McGill’s sharply observed, humorous and biting reply.
Throughout the evening both a silent auction and a traditional auction of donated items were well supported.
An impressive £ 8600 was raised for hospice funds, with a further £2500 donated by David Gemmell and Mitchell Gibb who presented the donation after performing at a charity dinner for the Friends of St Andrew at Tulliallan.