New face in chair at Carrick
A very special Burns Supper will take place at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum i n A l l o w a y t o d a y ( Wednesday).
Tickets are sold out for the event, with visitors listening to popular readings and tucking into haggis, neeps and tatties.
The National Trust for Scotland attraction will play host to the celebration for the second year running.
On Saturday Alloway is set to be transformed for Burns Alicht, a beautiful event filled with illuminations, music and performances, bringing the story of Robert Burns and his works to life.
Then on Sunday it is the Big Birthday Bash, when the doors of Burns Cottage will be thrown open to welcome revellers looking to mark Burns’ birthday Allowaystyle.
Among the highlights are the haggis hurling championships and lots of live music too.
For more information and tickets visit www. burnsmuseum. org. uk Carrick Burns Club held its annual Burns Supper on Saturday night in Malin Court, Maidens.
Allan Brown piped in the top table guests then new chairman Tom Raffel welcomed the company. Tom paid tribute to the late Jim Crawford, who had been a dedicated member of the committee until his death this year. He also welcomed Alan Brown Campbell Crawford as a new member of the committee.
Allan then piped in the haggis, which club secretary Denis Reid traditionally addressed.
The Immortal Memory was proposed by Sir Kenneth Calman, former chairman of the executive board of the World Health Organisation, who said Burns had shown a remarkable knowledge and interest in medical matters. In letters to Mrs Dunlop the Bard showed an interest in the new idea of inoculation to prevent disease.
The toast to The Lassies was proposed by Ian Macpherson from East Kilbride, who had his audience in fits of laughter.
Isabell Montgomerie from Ochiltree replied entirely in verse, in which she created vivid word pictures of the many foibles of men.
Carrick’s unique toast to My Scotland was proposed by Nick Finnigan, executive manager of Edinburgh Castle, in a highly humourous delivery.
The final toast of the evening to The Jolly Beggars was delivered by Ian Doole of Kilwinning. Ian’s hilarious tales and anecdotes were often directed at weel kent faces in the audience.
Stuart McKinlay of Ayr entranced his audience with two excellent recitations of Burns’ work.
Musical entertainment was provided by Isobel Millar of Ayr, accompanied by Stephen Bradley on piano.
Carrick Burns Club thanked Natalie and Amanda and their excellent staff at Malin Court for their professionalism and excellent support in arrangement.
Tom Raffel brought the evening’s proceedings to a close with a hearty vote of thanks to everyone.