Burns Supper 2008
As advertised beforehand on Ardentinny.org, our Hall Association held their annual Burns Supper on Saturday 26th January 2008.
Once again it was, as ever, very popular and a complete sell out.
Members of the committee set up the hall and prepared the tables on Thursday night and, to their credit, it looked superb. On Friday morning 4 volunteers prepared the turnip with their fingers getting chopped as much as the veg. Ardentinny Centre peeled The tatties, I am sure the committee were very grateful for that. Saturday afternoon saw Tina, Irene and Margo working hard with the remaining preparation and getting cooking under way.
Come the main event. The storm withoot did indeed rair an' rustle and the audience came as Burns may have said "Frae aw airts and pairts." With, I think, the furthest travelled coming all the way from Wales and yes they did come up specially for the event. Unfortunately they had got their lines crossed somewhere and arrived a day early. However, they returned on the Sat. and had as they said, "a fabulous night".
The group at the top table consisted of Chairman David Lilley who kept the company in order, Jim Robinson who addressed that Scottish enigma The Haggis, which was piped in by Gary Anderson and carried by Merle Ferguson. Angus Sutherland gave the Selkirk Grace.
Gerry McGinty entertained the company with a very animated Tale of Ghosts an' Ghoulies, Tam o' Shanter.
Jim Gordon took his life in his hands by slagging off most of the top table as he proposed the toast Tae the Lassies, which was more than ably responded to by his eloquent wife Pauline.
Paul McGinty (yes there's two of them) came up from the body of the hall and gave us Holy Wullies Prayer with all the trimmings.
Fiona Auld, a regular at Ardentinny Burns Suppers, charmed the company with her singing.
Hall Association Chairperson Lee Fenner gave the Vote of Thanks.
The food was served up piping hot by Tara, Lauren, Sky, Debbie, Ellie, Lesley and, last but not least, Hannah.
Cathy and the 2 Jims kept the company's thirst quenched at the bar, with Sandra, Lettie and Margaret attending to the raffle.
Bill Dalby compiled and printed all the programmes.
Lastly, Dunoon Accordion & Fiddle Club provided the music for the after-supper dancing.
A great night was had by all.
Sorry I can't mention all the audience, due to lack of space,and I apologise if I have missed anyone.
Jim Robinson.