A patriotic note was struck by the principal speaker at the Burns Howff Club’s St. Andrew’s Night Dinner, held in the famous Globe Inn, Dumfries on 30th November.
The toast to “Auld Scotia” was proposed by Ian McIntyre of Kirkcudbright, a Past President of the club and current President of the Robert Burns World Federation. Describing the Scots as a “mongrel race”, he traced the origins of the modern nation as a mix of Viking blood, Celts and Irish with a touch of ancient explorers from Rome before Malcolm Canmore, and later William Wallace and Robert the Bruce carved out independence from the English yoke. The speaker had an enthusiastic response from the company and was thanked by President Colin Gibson who presented Ian with an inscribed tankard.
Contributing to a superlative after dinner entertainment programme was Willie Horne from Girvan who delighted the company with his droll recitations, “Will the Waster” and later, “The Kirkdouglas Ghoullie”, not often heard in the Globe Inn.
Guitarists Ken Hilsley and Doug Carroll displayed their versatility with a selection of numbers, old and new and Past President John Clark got members’ passions aflame with a spirited version of Burns’ “Scots Wha Hae”. Music selections were played on the accordion by Lee McQueen.
Delegates were present from Dumbarton Burns Club and President Geoff Depledge brought fraternal greetings from his members and thanked the club for its hospitality.
A lively bout of community singing, led by past president and club songster, Bill Welsh brought a memorable evening to an end but not before a Vote of Thanks was proposed by Junior Vice President Rab Walker.
