Deacon Convener Ian D. Swan welcomed a record attendance at the Haill Six Incorporated Trades of Kirkcudbright Burns Supper on Saturday night at Arden House Hotel.
As well as a large turnout of members and friends, there was a large representation from Irvine Incorporated Trades and York Cordwainers. The chairman introduced a line up for the evening’s proceedings which included a number of young people to reflect 2018 being the year of the Young Person in Scotland.
The top table were piped in by Apprentice Squareman Coll Marshall. Ben Durham addressed the haggis, Ben is the ‘Best in the West’ Robert Burns World Federation haggis addressing champion, 2017/18. He delivered the address with some panache and style. Old friend of the Incorporated Trades, Bobby Jess recited ‘Epistle to John Lapraik’ and the hilarious parody of Tam O’ Shanter, ‘Tam The Bunnet’.
The company were treated to ‘Ae fond kiss’ to the angelic voice of Amber Fraser, a young lady performing at her first ever Burns Supper. Pamela Morris-Webster Master of the Cordwainers of the City York toasted the Haill Six Incorporated Trades of Kirkcudbright and the reply was given by Ian McIntyre, General Officer of the Trades and President of the RBWF.
Ayrshire Robert Burns lookalike and well known speaker and reader, Wullie Dick proposed the ‘Immortal Memory of Robert Burns’. Wullie’s toast was sprinkled with humour and covered Burns time as a farmer. He received a standing ovation for a sparkling and spellbinding toast. Young Palnure farmer, Bobby Landers toasted the ‘Lasses O’. Bobby is a relative newcomer to the Burns scene and delivered a toast which was both hilarious and wonderfully delivered. Emma Harper MSP, replied to the toast to the Lasses O’ and in her own brand of highly polished humour, stated the case for the Lasses and poked some serious fun at the gentlemen in the audience.
Accompanist for the evening was Iain Smith of Kirkcudbright who played tunes from his recent album ‘Ode to Whisky’ on the whistle. The gathered company raised the roof at the end of the eving with a rousing rendition of ‘The Star O’ Rabbie Burns’ and ‘Auld Lang Syne’.
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