Burns Lunch virtual celebration on 27th January

Celebration of Robbie Burns by virtual means

January 27th 2021

hosted by President Hamish Tait

Rotary St Andrews’ members enjoyed celebrating Robbie Burns courtesy of Zoom technology.  Hamish Tait was in the chair and he opened the gathering by announcing two grants.  £1,000 had been donated to Byre Youth and Community Arts to assist with premises, and £300 had been given to a Maize Mill project in Malawi.  Dennis Hopper was seen then piping in the haggis, delivered in front of the camera by Anne Tait.  Hamish, in Highland dress, rose to his feet and addressed the haggis with feeling.  Credit was paid to Craig Sneddon, R&A’s Head Chef, for his considerable support of Rotary’s efforts to ‘serve’ the community, and also to Ian Johnston for his efforts to promote Burns in schools over many years.  Anne Baird sang, with Bela Simandi at piano, a wonderful medley of Burns songs before Frank Quinault took the floor.  He is currently chair of the St Andrews Burns Club and a Rotarian, and he was shown proposing the Immortal Memory.  Cleverly, he worked Covid into Burns’ text, for example, ‘Immunity will come for a’ that’!  Ian Hamilton’s skill with a keyboard was enjoyed as he played a medley of tunes.  Lexi, the granddaughter of Rotarian Colin and Terry Brown, delighted her audience of 35 with her clear, beautiful voice.  Bill Whyte delighted too with a superb rendition of a Burns poem before delivering his own version applied to the Taits’ Voluntary Service Overseas in Africa.  Referring to the talent amongst his Rotarian friends, Alan Constable, in rhyme, thanked all the performers and congratulated Hamish upon his chairmanship during the pandemic.

 Pipes from Dennis Hopper

Haggis addressed by President Hamish

Immortal Memory by Junior Vice President and President of St Andrews Burns Club, Frank Quinault.

Songs, recitations and music by other members or their family.

A traditional Burns Lunch menu with cooking instructions from R&A chef Craig Sneddon displayed and circulated later.

Rabbie would be proud of our celebration.