Carrick Burns Club hold their annual supper in Kirkoswald

A very enjoyable evening was had by all, in a magnificent setting as host Lindsay Guidi and her staff served high quality traditional fare to the 90 guests attending.

Now in the club's 131st year, the committee reported a successful evening full of music, entertainment, banter and repartee, sentiments echoed by the guests.

The evening was chaired by Mrs Shona McIntyre.

Shona, now from Bearsden in Glasgow, is a native of Girvan and has attended the supper for over 40 years and is clearly passionate about keeping the memory of Robert Burns to the fore. 

The chair’s first task was to introduce Shiloh Simpson, aged 12, who would awe the audience with her “Address to a Haggis” using expert diction, action and expression to the joy of all and leading to a well-deserved ovation and setting a very high standard for the evening ahead.

The Carrick Burns Club supports local schools in the area and helps to promote the works and poetry of Robert Burns.

Lord and Lady Aisla with Shiloh (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

Shiloh was the 2023 school poetry competition winner. A specially commissioned trophy donated by The Marquess of Ailsa, the Ailsa Craig Trophy, was presented to Shiloh by the Marchioness of Ailsa.

After a fine meal, served by the waiting staff in traditional and welcoming surroundings, the chair formally introduced our musical entertainer for the evening Stephen Bradley.

Stephen, former principal teacher of music, is currently a professional organist and opened the evening with a wonderful version of I'll Ay' Ca' In By Yon Town and an unaccompanied rendition of Ay Waukin' O, to the delight of the audience.

Later in the evening Stephen delighted the audience with his renditions of Scots Wha Hae, By Yon Castle Wa' and A Man's A Man.

The second recital of the evening was from a long serving supporter of the Carrick Burns Club, Stuart McKinlay, who teaches religious, moral and philosophical studies at Gleniffer High School in Paisley.

Stuart is also a qualified speech and drama teacher which was clearly evident as he enthralled all present during a superb rendition of one of Burns' best works, Tam O' Shanter.

The first speaker of the evening, Hugh Farrell, proposed the toast to the Immortal Memory ‘of Robert Burns.

Hugh, a retired senior lecturer at Stow College and past president of Alloway Burns Club, had recreated the Burns Supper in Burns Cottage in 2016 after a gap of 207 years.

Hugh approached his speech from the story, as told by Robert Burns, and without a note enthralled the audience with the story of the poet's life in a fitting and informative tribute that kept his audience captivated.

The second speech of the evening, The Toast to the Lassies, was presented by Wullie Dick, Dairy farmer and game rearer, current chairman of Bachelor Club Performers in Tarbolton and chairman of the Burns Supper held at Burns Cottage in Alloway.

He held the audience with rousing, humorous and animated wit and repartee to their obvious delight.

The Reply to the Lassies was expertly presented by Mary Cowan, primary school teacher from Wigton and Kirkcowan and founder and committee member of the Mochram Ladies' Jean Armour Club.

Mary responded in fitting fashion with a themed speech on ‘tholing', utilising her own family and friends in her humorous accounts, much to the delight of the lassies present.

Stuart McKinlay regaled the audience with two further inciteful recitals, Address Spoken At A Benefit Night December 4, 1973 at the Dumfries Theatre, followed by Mary Morrison.

A highly enjoyable evening was brought to a humorous close with a toast to the guests and artistes, presented by Vicky Barrowcliffe, and then in the usual worldwide recognised fashion by a rousing version of ‘Auld Lang Syne’

“A fond farewell until the next time” was extended to all by Mrs McIntyre.