Robbie Burns Luncheon – Monday January 20th, 2020
On Monday January 20th our club held its Annual Robbie Burns luncheon which included plenty of haggis, bashed nips, blood pudding, meat pies, gravy, and dessert all adorned with bagpipe music.
President David rang the bell early to commence the ceremony, which involved the piping in of the haggis by piper Jeremy Federico along with a Scottish toast and a proper address to the Haggis by non-other that Master Scotsman & Historian Paul Federico.
Rotarian Jerome McDawson presided over the meeting and introduced a number of special rotary members (albeit wannabe scots) to recite some of Robbie Burns poetry. In addition, visitors and club members were given a glimpse into the historical life and time of Robbie Burns and the motivation to his creative writing along with some history as to What is Haggis?
Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796), also known as Rabbie Burns, the Bard of Ayrshire, Ploughman Poet and various other names and epithets, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language, although much of his writing is also in English and a light Scots dialect, accessible to an audience beyond Scotland. He also wrote in standard English, and in these writings his political or civil commentary is often at its bluntest.
He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement, and after his death he became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism, and a cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish diaspora around the world. Celebration of his life and work became almost a national charismatic cult during the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature.
As well as making original compositions, Burns also collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting them. His poem (and song) "Auld Lang Syne" is often sung at Hogmanay (the last day of the year), and "Scots Wha Hae" served for a long time as an unofficial national anthem of the country. Other poems and songs of Burns that remain well known across the world today include "A Red, Red Rose", "A Man's a Man for A' That", "To a Louse", "To a Mouse", "The Battle of Sherramuir", "Tam o' Shanter" and "Ae Fond Kiss"
At the end of the meeting all members and guests had their fill of haggis and their tummies were tight like drums.
Jerome McDawson thanked all our participants and guests for supporting one of our Club's longest standing traditions. As well as the wonderful staff of Carl’s Catering – Wedding & Events Centre who ensured the food was truly Scottish and flavourful.