On 25 January, the world celebrates the Scottish poet, Rabbie Burns, and this year, All Saints Community Centre in Ferryhill honoured the single most prolific poet in a manner the bard would have been proud of.
The evening started with a welcome from Ferryhill Town Mayor, Cllr Curtis Bihari.
This was followed by the newer version of The Selkirk Grace.
As is tradition, the Haggis, delivered by John McCartin, was piped in by Adam Jenkins and ably addressed by Angus Ferguson.
Following the opening formalities, a three-course meal of haggis, neeps and tatties, roast beef and clootie dumpling was served.
The Immortal memory was given by Carolyn Norris, while Mayor Bihari was again on his feet to recite Ae Fond Kiss.
The evening’s hostess, Abbey, sang a beautiful rendition of Oh My Love is Like a Red Red Rose, with Tiger on the piano.
It was noted that there was barely a dry eye in the room, she has such a wonderful voice.
Malcolm Gibson then gave the Address to the Lasses, ably responded to by his wife Lynne Gibson.
After a few tales about Rabbie, the evening continued with all present singing O Flower of Scotland and finishing a richt guid nicht with the singing of Auld Land Syne, still the second most often sung song in the world, all to the skirl of the pipes and the second piper of the night.
Mayor Bihari said of the evening: “It’s fantastic to have a Burns Night here in Ferryhill as these events are often very rare.
“Credit must go to All Saints Community Centre for putting on such as brilliant event for the people of Ferryhill.
“I would also like to thank those who bought raffle tickets,” he added, “which raised money for my chosen mayoral charities for the year, which are Teenage Cancer Trust and the Ferryhill Resident Associations.”
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
