Remember, Remember that month of November (Part three!)

 November continued

Monday 30^th November; St Andrew’s Night Supper Howff Club at The Globe Inn

St Andrew’s Night at the Howff turned out to be another night to remember for me as President. Just as at the Jean Armour Night and Halloween I was a bit nervous but tried not to show it as I welcomed the entertainers and guests in the club room prior to the event. It was particularly nice to welcome guests of Dumfries and Dumbarton Burns Clubs who as a club we have a good friendship with.

After an excellent meal from the Globe staff which was served very quickly and efficiently we were treated to a great night of entertainment and laughter. Chief Constable of Dumfries and Galloway Police Patrick Shearer proposed the toast to ‘Auld Scotia’ I found Patrick to be very sincere and passionate about his work, the community and the country he obviously loves, it was a pleasure to enjoy his company at the top table. I had the great honour of presenting him with an engraved tankard of his first visit to the Howff.

Honorary member John Glover and members Donald Shamash, Gordon Johnston, Ian McIntyre and Frank Curran along with Lee McQueen on accordion completed the entertainment line up. Each was in superb form and the variety on show between our various artistes meant it was as great balance for an enjoyable night.

The proceeds from our raffle were to be donated to Past President Peter Kormylo’s project to produce a Burns book in Ukrainian, English and Scot’s. Peter gave the assembled company a short brief on this and during the supper I presented Peter with the total proceeds which were £250. A very humbled Peter thanked the company and we all wish Peter well in his efforts of continuing to foster relationships with Scotland and the Ukraine through the works of Burns.

Auld lang Syne came too quick and the earlier nervous President had now relaxed but the evening was at a close.

Another great Howff night and the month of November at and end.

JOHN M CASKIE

PRESIDENT

BURNS HOWFF CLUB

18^TH DECEMBER 2009

Remember, Remember that month of November (Part two!)

November continued!!

Monday 23^rd November; Executive Committee Meeting.

Held in the club room, the meeting was to make final preparations for St Andrew’s and to debrief from the Gala Concert.

Wednesday 25^th November; Hole i’ the Wa’ St Andrew’s Night.

Along with my musical colleagues James Coutts from Kirkcaldy on accordion and Ian Kirkpatrick on Fiddle, I entertained the members of the Hole i’ the Wa Burns Club at their St Andrew’s Night. The evening took form of an hour of entertainment of music songs and banter before a meal and a toast to ‘Scotland’ which was given by Peter Kormylo a Past President of the Howff Club. Peter was excellent, he spoke humorously of Scotland before being passionate and most of all being poignant and was very well received by the audience. It was then back to more music for the remainder of the night.

Friday 27^th November; Dumbarton Burns Club St Andrew’s Night.

Along with SVP Neil Johnston, I was an invited guest of the Dumbarton Burns Club for their St Andrew’s Night, which was super, and second to none. There were other Howff members in the ‘body o’ the Kirk’ but Neil and I were well looked after at the top table and made more than welcome by President Paul Reilly.

As this is Dumbarton Burns Club’s 150^th anniversary year and the strong friendship between the club’s I presented to Paul and the club, on behalf of the Howff Club, a copy of our Book ‘ A Wee Kist o’ Verse’ and an inscribed barrel for use at their top table at there various functions.

The entertainment and speeches were of the highest order.Lord Advocate of Scotland Elish Angiolini gave a wonderful toast to Scotland, Len Murray toasted the Lasses in humorous but sincere fashion and the reply by Annabel Goldie was also worthy of note. Kirsten Easdale was the guest singer and there was also worthy contributions from Dumbarton Burns Club members. Yes, it was a great night, my first visit to Dumbarton and I am already looking forward to representing the club at their Anniversary Dinner in January.

Sunday 29^th November; Non Event at Edinburgh and Globe Inn Tartan Night.

I arrived at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh to be met by the secretary, the treasurer and Ted Murray who had been joined by old friend Murdo Morrison and his wife awaiting entry to the Cathedral for the annual St Andrew’s Day service. It was freezing and we hovered about for about 30 mins before we eventually found out we were one week early. Coffee and scones were the order of the day at Deacon Brodies Café where the secretary was the butt of many jokes because of us turning up 7 day’s too early.

Later that night I was at The Globe Inn for their Tartan Night. During 2009 Jane and the staff have run many events for Homecoming Year all with a variety of themes and I have tried to attend where possible and was delighted to be present and sing at this one. Lee McQueen on accordion along with pipers and a drummer provided the music and young Highland Dancers delighted the audience with their skill. My good friend Avril Kerr was in fine form with her recitations and Claire Hastings who I had heard a few times this year gets better every time I hear her and she was magnificent with her sweet singing voice and own guitar accompaniment. Mince and Tatties in a massive Yorkshire pudding and a prize in the raffle made it a super night and end to a hectic week.

November part three to follow

JOHN M CASKIE

PRESIDENT

BURNS HOWFF CLUB

17^TH DECEMBER 2009