The president says my blog entries are verbose and he’s probably right but, Hell!, can the tiger change his spots?, Anyway, to catch up, Renovations Sub Committee on 14^th Feb. when it was agreed to invite Matt Sempie, our antique glazier, to the next meeting on 1^st March to advise us on options for the display of the facsimile window panes. It was also agreed to remit the proposed club mug for advertising in the April newsletter to ascertain interest from members. Friday 18^th Feb. Back to the Edenbank for round 3 of the Round Table Pub Quiz when David Miller, John Lauder, Ian McIntyre and your blogger clawed the score up to 66.1/2. Great fun!  At the last minute on Saturday 19^th, asked to provide transport for the club delegation to the 5^th Robert Burns / Taras Shevchenko Supper at the Ukrainian Social Club in Edinburgh. Had to get gassed up first but was happy to drive David Baird, Maureen McKerrow and Neil Johnston, if not in a high performance car, but certainly a high performance driver to the venue in Royal Terrace without incident. The function was lacking in atmosphere from previous years but David Baird’s “Immortal Memory” had some merit as had Maureen’s reply to the “Lasses, O” despite a racket from the end of the hall. Jim Haining’s toast to “The Lasses, o” was droll and Peter Kormylo’s recitation of “Scots Wha Hae” was as rousing as ever. One of the highlights was a performance on the Bandura, a traditional Ukrainian stringed instrument, by Olesander Petlura. I’ve now become skilled in singing the Ukrainian National Anthem which is more stirring than ours. A downside was that as designated driver, I had to stay off the sauce. The February Winter Club night on 24^th heard a talk from Simon Thorp of the Heather Trust when he spoke on the importance of the natural upland moorlands and its place in the planet’s eco-systems and the challenges it faces. This was perhaps different from the customary talks but interesting and provoked a lively question and answer session. The final of the Round Table Pub Quiz took place on Friday 25^th when the “Burns Unit’s“ dream team of Rab Walker, William and Neil Johnston and your reporter achieved an impressive final score of 74, or possibly 76 and finished way up the leader board. About a £1K was raised for Alzheimer’s Scotland which may be of some comfort to members in future. Rab won the club’s donation to the raffle of a bottle of Burns Whisky which he generously returned to the club.  The Globe Inn’s “Alternative Burns Supper” was held on Sunday 27^th and well supported by club members. Dinner consisted of mince an’ tatties and entertainment was superb with recitations from Bobby Jess with “Tam the Bunnet”, Bert Hasting’s “Candle”, music on the box from Lee McQueen, fiddle music from a young member of the Globe Inn staff and inspiring songs from Ian McIntyre with his own guitar accompaniment. John Caskie’s rich tenor voice raised the spirits but by far the highlight of the night was the trio of members who performed “Willie brew’d”, David Miller, David Baird and John Caskie, directed by D. Smith which received umpteen curtain calls and may attract attention from a Hollywood producer. Meantime, the February issue of the “E-Mail Express” was produced after a hiccup and thanks due to Neil Johnston for his technical expertise.

Oh dear, I’ve been verbose again, sorry Neil.  DS