Galashiels Burns ClubThe official website of the Galashiels Burns ClubFounded: 1908Federation No: 187
O Tam! had'st thou but been sae wise,
As taen thy ain wife Kate's advice!
She tauld thee weel thou was a skellum,
A blethering, blustering, drunken blellum;
Tam O'Shanter
As taen thy ain wife Kate's advice!
She tauld thee weel thou was a skellum,
A blethering, blustering, drunken blellum;
Tam O'Shanter
THE 2018 GALASHIELS BURNS SUPPER
(Pictures: Alwyn Johnston)
By David Knox – and published in the Border Telegraph, Wednesday, January 31st, 2018
Let kings and courtiers rise and fa'
This world has mony turns
But brightly beams aboon them a'
The star o'Rabbie Burns.
SURVIVING the test of time is something only greats can aspire to. Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Dostoevsky and Dickens have all fared fairly well over the centuries. And Yeats, Wilde, Austen and Tolstoy are highly unlikely to ever go out of print either. But rising above them all when it comes to being rejoiced, recited and revelled-in is the Ploughman Poet from Ayrshire.
It's fair to say... few can hold a candle to Scotland's Bard. Robert Burns is honoured and treasured not just in his native lands but in the furthest corners of this world of ours. His songs are sung, his poems are performed, and his romanticism, socialism and equality continue to strike a chord with the latest generations.
And this unwavering popularity, while greatly indebted to the incredible canon bequeathed by Burns himself, is also down to the artists, associations and clubs who champion his genius and his cause.
This world has mony turns
But brightly beams aboon them a'
The star o'Rabbie Burns.
SURVIVING the test of time is something only greats can aspire to. Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Dostoevsky and Dickens have all fared fairly well over the centuries. And Yeats, Wilde, Austen and Tolstoy are highly unlikely to ever go out of print either. But rising above them all when it comes to being rejoiced, recited and revelled-in is the Ploughman Poet from Ayrshire.
It's fair to say... few can hold a candle to Scotland's Bard. Robert Burns is honoured and treasured not just in his native lands but in the furthest corners of this world of ours. His songs are sung, his poems are performed, and his romanticism, socialism and equality continue to strike a chord with the latest generations.
And this unwavering popularity, while greatly indebted to the incredible canon bequeathed by Burns himself, is also down to the artists, associations and clubs who champion his genius and his cause.
The President with Guests and Artistes.
On Friday evening, one such club sat down to supper for the 110th time. Galashiels Burns Club has been honouring the Bard since 1908 - and
going by the packed-out Volunteer Hall, there will still be speakers and musicians reminiscing, philosophising, singing and reciting for many more decades
to come.
What foresight Burns had..
Braw, braw lads on Yarrow-braes,
They wander thro' the blooming heather;
But Yarrow braes, nor Ettrick Shaws
Can match the lads o' Galla Water.
What foresight Burns had..
Braw, braw lads on Yarrow-braes,
They wander thro' the blooming heather;
But Yarrow braes, nor Ettrick Shaws
Can match the lads o' Galla Water.
(left) Tom Cass bearing the haggis with Piper, Billy Easson and (right) Grant Lees addressing the haggis
President Alastair Christie led the patriotic plaudits to Scotland's champion of the common man from the main stage. And he assembled a fine
cast of speakers, reciters, singers and musicians to join him in providing a fitting tribute to the man and his work.
The honour of presiding over the historic gathering wasn't lost on Mr Christie. He said: "I am aware of the great honour bestowed upon me. I only have to look at the list of names who have gone before me."
The packed gathering was certainly 'thanket' for the fine fare served up by The Auld Mill. And it was with great enthusiasm they recited the Selkirk Grace and clapped in piper Billy Easson and Haggis Bearer Tom Cass.
The honour of presiding over the historic gathering wasn't lost on Mr Christie. He said: "I am aware of the great honour bestowed upon me. I only have to look at the list of names who have gone before me."
The packed gathering was certainly 'thanket' for the fine fare served up by The Auld Mill. And it was with great enthusiasm they recited the Selkirk Grace and clapped in piper Billy Easson and Haggis Bearer Tom Cass.
Ian Fallas delivering the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns
Following a filling four-courses, it was down to the top table to lead the appreciation. Former Lauder Cornet Ian Fallas was given the privilege
of delivering The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns. He described Burns as 'standing on the shoulders of giants' before reminding the gathering how
on January 25, 1801 - five years after the death of Burns - the Rev Hamilton Paul arranged the very first Burns Supper to remember his great friend.
Just eight guests - all acquaintances and supporters of Burns - ate their supper before reciting his poems and singing his songs.
And Mr Fallas explained how Burns Suppers the world over have stuck to a similar format in the 217 years since. He added: "Burns had an ability to paint wonderful pictures with words. He had a wisdom that didn't belong with a young man."
And Mr Fallas explained how Burns Suppers the world over have stuck to a similar format in the 217 years since. He added: "Burns had an ability to paint wonderful pictures with words. He had a wisdom that didn't belong with a young man."
(left) Grant Lees - 'A Man's a Man' and (right) Stuart Anderson with accordion.
Roy Mack delivering his humorous Toast to the Lassies
Interspersed throughout Friday's celebrations were terrific renditions of some of Burns' most rousing songs and poems. Grant Lees, who had
earlier addressed the haggis with great gusto, splendidly led the floor for A Man's a Man, accompanied by Chris Achenbach on piano. They also
teamed up for the uplifting Star o' Rabbie Burns.
Stuart Anderson, armed with his accordion, provided plenty toe-tapping with the likes of The Gard' wi' his Paidle and Ye Banks and Braes.
Roy Mack delivered a fitting and humorous Toast to The Lassies from the stage. And Robert McGurn was in fine fettle as he performed Holy Willie's Prayer and Tam o'Shanter.
The nicht's ongauns were good - really good.
And it was left to Bruce Robertson to provide The Vote of Thanks to the many in the Volunteer Hall who made sure Burns was fittingly celebrated and remembered for another year in Galashiels - and continues to survive the test of time.
Stuart Anderson, armed with his accordion, provided plenty toe-tapping with the likes of The Gard' wi' his Paidle and Ye Banks and Braes.
Roy Mack delivered a fitting and humorous Toast to The Lassies from the stage. And Robert McGurn was in fine fettle as he performed Holy Willie's Prayer and Tam o'Shanter.
The nicht's ongauns were good - really good.
And it was left to Bruce Robertson to provide The Vote of Thanks to the many in the Volunteer Hall who made sure Burns was fittingly celebrated and remembered for another year in Galashiels - and continues to survive the test of time.
(left) Robert McGurn - 'Holy Willie's Prayer' and (right) 'Tam o'Shanter'
Bruce Robertson - Delivering a fine Vote of Thanks.
The Chairman announced the following Fraternal Greetings received from Burns Societies far and wide:
Aberdeen Burns Club / Coldstream Burns Club / Cupar Burns Club / Dumfries Ladies Burns Club /
Greenock Burns Club / Hawick Burns Club.
Fraternal Greetings by email were received from:
The Caledonian Society of Sheffield / Dumfries Burns Club / Dundonald Burns Club /
Larkhall Burns Club / Leicester Burns Club / The Perth Burns Club / Robert Burns World Federation.