By David Knox – and published in the Border Telegraph, Wednesday, January 29^th, 2020

(Pictures: Alwyn Johnston)

A LITTLE bit of Burns history was made on Friday evening. After more than 100 years of authorities and performers providing their worldly-wise interpretations and versions of the Bard’s poems and songs for the Galashiels Burns Club annual gathering, the verbatim responsibility was partly passed to the younger generation for 2020. In front of a packed Volunteer Hall, 11-year-old Poppy Lunn and 12-year-old Oisin Beard took to the stage to deliver confident, entertaining and word-perfect recitals. For Poppy, it would seem, the Bard is in her blood.

Following her exquisite Address to the Haggis, the Glendinning Primary pupil explained: “Mr grand-dad (Jackie) and uncle (David) were both presidents of the Galashiels Burns Club, and my dad (Tony) and lots of other family members were in the audience tonight. “I loved doing it. “My grand-dad’s no longer here so I was doing it for him tonight.” Both Poppy and Oisin triumphed at last year’s schools’ Burns competitions in the town. Galashiels Academy pupil Oisin ended up becoming the Borders champion and even appeared at the World Championships in Dumfries. In front of mum-and-dad, Nathan and Olivia, as well as around 200 guests, he performed an animated and hugely enjoyable To a Louse. He told us: “When I did Burns at primary school I really enjoyed it, although I was a little nervous tonight. “It was a great experience and one I won’t forget.”

Both young performers were presented with unique, minted Galashiels Burns Club coins from chairman Alistair Christie. Mr Christie, who hopes the generation game will continue in years to come, said: “I think the applause both received says it all. “They were both terrific – well done to Poppy and Oisin for making history.” Galashiels Burns Club has gained a reputation over the past century or so for its fine suppers, thought-provoking speakers and hugely enjoyable entertainers. While the youthful involvement was undoubtedly a welcome addition, the rest of the proud programme remained firmly intact. A humorous and well-read top table provided plenty reflection, reasoning and revelry. And the entertainers, as is always the case, stepped up to the mark with toe-tapping tunes, songs aplenty, and the necessary epic poems. After a delicious supper, the task of serving up the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns, was given to Ian Landles.

The retired history teacher wears his Hawick heart on the sleeves of his jumper, which was undoubtedly made in a Hawick mill. The author, poet and songwriter was quick to remind the gathering of where he’s from. Ian said: “What a great honour it is – for you to have a man frae Hawick here tonight. “It was a privilege to travel along the A7 – a road worthy of any third-world country. One day I’ll maybe able to come by train.” Landles’ knowledge of Burns must run his authority on everything Hawick fairly close. During a humorous toast, he contextualised the works we know so well to the time of post-Enlightenment curiosity and unrest when they were written. The Bard lived in times of great social and cultural change through revolutions, industrialisation and urbanisation. Burns the rebel, Burns the conservationist and Burns the national treasure were all brought to life. Ian concluded: “His poetry is as relevant as much to the situation we’re in today. “Burns became the poet for every generation that has followed him.” Teviothead farmer John Tullie also made the journey along the A7 to provide hugely enjoyable recitals of Tam o’ Shanter and Holly Willie’s Prayer.

The veteran athletics champion was wildly animated yet masterful with the poems. He said: “It’s an honour for a poor peasant frae Teviothead to be here in Galashiels.” Tom Tinlin’s joke book must be bulging as much as his waistline. The agricultural rep from Kelso enjoyed some hilarious self-deprecation, particularly about weight issues, before an enlightening discussion about the women in Burns’ life. Having appeared on stage with the Kelso amateur dramatic group 20 times, it’s no surprise Tom knew how to play his audience with his toast to The Lassies.

Providing the musical interludes was the powerful singing from Sam Cleland with, among others Parcel o’ Rogues and the Star of Rabbie Burns, Chris Achenbach’s highly skilful piano playing, Dave Darling’s toe-tapping violin, and the stirring pipes of Bruce Hastie. Armed with his customary Stetson, guitar and mid-Atlantic twang, the ever-popular George Inglis even brought some Americana to proceedings. African-born chiropractor Donald Francis was tasked with honouring the Bard and Scotland with Lands O’ Cakes, Caledonia. The former Army captain, who saw active service in the Falklands, the former Yugoslavia and Iraq, moved to Selkirk more than a decade ago. And there was plenty of squaddie humour amidst the genuine affection for his adopted homeland. Donald, who was the Ex-Servicemen’s Standard Bearer during a recent Selkirk Common Riding, said: “The Borders is the best kept secret in the whole of these lands. “When I first moved here I was often going to stop and take photographs and I had to remind myself, I live here. “I have visited 46 countries and have lived in six of them – nowhere compares to here. “My daily treat is to live somewhere so lovely.” Gareth Scott provided the fitting vote of thanks to bring a fitting and historic tribute to Robert Burns to a close.

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 howff club Dumfries / The Jolly Beggars Club /
The Caledonian Club London / The Caledonian Society of Sheffield / Robert Burns World Federation.