Over £5000 raised at Gala Occasion
Over 150 guests packed into the Greenock Town Hall for the Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No XII Burns Supper on Saturday 23rd February. This made it the largest Burns Supper in Inverclyde this year. The evening was greatly enjoyed by those who attended and over £5000 was raised for the 2013 charities, Erskine Home, Youth Theatre at the Beacon and Glenburn School. The first two charities were nominated by RWM Bro Alan Beck, whilst the third was the choice of Provost Robert Moran. The Provost was represented at the Burns Supper by Bro Cllr David Wilson, Deputy Provost of Inverclyde
Back Row: Bros Bob Bain Jim Livingstone Fraser Gray Alasdair Beaton
Front Row: Bros David Wilson Drew McKenzie Alan Beck (RWM) Iain White Ian Macpherson MBE
It was an evening filled with fun and laughter an there was a great community spirit in the magnificent old hall. After the haggis had been piped in by Bro Alasdair Beaton, RWM of Lodge The Gael No 609, and addressed by RWM Bro Alan Beck, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire West,
Bro James P Livingstone, led the brethren in grace. The Loyal Toast by RWM Bro Alan Beck was followed by two verses of the God Save the Queen heartily sung by those in attendance as Ian McCrorie’s accompaniment on the Town Hall organ resounded through the air.
Three ‘heavies’ at the top table
Bros Drew McKenzie (Immortal Memory) Alan Beck (RWM) Iain White PM (Chair)
Bro Drew McKenzie PM of Lodge Crawfurdsburn Greenock No 1121 delivered an amusing and thought - provoking Immortal Memory and Bro Ian Macpherson MBE, RWM of The Prince’s Lodge No 607 in Glasgow gave a funny and clever Toastto the Lassies. Holy Willie’s Prayer was recited by Bro Sandy Reddy (HM XII).
The accompanist for the evening was Bro Dr Fraser Gray (Lodge Greenock St John’s No 175) and RWM Bro Alan Beck sang. A haunting saxophone interlude - My luve’s like a red, red rose – was played by Bro Allan Glen SD of No XII accompanied by Scott Hannah on guitar. Bro Iain White PM (No XII) was chairman for the night. Bro Bob Bain IPM (No XII) proposed a hearty Vote of Thanks. .
The success of the fund-raising was undoubtedly due to the persuasive powers of No XII’s auctioneer, Bro Paul Galbraith and croupiers Bros James McGregor Sr. and Jr.
Two of Bro Billy Blackett’s (Lodge Cumberland Kilwinning No 217) guests at the Burns Supper were Colin Stein and Willie Johnstone who were members of the Rangers team that won the European Cup Winners Cup in Barcelona in 1972. Billy donated a replica 1972 shirt. It was signed by Colin and Willie. They are pictured with Bro Ross Nugent of Lodge Cumberland Kilwinning No 217 who purchased it at auction
The Lodge was delighted with support given by other local organisations that had numbers of guests present, particularly the Greenock Golf Club, the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club, the Beacon, the Rotary Club of Gourock, Greenock Wanderers RFC, Lodge Greenock St John’s No 175 and Lodge Firth of Clyde Gourock No 626. Of course, numerous other Lodges within and outwith the area were represented and many friends of No XII attended
The evening was rounded off by the company singing the Star of Rabbie Burns and Auld Lang Syne. Inverclyde’s oldest organisation (instituted in 1728) will continue the charity drive with further activities throughout the year.
RWM Bro Alasdair Beaton Lodge The Gael No 609 and
RWM Bro Ian Macpherson MBE the Prince’s Lodge No 607
- both from the Province of Glasgow
Next year’s Burns Supper is already organised for Saturday 1st March 2014 when an even bigger event is planned. The speakers are already signed up: Bro Jack Glenny, PM of No XII, will deliver the Immortal Memory and Bro Bobby Shaw RWM of the Bridgeton and Glasgow Shamrock and Thistle Lodge No 275 will Toast the Lassies. Put it in your diary …
Bro Iain White PM
Some additional images from the very successful evening.
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