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Annual Dinners
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One of the most popular events on Perth's social calendar, the annual dinner of the Perth Burns Club, was held in the Salutation Hotel, Perth on Saturday, January 24, 2009 and was of special significance being the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.
A programme of speakers and entertainers of local, national and international reputation ensured that the event again lived up to its reputation of being amongst Scotland's leading mixed Burns Nights.
Top table group. Standing [l to r] - Robert Hamilton [piper], Rev Geoffrey Hall, Mrs Eldred Hall, John Swinney MSP, The Rt Hon George Reid, Donald Paton [secretary], Miss Caroline Mackie, Depute Provost Willie Wilson, Arthur Bruce [immediate past president], Mrs Jean Bruce, Dr John Davidson [vice president], Mrs Mimi Davidson. Seated [l to r] - Ms Elizabeth Quigley, Mrs Elspeth Macgregor, Dr Donald Macgregor [president], Mrs Daphne Reid, Mrs Wilma Paton.
A general view of the function room.
The Rt Hon George Reid, the former presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament, proposing the Immortal Memory.
President Dr Donald Macgregor addressing the haggis.
The principal speaker was the former presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament, The Rt. Hon. George Reid, who delivered an outstanding Immortal Memory, fully deserving of the prolonged standing ovation which it received from the appreciative gathering of 173 members and guests � a record attendance for this function.
BBC Scotland news reporter Elizabeth Quigley makes her point during the reply to The Lasses.
Scottish finance minister John Swinney MSP proposing the toast to The Lasses.
A light-hearted and highly amusing toast to The Lasses was proposed by the North Tayside MSP, John Swinney, and received a
thoughtful and entertaining rhyming reply from his wife, the BBC Scotland personality, Elizabeth Quigley.
Jan Vickers, Jazzy Lowson and Freya Bachell from the Blackford Fiddle Group.
The entertainment was of the accustomed high standard. Jan Vickers, Freya Bachell and Jazzy Lowson from the Blackford Fiddle Group
performed a selection of traditional tunes and the piper for the evening was Robert Hamilton.
The Burns airs were delightfully sung by Wilma Paton [soprano], Paul Vaughan [tenor] and Craig Dennis [baritone] who were accompanied at the piano by Martin Neilson.
The artistes' table.
Singers Craig Dennis, Wilma Paton and Paul Vaughan.
"...and sic a nicht Tam took the road in..." � Club secretary Donald Paton telling the tale of Tam o' Shanter.
Strathallan School pupil Oliver Wale recited the Epistle to J. Lapraik.
Oliver Wale, a pupil at Strathallan School, winner of the Perth Burns Club's senior verse speaking award at the club's Schools Festival last
November, recited "The Epistle to J. Lapraik" and Donald Paton gave a candlelit rendering of the dramatic tale of "Tam o' Shanter".
"Such the pleasures we enjoyed" � Vice President Dr John Davidson proposing the vote of thanks.
"We are nae fou, we're no that fou!" � Craig Dennis, Donald Paton and Paul Vaughan in "Willie Brewed a Peck o' Maut".
The evening was under the chairmanship of the club president, Dr Donald F. Macgregor, who also addressed the haggis and proposed the Loyal Toast. Club member the Rev Geoffrey Hall gave the Selkirk Grace and greetings from Kindred Clubs and Caledonian Societies were read by the club secretary Donald Paton.
Following a vote of thanks to the speakers and artistes by vice-president Dr John Davidson, this most memorable evening ended with the traditional singing of "Auld Lang Syne"
