2008 Burns Night A Success
On Saturday 2nd February, the British Society celebrated the life and genius of the national bard of Scotland in traditional manner at the 2008 Burns Supper and Ceilidh.
The British School of Amsterdam kindly donated the perfect venue for the event – a good sized hall with kitchen facilities and plenty of parking space nearby so that traditionally clad gentlemen did not get their knees cold walking from car to entrance!
John Donnelly manned the door. He fortunately did not have to manage ticket sales because the evening was a sell out. Entering the school hall, guests were treated to first class musical entertainment performed by John Cameron-Webb and Anneke Gerrits.
Meanwhile, busy in the kitchen preparing the oatmeal soup and the bashit neeps wi’ champit tatties to accompany the glorious Haggis were Ria Donnelly and Wyn de Graaf. An extra helping hand was provided by John Donnelly (weren’t you at the door, John?) The bar was skillfully manned by bar lady Christine Dunsmore; wine, beer and soft drinks at non-profit prices (lovely). Trays of wee splashes of whiskey for the toast to the Haggis were prepared Christine and John Donnelly (did they throw you out of the kitchen, John?)
Margaret Lambourne soon took charge and organized initially shy and giggling groups into partners and sets and the evening’s dancing commenced! Pretty hopeless to start but thanks to Margaret’s skill and experience at calling the steps and also thanks to her husband John, we were soon all dancing and thoroughly enjoying ourselves. OK, every now and again a lad or lassie lost their partner in the chaos but that didn’t detract from the fun!
The ice well and truly broken, Stephen Huyton said a few words of welcome on behalf of the BritSoc before handing over to The Master of Ceremonies, John Donnelly. Time now for the formal part of the evening’s events; John invited Gill Cowie to take the Selkirk Grace. Soup ensued and then it was time to Pipe in the Haggis. Compliments to the truly professional Piper, Fred Bonarius. Fred led the dignitaries on and the honorable Haggis was dutifully presented to each table as the procession passed by.
MC John Donnelly offered a fluent rendition of “To a Haggis”. On cue “His knife see Rustic-labour dight” he skillfully cut the beastie, duly “trenching its gushing entrails”! On the words “Gie her a Haggis!” we applauded and toasted the Haggis and the main meal was served. Well done, Ria and Wyn (and John as kitchen boy again) for managing to serve so many so well (next year a few more tatties, please!)
Time for entertainment – a Toast to the Lassies, Ian Spencer in sultry tone, explained how lassies in Rabbie’s time were prone, to surrender their feminine charms and heart when wooed in romantic prose by our notorious bard! Ah, sweet poetry! Susan Pecyna skillfully replied on behalf of the Lassies . Keith Muirhead presented a brilliant “Immortal Memory” (we knew about deep fried Mars bars – but deep fried Pizza?!) and, of course Holy Willie’s Prayer by Michael Connelly, very good indeed.
Dancing followed the meal… Stripping the Willow and more, and more, and more. For all who had so much fun, why not join Margaret’s Scottish Dancing classes – Thursday evening’s at the British School of Amsterdam.
Thank you John and Margaret for organising a truly wonderful evening and thank you also to the musicians, volunteers and behind-the-scenes helpers! Job well done!