Brookside care home celebrates Burns Night

The Orders of St John’s Care Trust’s (OSJCT) Brookside home in Melksham celebrated all things Scottish last week with a traditional Burns Night supper.

It’s a festivity the home, which was rated ‘Outstanding’ last year, has been celebrating for the past five years, and despite none of its current residents being from Scotland, everyone embraces the tradition with open arms.

This year, Brookside celebrated one day before everyone else, on Wednesday 24th January. A troop of Scottish dancers kicked off proceedings, encouraging all the residents and guests to get involved and have a bit of a Scottish knees-up.

Next up was the piper who piped in the haggis, and then recited the poem ‘Address to a haggis’ by Robert Burns. The haggis was then ceremoniously cut, and a three-course dinner, including neeps and tatties was served.

“It’s always great to see residents get involved,” home manager, Jamie Cartier said. “We invited families and local supermarkets to help celebrate Burns Night as a thank you for their continued support and goodwill.

“The various local supermarket chains over the years have generously given a wide variety of items, and amongst other things, have donated flowers for flower arranging activities for the residents and food for special events. They have also lent a helping hand with some of the homes’ fundraising activities.”

Burns Night has become a nationwide celebrated event, but is traditionally a Scottish night which celebrates Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns. This well-loved poet is toasted by the guests with good food, music, poetry recitals and it’s all done with cheer and in the presence of good company (there may even be a wee dram of whiskey involved!)