Avon Bowls Club celebrated Burns’ Night with a large gathering on Saturday 27th January.
Pauline Baker, press officer of Avon Bowls Club reports, “The traditional haggis was piped in – albeit electronically – followed by the club’s real live Scotsman, John Butterworth, having the honour of delivering the deadly blow with his fearsome dirk!
“The club’s ladies did a splendid job of serving up a wonderful plateful of haggis, neaps, tatties and cream, which was followed by a very rich dessert, the name of which your correspondent cannot spell never mind pronounce, but which consisted of oatmeal, cream (lots of it) fresh fruit and more cream. Needless to say, calorie counting was abandoned!
“True Scottish entertainment was provided by Mr. Bernard Dunn relating the history of Robert Burns – quite a character by all accounts – which was followed by Mrs. Pauline Baker’s rendition of William McGonagall’s ‘Attempted Assassination of the Queen (Victoria, not Elizabeth II) and then Mr. John Butterworth performed Burns’ ‘Tam ‘o Shanter’.
“Another tradition was upheld by Mr. Dunn offering up a toast on behalf of the gentlemen guests to the lady guests. The reply to this was presented by Lady Captain, Mrs. Sylvia Crabb. And of course, everybody joined in the toast to the great poet himself, Mr. Robert Burns. All in all, a splendid occasion, and thanks must go to everybody concerned in the organisation.
“The members are now looking forward with eager anticipation to the opening of the outdoor season on Saturday 14th April, when Alison Peacock from McCarthy & Stone, one of our sponsors will be present at the inauguration of our new club flag, so good weather has been ordered for the occasion. Fingers crossed!”
