26/01/2008 - Burns Night Success

Burns Night Success

 

What a great night we all had at the Apex hotel on Saturday 26th January for Burns Night in aid of The Akhonya Trust. A huge thank you to Margaret Dowe who took on the task of organizing the whole event and to Margaret Steel who sponsored it. There was a great turn out from Edinburgh and Newcastle.

The evening began with the haggis being piped in by Bill Peden. William Wallace, yes you’ve read it correctly, William Wallace addressed the haggis.

Then came the Immortal Memory speech which was carried out by our very own founder of The Akhonya Trust, Richard Young. He did a fantastic job of linking in the charity work of Robert Burns to the work we are doing with The Akhonya Trust. It was a very poignant and emotional speech which captured everyone there. Richard really spoke from the heart. Can I also say how dashing he looked in his kilt (sponsored by Meldrum construction).

The toast to the lassies came next, said by Bill Peden. The reply to laddies was said by Angela Wear, quite witty it was too, thanks to Donna Laycock stepping in and writing it.

One of the highlights was the Tam O’Shanter speech, again performed by William Wallace. William blew everyone away with his recital. Even though all of us from Newcastle couldn’t understand a word of it, he had us spellbound.

After a wonderful meal, an African Drum Band from the Portobello music school performed. That is when the fun really started!!!

With kilts swirling, we all took to the dance floor and tried to do justice to the wonderful music for our friends in Kenya. Star of the dance floor was again our very own Richard Young. Unfortunately we were unable to capture this on camera as he was just too fast!

The raffle took place and with prizes including tickets to The Nutcracker, a voucher for a meal at Martin Wisharts in Leith , jewelry from Chapmans of Newcastle and various bottles of alcohol. Margaret raised a terrific £560 for The Akhonya Trust.

Thanks once again to Margaret for organizing the event. Be sure to keep an eye out for next year’s Burns Supper for The Akhonya Trust, as I think it will bigger and better.

Asante Sana
 

< back to previous page