Scottish bard celebrated

Scottish Country dancers from Warkworth and Kaiwaka put on a grand evening’s entertainment for the Warkworth Oaks residents on January 25.

A traditional Burns’ night dinner was arranged to celebrate the Scottish poet Robert Burns’ birthday.

Piper Bob Logan played as people arrived at the Southgate room. This was followed by the traditional piping in of the haggis with piper, haggis bearer, whisky bearer, sword and flag bearer. The address to the haggis was dynamically presented by Steve Goldthorpe, with all wearing colourful kilts in varying tartans.

The haggis meal followed, with lemon chicken as an alternative and salads and desserts, prepared by the Scottish Country dancing community. Kaitaia Club chair Alex Duthie gave an amusing speech on Burns in the form of his immortal memory. A toast to the lassies was presented by Malcolm Black and the reply to the laddies by Alison Coates.

Wendy Ormond was a sparkling MC and entertainment was provided by Samantha Read (13), who danced the traditional highland dance of Seann Triubhas Willichan with precision footwork. Alison played some Scottish songs and the Scottish Country dancers showed residents a reel, Toast to the Mousies and a Strathspey dance, City of Belfast.

The evening ended with Auld Lang Syne.

Scottish country dancing restarts on February 7 in Warkworth Shoesmith Hall, from 10am-midday.

Evening dancing restarts in the old Masonic Hall on March 3, and is held every Monday, from 3pm-7pm.

There are also classes in Kaiwaka Hall on Wednesdays, from 10am-midday, from February 14 onwards.
New dancers always welcome.

Info: Elaine on 027 432 0032.

Contributed