Friends of Kippen Kirk Trust, FKKT, again hosted the biennial Burns Supper in the Village Hall in January, when nearly 100 people turned out on a cold night for a warm evening of Burns.
Sir Michael Hirst, the chair of FKKT, presided and the evening was rated a great success. Prior to an excellent meal provided by Skinners with tablet by Val Beaton, the Rev Ellen Larson Davidson of Kippen Kirk recited – word perfect – the Selkirk Grace. Then the Haggis was piped in by Kippen student, Douglas Graham, and expertly addressed by Paul Carey of Killearn. George Eastcroft, President of Blane Valley Burns Club, proposed the Immortal Memory. George has been a Burns enthusiast for over 30 years, and his very knowledgeable speech was well received.
Locals were very much to the fore in the subsequent speeches. Grant Coubrough gave a witty Toast to the Lassies, to which Aileen Green replied, partly in song. Grant’s wife Kath McKellar Ferguson arranged the musical part of the evening, with three outstanding young performers: Balmaha’s Eva Macfarlane (Mezzo Soprano) and Connor James Smith (Tenor) being joined by young Ossian Green on the fiddle. Douglas Graham piped again during the interval.
Everyone agreed that Paul Carey’s Tam O’Shanter set a new standard in entertainment. Complete with props, and his mock horse, Paul deserved the huge applause when he finished his outstanding recitation.
Bobby Wilson brought the evening to a close with his usual humorous Vote of Thanks, followed by the whole company singing Auld Lang Syne.
FKKT would like to thank local people for once again supporting this Burns Supper, and hope to hold the next in January 2019!
Michael Hirst
The Wee Vine 