THE members of the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club held their Burns Supper at the Westlands Hotel recently.

Organised by John Kilby, the Bard was duly remembered and celebrated in song and verse, together with the traditional toast to the lassies and the associated response.

The chairman for the evening was Alastair Mackie, who presided with his usual wit and flair.

Piper William Adam from the Queen Victoria School piped in the haggis which had been specially prepared by Eve Isles McLeerey, the proprietor of the hotel.

Then Lawrie Orr had everyone's attention with his dramatic rendering of the traditional Address to a Haggis.

Following an excellent meal, Forbes Gould, president of Greenloaning Burns Club proposed the toast to the Immortal Memory, giving a memorable rendering of the Bard’s achievements, and drawing parallels between Burns' time and the present day.

In a highly attractive musical interlude, young performers from the Queen Victoria School provided entertainment with a number of Burns’ poems set to music and sung in Gaelic and Scots. Further musical delight was provided by the pupils with pieces on the harp and clarinet.

Stuart Brown proposed the Toast to the Lassies with some carefully chosen amusing stories. The response was given by Liz Balding, who had the assembled company rocking with laughter.

Sarah Aldred sang a beautiful Scottish ballad, calming everyone before the excitement of David Sibbald from Carse of Stirling Rotary Club performing Tam O' Shanter, complete with his own review of the year slotted nicely within the Bard’s work.

John Kilby thanked all the performers for a really wonderful evenings’ entertainment. This was fully endorsed by applause from the floor.

President Nick Rawlings thanked John for the excellent organization of the evening, and expressed his thanks to members and guests for making the evening such an enjoyable event.

The meeting of the Rotary Club on Thursday, February 2, will be held at the Westlands Hotel, Doune Road, at 6.00 for 6-30pm.

The speaker will be Bruce Gittings who will talk about the Gazetteer for Scotland. Visitors are always very welcome.

Anyone interested in attending should contact the club secretary Iain Fraser at secretary@dunblanerotary.org or by calling 01786 822751.

More information can be found on the club website: www.dunblanerotary.org.uk or the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/dunblanerotary