January 2022 Meeting Report: Burns’ Night

Rabbie Burns Night by a marauding Sassenach

On a dreich and cold night, some 28 (soon to be) tortured souls of Scarborough 41 Club (including 3 Scarborough Tablers) gathered in the main hall of Scarborough TEC to celebrate the birth of some Scot known as the Ploughman Poet over 260 years ago. You may ask why? I would suggest that that is irrelevant, as long as we all have an excuse to have a jolly good night out, and what a good night it was!

Although most attendees appear to have noted the request for Black Tie, there were some who had obviously gone to the far reaches of their closet and found that their formal attire had mysteriously shrunk since they last wore it 10 years ago!

The night started with John White reciting the Selkirk Grace (which he had thoughtfully translated- I think), followed by the wail of a lone piper from the direction of the toilet block. A few seconds later the pipes started up and the Great Chieftain o’ the Puddin’ Race was led in around the tables. The Piper then ‘Addressed the Haggis’, before stabbing it in a heathen frenzy. The use of words such as Ragout and Fricassee in the address does raise a query whether Rabbie Burns was really French!

The meal was very good, comprising of Haggis Gateau, with asparagus wrapped in Parma ham, followed by Scottish Beef Stew with Dumplings, Edinburgh Cheesecake (made with oats), cheeseboard and coffee. An excellent testament to the students and staff at the TEC.

Tots of Tamnavulen (a single malt Speyside for the aficionados) were duly consumed and, after a callout and thanks to the students and staff, there being no significant business, the meeting dissipated around 10.15, with members disappearing into the fog , possibly never to be seen again?

Thanks to Dominic and John for their hard work in organising the event, it was almost like life had returned to some sense of normality.

Report and photographs by Simon Ward.