morganacademyfp

Good stuff Dave. I will be doing the Toast to a Haggis at the Shanghai Burns Supper next week again.

John Baxter Chairman the Harris FP Association attended our 10th anniversary lunch when I thanked him for the good wishes of his Association which he had earlier conveyed to me by letter. In my vote of thanks I acknowledged this and went on to offer a "pub quiz" question - what do the Harris FP Chairman and the Morgan FP Chairman have in common? Answer - They both married Morgan girls or rather they each married a Morgan girl. I then suggested that perhaps at one of our future events John might attend in his own right rather than as a "+1". On Monday evening I attended - wait for it - the Harris FP Association Burns' Supper as John's guest.
The evening was in the Invercarse Ballroom. John introduced the top table and when he introduced me there was, to his considerable embarrassment a spirited round of hissing and booing. John laid in about them, pointing out that when I had introduced him to our lunch guests he "was greeted with a warm round of applause and you treat him like that !!" Ouch, but then I knew we were so much better mannered. I did not realise it at the time but there were three ladies there who are also Morgan FPs, including Heather from the Committee. It was good to see them there and have a chance to chat with them
A very dramatic "Address to the Haggis" preceded the usual fare followed by the Immortal Memory, then a carefully crafted "Toast to the Lassies" from a retired local minister. The reply was by a local lawyer of the "fairer sex" ?? who rather rudely rubbished the reverend's toast so it was a pleasant change to listen to an outstanding rendition of Tam o' Shanter complete with props and audience participation; de'ils horns and trident, Tam's wife's battered hat and thick glasses, an array of murderous implements, a hangman's noose suddenly retrieved from inside his shirt and a hobby horse on which he galloped round the room to the accompaniment of two gents who had been provided with coconut shells and of course a "reaming swat" ever close to hand.
In between times there was a "musical interlude" comprising two wailing singers and a pianist, fortunately the acoustics in the ballroom are such that it was difficult for me to hear them. The evening was rounded of with the "Harris School Song". The song is dreadful and the singing worse. As if to rub salt into the wound they then managed to abuse "Auld Lang Syne" seemingly not knowing the words and without music. Perhaps this is churlish but it detracted from an otherwise very enjoyable evening and I am most grateful to John for inviting me to an event that has become legendary.

a carefully crafted "Toast to the Lassies" from a retired local minister. The reply was by a local lawyer of the "fairer sex" ?? who rather rudely rubbished the reverend's toast

I've seen this happen before. The problem usually lies with the organizer - s/he has failed to put the two 'toasters' in touch. In my experience as a Burns Supper organizer it is very important that the man who tasts the lasses and the woman who replies coordinate their presentations so that they complement one another rather than clash. It's likely that the female lawyer had no intention of trashing the minister's toast or being rude - the two of them simply did not coordinate their contributions! There's a lesson to be learned for the Harris Academy FP Association there!

Sorry David I dont think my last post got through. I was asking if Angus Robertson was at the Harris Burns Supper. He recently returned to Dundee from Shanghai and bought a house in Broughty Ferry. He was a great Burns Man in Shanghai and always did the Toast to a Haggis at the Chamber of Commerce Burns Supper here. I used to do the Immortal Memory but took over the Haggis from Gus when he left. A great guy even though a Harris FP!

Our Burns Supper is not till next Saturday because this year Burns Night coincided with th Chinese New Year and e3veryone is away for two weeks. The British Chamber therefore decided to have the Burns Supoper on feb 11th and because it was so close to 14th Feb wanted to combine it with a Valentines Day Dance!! They could not understand why I errupted but they finally relented so I will still be doing the Haggis!

On Tuesday 24 January I attended the Morgan Academy Burn's Supper. It was organised by the students, principally for the students, but with invited guests. The haggis, on a "groaning trencher" if ever I saw one was piped in by Ann Keith a mother of one of the students. Thereafter Piers Bowser, a teacher, addressed the Haggis brandishing a blade of considerable dimensions. As the blade struck through the stretched skin the entrails gushed in a cloud of escaping steam. I have not been to many Burns' Suppers but this is the first time the "Address to the Haggis" has so vibrantly come to life. School Chaplain Rev William McLaren offered the Selkirk Grace after which the company enjoyed the traditional meal of "Hamely Fare" effortlessly served by the students. This comprised a lovely Broth followed by Haggis, Neeps and Tatties rounded off with shortbread, tea/coffee and mints.
Stephen Shaw, the Rector gave a fascinating and informative "Immortal Memory", including a rendition of "Aye Fond Kiss" - a cappella, indeed. Another teacher David Thomson, recited "Willie Wastle" - a highly descriptive, not to say cruel, verbal cartoon of the wife of the said Willie. This was delivered with a full repertoire of dramatic actions reflecting the dear lady's varied afflictions and characteristics; sullen nature, single eye, loud tongue, facial deformity, her unique legs. Why not visit http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/tra ... /index.htm to find the full range of reasons why Willie might have stayed out late !! Incidentally that website shows just how amazingly prolific Burns was as a poet, there is a separate web-page for his other writings.
The junior drama group almost outshone the Harris performance when they enacted "Tam o' Shanter", making full use of the stage and the space between the tables, whilst one of their teachers, Diane Anderson recited it. A group of seven students then sang "Caledonia" - all right it wasn't Burns but it was beautifully sung, they provided their own accompaniment and it was in the spirit of the evening. Eight students under the guidance of David McLean then provided a demonstration of the Duke of Perth's Reel, a complicated series of manoeuvres carried out faultlessly. The whole company then enjoyed a number of Scottish dances with music provided by a Ceilidh Band led by another teacher, James Aitken. The highlights of the evening was the Head Boy, Connor McLeod's "Toast to the Lasses" followed by the Head girl Amy Patterson's reply, and that in verse no less.
I had taken as my guest a young Slovakian student who is over here doing a gap year voluntary work in our church in order that she might "broaden" her experience of Scotland. Seated between two of the aforementioned teachers she was guided through the various stages of the evening with explanations and translations (Scots to English not English to Slovak). She thoroughly enjoyed herself and very quickly picked up all the steps of the various dances.
Well done to all the students for such a well organised, smoothly run and varied evening. At the St Andrews Ceilidh the young men were sartorially elegant in their kilts etc whilst on Tuesday they showed they could be equally smart in their less formal wear. As for the young ladies, well, to borrow an expression of Burns, "Weel done Cutty Sark(s)"

It sounds fantastic David. The old school must be very proud of the performance. I would love to have been there. Although we have a great performance here every year it is nowhere as exciting as what you have described.

That sounds great, David. Going off at a tangent - we have a Slovakian teacher at the school. She has been "passed" as able to teach in Scotland but is currently working with us as pupil support. She won't ever go back to Slovakia - she has a Scottish partner and two little girls! She loves learning new Scottish words but also tells us customs from her homeland, eg an Easter tree.

Elaborate Sandra please?
Easter tree!

Sandra, is this the practice of hanging decorated eggs on trees?

You'll get wheeched if you stray off thread boys and girls

Just back from the school Burns Supper - performed by P7 boys and girls. It's always a great night, especially the play at the end, usually written by the Head teacher. This year it was the Broons at Braeheed - a take on Parents night with boys dressed up as female teachers complete with high heels and b**bs!! We tend to celebrate all aspects of Scottish cultural diversity although the traditional piping in of the haggis (by a former pupil), Selkirk Grace, toast to the lassies in P7 etc are always included, as are Scottish country dancing and recitations of Burns poems. I particularly enjoy seeing the kids I taught in P1 - it's great to see how they have matured into confident individuals, successful learners, responsible citizens and effective contributors. (And if that doesn't get a response from the demon wheecher I'll be very surprised!! I don't expect her to wheech it - it IS on theme. It's just ...........!) Easter tree - see irrelevant banter.

Well done sandra.I am glad to hear that the youngsters are still being encouraged to hold Burns nights. I first joined the Burns Federation when I was 12 and won the Burns Federation Prize for Scottish Literature at Rocky Primary. I have celebrated Burns Night in one way or another every year since.With the stories of the degeneration of the youth at home I aaaaam encouraged to hear about your school efforts. Weel done cutty sark!!