The Saint Andrew’s Society of the Algarve duly held their Burns Supper at the Ponte Romana restaurant in Silves on Saturday 25 January. The Supper was a resounding success with 100 participants.
But it was also tinged with some sadness as this was the last event organised by the present committee, who have been doing so for almost 30 years.
Our usual bagpiper Malcolm MacGillivray came out of retirement for the last time, to get the evening off to a scintillating start by welcoming guests. Before the meal guests enjoyed a glass or two of bubbly, sponsored by Blevins Franks. The restaurant has welcomed us for this event for many years, and is now well practised in preparing and serving the traditional Macsween’s haggis, tatties and neeps. I addressed the haggis after it had been piped in by Malcolm, and a dram offered to him and the accompanying “kilties”.
Our final Burns Supper was blessed with three excellent speakers. The main speech was a reflective Immortal Memory by Mike Milliner - the teasing Toast to the Lassies was made by Chris Wells and Kate Stratton’s response on behalf of the lassies was also greatly enjoyed by all. Votes of thanks were made to all the outgoing committee members and to finally(!) retiring piper Malcolm MacGillivray. The assembled company then enjoyed lively and enthusiastic Scottish dancing, conducted ably by Mardie Cunningham who also made the superb Atholl Brose. The proceedings were brought to a close just after midnight with ‘Auld Lang Syne’.
The amber mead – or whisky – for the evening was also very kindly provided by Blevins Franks, whose support for the last few years was very much appreciated. But the success of the evening was due mainly to the work before and during the evening by Kathy Prentice. Our thanks also go to the number of “volunteers” who helped with the room decorations, and also with service during the evening.
It would be very sad indeed if the tradition of bringing folks together to mark the lives of Saint Andrew and Robert Burns – and to enjoy themselves in the process – were to end with the retirement of the present ageing committee. We very much hope to hear from younger members of the community out there who might like to step into our shoes to ensure that the tradition endures.
Doug McAdam - Chieftain
