The Hallraisers
Amberley’s Burns Night
The Hallraisers held a Burns Supper held on 26 January, which saw Amberley’s Scots and Scots-at-heart gather to pay tribute to Robert Burns’ life and works, while raising funds to spruce up Amberley’s Church Hall.
The evening was crammed with iconic Scottishness: bagpipes, haggis, whisky, songs, poetry and pageantry - with the tartan and kilts swirling wildly during the ceilidh dancing which followed the dinner.
There were many highlights - starting with the skirl o’ the pipes, as Rory Costorphine, standing alone in the churchyard and silhouetted against the night sky, piped in the guests. Later – much to everyone’s delight - he re-appeared with his bagpipes to ceremoniously pipe in the haggis, borne aloft by Valerie Galbraith and accompanied by head chef Claire Bruce. There was high drama as Ian Galbraith addressed the Great Chieftain of the Pudding Race, plunging his dagger into the warm, reekin’, rich haggis, that was steaming on the table in front of him.
Guests then tucked in to a traditional meal of haggis, bashed neeps and champit tatties, washed down with several drams of whisky – even the haggis ‘gravy’ turned out to be neat whisky! There was also a delicious smoked mackerel starter and tasty cranachan for dessert, followed by – yes, you guessed it – more whisky.
The evening programme opened with Lilla Skinner’s beautiful rendition of Wild Mountain Thyme, accompanied by Richard Howell. Lord Bracadale (aka Lilla’s grandfather) followed, giving the Immortal Memory, which he interspersed with some VERY racy stories that the Scottish Bard would have loved. Matthew Bannister’s Address to the Lassies reminded us of the apprehension that fills an Englishman when surrounded by feisty Scots – and everyone’s eyes were on Suzie Coates, as she dazzled guests with her Response.
Jenny Robinson read a poem ‘written’ by Robert Burns (with a little help from Jenny’s late husband Richard) during a visit by Burns to Amberley, which was applauded wildly. Jeff Feakins gave a moving performance of A Man’s a Man for All That – reminding us of Burns’ belief in the worth of the ordinary man, whatever his race or nation.
The second half of the evening was a riotous ceilidh dancing session – which went with a real swing, thanks to the practice session the evening before - and no doubt to the copious drinking of whisky!
Best of all, the raffle fairies worked their magic by rewarding many of the volunteers. Lilla Skinner won the box of chocolates. Jacqui Feakins & Mandy Fay, who transformed the fading Church Hall into a glittering Scottish banqueting room, won the gardening hours and fragrance. Mary Leonard who made all the delicious starters and most of the desserts, won a luxury Scottish hamper and Don Gallagher, who was our exuberant MC, won the sloe gin. It was pleasing to see karma in practice – and also very pleasing to know that the raffle raised over £700!
The evening was a real team effort with over 30 people from the village helping with some aspect. Thank you to everyone who supported the Hallraisers so generously and made the evening such fun.
Sláinte Mhath!
The entrance of the haggis was piped in by bagpiper Rory Corstorphine
