Senior Citizens Treat of December 10 2005 

Around 80 Brethren, wives and widows enjoyed an excellent meal in the Masonic Hall on Saturday 10 December at the Annual Senior Citizens Treat. Prominent among those present was Bro Andy Simpson PM who was Master of the Lodge in 1945 - 60 years ago. Following the meal the Senior Citizens, who could, enjoyed dancing to our usual band who played mainly slow dances but included a FiftyFirst which required a fair recovery time. Many old acquaintances were renewed and there was plenty of news to share.

As usual the Senior Citizens were waited on by the lodge office bearers and some PMs who performed admirably so that all present were well fed and watered. Later on Santa Claus made an appearance to the singing of Jingle Bells and gave all present ten pounds plus chocolates for the ladies and a cigar for the gentlemen. All of these were gratefully received. After Auld Lang Syne and the Queen everyone made their way home with a happy christmassy glow in their hearts.

Christmas Dance of December 17 2005 

The Masonic Hall was well-filled for the lodge's Annual Christmas Dance. The music was supplied by Persuasion who played popular tunes and songs for the dancing although their instrumentals were a wee bit loud for our small acoustically perfect hall. Everyone had a great time and was soon in the festive mood.

When the band had a break we were force-fed some of the infamous steak pies which slowed the dancing down in the second half. The office bearers also drew a very successful raffle where almost all the prizes went to the wrong side of the hall - the one the ticket sellers were sitting at. The RWM welcomed everyone and hoped they had a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. The dance ended with the singing of the National Anthem and the brethren and their wives and partners went home tired but happy having enjoyed the festive spirit and any others spirits they could get their hands on.

One of the more inebriated PMs, assisted by an equally inebriated brother managed to go home with another brother's jacket. A successful exchange was negotiated next day and the incident reached a happy conclusion with no harm done.

Annual Burns Supper of February 10 2006 

The Masonic Hall was full for the celebration of Burns life and works. The RWM welcomed the large turnout and hoped they had an enjoyable evening.

The piping in of the haggis and the subsequent toast  as well as the Selkirk Grace were performed expertly. The meal was first class with tasty hearty soup, excellent haggis neaps and tatties, a good helping of steak pie and finished off with oatcakes and cheese. The service was very efficient considering how full the hall was.

After the loyal toast and "Rantin' Rovin' Robin" the Immortal Memory was given followed by the lament. The immortal memory contained many facts about Burn's life  but seemed to lack a theme. After another Burns song the company were entertained by an excellent rendition of Holy Willie's Prayer which is one of Burn's most humorous works. We were then treated to the toast tae the Lassies which was heavily joke laden and enjoyed greatly by the audience.

The second half started with "Tam the Bunnet", a modern rewrite of "Tam o' Shanter" which put Tam on a bike rather than a horse and updated Burns' humour thopugh it lacked many of the finer points of the original. Again it was well received by the audience.

The toast to the Lodge, followed by a reply and a toast to Our Guests and reply interspersed with more Burns songs brought the Supper to the final songs  - The Star o' Rabbie Burns and Auld Lang Syne. The RWM made his closing remarks and the brethren and their visitors slowly made their way home well-toasted after consuming much strong drink and looking forward to next year's supper after another most enjoyable evening.

Photo of Speakers -for a full-sized view click on thumbnail. 

Programme - for a full-sized view click on thumbnail. 

 Please contact Bro Nicoll Ross P.M. by email with your comments on this web site or for further information about Lodge Robert King Stewart No 919.