Whit a night – Oor Burns Dinner 2025

Saturday 1st of February 2025 - 160 or so members of the Chester Caledonian Association and guests attended our annual Burns Dinner at Chester racecourse, a special one dedicated to Dr Ian Gill, a mainstay of the Association for many years. The meal at the racecourse was superb (as always) and washed down with lashings of malt whisky.

Mr Dugie Gemmill was the MC and he also addressed the Haggis brilliantly.

Assembled company listening to Bruce Davies sing

Oor President Mr Mike Martin giein it Laldy

We had perhaps one of the Best every Immortal Memories from Past President Professor Sandy McLennan, in full force below.

Professor McLennan in full flow.

Niall Rowantree piped through the evening and his brother Donald recited Burns' epic poem "Tam O'Shanter". Donald has been performing this for some years now and he gets better every year

Donald getting ready for his "Tippeny" and "Usquabae"

Sheila Gill thanking the Association for the tribute and donation to Ellesmere Port and Neston Community Transport in Ian's memory. Stuart Gill proposed the toast to "The Land we Live in " and Gavin Gill read the Burns' poem "Epitaph on my own Friend".

And the biggest suprise, Sandra Davies jumped up and joined her husband Bruce to sing the duet Leezie Lindsay. She has a superb voice and together a superb rendition.

Sandra and Bruce on song together.

Finally, the great stalwart of Chester Caledonian Association Dr Paul Anderson MBE, the Tarland Fiddler was absolutely fantastic, as always.

Paul Anderson - the Tarland fiddler.