On the evening of Saturday 1st February, 2020, some 190 revellers attended the annual Burns Supper and Ceilidh at the Castle Green Hotel, Kendal. In a combined initiative led by W. Bro. Richard Cowie, W. Bro. Bob Erett and W. Bro. Brian Ferrington, members of Heversham Lodge No 8396 and Brigantes Lodge No 9734 collectively organised a spectacular night of fun, food and entertainment.
The event was honoured with the presence of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Bro. William J Bewley, his wife, Jennifer, and the High Sheriff of Cumbria, Mrs Marcia Reid-Fotheringham and her husband, Dr Jim Fotheringham.
As is the custom and in keeping with tradition, the haggis was duly piped into the dining room by Bro. Mike Ramsay, where “The Great Chieftain o’ the Puddin’-Race” was addressed in time-honoured fashion by W. Bro. Richard Cowie.
After dinner, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Bro. William J Bewley spoke, thanking all concerned for a successful evening.
Guests were then entertained by the musical duo, “Nostalgia”, Mike and Dyleth Langdon. This was followed by W. Bro. Richard Cowie and Bro. Mike Ramsay piping in the Laura Whistler Highland Dancers, with a selection called, “The Train Journey North”. Members of the Laura Whistler Dancers then proceeded to enthral the audience with a breath-taking display of Highland Dancing.
In a special tribute to the High Sheriff of Cumbria, Miss Laura Whistler danced to the tune, “Caledonia”, accompanied by Dyleth Langdon of “Nostalgia”. The dance had been specially commissioned and had been choreographed by Laura herself. This was also the first time that it had been performed by her public and was named “The Marcia Reid-Fotheringham Lilt”. It took the High Sheriff completely by surprise and the delight on her face was a pleasure to see.
On completion of this first session of highland dancing, the Tartan Raffle took place raising a creditable sum for the Provincial Grand Master’s chosen charity ‘Lifelites’ and our own individual Lodge charities.
The band, “Northern Frisk”, then took over the entertainment, providing ceilidh music for dancing. This was followed by a second session of highland dancing, including a young member of the Laura Whistler dance group performing the classic sword dance. It looked quite dangerous, but she escaped unscathed.
Another session of ceilidh dancing under the direction of “Northern Frisk” saw the evening drawing to a close. It is probably invidious to compare the quality of these functions, but this one must be up there with the best of them. The next one will take place at the Castle Green Hotel on Saturday 23rd January 2021. If the trend of the last few years is a good indication, it will be necessary to book as soon as the event is publicised so as to avoid disappointment.
W. Bro. Bob Erett PPrGSwdB
Brigantes Lodge No 9734
