Tynte Lodge Burns Night Dinner
Tynte Lodge have again staged and hosted their annual Burns’ Night dinner at the Masonic Centre in Bridgwater.
Fifty-seven members and friends enjoyed a splendid evening of Scottish tradition to celebrate the birthday of the nation’s Bard, Robert Burns (25th Jan) with, of course, the magnificent sound of the bagpipes and the consumption of haggis, neeps & tatties, along with a wee dram or two of Scottish wine.
The Lodge’s Master, Alan Chambers, welcomed everyone to their now annual event and wished everybody a grand evening of tradition, singing, fun and great food.
Brother Tony Saunter recited The Selkirk Grace, a short prayer traditionally given before supper is served: “Some hae meat an’ canna eat, and some wad eat that want it; but we hae meat and we can eat, sae let the Lord be thankit”. (Robert Burns: 25.1.1759 – 21.7.1796).
And of course, the organiser of this wonderful event, Brother Chris Marchmont gave his traditional ‘Address to a Haggis’ which captures the poet’s love of the dish. “His knife, see rustic labour dight and cut ye up wi’ ready slight”, as the poor haggis is ritually disembowelled.
This was quickly followed by the assembled company singing (mostly in tune) ‘Flower of Scotland’.
Brother Alan Chambers proposed a toast to the lassies in his usual tongue-in-cheek humorous form and Mrs Sue Chambers rose to the challenge with her equally tongue-in-cheek response.
The traditional Burns Night meal provided by the Lodge caterer (Martin Felstead of Greenway Farm) then followed and was heartily enjoyed by all.
Brother Tony Saunter organised a ‘heads and tails’ which raised £110 for their charities fund with Brother Andy Teal (Lodge of Perpetual Friendship) and Mrs Carol Kilburn each winning a bottle of whisky.
