AROUND 170 guests gathered in Greenock Town Hall for the recent Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No XII Burns Supper.

This made it the largest Burns Supper in Inverclyde this year.

The evening was voted a great success and more than £4,000 was raised for the 2014 charities — Inverclyde Kidney Patients’ Association, Soldiers off the Street, Scotland, Marcus Humphrey House, The Little Sisters of the Poor and Children in Poverty Inverclyde.

RWM Bro Alan Beck nominated the first four charities, while the fifth was the choice of Provost Robert Moran. Bro Cllr David Wilson, Deputy Provost of Inverclyde, represented the Provost at the Burns Supper.

It was an evening filled with fun and laughter.

After the haggis had been piped in by Bro Alasdair Beaton, Immediate Past Master of Lodge The Gael No 609 and affiliate member of No XII, and addressed by RWM Bro Alan Beck, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire West, Bro James P Livingstone, led the brethren in grace.

RWM Bro Alan Beck proposed the Loyal Toast.

Bro Jack Glenny, PM of Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No XII, delivered an amusing and thought-provoking Immortal Memory and Bro Bobby Shaw, IPM of The Bridgeton and Glasgow Shamrock and Thistle Lodge No 275 in Glasgow, gave a funny and clever Toast to the Lassies.

There was an energetic recitation of “Tam o’ Shanter” by John Hutcheson, No 275, and Bro Sandy Reddy, HM No XII, recited “Kilcreggan” by the late Davie Bowie.

The accompanist for the evening was Craig Dunsmore. He was joined on trumpet by Jamie Stables and drums by Andy McAlees and RWM Bro Alan Beck sang.

Bro Ian Ross, PM No XII, was chairman for the night. Bro Bob Bain, IPM No XII, proposed a hearty Vote of Thanks.

The success of the fundraising was undoubtedly due to the persuasive powers of No XII’s auctioneer, Bro Paul Galbraith, and croupiers Bros James McGregor Sr and Alistair Glenny PM.

The Lodge was delighted with support given by other local organisations who were among the guests, particularly Greenock Golf Club, the Beacon, Greenock Wanderers RFC and Lodge Firth of Clyde Gourock No 626.

Numerous other lodges within and outwith the area were represented and many friends of No XII attended.

The company singing the Star of Rabbie Burns and Auld Lang Syne rounded off the evening.

Inverclyde’s oldest organisation — instituted in 1728 — will continue the charity drive with further activities throughout the year. Next year’s Burns Supper is already organised for Saturday 28 February 2015, when an even bigger event is planned.

The accompanying picture from the 2014 Burns Supper shows, back row from left: Bros John Hutcheson, Sandy Reddy, Iain White, Bob Bain and Alasdair Beaton (piper). Front: Bros Deputy Provost David Wilson, Ian M Ross, Bobby Shaw, Jack Glenny, RWM Alan Beck and RWPGM James Livingstone.