Shropshire Star

Spirit of Scotland celebrated in Shropshire Burns Night event

The spirit of the Highlands of Scotland will find its way to Shropshire during Burns Night celebrations tonight.

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Church Stretton Golf Club – which is based on the Shropshire Hills and is home to the third highest course in the country – will have a distinctly tartan feel for the night with a piper performing as kilt-clad members enjoy traditional Scottish food.

All of the traditions of the night will be observed, starting with the Parade of the Haggis, which involves the chef carrying the haggis to the chairman of the table, accompanied by the piper. Auld Land Syne will also be sung.

Club captain Richard Pepper said: "I've taken advice from different people and it will be a proper Burns Night. We will pipe the haggis in and say the Falkirk Grace, and afterwards I will do an address to the immortal memory of Robert Burns.

Roland Johnson, a Scottish 30-year member of the club, will have the honour of carrying out another tradition, reading the Robert Burns poem "Address to a Haggis".

He said: "It's a special poem which celebrates the haggis and what a wonderful meal it is.

"I'm delighted. I've tried in the past to generate interest for a Burns Night event but this is the first time it has actually happened."

The event will take place the day before Burns Night, which commemorates the birthday of the celebrated Scottish poet on January 25.

It is the first time the club have held a Burns Night event and members have responded enthusiastically, with 60 due to attend the sold-out celebration.

Mr Pepper said: "There aren't that many Scots in our club, but the evening has really piqued members' interest."

"It's the first time ever I've put a kilt on. It's quite comfortable but a bit cold.

"There will be one or two Scots there wearing traditional dress but I expect the rest will stick with trousers and just have a bit of tartan."

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