Celebrating the Bard

‘The best laid schemes o’ mice and men Gang aft agley’ (wrong) – a famous line from Burns poem ‘To a Mouse.’ The next part is also a wee bit negative ‘An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain, For promis’d joy!

Thankfully, this was not the case when Shed members had an enjoyable evening at Gourock Park Bowling Club to celebrate Burns Day.

Inspired by Oor Dougie and the Social Team, there was much support from the membership, including Peter who played the bagpipes to pipe in the haggis. Ukulele members played and sang and kept up the spirit of the night. And not forgetting all those who organized and helped in the kitchen to produce the famous haggis, neeps and tatties!

Jim T can be seen looking very sincere as he offers the address to the haggis!

Address To A Haggis (1st verse) for our non-Scottish Shed members to try and figure out.

Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,

Great chieftain o’ the pudding-race!       

Aboon them a’ yet tak your place,         

Painch, tripe, or thairm:

Weel are ye wordy o’ a grace

As lang’s my arm.

 I managed to get quotes from a couple of our members. ‘I think it brought the community together’ said Gary M. even though, I am told, he was a bit confused about the whole traditional situation.

Sandy said ‘A good night of fun was had by all – I can only describe it as convivial.’  Anne L. gave praise for the good organization of the night together and, of course, the singalong.

All got up to end the night with the usual ‘Auld Lang Syne’ – full participation as they danced and sang to finish what was clearly a very successful evening.

This is what the SHED is all about. People getting together, having fun, leaving all their worries behind, if only for a few hours, and just enjoying life.

Meet, Make, Grow, Share: Shed members clearly enjoyed being there to continue supporting this 200-year-old tradition that brings folk together. Long may it continue.

Shed Ukulele players at Gourock Bowling Club: Burns Celebrations