President of SI Cannock, Val Jones, is proud of her Scottish heritage and invited members and friends to celebrate this with her at a Burns Night, celebrated all over the world, showing the on-going influence of Rabbie Burns. The evening was well attended with everyone making a particular effort to support Val by wearing something tartan – whether clothing, a sash or a ribbon; some even managed to locate white heather or the purple thistle! The tables were decorated with tartan ribbons to continue the celebration.
President Val performed the Selkirk Grace and the “Address To The Haggis’ in true Scots style before everyone enjoyed a meal which included the choice of haggis, Scottish beef or Scottish salmon followed by traditional Scottish desserts, all prepared and served wonderfully by staff at the Barns Hotel.
After the meal President Val ensured that everyone could toast the Queen with ‘a wee dram o’ whisky’; she then invited Soroptimist Trish Mellor to read one of Rabbie Burns’ most famous poems “A Red, Red Rose”, a very romantic poem written by Burns in 1794, just two years before his death, one that epitomized how much he loved women and loved “being in love.”
President Val then gave a short presentation on ‘A Woman’s view of Rabbie Burns’ in which she focused on Rabbie the man and his complex relationship with women. Despite his many lovers he has been viewed by some as one of the early feminists in that he promoted the rights and intrinsic worth of women in his poetry and generally in society as he became an influential poet. He died when only 37 – in that short life he had 13 children: 9 of them with his wife.
President Val concluded the presentation with a scenario of what it might have been like if Rabbie Burns were alive today: probably not for him the boring position of Poet Laureate much more likely a Celebrity with lots of doting female fans!
Photos attached: l to r: Val Jones, President, SI Cannock & District, with club members and friends celebrating Burns Night