Burns Night celebration

The event was held at Alexander's Function Suite at the Masonic Hall in St Leonards and was attended by Town Mayor Cllr Paul Lendon, accompanied by his father Ron.

The 66 guests, including members and friends, were greeted on arrival by the sound of the bagpipes played by Pipe Major Jess Taylor, while Jim Winter, President of the Society, was in the chair.

The dinner, which included the traditional haggis, was enthusiastically addressed by John Black who was MC for the evening.

After the meal, the Toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns was given by Brian Smith, while other toasts included The Toon We Bide In, proposed by Jim Winter and replied to by Cllr Lendon, and the traditional toast to 'The Lassies' proposed by Ken Ashmore, with a reply from Joan Winter.

The evening moved on with Scottish country dancing before ending with the traditional Auld Lang Syne.

Secretary Susan Neighbour, who has been a member for 10 years, commented: "Everybody thoroughly enjoyed it.

"The speeches were good but not too lengthy, and things went along with a certain speed. The meal was very good and well served, and then there was a short period of dancing at the end, so that everyone could join in. Jim Winter, who is a Scottish country dance teacher, led the dances and organised the music.

"We were all very happy and it ran very well."