AS GOOD a reason as any for getting together with friends to share a meal is the celebration of a birthday.

Robert (or Rabbie) Burns was born on January 25, 1759 and it was he who immortalised that quintessential Scottish dish, the Haggis, in poetry.

This gives the chance all over the world to have a party for the great poet’s birthday at the end of January by celebrating the Haggis.

One of the local Burns’ Night dinners was held by the Rotary Club of Crediton at the Waie Inn, Zeal Monachorum attended by more than 100 people, members and guests.

The evening opened with everyone being welcomed by the MC Andrew White. As every year, Piper Ray Couch from Ilfracombe was playing the bagpipes as people entered the Waie and later, piped in the Haggis, carried on a platter and paraded around the tables.

The Selkirk Grace was said by Brenda Mitchell with her granddaughter Maddie Mitchell-Manns. Then came the Address to the Haggis by Rotarian Michael Boyle from Totnes.

The Haggis was carried in by Matt Goodman and Wilson and Brenda Mitchell’s grandson Adam Mitchell-Manns carried in the vegetarian Haggis.

The Rev Anthony Geering proposed the Immortal Memory, Peter Heal proposed the Toast to the Lasses and Mary Stephenson gave the Lasses Reply. The evening ended with the singing of Burns’ Auld Lang Syne.

Sue Read