Clan MacLeod Society
Events for 2018
28th Annual Robbie Burns Dinner (at mid-day)
January 28 2018
Three generations keeping Robbie Burns' memory alive in Richmond
The MacLeod family, from grandfather to granddaughter, is doing its best to mark the birthday of the famous Scots poet
Just like every other year, MacLeod will be centre stage at the
annual, Clan MacLeod Society Robbie Burns Dinner, making the traditional
speeches of the opening Address to the Haggis and The Immortal Memory
to mark the birth of Scotland’s world famous poet.
But for the first time, on Sunday, Jan. 28 at Richmond Curling Club,
he will be joined in the order of proceedings by his daughter, Melanie
Bolton, 40, and granddaughter Tayler, 11, who will be doing a joint
version of The Response to the Toast to the Lassies, a more off-the-cuff
speech, usually at the end of the event.
Suffice to say, MacLeod will be a very proud father and grandfather on Sunday afternoon.
“This is the first time they’ve taken this role and, obviously, the
first time we’ve all done it together, so it will be pretty special,”
said MacLeod, director of the local Clan MacLeod society and the
organization’s former, national president.
“It’s great to see younger people trying to keep the tradition
going, but when they’re your family and are across three generations,
it’s extra special. It gives me immense pride.”
For the uninitiated, Burns, an 18th century
taxman-turned-poet, is one of Scotland’s most famous exports, most
notably in global circles as the author of the New Year’s song Auld Lang
Syne.
The only non-religious figures with more statues erected around the
globe than Burns are Queen Victoria and Christopher Columbus.
And the work of Burns has influenced many a great human being, such
as musician Bob Dylan, U.S. president Abraham Lincoln and author John
Steinbeck.
Burns short, but colourful, 37 years of life on the planet are
remembered around the world on or about Jan. 25, with Burns “Suppers,”
“Dinners” or “Nights,” usually accompanied by recitals of Burns’ poetry,
a ceremonial haggis (traditional Scots dish), highland dancing and the
aforementioned addresses, such as the ones being performed by the
MacLeods.
MacLeod – who is fifth-generation Canadian, but considers his
heritage as “Highland Scottish – has twice attended the Clan MacLeod's
world gathering on the Isle of Skye, held every four years, and his
proud of his deep Gaelic and Cape Breton roots, although his Scottish
parents met in Trinidad and Tobago.
He is, however, eager to encourage the younger generations to get
involved, with an apparent decline worldwide in membership among
Scottish historical organizations.
“All of the Scottish societies across Canada are having trouble getting people in,” said MacLeod.
“There has been resurgence in numbers off and on over the years,
such as in the 1980s, when the movie Highlander came out, followed by a
TV show of the same name. But it’s went down again.”
And the big question, do you eat haggis?
“No,” laughed MacLeod.
“For two reasons: It’s not regularly available and it’s not something my wife would usually be interested in.”
Alan Campbell
/ Richmond News
January 24, 2018 12:00 PM
Entertainment by The Stave Fall Scottish Dancers
This photo was in the local "Mission Record" newspaper last week of our Norm MacLeod. The picture was on the cover of the newspaper with the following heading.
"Mission Assistant Fire Chief Norm MacLeod delivers the "Address to the Haggis" during the 10th annual Robbie Burns Supper and Dance on Saturday. The event, hosted by the Mission chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society, was held at Chartwell Cedarbrooke (Seniors' Residence) in memory of the late Jimmy Logan, former president of the society."
The paper used only the right half of the picture, just of Norm without the piper on the newspaper cover. Note the picture courtesy of Bob Friesen of the "Mission Record."
More News Coverage for Clan MacLeod:
The Richmond News had a photographer at the first part of our Burns dinner on Sunday. We got a full page of coverage (page A29)!
Attached is a scan of that page.
Likewise, if any of you want a clearer digital cope of any of those pictures and you can't download them from the above link, I have the photographer's digital files and can forward the desired pictures to you.
Ian
Everyone enjoyed the toasts, especially all the information about Robbie Burns from Ian 
Everyone enjoyed the toasts, especially all the information about Robbie Burns from Ian 
