MORE than 80 brethren and friends attended Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No XII Burns Club’s annual celebration of the life and work of Robert Burns.

It was chaired by Right Worshipful Master (RWM) Bro James P Livingstone, club president.

The Immortal Memory was proposed by Bro Bobby Shaw, Past Master (PM) of The Bridgeton and Glasgow Shamrock and Thistle Lodge No 275, PM Lodge The Prince’s No 607 and currently Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Substitute (Glasgow).

Bobby is a past president of Bridgeton Burns Club and the Thistle Burns Club.

The Toast to the Lasses was proposed by Bro Martin Cassidy, Immediate Past Master Lodge Craigends No 1042, president of the Glasgow Haggis Club and the Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs, and a past president of Alloway Burns Club.

Lodge No XII invites Inverclyde’s Provost to the annual Burns Supper.

Provost Drew McKenzie reflected on the antiquity of the lodge – instituted in 1728 and Inverclyde’s oldest organisation - its place in the social fabric of the district and its ongoing support for good causes through charitable works.

The Rev Jonathan Fleming said Grace and Bro Colin Reddy addressed the Haggis and recited To a Mouse.

Also participating were singer PM Bro Alan Beck and piper PM Bro Iain White.

As usual, the Burns Supper boosted funds for No XII’s Charity Drive. More than £4,000 was raised from donations, raffles and an auction.

Provost McKenzie chose Ardgowan Hospice for his nominated charity this year and the lodge’s general committee decided Children in Poverty Inverclyde would also benefit again. There will be donations to other local charities.

Pictured are, back row from left: Bro Colin Reddy, RWM Bro John McKenzie (President of St John’s Burns Club), Rev Jonathan Fleming, Bro Bert Hill (RWM Lodge Doric Kilwinning No 68), and PM Bro Iain White.

Front row: Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master (Renfrewshire West) Bro John W Black, Bro Bobby Shaw, RWM James P Livingstone, Bro Martin Cassidy and Provost Drew McKenzie.