To mark the anniversary of scots poet, Robert Burns, Antiquary residents, visitors and care team members celebrated, in true scots style, an afternoon and evening of traditional Scottish culture, food, drink and entertainment on Friday 25th January.
Prior to their Burns Night celebrations, residents, and their care team, enjoyed hanging bunting and flags, creating Burns-themed art and poems to display around the home, and participating in a Scottish-themed quiz. Whether the residents were of Scottish nationality or not the impact of the themed activities was fantastic and got everyone talking about all sorts of memories from dance venues, past events they’d attended, favourite songs, relationships and schooldays, to name but a few, which was great to listen to. Everyone enjoyed recalling and reciting some well-known Burns poems as well as some ‘impromptu alternative verses’ that brought a fair few smiles and chuckles.
Invitations were extended to resident’s families and friends to join their loved ones for the supper and celebrations.
Friday’s Burn’s celebrations kicked off at 2.30pm with an energetic afternoon of dancing, and singing along, to ceilidh music and a variety of well-known songs provided by musician and singer, Paul McGregor.
Local piper, Calum Black, in full Scottish regalia, came along to ‘pipe in the haggis’, at 4.45pm, while Sheena, the home’s cook, donned her tartan sash and carried the haggis, aloft, to the dining room. Calum continued on a tour throughout the home for all to enjoy his wonderful pipe music.
Antiquary’s very own, 86 year young resident, Ian Berry, was delighted when asked to address the haggis and was word-perfect as he recited the full eight verses, resulting in a huge round of applause from his audience before everyone tucked in to a hearty meal of traditional haggis, neeps, and tatties. Ian, a Master of Ceremonies in his former years, recalls having addressed more than a few haggis, over many years, and was delighted to meet and greet fellow-burns-nighter, and piper, Calum. This is the second year that Ian has honoured us by addressing the haggis at Antiquary and we’re all very proud of him.
Sheena, the home’s cook, had also prepared a lovely steak pie, for those not so keen on haggis. The meal ended with trifle and a few more beverages of choice.
Arbroath Academy 3rd year students, Helena and Natasha, are currently on work-place experience at Antiquary Care Home and were ‘on-the-ball’; providing refreshments, assisting residents to get up and dance, and showing everyone how to have a great time. Well done girls.
After a most enjoyable supper, along with quite a few ‘tipples’ of choice, the diners retired to their respective lounges where they enjoyed some wonderfully traditional highland dancing from the girls from Linda Napier’s School of Dancing. Rebecca, one of the dancers, also regaled everyone with her expertise playing the fiddle. The dancers visited each of the home’s four lounges where they danced, and played music, much to the delight of residents, visitors and team members.
We love a reason for a get-together and having resident’s families and friends involved means a lot.
