“A guid Scottish nicht”

On Thursday 12^th February 2015 in the John Pollock Centre Ayr we had our Scottish celebration evening.  Our invited guests were our learners, their family and friends and Greg Cassidy, Arlene Trapp and Orsyla Dunn, our partners from Ayrshire College. We had the pleasure of having volunteers from the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.  Wilma Brown who is the secretary of the Ayr branch very kindly helped us with dancing routines for our ceilidh and David Ross the accordionist played traditional Scottish dancing music.  

Our evening started with Rhonda Leith our team leader who welcomed everyone.  Eileen Opiolka one of our ESOL tutors addressed the haggis.  Everyone enjoyed a “ guid” Scottish dinner of Scotch broth or cream of vegetable soup which was prepared by the chef at the John Pollock Centre.   Offerings of haggis neeps and tatties were also on the menu!

We also had the pleasure of listening to Bivas play Auld Lang Syne on the trombone and then later, we all got emotional when the young Kyle Academy pupil sang Caledonia.  Eileen’s learners also gave us a couple of versus of “ Yi cannae shuv  yer Granny aff a bus” 

The evening was a great success and everyone enjoyed themselves.  A big “Thank You” to our ESOL tutors Liza Donaldson, Eileen Opiolka, Irene Lamont and Susan Wilson for all their help.  Thanks to Wendy Kerr our admin guru who welcomed everyone and made sure they were all directed into the cafe area.

The evening proved to be a good example of collaborative partnership working to allow our international learners and their families feel part of the Scottish community.

To the next “nicht oot”                                                                

Ann