Tuesday 25th January 1881
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“On the evening of the ever-memorable 25th January 1881, there assembled in responses to the very short invitation given, a Company of 23 gentlemen. The Chair was occupied by Mr James Pearson (Snr.), Ravelrig. He presided with his accustomed dignity and joviality of manner, and by the charm of his great sociability, contributed in no small degree to the hilarity and harmony of the evening. He also entertained the Company with his favourite song, (later to become known as “The Balerno Song” and sung at all future Annual Suppers)
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There lives a lass by yonder burn,
that jinks aboot the seggan,
An’ aft’ she gied her sheep a turn,
To feed among the bracken,
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Could I believe, She’d woo’ wi’ me,
An’ tak’ me for her laddie,
I’d oftimes slip oot ower the lea,
an’ row her in my plaidie.
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Chorus
I maun awa, I canna’ stay
Should a’ gang tapselteerie,
Tho’ bogles meet me in the way
This nicht I’ll see my dearie.
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Mr James Fairbairn Snr, Joiner, filled the position of Croupier. The health of the ‘Queen and Royal Family’ having been right loyally drunk by the Company, the Chairman, in his ever pithy style, then called upon those assembled to drink to the ‘Honoured Memory of Robert Burns.’ Various songs were sung throughout the evening and, when the hour of eleven struck, each one felt the golden hours had swiftly flown. Then, grasping hand in hand, the Company sang with feelings of kindliest sympathy, Auld Lang Syne.’ So ended the first celebration.”
Office Bearers
President – James Pearson Snr.
Secretary – John Fairbairn Treasurer – James Craik
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Wednesday 25th January 1882
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Chairman
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Croupier
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Toast : The Queen & the Royal Family
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Toast : The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns
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Toast : The Health of Absent Friends; especially James Pearson Snr.
the proposer of this Toast was not Recorded
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Songs & Recitations
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“Scots Wha Hae”
The Company
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“A Man’s a Man for a’ That”
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“Rantin, Rovin Robin [There was a Lad]”
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“Thereafter the evening was spent with Toast and Song from various Members.
The Toast “Health of the Absent Friends”, especially Mr Pearson, was drunk with great kindliness,
and a most successful Meeting was then concluded by the Company joining hands and singing “Auld Lang Syne”
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Office Bearers
President – George Y. Robertson
Secretary – John Fairbairn Treasurer – James Craik
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Thursday 25th January 1883
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Chairman
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Croupiers for the Horseshoe Table
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Selkirk Grace
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“The Company thoroughly enjoyed the Haggis and other good things provided.
The cloth being removed and glasses filled, the following programme was carried through”
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Toast : The Queen & the Royal Family
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Toast : The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns
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Toast : Those who are Present for the First Time
Reply
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Toast : Success to Agriculture of the District
Reply
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Toast : The Commercial Interests of the District
Reply
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Toast : Architecture
Reply
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Toast : The Lasses
Reply
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Toast : Success to the Balerno Burns Club
Reply
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Toast : The Landlord and the Landlady of the House
Reply
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Songs & Recitations
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“Scots Wha Hae”
The Company
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“A Man’s a Man for a’ That”
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“Willie Brew’d a Peck o’ Maut”
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“O Mellow and Merry we’re a”
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“Corn Riggs”
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“Address to a Haggis”
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“Tibbie Dunbar”
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“A Wee Drappie O”
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“Ewie wi the Crooked Horn”
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“Green Grow the Rashes O”
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“John Anderson, my Jo”
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“Auld Lang Syne”
Company
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Office Bearers
President – George Y. Robertson
Secretary – John Fairbairn Treasurer – James Craik
Committee
The Office Bearers along with
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Friday 25th January 1884
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Chairman
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Croupier
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Selkirk Grace
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Toast : The Queen & the Royal Family
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Toast : The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns
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Toast : Agriculture
Reply
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Toast : The Commercial Interests of the District
Reply
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Toast : The Lasses
Reply
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Toast : Absent Members
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Toast : Success to the Balerno Burns Club
Reply
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Toast : The Landlord and the Landlady of the House
Reply
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Songs & Recitations
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“Rantin, Rovin Robin [There was a Lad]”
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“A Man’s a Man for a’ That”
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“The Silver Tassie”
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“Ewie wi the Crooked Horn”
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“Of a’ the Airts the Wind can Blow”
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“Scots Wha Hae”
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“The Weary Pund o’ Tow”
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“Green Grow the Rashes O”
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“Corn Riggs”
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“The Lea Rig”
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“Address to a Haggis”
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“The Banks o Doon”
The Company
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“Willie Brew’d a Peck o’ Maut”
The Company
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“Auld Lang Syne”
The Company
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Office Bearers
President – George Y. Robertson
Secretary – John Fairbairn Treasurer – James Craik
Committee
The Office Bearers along with
James Wales, Peter Henderson, William Garlick, William Waterston, David B. Fairbairn & James Raeburn
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Friday 23rd January 1885
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Chairman
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Croupier
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Toast : The Queen & the Royal Family
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Toast : The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns
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Toast : Agriculture
Reply
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Toast : The Commercial Interests of the District
Reply
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Toast : The Lasses
Reply
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Toast : Success to the Balerno Burns Club
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Toast : The Landlord and the Landlady of the House
Reply
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Songs & Recitations
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“Rantin, Rovin Robin [There was a Lad]”
–
“A Man’s a Man for a’ That”
–
“Of a’ the Airts the Wind can Blow”
–
“Address to a Haggis”
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“The Banks o’ Doon”
The Company
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“Green Grow the Rashes O”
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“Ewie wi the Crooked Horn”
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“A Wee Drappie O”
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“The Lea Rig”
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“Willie Brew’d a Peck o’ Maut”
The Company
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Other Songs
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Other Recitatations
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“Auld Lang Syne”
The Company
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Office Bearers
President – David B. Fairbairn
Secretary – John Fairbairn Treasurer – James Craik
Committee
The Office Bearers together along with
James Wales, Peter Henderson, William Garlick, William Waterston, David B. Fairbairn, & James Raeburn
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