Dear Caledonian,

It is again with the greatest pleasure that I, on behalf of your Committee, invite you and your guests to our Burns Supper 2003.

In last year’s invitation I expressed the hope that the presence of our new Patron would not be a unique occasion and I am delighted to inform you that our Patron,The Rt. Hon.The Earl of Caithness P.C., Lord Malcolm Sinclair, has confirmed that he will again be with us to celebrate this important Scottish event and highlight in the Society’s social calender.

As you can see from the above one of our long-standing members, Donald Watson, has offered to deliver the Immortal Memory and I am certain we can look forward to this with considerable pleasure. Another verbal tidbit to complement our special meal and add atmosphere to the occasion will be the presentation of one of Burns’ possibly most famous poems, Tam o’ Shanter, to be delivered by a new member, Mr. Peter Williams.Two additional excellent reasons for you to come along.

The Haggis has been ordered from our traditional source, McSween of Edinburgh and all the Good Spirits of Christmas and the Festive Season (and Customs!) willing, we shall again sit down to a noble and satisfying repast.

The subsidised admission cost for Members will be Kr. 500,-. Each ticket will be numbered and will represent the equivalent number in the Grand Draw for five prizes, which will take place while we are all still at table, enabling everybody to see the result. Tickets for Guests will be similarly numbered and will cost Kr. 650,-. An after-dinner raffle will also be held, in keeping with our regular meeting tradition. Gifts for the raffle will be most gratefully received at Eckbo.

It is again worth remembering that it is largely due to the generosity of the many Norwegian wines and spirits merchants, and not forgetting other important sponsors, that we will again be able to honour the Immortal Memory of the Bard in our accustomed manner. As is normal, there will be an after-dinner Bar, with the usual popular selection of drinks at very reasonable prices.

While it is very flattering that there are so many Guests who wish to attend our Burns Nights, and this is by no means to be discouraged, the evening should be a comfortable experience for all attending. It would therefore be much appreciated if Members limited the number of Guests to no more than one each.

PLEASE NOTE: Our Hon Chairman of the House Committee, Chris Maile, will not be available to take your reservations, so please contact the Hon Secretary Norman Henderson either by e-mail or at the telephone number listed here.

Your Committee looks forward to the pleasure of your company and to another most enjoyable and successful Gathering.

Yours Aye,