In January every year, Brasenose College celebrates the life and work of the famous 18th century Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Burns Night is a traditional annual celebration involving poetry, speeches and laughter. Burns was born in South Ayrshire on the 25th January 1759 to a poor Scottish farming family. From these humble beginnings he was to become the national poet of Scotland and today his work is celebrated worldwide, with toasts to his memory held every year around this time.
This year our evening began with a drinks reception in Chapel followed by a procession around Old Quad led by Cameron Montgomery (4th Year Medic) playing the bagpipes. The procession led the dinner guests to Hall. Once everyone was seated, the haggis was brought in to the sound of the pipes. Philip Baker (2nd Year Medic) performed the Selkirk Grace and the Address to a Haggis was performed by Markus Beeken (2nd Year English).
Everybody then enjoyed a delicious three course meal, beautifully prepared by the Brasenose Kitchens. The classic trio of haggis, neeps and tatties comprised the main course.
Once the meal was finished, the evening entertainment commenced. Rosie Duthie (1st Year Law) began with the Immortal Memory, a toast in memory of the eponymous Burns. Her eloquent and moving articulation of Burns' life and the way in which his work frames the delicate relationship between love and nature was received with great enthusiasm by the audience.
Rosie’s speech was followed by Toast to the Lassies and Reply from the Lassies, executed by Tobias Sims (2nd Year Classics) and Bethany Wise (2nd Year Law). The charming comedy duo provided witty addresses that were rewarded with fits of laughter from all that attended.
As always the entertainment was not complete without the ritual humiliation of the those sitting at the High Table, who were forced to read a verse each from “The Demon Drink” by William McGonagall, in the best Scottish accent they could muster.
Once the speeches had finished tables were pushed aside and the Oxford University Ceilidh Band introduced the dancing. After several hours of spinning and reeling to the live band the evening concluded with the gathered company singing a joyful rendition of Auld Lang Syne.
This evening was a perfect illustration of the warm sense of community enjoyed by Brasenose.
Words by Bethany Wise and photography by Lydia Hickman (2nd Year Psychologist)