Celebrated Scottish Poet Robbie (Robert) Burns (1759-1796) will be honoured this Saturday, January 21, at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 164, during a fundraiser called Burns, Burger and Beer.
The event will be hosted by the Powell River Clansman Pipe Band, which wants to send 15 bagpipe players and drummers to the Highland Games in Victoria this coming May long weekend, and to Campbell River for a similar gathering in August.
With rising ferry and fuel costs, the band “hopes to raise at least $1,000 to cover travel costs and competition fees for all 15 members,” said pipe sergeant Ann Snow, a longtime bagpiper with the band. She is proud of the band’s 2022 third place finish (in its division) while competing at the Campbell River Highland Games in August of 2022.
For Snow, playing bagpipes “brings out feelings of joy from my soul.”
The bagpipers and drummers get together once a week to practice and offer free lessons to anyone who wants to learn, and they welcome new members as well.
“No need to be Scottish, we welcome anyone to join, young and old,” said Snow.
Clansman Pipe Band and drummers will be piping in the Robbie Burns guests at the Legion on Saturday at 6 pm, serving a very Scottish dish of haggis, and reading out works from the poet who penned Auld Lang Syne.”
Of course burgers and beer will also be served, too. Tickets can be bought at the Legion, 6811 Alexander Street.
