Burns Night at Wickmeads care home

The residents at Wickmeads held their own Burns Night Celebration. The day began with Lucam, the Head Chef, crafting a menu that featured fresh haggis, tatties, and neeps. Penny was particularly enthusiastic about the menu and eagerly anticipated the Scottish delicacy, remarking, “I haven’t had haggis in years so I am really looking forward to it.”

The event continued with an exploration into the history of Robert Burns, delving into his journey from farmer to poet and songwriter, culminating in his untimely young death. This segment included a virtual tour of the Robert Burns Museum and his birthplace, a farmhouse largely unchanged for centuries. Pat expressed her amazement, saying, she couldn’t believe how big the museum is and with so much to see.

The residents further learned about the origins of the Burns Night Supper, how it evolved from being celebrated on the anniversary of Robert Burns’ death to the now traditional January event marking his birth.

Maurice read about creating a traditional menu, and Stuart researched how to organize the perfect event. Later, they watched a video together on how to prepare the perfect meal, which included the address to a haggis accompanied by bagpipes.

Activities Lead Hudson, then re-enacted a traditional Burns Supper, starting with a poetry reading of “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose,” which many residents knew by heart. The music segment began with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” the traditional version written by Burns. Everyone joined in for “Donald Where’s Your Troosers” and followed it with a rendition of Rod Stewart’s “We Are Sailing.” The afternoon concluded with traditional Ceilidh dancing, with Nina commenting, “It is nice to watch but I couldn’t manage all that highland flinging these days, but back in my youth, now that is a different matter.”