The Rt Hon Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Frank Ross, held a very successful Burns Supper on 24 January 2020 when £22,800 was raised for his charity the OneCity Trust.
This was a wonderful evening under the command of Toastmaster, Philip Henderson, with an outstanding Address to the Haggis by Cameron Goodall, unsurpassed singing of Burns songs from Robyn Stapleton, an unforgettable Immortal Memory by Professor Joe Goldblatt and a wonderful Toast to the Lassies by Gordon Dewar with a beautifully crafted Reply by Shona McCarthy. The Deacon Convener Ian Robertson recited the Selkirk Grace and former Lord Provost Lesley Hinds offered a most apt Vote of Thanks. The Mayor of Dunedin, Aaron Hawkins, sent an entertaining video message from our sister city.
The Rt Hon Lord Provost of the city of Edinburgh, Frank Ross with Shona McCarthy CEO of Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society and Gordon Dewar CEO of Edinburgh Airport. Photo: Martin McAdam
This dinner raises money for the Lord Provost’s charity OneCity Trust established in 2003 and which aims for social inclusion in the city. There were donations in kind on the evening from Bentley Edinburgh, James Thomson owner of Prestonfield House Hotel and Gavin Strang of Lyon& Turnbull who conducted the live auction. Other benefactors include Travis Perkins Managed Services, Engie, CGI UK Ltd, The City of Edinburgh Council and Underbelly who made the charity their partner both in summer and winter 2019.
In 2019/20 the Trust made donations of £180,000 to organisations in the city including the North Edinburgh Arts Sharing Shelf and Pilmeny Development Project whose work was highlighted in videos created especially for the guests attending the dinner.
The Lord Provost has confirmed that between five and eleven grants will be possible to local charities in the coming months following the generosity of those who attended his Burns Supper.
And if you weren’t there this year, then make sure you get the hottest ticket in town next January! Email elaine@onecity.org.uk for details.
The Rt Hon Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Frank Ross with the Lady Provost welcome VIP guests for drinks before the 2020 Burns Supper. Photo: Martin McAdamThe Rt Hon Lord Provost Frank Ross with Toastmaster Philip Henderson. Photo: Martin McAdamFormer Lord Provost Lesley Hinds delivered the vote of thanks at the Lord Provost’s Burns Supper 2020 PHOTO Martin P McAdam
Shona McCarthy replied on behalf of the Lassies proving that humour is not restricted to those who take part at the Fringe! Lord Provost Burns Supper 2020. Photo: Martin McAdamRobyn Stapleton sang beautifully for guests at the Lord Provost Burns Supper 2020. Photo: Martin McAdamGuests were entranced by the singing of Roxy Stapleton at the Lord Provost Burns Supper 2020. Photo: Martin McAdamProfessor Joe Goldblatt offered an unforgettable Immortal Memory at the Lord Provost Burns Supper 2020. Photo: Martin McAdamJames Thomson of Prestonfield House Hotel with the Lord Provost at the Lord Provost Burns Supper 2020. Photo: Martin McAdamCameron Goodall making a heartfelt Toast to the Haggis at the Lord Provost Burns Supper 2020. Photo: Martin McAdamDeacon Convener Ian Robertson recites the Selkirk Grace at the Lord Provost Burns Supper 2020. Photo: Martin McAdamThe Lord Provost explaining the work of the charity to guests at the Lord Provost Burns Supper 2020. Photo: Martin McAdamLord Provost Frank Ross with Toastmaster Philip Henderson Lord Provost Burns Supper 2020. Photo: Martin McAdamThe Rt Hon Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Frank Ross with the Lady Provost welcome VIP guests for drinks before the 2020 Burns Supper. Photo: Martin McAdamThe Lord Provost with Chris Scott and Kenneth Purden of Bentley Edinburgh who provided transport for VIP guests Lord Provost Burns Supper 2020. Photo: Martin McAdamLord Provost Burns Supper 2020. Photo: Martin McAdamLord Provost Frank Ross with Shona McCarthy and Gordon Dewar Photo: Martin McAdamLord Provost Burns Supper 2020. Photo: Martin McAdamLord Provost Burns Supper 2020. Photo: Martin McAdam
Gavin Strang auctioneer whipped up some bids at the live auction at the Lord Provost’s Burns Supper 2020 PHOTO Martin P McAdam
