St Andrew's, Dearnley

St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

Ray Milligan, one of St Andrew, Dearnley's church wardens, will play a key role in their Burns Night, which will be held in Church on Saturday night, 21 January.

As current president of the Rochdale and District Scottish Society there could be no more appropriate person than Ray to lead the traditional Burns Supper toasts and recitals, which begins with the Selkirk Grace, a short prayer to usher in the haggis to the accompaniment of a Scottish piper.

Ray, whose family roots are in Dumfries, will then recite the traditional address, "To A Haggis" before stabbing it open.

The recital ends with the haggis held aloft in triumph, after which glasses are raised to 'The Haggis' and the meal is served.

The meal, prepared by Lord's of Whitworth, will comprise of haggis with traditional neeps (swede and/or turnip) and tatties. Followed by roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with seasonal vegetables and potatoes; Ayrshire trifle with whisky, cream and oats; fresh raspberries and Scottish shortbread, tea or coffee, mints.

Doors open 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start and there will be music all night with use of a pay bar in the parish room.

Admission is strictly by ticket only, £20 a head, and these can be obtained from Ada, herself a proud Scot, on (01706) 536143 or (mobile) 07854 703426.

On Sunday, 15 January, we have our usual 9.30am Sung Eucharist, all welcome, when the parish rota is as follows:

Lay assistants, C Ashton, D Owen; readers, P Shrigley, J Mills; Intercessions, W Foote; sidespersons, P Paterson, D Knight; refreshments, Graham, Sandra, Ashley.

To hire our parish room for meeting or function please contact Janice Halstead on (mobile) 07936579256 or by email: janiceh45bls@gmail.com

We charge £15 for the first hour and £10 for each subsequent hour.