News

Burns Night goes with a bang at Ironside Walk

27/01/2010

Burns Night was celebrated in style this year at Ironside Walk sheltered housing scheme in Manningtree, Essex.

The evening was organised by Ironside Walk resident Mr Alfred Campbell-Smith. A former chef Mr Campbell Smith, despite being severely disabled, prepared all the food and made sure that the whole evening ran like clockwork.

On arrival, guests were treated to traditional Scottish music played on the bagpipes and served canapés of smoked salmon on oatcakes and ginger wine. The haggis was then welcomed to the feast and received with the customary toasting and Burns ode ‘Address to the haggis’, before being sliced open by a dirk, a Scottish dagger and served with neeps and tatties.

Mr Campbell Smith, who moved to Essex from Scotland in 1946 commented, “I am extremely proud of my Scottish heritage and wanted to celebrate Burn’s Night in the traditional way, bringing a little piece of Scotland to rural Essex. I am delighted that so many of my fellow residents, friends and family were able to join in with the festivities, we all had an excellent time and I am already looking forward to next year.”

Ironside Walk is owned by Colne Housing Society and is specifically for frail or elderly individuals who require a minimum of 4 hours personal care per week.