A superb evening with Burns will help boost charity

Oct 22 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

A SPECIAL fundraising evening is set to take place in Bathgate next weekend.

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, an evening of his music and poems will take place at Bathgate’s Regal Theatre on Friday, October 23.

The event will see a range of Robert Burns aficionados performing some of the national bard’s most popular poems and songs.

Narrated by Jim Bowes, with a short introduction for each piece, the show will feature such local luminaries in the Burns’ world as Willie Kirk, Alan Devlin, Andy Welsh and popular duet White Satin.

The show, which will raise cash for the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association, is the brainchild of Armadale Bessie Burns Club and Fauldhouse and Crofthead Burns Club.

One of the highlights promises to be the songs performed by local Whitburn Academy School pupil Fionne McQue, who earlier won the song and best overall performer sections area final of the National Schools Competition.

Organiser Andy Welsh said: “During rehearsals Fionne sang the closing song, and her voice was stunning. We simply had to find another slot for such a huge talent, and as a result she will be closing both halves of the show.”

The concert takes place on Friday, October 23, at 7.30pm in the Bathgate Regal Theatre.

Tickets are £5 each (with all proceeds going directly to the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association) and are available from the box office on 01506 630085, or from Andy Welsh on 01501 732100.