The Club held its Burns Supper on Friday 28 January at St Columba's Church, Pont Street, SW1. Forty members and guests attended. Mr James Fairbairn addressed the haggis with aplomb and spoke movingly about Burns before proposing the toast to the Immortal Memory. Danielle Meunier performed Burns songs unaccompanied and very beautifully. Following the supper, all joined in an energetic ceilidh with music and expert guidance provided by Mick Bailey and the Wraggle Taggle Band.

picture

Eighteen members visited Clarence House on Friday 24 September. It was a beautiful autumn day and the gardens were looking gorgeous. Clarence House is the official London residence of HRH The Prince of Wales and The Princes William and Harry. It was also the London home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother from 1953 until 2002.

The house has recently undergone extensive refurbishment and redecoration. The Club took advantage of the summer opening, which provides an opportunity for guided tours for visitors to five rooms on the ground floor where official engagements are undertaken and important guests are received.

The arrangement of the rooms and the grouping of their contents remain recognisably as they were in Queen Elizabeth's time, with much of Her Majesty's collection of works of art and furniture in their former positions. Members enjoyed a collection strong in twentieth-century British art, embracing important works by John Piper, Graham Sutherland, WS Sickert and Augustus John. Also on display were some superb examples of Fabergé, English porcelain and silver, particularly pieces relating to the Bowes-Lyon family.

Clarence House, which stands beside St James's Palace, was built between 1825 and 1827 to the designs of John Nash for Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence, who resided there as King William IV from 1830 until 1837. During its history, the house has been altered, reflecting the changes in occupancy over nearly two centuries.

On Saturday 26 June 2004, for the first time in its history, the General Council of the University of Edinburgh met in London. The Rector, Dr Tam Dalyell chaired the meeting, which was held at Birkbeck College. The President of the London Club carried the mace; the first time that this duty has been performed by a woman. Mr Malcolm Rifkind delivered an address to one hundred and twelve General Council members and their guests after lunch, also at Birkbeck.

There were two afternoon excursions, organised by the London Club. Twenty five people, including the Rector, went to the London Eye. Their visit was enhanced by being in a private capsule, with a commentator who spoke knowledgeably about the Eye itself and the principal sites that are visible on the flight. At the same time, a further twenty four people visited Somerset House and the Gilbert Collection. Ingrid Wallenborg, an art historian, gave the party most illuminating and interesting background to both attractions.

In the evening, Dr Tam Dalyell hosted a reception and dinner at the House of Commons for General Council and London Club members and their guests. During the course of the reception, which took place in the Strangers' Room, there was an opportunity to visit St Mary's Undercroft, also known as St Stephen's Chapel, situated underneath Westminster Hall. This was at the invitation of Dr Dalyell, who was on hand with fascinating historical detail about this beautiful fourteenth century gem. Dinner took place in the Churchill Room overlooking the Thames. Dr Dalyell gave an after-dinner speech that was by turns humourous, witty, serious and penetrating about his observations on the University and the House of Commons (he holds the title of 'Father of the House', as the MP with the longest unbroken service).

From start to finish, the day's proceedings took place in an ambience of good humour, warmth and friendship. At the same time, those present could not fail to be impressed by the vigorous health of the University as illustrated by the breadth of its achievements outlined by the Principal to the different audiences at points throughout the day.

Eight committee members and other Club members met at the Caledonian Club on 3 June for the Quarterly Dinner. This dinner takes place on the first Thursday of every third month (March, June, September and December). The cost is normally around £35 per head. All are welcome.

59 people attended the Annual Dinner at the Caledonian Club on 17 May. Among the guests were Officers of the London Clubs of the other ancient Scottish universities: Sarah Lawson, from the Glasgow Women’s Club, Sandy Nicol, from the Aberdeen Club and Ian Stafford from the St Andrew’s Club. The guest of honour was Professor Alexander McCall Smith, who delivered an interesting and entertaining address. This focused mainly on his fiction that has attracted a worldwide readership in the last few years. His series about the founder of The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency now appears in 29 languages. Professor McCall Smith is currently on leave from his post as Professor of Medical Law at the University so that he can devote his time to further writing. The sixth volume in the Botswana series awaits publication. His latest work is a ‘daily novel’ entitled 44 Scotland Street about an Edinburgh-based set of characters and it is running in The Scotsman over a six-month period. Professor McCall Smith kindly took questions from the audience at the end of the dinner and stayed on afterwards to sign copies of his books. It was a delightful evening, warm, friendly and illuminating.

pictures

10 members and guests visited the Royal Academy of Art, Burlington House on 22 February to see ‘Illuminating the Renaissance: The Triumph of Fleming Manuscript Painting in Europe’. This glorious exhibition brought together 140 of the most important and exquisite illuminated manuscripts produced in the workshops of Flanders between 1450 and 1550. Members had the great good fortune to be accompanied on their tour of the gallery by Anne Duggan, Professor of Mediaeval History at King’s College, London. Professor Duggan’s exposition of the social, historical and artistic context of these beautiful objects was a privilege and a delight.

The Edinburgh University Club of London Burns Supper took place on 30 January at St Columba’s Church, Pont Street. The Club welcomed a record 112 members and guests, including Carol Bulloch from the Development and Alumni Office and a number of Dundee alumni and members of the St Andrews University Club, London. Charlie Ward of Harrow School piped in the haggis in style. James Fairbairn addressed the haggis with spirit and panache. Malcolm McKeag delivered an entertaining and colourful Immortal Memory. Following an excellent meal provided by chef Kim Chapman and Heriot Catering, the company enjoyed a delightful performance of Burns songs. Robyn Kirk, accompanied by Alison Luz, sang ‘Bonnie Wee Thing’. They are both final year students at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Robert Harwood, from the Edinburgh MBA Alumni Association sang ‘A Man’s a Man for a’ That’ and they combined for ‘The White Cockade’. The audience then had their chance to join the musicians in the singing of ‘The Star of Robbie Burns’. Karl Szecowka toasted the guests and Philippa Stone of the St Andrews Club replied on their behalf. The formal proceedings over, the floor was cleared for ceilidh dancing to the Wraggle Taggle band led by Mick Bailey. As the last reel reached its satisfactory conclusion, the revellers made their way into the cold of a London night.

The last Quarterly Dinner took place on Thursday 4 December at the Caledonian Club. Eight members attended, including two who were there for the first time. This was, as usual, an opportunity for members to relax and enjoy an excellent dinner together. The Quarterly Dinner is proving to be a successful addition to the Club’s calendar of events.

Sixteen Club members and guests enjoyed a visit to see the musical ‘Anything Goes’ at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 11 December. The performance lived up to its reputation as a sparkling, elegant and joyful revival of the National Theatre's Olivier Award-winning production. This was preceded by dinner at Sarastro, which must be one of London’s most colourful and unusual restaurants.

June 2003 : Annual Dinner

The new Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy O'Shea was Guest Speaker at the Annual Dinner on 12 June. Professor O'Shea's theme was that in the 21st century, the spirit of enlightenment still guides the University of Edinburgh. He outlined an extremely impressive range of initiatives and research in medicine, informatics, the humanities and many other fields that bear testament to its work as among the best in the world. After the talk there was a lively discussion during which Professor O'Shea answered members' questions. It was particularly pleasing that he was able to spend time at the end of the evening getting to know members more informally. It was both an inspiring and convivial occasion.