When Jimmy Law gave “My love of Scotland” as the subject of his recent talk to Largs Probus Club, members assumed it would be a colourful photographic tour of his favourite places to visit, but no! He started with a reference to places he had stayed as the son of a Station Master on the railways and he certainly referred to various stops on his tour of Scotland, but this was merely an excuse to provide some hilarious anecdotes and poetry for a most entertaining talk. Wearing a chicken, a duck and cockerel headgear in turn, he recited a poem “A Hen’s a Hen for a’ that”, an amusing parody of Burns’ poem “A Man’s a Man For a’ That” by which an anonymous poet seems to admire the hen and her eggs instead of mankind.
He referenced his trips as a Scout, camping in various locations on the west coast, and to various local characters who worked on the railways, such as Joe Calderwood who welcomed travellers to Inverkip Station with the words “Inverkip, you lucky people”. Jimmy had light-hearted views on the use of the Lochgelly tawse, by which corporal punishment was meted out in Scottish schools from the 1880s until it was banned in 1986,reciting a poem on this piece of classroom control by Robin Cairns. Asking if members had heard of soap production on Barra. he replied to the doubtful looks with the comment “goodness, I thought everyone had heard of Barra soap”.
Jimmy’s recitations of works by Burns and W D Cocker were awesome, particularly his rendition of John Barleycorn with an English translation of the Scots included. Then he excelled with a rendition of the poem “McAllister Dances Before the King” by D M Mackenzie, said to have been a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
Bill Young in his vote of thanks commended Jimmy on providing a tour of Scotland in a fashion the Club could not have expected, bringing great memories back through his renditions and anecdotes.
Largs Probus Club will next meet on Wednesday 10th April at 10 am in the Willowbank Hotel for a talk on the Ardgowan Malt Distillery, then on 17th for a talk by Jim Walker on Treasure Trove and on 24th for John Mclean’s talk on Life of a Country Park Ranger.
Men over the age of 50 who are retired, or nearing retirement, can attend three meetings as a guest before deciding whether to become a Club member. Please use our Contact Form if you wish to attend as a guest, or to enquire about joining.