The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards

www.makersofplayingcards.co.uk

Thanksgiving Luncheon
October 12th 2021, Bakers Hall, City of London

Court & Livery Dinner
April 2018, Carpenters' Hall, City of London

Instalation Banquet
December 2017, The Mansion House, City of London

Burns Night Supper
January 2017, Cutlers' Hall, London

History of the Burns Supper

The first supper was held in memoriam at Burns Cottage by Robert Burns' friends on 21 July 1801, the fifth anniversary of his death, it has been a regular occurrence ever since. The first still extant Burns club was founded in Greenock in 1801 by merchants born in Ayrshire, some of whom had known Burns. They held the first Burns supper on what they thought was his birthday, 29 January 1802, but in 1803 they discovered in Ayr parish records that his date of birth was 25 January 1759. Since then, suppers have been held on or about 25 January.

Burns suppers may be formal or informal. Both typically include haggis (a traditional Scottish dish celebrated by Burns in Address to a Haggis), Scotch whisky, and the recitation of Burns' poetry. The Burns Supper is an institution of Scottish life; a night to celebrate the life and works of the national Bard. Suppers can range from an informal gathering of friends to a huge, formal dinner full of pomp and circumstance.