Author: Ed Johnson
Citizen Journalist

Robbie Burns would have been delighted.

Although no carousing was evident at the 10th annual Robbie Burns Supper – as the Bard is reputed to have enjoyed – the four hundred plus guests had no trouble imbibing the plentiful food and drink that this occasion is famous for.

As a fundraiser for The Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band, the January 19th event was held at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney – with the requisite piping of the haggis led by Pipe Major James W. Troy, before the clapping guests.

The Pipe Band is composed of active and retired police members of the Greater Victoria municipal police departments, as well as civilian players and instructors. Established in 2000, the band performs at many local events and was even featured in China at the Bejing International Tourism Festival in 2011.

Piper Jim Maxwell says, “This is probably the biggest event of its kind in Canada.  We have had over 450 paid guests each year running.” Highland dancer Rebecca Maxwell led the group in the closing chorus of the Burns classic Auld Lang Syne. It was noted in small print in the programme: “Please do not say ‘Zine’, the word is ‘Syne’ (pronounced sign). “