MEMBERS of the Gala Burns Club celebrated Robert Burns at the weekend with a wreath laying ceremony in the town.

Gathering at Lawyer’s Brae on Saturday (January 22), a group of club members came together to celebrate the Bard after their Burns’ Supper on Friday was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“COVID had taken the decision [to cancel] for us,” said Gala Burns Club president Bruce Robertson.

And at the wreath laying ceremony members were treated to a poetry recitation by 11-year-old Nicole Dalgleish and piping from Angus Campbell who won the Robert Burns World Federation Cup in bagpiping in 2019.

Looking to the future, Mr Robertson says the club has plans to hold a social event for members later in the year.

He said: “We’re hoping to organise a social event in early April or May.

“Not a supper but a gathering.

“But it depends on the COVID situation.

“It’s on the books for the near future to get members back for a social evening to help keep Burns alive in Galashiels.”