A toast to Robbie and Johnnie

[webfact]

A toast to Robbie and Johnnie
By THE NATION

 

 

Scotch and Scottish heritage make a fine mix as the British Embassy pays homage to Robert Burns.

 

BANGKOK: -- SCOTCH FLOWED and kilts flew. The British Embassy and Johnnie Walker celebrated the world’s best-loved Scottish bard on Burns Night.

 

The alluring Celtic sound of bagpipes made for a perfect match with beautiful poetry at last week’s event hosted by Diageo Moet Hennessy (Thailand), local distributor of Johnnie Walker, in partnership with the embassy.

 

In remembrance of Scotland’s 18th-century national poet Robert Burns, the extravagant Burns Night dinner was held at the ambassador’s residence with His Excellency Brian Davidson presiding.

 

Born on January 25, 1759, Robbie Burns is Scotland’s best-known poet and his work is beloved around the globe. He wrote many poems and songs in English and in the dialect of Lowland Scotland – about love, the countryside, the life of working people and his love of the homeland. His best-known song is “Auld Lang Syne”, his most famous poem “Ode to a Haggis”.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/life/art_culture/30306015

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-02-10

[grollies]

Meanwhile the St. George's day event is being sponspored by John Smiths bitter.

 

A fish, chips & mushy pea supper will be provided.

 

National dress code is vest, shorts, flip-flops and tattoos. Guests will be encouraged to partake in Karoke to George Michael's greatest hits.

[Enoon]

 

"hosted by Diageo Moet Hennessy (Thailand)"

 

Moet Hennessy is 34% owned by Diageo:

 

"Diageo was formed in 1997 from the merger of Guinness and Grand Metropolitan. The creation was driven by the executives Anthony Greener and Philip Yea at Guinness plus George Bull and John McGrath of Grand Metropolitan."

 

Johnnie Walker was also drawn into the corporation in 1997 as it was owned by Guinness.

 

The birthplace of Johnnie Walker is Kilmarnock:

 

"Originally known as Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky, the Johnnie Walker brand is a legacy left by John "Johnnie" Walker after he started to sell whisky in his grocer's shop in Ayrshire, Scotland."

 

But:

 

"On 1 July 2009, Bryan Donaghey, Diageo Managing Director for Global Supply Scotland, announced that Diageo intended to cease production at the plant in Kilmarnock. Under a restructuring programme across Scotland, production would be moved from the brand's original home to Diageo plants in Leven, Fife, and Shieldhall, Glasgow.

 

News of the planned closure had widespread media attention and condemnation. Following the decision, a public campaign was waged to try to persuade Diageo to reverse this decision. However, on 9 September 2009 Diageo stated that they intended to press ahead with the move away from Kilmarnock and that the matter was "closed".

 

The Johnnie Walker plant, the largest employer in the town of Kilmarnock, closed its doors in March 2012."

 

The Corporate HQ of "Diageo" is in Park Royal, London, England.

 

How lovely to see them supporting  Scottish "Heritage" in Thailand:

 

"O would, or I had seen the day
That Treason thus could sell us,
My auld grey head had lien in clay,
Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace!
But pith and power, till my last hour,
I'll mak this declaration;
We're bought and sold for English gold-
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!"

 

"Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation",  Robert Burns, 1791

 

 

 

 

 

[Baerboxer]

4 hours ago, grollies said:

Meanwhile the St. George's day event is being sponspored by John Smiths bitter.

 

A fish, chips & mushy pea supper will be provided.

 

National dress code is vest, shorts, flip-flops and tattoos. Guests will be encouraged to partake in Karoke to George Michael's greatest hits.

 

Nice one! But sadly about sums it up.

 

Did all British expats receive an invite or notice about this? Mine must have got lost in the post 555!

 

Again we see the British Embassy catering to the select few. Nepotism, cronyism, influence through wealth - and then we grumble about other countries.

 

I doubt our new Ambassador, who we employ bothers to read TVF or concern himself with the plebs. Only those in business who "contribute". 

 

The one Ambassador we did have that tried to change this "old boy's club" of only the right class, was denounced as a Muslim Asian and hated by the click. 

 

What a shiteheap our country is becoming.

[chickenslegs]

14 hours ago, grollies said:

Meanwhile the St. George's day event is being sponspored by John Smiths bitter.

 

A fish, chips & mushy pea supper will be provided.

 

National dress code is vest, shorts, flip-flops and tattoos. Guests will be encouraged to partake in Karoke to George Michael's greatest hits.

Other than the karaoke, it sounds like a worthwhile event. JS bitter isn't great but it beats the pants off the usual tasteless lagers here. Fish, chips and mushy peas - cooked properly with good ingredients (cod, King Edward's spuds, beef dripping, malt vinegar) - can't be rivaled. 

 

Please let me have details of the venue. I'll be there in my tweed jacket, plus-fours, and green wellies.

[champers]

Burns night will be a thing of the past when Jockland clear off out of the UK. They will have to stump up for their own embassy and extend their famous generosity to all and sundry. Deep fried Mars bars and Tennants lager. Irn Bru for teetotalers.

[Ulic]

I don't see anyone wearing kilts in the picture but with the scotch flowing I am sure a

great time was had by all.