After all the excitement of Christmas and the New Year festivities the end of January can be a rather bleak time with nothing to look forward to. However Age Concern Ross-on-Wye and District has organised two fund-raising events to suit all ages and bring a taste of the Highlands to Ross.

There will be a Burns Supper at the Ryefield Centre on Saturday, January 31st – 7 for 7.30 pm. Ticket prices are £8 for adults and £4 for children of 15 and under.

Local piper Alan Harrison will also be on hand to set the right note. Alan is well-known locally as he practises playing his bagpipes on the banks of the River Wye. He is also a familiar figure at Remembrance Sunday parades.

At the Burns Supper he will be piping in the haggis which he will then stab in time-honoured tradition. Burns Night on January 25th celebrates the birth of one of Scotland's greatest poets, Robert Burns and the evening involves eating traditional haggis, neeps and tatties and lots of fun. It also involves readings of Robbie Burn's' poetry in a convincing Scottish accent which Alan will lead when he recites the Robert Burns' poem 'Address to a Haggis'.

At the Larruperz Centre on Friday, January 23rd there is to be a 'Sit-down Ceildh and Burns Night in the Afternoon' starting at 3pm and ending at 4.30. Tickets are £3 and those bought at least the day before guarantee a taste of haggis, tatties and neeps. The event is open to all ages.

Tickets for both events are available from the Shop Mobility/Book-Swap Shop near the bus station in Cantilupe Road, the Age Concern Office next to Cornwalls Butcher in Broad Street, and the Larruperz Centre. To find out more or to book tickets by phone, please contact Age Concern on 01989 763887 between 9.30am – 12.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Full details including what happens at a Burns Supper, the menu, on-line booking etc are on the internet via this link – http://www.avrf23.dsl.pipex.com">www.avrf23.dsl.pipex.com.