Lauder Herds Supper Committee recently held their 75th anniversary supper in the Lauderdale Hotel on February 16, with an evening of fine food, exceptional speeches, and entertainment.

The event originally started in the back room of the Thistle Inn in Westruther where several local herds and farmers decided to have a small get together before the busy lambing period.

After a few years and due to the popularity of this initial night they decided to move the event and the supper is now held in the Lauderdale Hotel after moving there over 20 years ago.

This year’s evening started with local piper and Lauder Cornet Jake Mirley piping in the top table speakers, after the meal, representatives from Quadcare presented the top table speakers with engraved glasses to mark the 75th Anniversary.

It was then over to chairman David Haggart who got the evening up and running. As is always the case the first toast of the night is to the herds which fell to Derek Redpath who did this in an excellent humorous and subtle manner.

The reply came from Derek Bo Brown who gave another first-class response on his industries behalf leaving no stone unturned with a few added anecdotes for extra measure.

Mark Wylie was on hand to propose the toast to the farmers and certainly had the audience amused with stories and tales about various farmers and their way of life.

Farmer Findlay Smith had the task of replying to the previous speech on his counterpart’s behalf which he certainly did with an excellent account of his years in the industry even to the extent of remonstrating and taking to the table to display his earlier years competing as a clipper at the Royal Highland Show.

George Strang was the last of the top table speakers and gave the vote of thanks to all involved but mainly to good friend David Haggart who had chaired another excellent evening.

Guests were also entertained by local singer George Lothian throughout the evening.

Local auctioneer Iain Dick was the man on hand to wheedle the hard-earned pounds from the guests and done an excellent job, including raffling a shepherd’s crook provided by Gavin Hutchison. Additionally, a set of the anniversary glasses went for £300 along with various other items auctioned off.

A thank you was also given to Steven and Audrey McIntosh of Saltire Roofing and Building who donated two hospitality packages for Heart of Midlothian football club, one which went within their own workforce and a further one which was auctioned on the night raising an amazing total of £2050.

Lloyd Ltd of Kelso donated £250 along with Harrison and Hetherington Auctioneers who donated £150 combined as our top table sponsors.

Keith Robertson explained about the cancer support group that had been set up after last year’s £2000 donation to the sarcoma unit at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary following his surgery, Dougie Scott then explained that this year’s recipient of the donation would be the Macmillan Centre at the Borders General Hospital following his own cancer battle.

A further donation of £1000 was put forward from Craig Dickman of Southern Uplands Moorland Group adding to the total and the committee have been able to make a great donation of £4000 to the Macmillan Centre. Bringing the total donations to charity in the last 10 years to over £12000.

Planning for the 2025 supper will start again later in the year where the committee will once again aim to organise another memorable evening.