The St Andrew Society (Malta) recently held its Annual St Andrew’s Day Ball at the Corinthia Palace Hotel.

Two pipers Mario Farrugia and Charles Giacomotto were in attendance and it was Piper Farrugia who piped in the Top Table led by Helen McLachlan, president of the Society along with Prof. J.J. Cremona (Society patron), Chief High Justice Mr Degaetano and Mrs Degaetano and Ms L. Stanton (Deputy British High Commissioner).

Rev. D. McRoberts said grace and the company then sat to a sumptuous five-course dinner with fine wines sponsored by Delicata Winemakers.

The Great Chieftain was ably addressed by Mr J. Lejman who preceded the address by giving a short but witty definition of what Haggis really is. Post dinner toasts with glasses charged with Ballantines Scotch Whisky and Drambuie, supplied by Messrs Wands Ltd, followed. Toast to the President of the Republic of Malta was given by Ms Stanton, to The Queen by the Society patron and to Scotland by the Deputy High Commissioner once again. The toast to the guests was presented by Paul Tillbrook. In his reply, Pierre Stafrace was witty and eloquent and enjoyed the play on words that the Scots Idiom afforded him. Both speeches were suitably well received.

After Mrs McLachlan’s Vote of Thanks the evening was given over to dancing with music supplied by Johnny Gee.

The next event will be The Burns Supper on 25 January.