Jim Greig is definitely a good speaker, especially at a Burns Supper - his "Tam O'Shanter...". Actually I guess after 20 years I owe him an apology, not for what I said, but when I did it. I was asked to propose the Toast to the Lasses at Brampton OM Burns Night. This was a few weeks after we had moved into MQ from our house in Norfolk, not least because Mrs Wandero00 was pregnant. Also it was at the back corner of Sparrow Close that seemd to house a number of slightly "non-standard" families, like us with my 18 year-old from first marriage. However, she got a job at a local accountants (this was 1987!) so we turned up with a pregnant working wife with a company car - a red BMW. The odd feather around the place was slightly ruffled, and then a week before the dinner Mrs W had a letter from RAFH Ely (of blessed memory) through the GPO mail addressed not to "Mrs Wander00), wife of Sqn Ldr W", but just to "Wife of Sqn Ldr W." Now hackles were really raised - mine.
So with Jim Grieig, Command MO in the chair, the speech started with "For those of you who don't know me, I come from the part of MQ not know for attendance at flower arranging or Wives Club". I then went on to enquire rhetorically why we toasted the lasses, yet treated them like something unmentionable. I got a bit lighter hearted after getting that off my chest, and Jim, gentleman that he is, took it in good spirit. But I still feel a tadge guilty when I remember the night. However, I am not sure that the treatment of wives and families has got much better from what I read on PPrune. I have a feeling Jim ended his career as a 2* or 3*. Jim, if you read this "Sorry".