On Sunday I got the message that Matt Gilbert has passed away. I have known Matt for over 20 years, from the earliest day he came to the Clackmannan Stirling and West Perthsire Association of Burns Clubs as a representative of his Club, Dundas Burns Society, Grangemouth. Matt was a staunch Burnsian, very well read in Burns lore, and would quote facts of the Bards life, or works if the discussions came round. It was little surprise that Matt graduated to become President of the Association for a number of years. He did sterling work for his own Club and was always ready to assist those around him in their efforts, and particularly applied himself to furthering work in several schools around Falkirk and Grangemouth. He served the wider Burns movement, as a delegate to the Federation Executive for many years, sitting on the Heritage Committee. He held strong principles, I never knew him to waiver from these, one knew where Matt stood on an issue, always in the best interests of all Burnsians. Even after all his many years of service to the Executive, there will be those who did not know him very well. for he was a quiet self effacing character who certainly shunned the limelight, preferring to work effectively from the shadows, but who would appear with strength to offer his opinion when key issues were debated. These few thoughts are only the briefest of tribute that I pay for now, now doubt many will write fuller obituary in the next while. Matt will be sadly missed at the Federation, mourned by the area Association, and always fondly remembered by Dundas and other Clubs and the community of Grangemouth. Our sincerest condolences to his family at this time of great loss.
It has been a bleak time for the Burns movement as we have lost several great supporters this past while. Betty MacMillan, our generous supporter and patron from London sadly passed away in September. David Smith, one of Irvine's best known personalities, sadly no more. And recently Dumfries and all the Burns world mourns Donnie McCuaig. Sad times for us all.
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