Robert Burn Federation Presidents Blog

At the Burns Club of Atlanta

2009-04-19T18:04:00.006+01:00

On January 25th 1896, a diverse group of business, professional and tradesmen founded the Burns Club of Atlanta, and they met in various premises around the city until around 1907 they resolved to build their own Club premises, and in pursuit of this they bought around 15 acres of land, some way out of town but yet accessible as it was right at the end of the trolley tracks. The next decision was somewhat inspirational, to construct their building as one of the finest memorial tributes to our Bard, a replica of the Poet's birthplace, the "auld clay biggin". An Architect in Scotland was hired to record exact dimensions of the Alloway cottage, and the Club raised the finance for the building by selling off half of the land as residential plots, with the land now divided by new streets, Alloway Place, crossed by Ayr Place at the top. There were certain adjustments made to suit the Club's needs and available materials and talent, this cottage is built in granite from the nearby Stone Mountain, and the barn and byre areas have been constructed as one large meeting room, but the building curves as the original, and the detailing is faithful, there was even a thatched roof but that has been replaced of late to comply with local Fire Marshals. The Atlanta Cottage was completed for the Poet's birthday in 1911, a fantastic achievement for the Club, and a testament to the enthusiasm that Burns works inspired in the USA at a time when the movement at home was only just beginning to muster real strength and restore the birthplace to its original condition as a place of pilgrimage for admirers.

The level of enthusiasm in Atlanta lives on; I have previously blogged on my visit in the afternoon to meet Victor Greig with his Kilmarnock edition, and my visit to Frank Shaw’s fantastic library with his Kilmarnock, now I want to give you an appreciation of my return to the cottage that evening. The Club meets in the cottage on the first Wednesday of every month throughout the year, (and on the poet’s birthday,) and at these monthly gatherings they have a programme of entertainment and an address from invited speakers. This being Wednesday 1st of April I was invited to be with the club and give them that short address on a topic of my choosing. The members start gathering around 5.30pm, as some go straight to the cottage from work, and the gathering commences with nibbles and soft drinks laid on, although many of the members keep their favourite malt on the premises for these gatherings. So the evening begins with a relaxed gathering and lot of informal chat. There is a meeting of the Club Board to catch any business matters, and prospective Members are interviewed. Several Members bring in plates of food to the gathering, and these are laid out in the library with a load of fried chicken and everybody enjoys an informal supper. The organisation of these programmes are the responsibility of the Vice-President, in this year Eddie Morgan, and he called the gathering to order, and asked for everyone to introduce themselves. Most attending are in familiar surroundings, introductions are often jocular, many slightly barbed against some group or someone and so there was a great deal of light banter as everyone took their turn introducing themselves and any guest. We started the more ordered programme with Burns a reading, carefully chosen by a nominated member, and then it was my turn. With perhaps more bravado than knowledge, I had offered as my topic “The American Influences of Robert Burns” and spoke for about twenty minutes on how perhaps in the 18th century the emerging independent and democratic states of America had influenced the political thinking and ambitions of Burns, and how in turn his works achieved wide appreciation and had influenced many great American figures, then the current ongoing enthusiasm and depth of scholarship that Americans contributed to the worldwide appreciation of our Bard.
There was a response on behalf of the Club, and there followed some very shrewd observations and questions, coming from a base of knowledge that demonstrated the wealth of understanding there is in this Club, evoking discussion and interest in where Burns and Scotland are in the current global picture. I am sure that among the clubs in North America the Burns Club of Atlanta is not alone in the views they hold and the understanding they exhibit in valuing the works and philosophies of Robert Burns. With enthusiasts of this calibre joining regularly in fellowship in the name of Robert Burns, we can be confident that in another 250 years the whole world will again join and celebrate a great anniversary.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Atlanta, it was only too brief, I am now looking for a reason to return for a longer visit among the many friends I have made there.

Southern Hospitality

2009-04-17T11:33:00.024+01:00

When I first planned my trip to USC, Frank Shaw suggested that I come a couple of days early and visit with him and the Burns Club of Atlanta before travelling to Columbia. I jumped at this invitation, because everyone knows Frank has an outstanding Burns library, and a great enthusiasm for the Bard.

Frank came to Burns relatively recently, his first love in literature is for Sir Walter Scott, and on entering his basement library I saw his massive Scott collection, then the bookcases of other Scottish literature with a substatintial array of Hugh MacDiarmid, on to general Scots interests with a bias towards his Clan background and history. American literature also grabs Frank and he has a fantastic collection by and about Ernest Hemmingway with some really rare items.

But there is a special room set aside for Robert Burns, and in here we find the treasures, in fact almost every treasure one could imagine that a Burns library would hold. The Kilmarnock Edition heads the printed works, and there are both Edinburgh variants, the 1787 piracies of Belfast and Dublin, 1787 London, and, of course, the first American editions of 1788 Philadelphia and New York.

All the great editions;- Johnson's Scot's Musical Museum, Thomson's Select Collection, Grose's Antiquities, and on to the early biographies, some in quite beautiful bindings, all in very good condition and lovingly cared for. Shelves full of the mass of Victorian writings and Burnsiana, and the most important works of Burns scholarship and comment kept at hand close to the desk, for Frank is not only a collector, he has become known as a prolific writer and speaker to Burns, St Andrew's, and Scot's gatherings over a wide area. His "Robert Burns Lives" pages on Electric Scotland www.electricscotland.com/familytree/frank/burns.htm are among the best read Burns pages on the web.

The enthusiasm for Burns and collecting runs on into a mass of ephemeral items, programmes from great dinners through the ages, hundreds of postcard's, several nice pieces of Mauchline Ware, various items of Burnsiana, many statuetes and busts, and here is another uniquie piece, a larger than life bronze bust stands high overlooking the room, specially commisioned from the artist Robert Lewis "Whisper" Frankel, it is surely a great testament to the love of Burns exhibited everywhere in this library.
Frank is the epitome of the Southern Gentleman. He and his wife Susan are among the finest people you could meet, they will be touring Scotland with their family in June, if anyone bumps into them please show them some of our hospitality. I will always remember the couple of days I was their guest in Atlanta and enjoyed their Southern Hospitality.

Man to Man the World O'er Shall Brothers Be.

2009-04-08T01:07:00.009+01:00

When I heard in 2000, that the Federation were to hold the 2001 conference in Atlanta, I got a map out to see if I could day-trip from the conference venue to the University of South Carolina to see the Ross Roy Collection, which I had often dreamed of visiting. I figured this was not practicable so dropped plans for the conference. When I found out a few weeks before the due date that Prof. Roy was taking some choice exhibits to display in Atlanta, then the conference trip was hastily replanned. I had a great time in Atlanta and met many Burnsians from "across the pond". The following January at Strathclyde Conference, I again met one of these enthusiasts, Leslie Strachan from Virginia, and after that we carried on a sporadic email exchange. In spring 2004 at the end on an email, he mentioned that he was shortly going to USC for a couple of days and that Ken Simpson, Gerry Carruthers and all would be there, I replied immediately with "What is going on at USC?" and next I was on the email to Patrick Scott of USC, who I had met in Atlanta, and arranged to get there for their Conference. I flew in to Columbia on a Thursday afternoon, and out for home again on Sunday, it was the best time I had ever experienced in my pursuit of my interests in Burns, I made several very good friends in these few days, and have greatly enoyed email discussions with these several friends since. Now I am in the middle of a great tour that derives from these friendships, in Atlanta with Frank Shaw and his fabulous Burns Library and Collection, (blog on that soon), an outstanding meeting at the Burns Club of Atlanta, ( blog to come), a fabulous Conference at USC which I now rate as my best Burns experience of all time, (and the blog for that will be just as exciting), and now I am in New York meeting another friend tomorrow, and filling my days with more exciting Burns experiences, (New York Blogs soon), all this from a chance remark in an email 5 years ago

Two Kilmarnock Editions in "Burns Cottage"

2009-04-07T01:48:00.007+01:00

Last Wednesday, I had the almost unique pleasure to be standing in "Burns Cottage" with two of the exceedingly rare Kilmarnock editions in my hands, and all this in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. No, this is not a joke for April 1st, there is a replica of the famous birthplace Cottage, exact in almost every respect, in Atlanta and it is home to The Burns Club of Atlanta, who commisioned an architect in Scotland to take dimensions off the Alloway cottage and had their own constructed and completed way back in 1911. I was there for the first stop on my US tour, and went in the afternoon to meet a couple of old friends, Frank Shaw and Victor Grieg with the express purpose to cast my eye over their own copies of the famous book. There are surely few clubs that can boast of two individual members who own this rare treasure. The next day I travelled with Frank and his wife Susan to Columbia, South Carolina, with these two Kilmarnocks, plus our Presidential chain of office, in the rear footwell next to me, surely the most precious Burns cargo of all time.

Ploughing on Mossgiel

2009-03-31T01:50:00.005+01:00

It can be argued that Burns wrote his best poetry during his Mossgiel period, 1784 -1786, and that he formed many of his rhymes while working in the fields, ploughing and such. Recreating this whole image on Sunday 29th March. Mauchline Burns Club held a Ploughing Match, with a dozen teams of horses and ploughmen exercising their skills more or less the same way and on the same ground that the Bard had ploughed. Courtesy of the long term Tennant
This was a magnificent spectacle and festival, the weather was kind if a little windy, but this is Mossgiel, the Clydesdales strained, the ploughmen toiled, and the furrows followed. They ploughed plots of 50 x 15 yards, and took around 5 hours to complete, now these Clydesdales are larger than Burns horses, and he ploughed around an acre a day with a much heavier wooden plough. The crowds turned out to enjoy the spectacle, the stalls and attractions in the adjacent field, ancient farm implements, historic tableau of various eras, stalls selling all manner of traditional goods and food. I enjoyed the porrige in the morning and the haggis for lunch, and generally had a great day. I spoke to a couple of the ploughmen who were thrilled to be trying their hand in front of the large crowd, and particularly on the same fields that Burns had ploughed. A great day for all participants and spectators. A magnificent anniversary occassion by Mauchline Burns Club. Look forward to more great events from in Mauchline.

Club Meetings

2009-03-31T01:26:00.003+01:00

Outsiders might suspect that a Burns Club has not much to do in late March, but a couple of meetings I have atended this last week give a different impression.
On Friday I was at Denny. This is a monthly occassion for this very active Club and they gather to enjoy a bit of fellowship in the name of the Bard. An enjoyable evening as the chairman went round the company asking those assembled to take their turn entertaining. We had a variety of Burns and Scots numbers and the evening went off very well. Mid-way we had a few words from myself on the subject of how great it is to be President of the World, then took a break for a small refreshment of sandwiches and beautiful cakes, and resumed with songs and poems as before. I love being with these community clubs as they keep things together in the name of Burns.
On the Tuesday previously I had been with Perth Burns Club as they gathered for their last meetig before the AGM and close for the season. President Donald McGregor had laid on a special treat as he brought along a good friend, Jonny McCormick. a well known whisky writer to educate the membership into the finer points of malt whisky appreciation. Of course to educate the masses you must give them something to appreciate, and President Donald had laid on a generous welcoming dram of a nice wood finished Glenfiddich, before setting five glasses before each of the entire company for Jonny to guide us through the senses that were required to detect the featuring scents, tastes and characteristics of each glass. It seemed to me that Jonny's enthusiasm for the subject extended beyond the desire to teach, or perhaps by the time I got to the fourth glass my ability to learn had diminished, but I certainly enjoyed it all and look forward to the next lesson. Well done President Donald.

250th Specials.

2009-03-23T17:47:00.004Z

A number of Clubs and area organisations of the Federation have had or are planning to have special events for this 250th anniversary year. On 25th January there were a number of such events, around the country, and indeed around the world. I wish I could have split myself into many parts to join with all the special events, reports from those I did not get to still come in and always the memories are of unique celebrations of this great time.

The Glasgow and District Association, on the 25th, held a special service in the Cathedral, to which they put out a wide invitation and many travelled to share with them on this occasion. This fitting tribute was embellished with entertainment of the highest order, including some of their Children's Competitions winning choirs, and all was greatly enjoyed by those attending, and was video-linked worldwide with reciprocal messages received. Following the Service the City Council hosted entertainment in George Square, attended by a huge swell of people from all over the city and beyond this was all greatly enjoyed and has been highly applauded.

My 25th January started with a Church service in Alloway, added to this year by the attendance and participation of the First Minister, Alex Salmond. Following this he and I both were at the Ayrshire Association wreath laying service at the Burns Statue in Ayr, and this year the number of wreaths swelled to around 50 despite the weather not being the kindest. After my lunch with The First Minister, hosted by South Ayrshire Council Provost Winnie Sloan, I went up to Irvine Burns Club where they unveiled a wonderful artwork in bronze, specially commissioned to mark this anniversary. An image of Burns at the plough is seen with a representation of William Wallace, very appropriate for the Irvine connection, and well done Irvine Burns Club. I could not stay for the programme of entertainment they had planned because I headed to Dumfries, just in time to catch the climax of the Burns Lights event which attracted around 20,000 participants and spectators to the centre of Dumfries. Then it was up to the Easterbrook Hall for the SSCBA special anniversary Gala Dinner. Drawing an audience from across the area to this wonderful event, the Immortal Memory was given by Presiding Officer Alex Ferguson, and Prof Ted Cowan gave the Toast to The Lasses with super songs and verse to compliment the evening.

On the Friday following I was in Aberdeen where Grampian Association really pushed the boat out with a fantastic dinner. It was held in the five star Marcliffe at Pitfoddels, and everything else was at least five stars too. There was a variety of pre-dinner entertainment, the dinner formally started with a full pipe band marching into the hall, there was a parade of Scottish historical figures in wonderful costume, and that was before the excellent dinner. The international audience all greatly enjoyed the spectacle of it all, with David Purdie's Immortal Memory shown on several screens, but even he was eclipsed by the entertainment, the best of Grampians youngsters, and top of the bill opera singer Tony Henry.

It is not only organised area groups who have held gala dinners, several clubs around Clackmannanshire got together earlier this month to mark the anniversary with a one of dinner, perhaps it is because they are single gender clubs that they thought it a good occasion to extend the franchise a little for this. Again the scale of the occasion was grand in all ways, with many invited guests, quality speakers and entertainment that included a fiddle orchestra and a pipe band.

At Club level many are putting just a little extra int0 a regular event to mark the 250th, Kinross Jolly Beggars included and extra toast into their dinner programme,Perth Burns Club normally have a club night in February and this year they engaged Kev Thomson with his one-man Burns 250 show and the night grew into a great occasion with many from outwith the Club joining to enjoy an evening of celebration. Kev's show is of course superb, I have seen it a couple of times, and he varies to suit the occasion so it is always entertaining. If you have not seen him take any chance you can get, or have your local group engage him for a great Burns250 night.

Many other Clubs are marking the year in their own way, from special medals and badges for members, to commemorative plaques and other ware, to special school prizes etc, This anniversary will long be remembered.

A Young Club

2009-03-18T14:18:00.003Z

The upsurge in interest in Robert Burns during this important anniversary year has resulted in a number of new members for the Federation, and this week I had the occassion to visit a special group and hand over their enrollment Certificate. This group are special to me in several ways, firstly because they are in Dunblane, within the area of Stirling, Clackmannan and West Perthshire Association of Burns Clubs, which I have been delighted to represent at the Federation for many years. And secondly this group is special because it is formed of young school students who are members of the Dunblane Centre community facility. Under the watchful eye and guidance of Nancy McLaren, this group have held successful Burns celebrations for a little while and it is wondeful that during this special year they feel they can take a part in the wider Burns world. I look forward to hearing more from them and I am sure the Federation will offer them opportunities and assistance in widening their interests. They were enrolled in the Federation on March 13th, a significant date for the village, and I was delighted to meet a number of their enthusiastic members, pictured above, to welcome them to the organisation.

Clackmannan Triumph

2009-02-13T11:57:00.007Z

I love the village of Clackmannan, where I was born and first learned to love Robert Burns, and I will take this opportunity to give a little of Burns lore relating to my home village.

In October 1787 Robert Burns rode from Harvieston, through Dollar, over The Vicar's Bridge, to Blairingone, on, passing Forestmill and Linmill to Clackmannan, up what is now Cattlemarket, Main Street and High Street, to Clackmannan Tower, where he visited Mrs Catherine Bruce, who conferred on Burns a "knighthood" using the sword of King Robert the Bruce.

The photograph above shows children from my old school in Clackmannan, who participated in a county-wide competition for performances of Burns verse and song, and I am delighted to boast that Victoria, above on my left, was declared the overall winner in P6/7 for her "Address to the Toothache". The others singing, and reciting Auld Lang Syne and To a Mouse etc. were all quite excellent in the face of strong competition. My original Club in Clackmannan had an annual trophy for Burns competition in the school, sadly the club is no more, and it is most gratifying to see the work goes on under the enthusiastic leadership of Headteacher Brian McLaren and his staff.

The county competition was under the auspices of Alloa Burns Club, whose origins go back to the earliest days of organised Burns appreciation, in fact growing from a gentleman's literary society much earlier than that. They are to be strongly commended for the great enterprise they pursue, instilling a love of Burns in our future generations.

A Captive Audience

2009-02-11T12:20:00.005Z

Monday 9th February, I attended a most wonderful dinner, near Hurlford by Kilmarnock. I had been asked to act as Chairman for the function, and propose the Immortal Memory, and I took along two Bowhill stalwarts, Kev Thomson and Dougie Abercrombie to provide a few songs and poems. The dinner comprised beautiful cock a leekie soup, and mountains of the best haggis neeps and tatties I have enjoyed in a long time all served in great humour by some of the residents.
The entertainment had begun of course with Dougie giving a dramatic Address to the Haggis setting the tone for a good night, and Father Eddie McGhee gave the Selkirk Grace to the reverential company, but now we were into the main programme, and I could not have had a better duo than Kev and Dougie to provide a great and varied first spot which really got the company cheered. I did not want to dull the mood so kept my Immortal Memory both cursory and brief, before Father Eddie rose again to give a superb rendering of Tam O' Shanter, and then I handed back to Dougie and Kev for another big selection. The event finished of course with thanks all round before we rose for Auld Lang Syne, and the residents had to file off to their quarters shortly after nine, I think they all had a good time, they raised a bit of money for Yorkhill Children's Hospital and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience, I will long remember my Burns Supper at Her Majesty's Prison, Kilmarnock.

The future talent

2009-02-08T16:41:00.005Z

I have had the very good fortune over the last week or so to see some of the really great work Clubs and Associations carry out in promoting interest in Burns in our children and young adults.
On Thursday 29th January I was at Alloway for a Burns Supper for all the local schools Burns Clubs organised by the matriach of all things Burnsian in and around Ayr, Margaret Morrall. It was a showpiece of the work they put in over the piece with songs, poems and the usual speeches from the kids and of course Margaret, A memorable event only made possible by the funding efforts of the Morralls.
Last Friday, 30th January I was a guest of Grampian Association of Burns Clubs, at their major Gala dinner to mark the 250th anniversary, and more of that great event elsewhere. The diners were entertained throughout by a wonderful gathering of very talented youngsters, singing, reciting verses, and playing beautiful tunes. This was the cream of Grampian youth demonstrating their skills in Burns, and a great credit to the work by the Association in their schools development under the guidance of Helena Anderson-Wright and her colleagues.

One week later, Friday 7th February, I had the joy of attending the Annual Schools Concert of Bridgeton Burns Club, who since 1870, have worked in schools, initially around Bridgeton but growing to cover the whole of the East End of Glasgow, from the Cathedral to Cambuslang, this year attracting a participation of over 1100 kids of all ages in their various wonderful competitions, and on Friday a programme of 40 groups and individuals entertained a packed theatre. Bridgeton Club have to be heartily congratulated for their superb organisation of this gigantic undertaking, and they have every reason to be very proud of the talent they nurture in Glasgow's East End. I heard some of the best singing ever at a kids Burns night, and some very expert musicians, the enthusiasm of the choirs was quite infectious, and the various styles of verse recital left me blown away. This legendary Club have built a phenomenal tradition of learning and performing Burns for children in their "patch" which very few other Clubs could even dream of, they do a very great service to East Glasgow and the whole Burns world.

More excellence yesterday as I was in Dumfries for the Southern Scottish Counties Burns Association regional Burns competitions. A very high general standard with several absolutely great performers over all the disciplines of recitation, singing, instrumental and bagpipes. The slick organisation of the SSCBA had everything running very smoothly and provided great entertainment to all who looked in. Winners of these comps go forward to the Federation national events later in the spring, and I look forward to seeing and hearing more from this very talented and enthusiastic region.

The night drave on wi' sangs and clatter

2009-02-03T17:54:00.013Z

As I have a chance to draw breath during a very busy season of Burns celebrations I will take the opportunity to bl0g on one of the main functions I have been to this year;- The Homecoming Burns Supper, held in Alloway on Saturday 24th running on into the anniversary of Burns birth in the 25th January.

This spectacular event was held in Alloway at the Brig O' Doon Hotel, hosted by our First Minister Alex Salmond, with everything done in a grand style and to the highest degree. This was the formal launch of the homecoming, but it was very much focused on celebrating Robert Burns, albeit in a fresh 21st century style removed from what has become "traditional" in Burns Suppers. Normal formalities were set aside, and interspersing the courses of a superb dinner, , we were entertained to a marvellous tableau of Burns life and works along with wonderful songs and music from some of Scotland's finest talents. Burns life was encapsulated in the script from John Murtagh, who also directed and played a variety of roles, supporting a great portrayal of Burns by Iain Robertson, with further quality support from Ryan Fletcher, a beautiful bevy of lasses who took roles from the Mauchline belles to other loves of Burns life, with Siobhan Redmond playing Maria Riddell. This all punctuated with wonderful songs, favourites and a few lesser known, from some of Scotland's best young musicians and singers, Karen Matheson, Sandi Thom, Karine Polwart, Rachel Sermani, Roddy Hart, James Grant, with Peter Clarke on fiddle.

The audience comprised a collection of the well known in Scottish cultural life, with a number of us from the Federation and local Burns Clubs mixed in, all thoroughly enjoying this spectacular, from the aperitif whisky cocktails, through the excellent dinner, all the entertainment, with Alex Salmond in his element delivering a couple of short speeches punctuating the evening with his tributes to Burns and the ambitions for the rest of the Homecoming celebrations.

We paused briefly mid-evening to venture outside and view the Brig, with lights portraying Tam pursued to the keystane by Nannie, a fire portrait of the Bard, and spectacular fireworks, all also enjoyed by a huge crowd attracted to Alloway to see these spectacles.

There are a number of video clips of this fantastic dinner on the Homecoming website, http://homecomingscotland2009.com/news/burns_supper_highlights.html

I never tire of looking at them, the memories of this night will be with me long after 2009.

Places to Go and Things to See

2009-01-27T13:43:00.006Z

It has been a wonderfully busy weekend, and more of that later, but I want to put out a little info to you on some places of interest I was visiting yesterday so as you tour around Burns Country you may look in

Before leaving Dumfries yesterday, I called in at St Michael's Church. At the SSCBA Gala Dinner, in the Easterbrook Hall on Sunday night, I had spoken to Betty Haining about arranging a visit and we met there to find the Church had opened for visitors at this special time, (it is a pity the town's Robert Burns Centre did not have the same initiative), as they do through the summer. I saw the new stained glass depictions of Burns and Jean Armour, and the beautiful marble bust of the Bard all newly unveiled the day before, 25th January, and had a great guided tour of the church with all the information on the history of the Parish Church.

The fine new marble bust of Robert Burns in St Michael's Church, Dumfries

My next stop was the Globe Inn, recently refurbished after some structural restorations, and was lucky enough to latch on to a tour guided by their resident expert, Jane Brown. The Globe and the Burns world are very fortunate to have someone with the enthusiasm and knowledge of Jane there to guide tourists.

We journeyed home through Thornhill where the Thornhill and District Burns Club have mounted a fantastic display in Thomas Tosh gallery, showing the story of Burns as an Exciseman in the parishes of Nithsdale. A wonderful telling of the story detailing Burns onerous excise duties, mainly prior to his transfer to Dumfries. with great displays giving a lot of local connections. Many congratulations to Thornhill and District. I was given a CD entitled Pass the Haggis, a dozen or so Burns Poems and Songs performed by local children, produced by pupils of Wallace Hall Academy to celebrate the 250th, well done Wallace Hall.

I congratulate the proprietor of Thomas Tosh for the outstanding exhibition.

Last evening I was at the National Library in Edinburgh, as they launched the touring of their great exhibition of Burns Life, entitled Zig Zag. This brings together a number of exhibits from around the country, and shows them off in an easily interpreted format. It has been on show in Edinburgh for some time to much acclaim, and now is off touring Scotland, opening shortly in Dumfries before making it to Aberdeen and Glasgow later in the year. Try to catch it somewhere along the way.

This weekend marks the opening of an exhibition in Perth Art Gallery and Museum, "The Spirit of Burns", featuring the works of Jim Douglas. The exhibition runs for some time and will be supported by a series of afternoon talks on various Burns subjects. I look forward to looking in on this soon. If you are in Perth between 29th January and 14th February, Perth Theatre have a production of Tam O' Shanter, which they bill as a wild musical ride. That will surely be worth a visit.

I add here an email I recieved reviewing the Perth Theatre show, certainly sounds like one to see.

I went to see the Tam o’ Shanter play/musical last night at Perth Theatre.
I whole heartedly concur with Donald Mac review, in that it was a superb interpretation of some of the poems and songs of Robert Burns, and brought into the 21st century by a lively set of 11 young actors, dancers and musicians.
Special mention to the performance of “The Jolly Beggars: A Cantata”
And also the dance sequence in the auld Kirk at Alloway was imaginative and energetic as performance I have ever seen.
I think that it was greatly entertaining, amusing and informative both to the wider public not only a hard core of Burns people.
I think it is a total credit to Gerry Mulgrew and Perth Theatre for this production and hope and wish that it gets at least a showing in the west of Scotland and at best a national or international tour.
I recommend that if you have not seen it to go as it only on for 2 more days... and may not reappear, as to quote the man
“Or like the snow fall on the river,A moment white - then melts forever”

Elliot Boyle

The President's Mailbag

2009-01-20T20:36:00.006Z

My mailbag has been bigger of late, every day there are one or two extra pieces and all of them very welcome, from expressions of fraternal greetings as the anniversary approaches to invitations to attend all manner of splendid events. This morning an unusual delivery of a parcel containing a wooden box. The antiqued box, just bigger than an old style foolscap page and about 4" deep, just as one would imagine might be used to keep safe a few particular treasures. Inside I found a letter, folded and closed with an image of Burns Seal in blue wax, on opening, in the style of an antique handwriting, it is my letter of invitation to the Homecoming Burns Supper this Saturday in Alloway. Below, wrapped in a piece of hessian, are several other wee keepsakes. A sprig of dried flax, wheat, heather and a red rose, picture postcards ? addressed to Robt Burns at Mossgiel, one with a view of some highland loch, dated October 1786 and signed Highland Mary, and the other a view of Edinburgh dated Jan 12th 1788 and signed Clarinda, both tied in a red ribbon, a label written Mossgiel, two small silhouettes framed in card, more postcards tied in string with fragments of verses and a picture of Auld Alloway Kirk, a whisky advert, a travelling dram cup, a handkerchief with a lipstick print on. and a small facsimile of the letter RB sent from Dumfries on 18th July 1796 to James Armour. There is a "modern" label on the exterior commenting on the unknown owner of these personal items, and the paper label in the centre of the top is monogrammed RB.

I do not normally celebrate the kitch of the Burnsiana around but I rather like this little collection, regardless of the minor stretches with the supposed historical timeline.

Another wonderful happening today. In late November I first noticed the Presidential Chain of Office required some repairs, one of the secondary internal joints was off, a link on the main chain was suspect, and in early December it parted, so repairs were urgently required. As we are all aware the jewellers who manufactured it in 1914 disappeared from the scene around 1972, but estimates were sought and by the time these were received and and considered the regalia specialists were closed for the winter holiday, but on their return instructed to proceed. The first message was that they worked on an eight week lead time, but would endeavour to have the work done in three or four! Much groveling, cajoling, and pressuring followed. and just over two weeks later we have our chain back. Not only have the repairs been expertly done the whole has been totally refinished and looks positively splendid, I am sure when many see it next they will hardly recognise it, such is the shine off this wonderful golden jewel and chain.

I will bear it with pride on my forthcoming duties, and I am so thrilled that it is back in pristine condition for this most important anniversary.

The University of Glasgow Conference.

2009-01-19T20:37:00.005Z

It has been a while since I blogged, not that I have been sitting at home doing nothing, quite the opposite, so busy that I haven't had time to blog. much the same now but I can't let this time of the year go by without mentioning the most notable events that I am attending, I have rather resolved not to give an endless list of this Burns Suppers and a' that, you will get a few, but my Blog tonight is mainly about the most magnificent conference held last week at the University of Glasgow, Centre for Robert Burns Studies, "Robert Burns 1759 - 2009". This was a massive conference even by Glasgow standards where the annual event has been going on for many years, but under the auspices of the Centre for Robert Burns Studies the event has reached new heights. Over 3 days, 15th - 17th, over 75 speakers participated, some very eminent academics from literally all corners of the globe, interspersed by a few independent enthusiasts, such as myself who was very honoured to give a paper in such an expert programme.

I will not list everything that happened, perhaps just a few highlights, From the time Principal Sir Muir Russell introduced Fiona Hyslop MSP (Cabinet Secretary for Education) to launch the programme we were treated to many great delights, such as on day 1 we opened with Prof Leith Davis from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, and finished with the great Prof G Ross Roy of the University of South Carolina. Outstanding on day 2 were Prof Susan Manning from Edinburgh, Prof Fiona Stafford, Oxford, and Prof Chris Whatley Dundee, closing day 3 was Prof Robert Crawford, St Andrews and that was after excellent presentations from John Cairney, and David Purdie.

The main plenary sessions were interspersed by panels where delegates had the difficult task of selecting from a huge array of papers to go and hear. Often the questions and discussion flowed over into the coffee and lunch breaks. It was three very full days, running at times from 9.30 and finishing at 6.00 or 7.00pm. When I say finishing then that is not strictly the case.

The conference was supplemented by three outstanding and unique events, On Thursday evening in Oran Mor, Sheena Wellington entertained with a selection of the Merry Muses, (one of the themes of the Conference) and there was a performance of the Jolly Beggars cantata. Friday had a world premiere of a piece of music newly composed by James MacMillan, commissioned by the Centre for Robert Burns Studies, and a selection of Burns songs, to arrangements by Haydn, which the University has been working on for a number of years. Saturday of course finished with a dinner, billed as an Alternative Burns Supper, perhaps reflecting the fresh thinking going on in the centre. I had the good fortune to be at a table with the Chancellor, Sir Kenneth Calman, Glasgow's Lord Provost Bob Winter, and Prof Francis Johnson, of Stony Brook University, Long Island who with his wife presented a goblet owned by Burns to the Centre. (I should have mentioned that earlier the centre had been presented with a Kilmarnock edition). The star attraction of this alternative supper was a superb rendition of Tam O' Shanter by Karen Dunbar.

A fantastic end to three intense days of exchange of Burns knowledge, Dr Gerard Carruthers, Dr Kirsteen McCue, and all the staff, administrative & academic, of the Centre for Robert Burns Studies have to be heartily congratulated for putting together such an outstanding three days marking this great anniversary.

I look forward to more Conferences at the centre.

St Andrews Day

2008-11-30T22:40:00.004Z

"Wher'er we live, what'er our lot

Still will I plead and pray

That Scot rejoice wi' brither Scot

Upon St Andrew's Day"

Today I was in St Giles Cathedral for The Festival Of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Patron of Scotland.

The Knights of the Order of the Thistle have it in their Charter to worship in St Giles on St Andrews Day, and for the past 60 years or so have invited to their worship representatives of the armed forces and police, the universities, various professional bodies, Judges and advocates etc, The Lord Provost and City of Edinburgh Council, The Royal Academy, The Grand Lodge of Scotland, and several cultural bodies, including the Robert Burns World Federation. Today I was privileged to lead our representatives in procession into St Giles.

This is truly a grand occasion, we meet in the magnificent Signet Library where maces are polished, robes are donned, and chains of office adorned, (the Federation chain is among the grandest and I was immensely proud to bear it today) as we are called into order for the short procession across the square and into the cathedral. The Provost and Councillors come directly from the city chambers, escorted by the very smart High Constables of Edinburgh bearing their ceremonial silver batons, and the peers of the realm all file in after we more ordinary mortals are escorted to our pews. In this wonderful building, as the Choir begin the Order of the Thistle come into the sanctuary. We then join in a service or worship led by The Very Rev Gilleasbuig Macmillan, Minister of St Giles and Dean of the Thistle, aided by the wonderful singing of the choir.

After our devotions, we retire again to the Signet Library, before taking our several ways with satisfaction that we have taken part in some rich pageantry honouring our Patron Saint.

We are honoured to get this invitation annually, and I have had the pleasure of attending a few of these services. This year we had a number of representatives from Edinburgh, and from as far afield as Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries. I would encourage all Members of the Federation to take up a future invitation to take part in this wonderful occasion.

Matt Gilbert, sad news

2008-11-17T18:36:00.005Z

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.

A visit to Paisley.

2008-11-02T16:44:00.004Z

One of the great pleasures in being President is that one gets invited to many special places, and recently I was in the Hallowed surroundings of Robert Tannahill's cottage. For those of you who do not know, Robert Tannahill was a weaver in Paisley, 1774 - 1810, who was noted for writing poems and songs in Scots dialect. Tannahill also has the distinction that he was one of the founders and the first Secretary of Paisley Burns Club from their inception in 1805 until his tragic death (by suicide) in 1810. The cottage where Tannahill lived and worked came into the possession of Paisley Burns Club many decades ago and closely resembled the premises he would have known until a few years back when a devastating fire reduced it to a shell. Paisley Burns Club are one of the first, if not the very first Burns Club, to be formally constituted, and their tradition ad history gives them a strength that few can surpass. In the face of this traumatic damage to their premises they set about retrieving the situation and have done a sterling job in breathing new life into the site, and now in place of the weaving room and caretakers accommodation they have a marvellous meeting room with another fine ante room and other facilities. The fire cost the Club many of their heirlooms but several survive having been in safekeeping elsewhere and are now displayed in the premises. As you would expect of a Club of this vintage and origins there are some outstanding pieces in this collection. The Club have also worked to restore their Library and have a range of books that would be the envy of many.

I joined the Club for one of their regular monthly meetings. A dram to toast the Memory of Robert Burns starts the evening, and usual Club business is conducted. Their habit is then to have a paper on a Burns topic, and I enjoyed a brief resume of the magic of Burns Letters, then the second paper (generally on some other Scottish literary topic) was given on the life of Samuel Smiles, a great author and reformer, native of Haddington as was the speaker. These were both well delivered and fascinating papers, If these are typical of the standard of proposal normally given then it is no wonder Paisley Burns Club continues in strength. To conclude the entertainment a wonderful slide show, with hilarious captions, of the Clubs summer bus trip had everyone laughing. John Haining who visited with me gave a few anecdotes of his time as President and I concluded the evening with a few remarks.

We were both presented with a small memento of our visit, a copy of the Club Chronicle which they publish annually as a record of the year. It will bring back many pleasant memories.

Should the opportunity arise to visit Tannahill's cottage, take the chance to view this wonderful place in Scotland's heritage.

Clubs and Associations,

2008-10-22T20:17:00.004+01:00

For the browsers who do not know the structure of the Federation can I explain a little. The Federation began in 1885 as a gathering for the multitude of Burns Clubs established to celebrate Robert Burns, and while some years ago we moved to include individuals and families as Members the essential structure and organisation still leans heavily on the Clubs, and into the various groupings, or associations, into which they were formed to provide the mainstay of our organisational structure. Scotland is divided into a dozen areas, there are several in England, one each in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada and a few others covering other parts of the world. Each of these associations send delegates to the Federation Executive meetings, 3 per annum, and this is where the several committees meet to deal with the various aspects of Federations interests.

The associations are as varied as the parts they are based in, and I have had the pleasure recently of sitting in on a few meetings. I have previously blogged here about such a meeting in Dumfries, The Southern Scottish Counties Burns Association, where as you would expect, their close connection with the later part of Burns life, leads to a great deal of enthusiasm and support from Burns afficianados.

The same can be said for Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs, where recently I was fortunate to call in on their Annual General Meeting in Dalry, and join with them as they celebrated their centenary as a group. They do not however rest on their laurels, I found a very well supported meeting, representing many Clubs, with several well know servants of the wider Burns movement. It was very interesting to hear the plans many of the Clubs have in hand for special events for 2009.

Across the other side of the country in Edinburgh one fine evening I joined Edinburgh Association for quite a special meeting. We gathered in the offices of Edinburgh World Heritage, a fine buiding in Charlotte Square next door to Bute House, the First Ministers official residence, to hear of EWH plans to conserve the Edinburgh Burns Monument, which we all agree is in need of some significant work. EWH works closely with Edinburgh City Council in looking after much of Edinburgh which is designated a significant heritage site of word importance. They have a scheme in hand for £250,000 worth of work to the Burns Monument and you will soon be hearing more about this substantial project, and their appeal to raise the funding. After the EWH presentation the Edinburgh Association held their meeting. Perhaps not as numerate as the other meetings I have been to, there was around a dozen clubs represented, there was a similar level of enthusiasm for their Clubs, for Burns time in Edinburgh, and for plans to celebrate 2009 in style with one or two special events. Note that the 2009 Federation Conference is in Edinburgh and this could be quite a special treat for those attending. I look forward to catching up with these Associations again during my Presidency and calling in on several of the clubs I met there.

I look forward to catching up with other Associations throughout my Presidency.

Desperate Dandy

2008-10-16T18:59:00.004+01:00

I would like to give you a great example of how broad a cultural position many of our Burns Clubs take. On Tuesday evening I was at a meeting of Perth Burns Club, for a talk on some of Scotlands most popular modern literary icons, The Broons, Oor Wullie, and Desperate Dan et al from the comics of D C Thomson. David Torrie, lately of the creative staff of this great comic institution, gave a light hearted look at the history of the comics, Beano, Dandy, Bunty etc, the comic strips of the Sunday Post, and their characters, charting their development from the first editions through to modern times, and the changes there have been along the way, all illustrated by a great slideshow of the various editions of comics and strips. Perth meetings such as this are open to the public and there were a few in the audience who had been attracted by this topic (The Club find this a great way of recruiting new members). It is perhaps more than a century from the Club's early beginings as a gentlemans literary society, but the Club still provide an interesting forum for discussion on many popular topics, not just Burns. check out their future syllabus on www.geocities.com/perthburnsclub

Hearts of Midlothian

2008-10-12T12:57:00.004+01:00

Last Friday I had the pleasure of joining Danderhall Burns Club at one of their social evenings. This was a very enjoyable get together, a gathering of around 30 members enjoying the fellowship of a few hours together whiled away as many took their turn to perform their party piece song or poem. This is a regular feature on the Club calendar, Danderhall club meet all year round for a variety of events, President Sam Campbell told me of their various meetings, visits to other clubs, trips to Burns Country etc, and their schools competitions. This is very much a community based club, rightly proud of their roots and mining heritage, supporting the social heart of their village with a focus on Burns but a broad outlook. It was good to see a spectrum of ages attending, and giving of their individual talents to entertain their fellows. This is perhaps not the geographical heart of Midlothian but these men are the true heartbeat.

Alloway Burns Club Centenary

2008-09-29T19:02:00.005+01:00

Angus Middleton, President of Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs, with president Bill

On Friday evening I had the pleasure of being with Alloway Burns Club as they celebrated their Centenary, yes one hundred years in existence for this great Club. Of course their roots go back much further being successors to the group which initiated the practice of holding gatherings to celebrate the birth of Burns and enjoy the wondeful legacy of poems and songs he left us. A few years after Burns death a group of his Ayrshire friends gathered on the anniversary of his death to remember the Poet, and from there resolved to meet on the annversary of his birth thus starting the Burns Supper. no doubt this continued until Alloway Burns Club was officially formed 100 years ago. Apart from the tradition of the Burns night, Alloway also has done sterling service looking after the various Burns sites in their localle, and still are doing valiant work including their recent rejuvination of Mungo's Well.

It was a real pleaure to be with the Club for their celbrations of this great milestone, and what a grand occassion it was. South Ayrshire Council gave a champagne reception on arrival, main entertainment was from Sheena Wellington, singing a few extracts from the songs as she gave an entertaining understanding of Burns works. Other highlights were a Toast to the Club by Rev Neil McNaught and a presentation to several Past-Presidents. There was an Auction ably conducted by Angus Middleton which raised a substantial sum to offset the sundry expenses of the night. At Auld Lang Syne everyone could conclude it was a very fitting tribute for the Club's Centenary.

Autioneer Angus, ably assisted by Bill Duncan, seeks bids for the star Lot, a painting illustrating "The Twa Dogs" by Club Member Bill Kerr and below the hammer falls on a great night

The First Fortnight

2008-09-23T20:05:00.011+01:00

It is just over two weeks since I posed with my Vice Presidents, above on my right, Senior Vice Mike Duguid and on my left newly elected Junior Vice President, David Baird. It has been quite a busy couple of weeks with several engagements, at a variety of very enjoyable gatherings, and on all occasions I was most warmly welcomed as I sported the magnificent gold chain.

My first outing on the Tuesday after Conference was to the first autumn event of Perth Burns Club, where I was giving a short lecture entitled "The Sweetest Hour" based of course on some of the ladies in Burns life, but not necessarily following the generally accepted judgement on their place of importance in his story.

On Saturday 13th September I attended a meeting of The Southern Scottish Counties Burns Association, and found a well attended, convivial but businesslike meeting. It was great to hear of a number of plans they have well advanced for the great celebrations of 2009. Afterwards at a relaxed lunch, conversation was around many Burns related topics. Altogether a most enjoyable occasion.

The next day I officiated at The Clackmannan Stirling and West Perthshire Association Annual Bowling Tournament, this is the annual social get together of my home association and it was a fine afternoon for great bowls, and at the end I had the pleasure of presenting the prizes, first going to Greenloaning Burns Club, and runners-up to Denny.

Greenloaning below and Denny right

The following Tuesday, 16th September, I travelled to Dumfries again for a great event. Hosted by Dumfries Ladies Burns Club, the renowned "world championship" Tam O' Shanter Competition, where readers from across the globe gather in The Globe, to give of their best before the judges, including your President, and a packed audience of enthusiasts, to be acclaimed the winner. We had five recitations, and no doubt this will all be reported in detail elsewhere so I will only say the worthy winner was Willie Horne from The Airts Burns Club, Prestonpans, by the way Willie also won the recent Lapraik recitation competition, he is really setting a high standard for others to follow.

I returned to Dumfries again on Saturday past, to Ellisland, where Jane Brown and some friends had laid on an evening to meet with the young winners of the St Petersberg Forum competitions and enjoy a concert given by these youngsters and a number of young performers from the locale. Expect a full report of this elsewhere as well, suffice to say it was a great show from four very talented young Russians and several equally gifted Scots.

Pictured above is Jane Brown (third from left), while I have the pleasure of centering the quartet of young Russians.

Jane has to be hugely congratulated for her work in organising this evening. The St Petersberg Forum and those from the Federation who work with them are to be applauded for their efforts, they are certainly worthy of support.

That is all for this blog, I can't promise as much every fortnight, but I hope to post fairly regularly so keep checking in.

1st Federation Blog

2008-09-16T00:03:00.004+01:00

Last weekend at the 2008 Federation Conference in Newcastle I was honoured to be inaugurated as President of The Robert Burns World Federation. In my acceptance speech there, I spoke immediately of the burden of this great office using the term "burden" because the first impact of the inauguration was the substantial weight of the President's chain of office imposed on my shoulders. and that is allegorical with the extent of the duties that I will undertake as President for the forthcoming year. Now that I have had a little time to look over the chain, at the names of the many Past-Presidents engraved on the medals forming the chain, some of these names of great men legendary in Burns appreciation, it is quite daunting to feel the depth of history and tradition that I now become part of. I undertake to bear this chain, this great office, in the name of The Robert Burns World Federation, with all the dignity it demands, with the enthusiasm that all the Members give me, and with every ounce of energy that I can muster. When I was first nominated for the post of Junior Vice-President I received many messages of support from a' the airts, that was all quite unexpected, but very gratifying that over my many years in this organisation I have built up such a gathering of friends and colleagues, all of us in pursuit of a greater understanding of Robert Burns Works, his life and philosophy. Again on graduation to this office I have had so many messages of good wishes and congratulations, it is all most appreciated and I assure all those I will return this support tenfold if it is within my power.I look forward to 2009, 250 years on from Burns birth, and to the many wonderful special events that are planned to mark this great anniversary. Not just the major spectacular January weekend events, but I look forward to catch many of the club events planned throughout 2009, within and outwith Scotland. I know many clubs and associations have plans in hand, I have several in my diary, but I will make a date for as many more as I can, simply to join with you in your club as you mark this milestone. Clubs that have not made any plans yet, - think, set a night aside in your programme, and build a theme around a particular connection to Burns, if there is anything I can do to help, please ask, I am at your beck and call.I look forward to every aspect of my year as President; I look forward to my duties in the boardroom as Chairman of a panel of enthusiastic Directors striving to secure the business of this movement for the next year and for the future, beyond 2009 to many other great anniversaries. I very much look forward to the Executive meetings, taking an overview of all the fantastic work of the committees, and I also want to meet with you all back in the Clubs and Associations, developing further friendships for the Federation. That is my manifesto for my time as custodian of this great chain, the emblem of this great purpose we share, for it is shared, I carry this Chain by the grace of all the Federation Membership, and for that I am deeply honoured.