The First Fortnight

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.