Ploughing on Mossgiel

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

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.

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

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.