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.