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« November 15  |  December 13 »
Saturday, December 5
View Article  A Wee Kist o' Verse mainly in the Scottish Dialect
by John Caskie SVP on Sat 05 Dec 2009 22:44 GMT
 

A Wee Kist o’ Verse

Mainly in the Scottish Dialect

Dumfries Burns Howff Club

 

 

One of the clubs projects for 2009 was a competition for school children throughout Dumfries and Galloway to write a poem in the Scot’s language and the winners would receive certificate’s and money for their winning entries, they along with the best 100 chosen poems would be published in a commemorative book which would also include the names of all the school children who had taken part in the competition. I don’t think any of us in the club imagined the response we would get when over 600 entries were received giving our judges a most difficult job in choosing the best entries.

I was present at the ‘proof reading’ of the book, the joy and thrill we got reading these poems for the first time was such fun and we marvelled at the works of the children. One of the club committee member’s John Clark, who painted that wonderful Ellisland Homecoming painting that we have been selling during this year, was asked to draw some accompanying images to place in the book along with the poems.

Solway offset have done us proud and produced a book that is being acclaimed by many all over the region as each school has been gifted a copy. Entitled ‘A Wee Kist o’ Verse’ it is selling at £10.00 for the hard back copy which has a picture of the famous Globe Close on the front and features a foreword from yours truly and an look at the Scot’s language by Rab Wilson, who was on the judging panel. Details of how to purchase, which in years to come will be a collector’s item, are available on the club website where you can also see an index list of the poems and their authors and a review by Past president of the RBWF Murdo Morrison. As I mentioned in the Remember, Remember that month of November (part one) Blog, the kids whose entries were first, second and third in both primary and secondary age groups took part and said their poems as well as receiving their awards at the Gala Concert.

2009 has seen the club participate in many events and this competition was one of the memorable ones with the book being a great reminder of what turned out to be a very worthwhile and exciting competition. As a club we offer our thanks to the children for taking part and the teachers and parents for encouraging them to continue to keep the ‘auld Scot’s tongue’ alive today. And well done to the winners!!

 

 

JOHN M CASKIE

PRESIDENT

BURNS HOWFF CLUB
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View Article  Remember, Remember that month of November (Part one!)
by John Caskie SVP on Sat 05 Dec 2009 22:12 GMT

   

Remember, Remember that month of November!

(Part one!)

 

November 2009 proved to be one of my busiest months since taking over the role as President of the Howff Club back in April.  As well as the Emily Smith concert mentioned in an earlier blog and many meetings, debriefing from the Halloween supper, preparing for St Andrew’s Night, finalising details of the book to be published from the schools poetry competition and the final preparations for the Gala Concert, there were many enjoyable and entertaining events to report.

 

Wednesday 4th November; Past Presidents Photograph

 

Especially for ‘Homecoming’ year it was suggested that the club should invite all the surviving Past Presidents to the club room for a photograph to mark the ‘250th anniversary year’. The last such photograph was taken during the celebrations of 1996. It was pleasing for me to welcome 28 of the 32 Past Presidents still with us today. The other four were either on holiday or unable to attend due to illness. It was a rare night meeting and reminiscing with these eminent gentlemen who have made the club what it is today. After the photo shoot a light buffet was served and a ‘dram’ to toast many more years of success not only for the club but for all who have held or will hold the esteemed office of President.

 

Friday 20th November; Gala Concert of Scottish Culture

 

DG One leisure centre was the venue for the clubs Gala Concert of Scottish Culture, as well as welcoming everyone I had the task as compere for the evening where it was a privilege to introduce as part of that entertainment, Dumfries Male Voice Choir and their conductor David McCullough, Singer Roslin Agnew, Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary Pipe Band, William McRobert and his Scottish Dance Band, the winning kids from the Scot’s language competition and special guest artiste Nicky Spence. It was a super evening and the favourable comments form many friends, supporters and very appreciative audience as they left at the end of the concert made it more worth while. The accompanist for the evening was Scott Miller.

During the evening the book published by the club from the Scot’s language competition were released for sale. (See separate blog!)

 

November part two to follow!

 

JOHN M CASKIE

PRESIDENT

BURNS HOWFF CLUB

5TH DECEMBER 2009

 

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