BUSY BURNS SEASON

2009 was always going to be a busy year for with the ‘Homecoming’ and the 250^th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. I have been out and about and have listed the events I have taken part in during a busy season.

Saturday 10^th January saw my ‘season’ begin. At 2pm, I joined Frank Curran at the local BBC studios where we gave our thoughts on two of Robert Burns’s songs which had been re mixed into a more contempory feel. Frank and I, both agreed that one was acceptable but the other wasn’t too our liking. The programme was recorded and aired the following Friday on BBC Radio Scotland. Later that evening I enjoyed my first Burns Supper at Mouswald village hall at the invitation of MouswaldChurch. A great start to the Supper season with Wilson Ogilvie delivering the Immortal memory. Friday 16^th I was at the Woodland House Hotel as guest of the St Michaels Burns Club’s supper where Michael Russell MSP gave the Immortal Memory. Jim Donald from Dumfries gave the ‘Memory’ at Marchmount Bowling club on Saturday 17^th. Monday 19^th I visited Lochside primary school in Dumfries, where I spoke to the children on the Howff Club and on Robert Burns, the kids were amazing and were well informed of our bards work. Tuesday 20^th I was back at Woodland House Hotel this time along with the members and friends of the Kidney Patients Association. The Immortal Memory was given by KPA member, Rev Ella Pennington. Wednesday 21^st I was honoured to be a guest at the Presiding Officers Burns Supper at the Scottish Parliament, I took my elder brother as my guest and we were treated to an excellent evening of friendship, fun and music in the Parliaments ‘garden lobby’ where the event was held. Before the supper, where Len Murray QC gave the Immortal Memory, we viewed the ‘as other see it’ exhibition. An exhibition of people from every walk of life giving their views on their favourite works of Robert Burns. Thursday 22^nd I attended the Lochmaben lunch Club for the annual Burns Lunch when David Shanlkand gave the toast. Friday 23^rd was the Howff Supper which was excellent and report is available both on web site and President’s blog, during the night, along with Past President Bill Welsh, I visited Dumfries Burns Club to offer in person, the fraternal exchange of greetings between the clubs. Irene McMichael from Auldgirth proposed the Immortal Memory at Hightae’s Royal Four Towns Hall on Sat24th where I was attending and on Sunday 25^th I took part in the Service at St Michaels Church before attending and performing at the Gala Dinner of the SSCBA at Easterbrook Hall in the evening. Tuesday 27^th I attended and sang at the Globe Inn for their ‘first’ Burns Supper run by the pub itself, and what a great night it was, where Chris Lyons gave the Immortal Memory.  Dalbeattie Burns Club held their Supper on 30^th Jan where I was guest singer and when Michael Russell MSP gave the Immortal Memory. Saturday 31^st was Gatehouse for their clubs Supper which was chaired by RBWF SVP Mike Duguid and the Immortal Memory was given by Chris Rollie. January ended but no let up in Burns events and Tuesday 3^rd February I visited Lockerbie for the lunchtime meeting of the ‘friendship club’ to sing a few songs of Burns. Friday 6^th Feb was the Burns season dance at Locharbriggs. In my role as chairman of the Locharbriggs Community Centre Association I welcomed the gathering then departed to the kitchen to assist with preparing the meal for the 150 folk who were enjoying the music and dance of the ‘Bon Accords’. Sat 7^th I ‘stewarded’ along with other Howff members at the SSCBA Schools competitions at the academy hall in Dumfries before heading to Gretna Hall Hotel to assist in the Burns Ceilidh for a private function at the hotel. Friday 13^th and Annan South Church Burns supper held in the church hall was well attended and the Immortal Memory given by Helen McNairn member of the Solway Burns Club. Ellisland Farm on Saturday14th and Michael Russell MSP again delivering an interesting Immortal Memory. Wednesday 18^th I will again be in the Globe Inn for the Rotary Club supper and that will conclude what has been a great time enjoying friendship company music and laughs all in the name of Robert Burns. During my travels I have tried to sing a variety of songs of Burns which have included, Ae Fond Kiss, Lass o’ Ballochmyle’ Ay Waulkin O’, Cragieburn Wood, Braes of Ballochmyle, O Wert Thou In the Cauld Blast, Scots Wha Hae, Corn Rigs, A Mans A Man, Green Grow the Rashes, My Luve is Like a Red Red Rose, The Lea Rig, Bonnie Wee Thing, The Star O’ Rabbie Burns and Auld Lang Syne.

JOHN M CASKIE

SVP BURNS HOWFF CLUB