The weeks after the AGM are generally busier than other times.  This last was no exception. On Monday night, a walk round St. Michael's Kirkyard to photograph the CCTV pole and disabled access ramp at the Mausoleum to report to the Fed., then a meeting of the 2009 Project Sub Committee, later meeting Alex Wilson, the Mauchline Ware expert and Burns enthusiast.  Tuesday night at Chez Baird to sort out the entries for the Scots Language Comp. Found on arrival this had been done so relaxed with a glass or four of Chardonnay. Wednesday was Culture Night. Accompanied past pres. John Lauder to the Buccleuch Centre, Langholm for a performance by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Super programme included pieces by Handel, Vivaldi's Bassoon Concerto and Haydn's "Drum Roll" symphony with a bravura display by the lady timpanist on the tambourine and kettle drum. Met up with former member Brian Croft, now resident in Carlisle. Thursday afternoon, accompanied treasurer to Solway Offset to talk to Mac Creedon about the commemorative book for the Scots Language Comp. This will be one of the best projects the club has undertaken in recent years. Later, off to the Booling Night at Dock Park. The president concealed his dismay at drawing me as his partner but I did my best to avoid winning the "Draffan Cup". Good session at the Globe followed and congrats are due to Frank and Bert on their success and thanks to Jane B. for providing sannys and sausage rolls gratis. Friday was day off but no escape on Saturday.  Globe at 11.00am for SSCBA AGM, refereed by David Baird. Business discussed raised some eyebrows and I'm glad that the report to the Excom will be given by someone else. The highlight was the lunch afterwards when we were joined by the president of Dumfries Burns Club.  Out to a dinner party with some friends on Saturday night and currently working off a severe hangover. It's not always as busy as this.

DS   

Well the chains of office have moved round and it's now my turn to arrange the winter lectures, think about who would be able to deliver the main speeches at the clubs functions from April 2010 although I must admit that some arrangements were already made almost 9 month ago but it is still an extremely difficult task.

Plans are in place the Globe Inn is booked for the dates & Mr Smith is contacting the prospective guests so things are underway.

Anyway here I am 21:30 and I'm updating the website, amending the Blog, checking the forum, several 100 malicious entries every week to be removed. 

In search of spiritual uplift, the president, treasurer, past president and secretary travelled to Mauchline on 23rd May to attend the "Holy Fair", one of the events in the Ayrshire "Burns an aw' that" festival.  The "Fair" is a re-enactment of the 18th century custom when several parishes would join forces for the annual sacrament, attracting large numbers of communicants from the surrounding countryside for a "holy fair" of preachings and prayer meetings extending over several days prior to the communion itself. In Burns' day however, the holy fair had deteriorated into a curious mixture of solemnity and carnival, symbolic of the double standards of the Church at the time.

On arrival, the streets were crowded with revellers and members were attracted to a performance of the youthful Muirkirk Pipe Band whose bass drum was transparent, before lunch at Poosie Nancie's. Later, a superb ladies choir, "Airs and Graces" sang from a repertoire of traditional and classical material in the Church after which we were accosted by two "manic street preachers", suitably clad in costumes of the time, who bellowed of the fire to come for the ungodly, lest they repent. D. Miller seemed to be a target for their wrath. Escaping, members were given a preview of the attempt for the Guinness Book of Records of a 800lb Haggis, to be cooked and served later and paused to enjoy a fire eating Tommy Cooper look-alike who swallowed a three foot tubular balloon to the delight and disgust of the crowd. It was later regurgitated. Elsewhere on one of the outdoor stages, there was a energetic High School Musical Review which attracted a large audience. Retiring once again to the Church, our own Shelley Clark displayed her tremendous talents as a singer and on the clarsach, supported by her brothers on the fiddle and keyboard. This was the highlight of the day!. After modest refreshment, members thrilled to the Red Hot Chilli Pipers on the outdoor stage which featured exotic dancers. Unfortunately, members were at the back of the large crowd, later, the writer had no hestitation in declining the president's suggestion to try out the Wall of Death.

Throughout the day we met old friends from Eyemouth Clachan Burns Club and Largs Cronies as well as many Federation members including president Bill Dawson in fancy dress. 

An excellent day with good company and dry weather until the last half hour. Congratulations to D. Baird who, as designated driver, stayed sober and did not need the Satnav.     

R. Burns has a lot to answer for. No sooner had the new president taken the Oath, when a party of four journeyed to Langholm to attend Langholm Ladies BC's  "Literary Lunch" on 3rd May at the Buccleuch Centre. This was a talk on "Burns songs" by Mrs. I. Connelly, a former lecturer at St. Andrew's Uni., with songs from three talented soloists. I learned a lot from this and enjoyed the buffet thereafter. On 9th May, I accompanied the president of the SSCBA, who is also JVP of the Burns Federation, to the Fed's National Schools Festival at Duns, Berwickshire. This was the Primary Schools event and was blown away by the tremendous talent displayed. The SSCBA team gained three prizes. This was a good day but the outgoing journey, by minibus which had seen better days was not recommended. The highlight was the return trip, stopping at Biggar for a pint in a pub, full of drunken footie supporters and a fish supper.  The day following was one to remember. The president, treasurer, PP D. Miller, Mrs. Jane Brown and the writer travelled in style to Coldstream for the annual ceremony marking the crossing of the Tweed into England by Burns in 1787. This was fabulous, with sunny weather, an impressive ceremony during which the club's floral tribute was placed by the president at the plaque in the middle of the bridge, and an afternoon of superb entertainment. The return journey was interesting. The treasurer who, as JVP of the Fed. was seated at the top table all afternoon had some difficulty in articulation but nobody was fu'. The club delegation was warmly welcomed and look forward to the event next year.

The pace continued on 11th May at the opening committee meeting and soiree (see president's blog). Momentous decisions were made and members were glad to relax afterwards for some harmony. The president's bottle of firewater was much enjoyed.

Watch this space.

D. Smith

THE NICHT DRAVE ON WI SONGS AND CLATTER!

The first committee meeting of the ‘new season’ for the Howff Club follows tradition with the newly elected President welcoming the new committee, the office bearers and Past Presidents to come together for a ‘group photograph’ prior to the business. For some years now this takes place at the fountain in the High Street in Dumfries with the Mid Steeple in the background. This year was no exception as on Monday 11^th May we stood in the glorious sunshine and under the instruction of photographer Tom Bonnar smiled like the good gentlemen that we are!!

Another tradition of the first night meeting is the buffet supper and soiree afterwards to allow members old and new to get to know each other and to show off the talent we have within the club. Jane Brown Manageress of the Globe Inn served a lovely supper in the bar before we returned to the club room and had an enjoyable evening of ‘light entertainment’ ranging from the community singing of ‘There was a Lad’ to that great old tune ‘Dainty Davie’, some ‘Cockney Capers’, ‘Modern Scot’s Poetry’, A tribute to Scotland singing legends ‘Fran and Anna’ minus the Mini Kilts! All this, peppered with a few jokes, recitations, and songs with everyone willing and wanting to do their bit. The witching hour was upon us all too quick and a rousing chorus of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ brought us too the end of another ‘traditional’ night in the history of the Howff Club. Personal thanks to all who made it a night to remember. One meeting down only 13 to go!

JOHN M CASKIE

PRESIDENT BURNS HOWFF CLUB

14 MAY 2009

COLDSTREAM BRIDGE CEREMONY

On May 7^th 1787 along with his pal Robert Ainslie, Robert Burns during his visit to the Borders crossed the Tweed Bridge in Coldstream for his first visit to England. It was reported that on Leaving Scottish soil and entering English land Burns went down one knee at the Tweed Bridge and recited the last two verses of ‘The Cotters Saturday Night’ which begin O Scotia!  My dear, my native soil!....

On Sunday 10^th May 2009, 222 years later, Coldstream Burns Club to celebrate this 250^th anniversary year of the birth of Robert Burns re-enacted that very event on the banks of the Tweed Bridge. Over 100 members and Friends of the Club including myself and fellow ‘Howffers’ Treasurer David Baird, Past President David Miller, Secretary David Smith and Honorary member Jane Brown, we joined the procession from the centre of the Borders Town to walk behind the two pipers and the Coldstream Burns Club banner across the Bridge into England and assembled under the Bridge awaiting the arrival of ‘Robert’s, Burns and Ainslie’. Arriving to loud cheers ‘Robert Burns’ dis mounted his horse kneeled on one knee and proceeded to read the lines from ‘The Cotters Saturday Night’ After Toasts to Robert Burns and To Coldstream Burns Club it was back over the Bridge where, I on behalf of the Howff Club laid a wreath at the plaque commemorating Burns ‘arrival in England’.

An absolutely brilliant afternoon of entertainment was then laid on at the towns’ community centre where after an inspirational address by World President Bill Dawson, many members and friends of the Coldstream Burns Club entertained.

Chairman Rob Smith extended a welcome to many guests from the Robert Burns World Federation and neighbouring clubs and asked for a ‘special welcome’ to the members of the Howff Club! Rob said they were honoured that we (Howff Club) could attend and be part of their special afternoon. We has Howff members could only insist that the pleasure was ours at once again being invited and to be part of a very special celebration.

This concluded my second engagement in my first 10 days as Howff President. Sunday 3^rd May was the Langholm Ladies ‘Literary luncheon’ in the Buccleuch Centre Langholm on the ‘songs of Burns’ which was most enjoyable and friendly and before the trip to Coldstream along with many other Howff members  I attended the Theatre Royal in Dumfries to watch the Dumfries Musical and Operatic Society in the performance of ‘Red Red Rose’ a musical jointly written and directed by John Cairney and Geoff Davidson. Well done to the DMOS for a most enjoyable performance.

JOHN M CASKIE

HOWFF CLUB PRESIDENT

David Miller passed the Chain on to John Caskie at the AGM and brought an era to an end.  David had a remarkable year and represented the club at a record number of events, far and wide with great dignity and good humour. He listened to the Hon. Secretary and on occasions, took his advice. I can't let his year go without paying sincere tribute to his approach to the task. David Miller encapsulated everything which makes the Howff Club special and rose to every challenge, great and small. He will be sadly missed.

President John Caskie will lead us through the Year of Homecoming in the manner we will expect. He is supported by a strong team of office bearers and committee and can look forward to a year to remember.

D. Smith

Hon. Secretary    

PRESIDENT DUTIES BEGIN!

Thursday 30^th April will live in my memory for a long time. That was the night I assumed the role of President of the Burns Howff Club. Over 30 members attended the AGM in the Globe Inn where they heard a comprehensive report on the past years proceedings by Secretary David Smith in his 37^th annual report. Retiring President David Miller, who has had a tremendous year, highlighted a few of the events he had attended and the ‘high points’ in what has been a busy year for him before presenting me with the famed chain of office as President of the club. In turn my first duty was to present David with a Past Presidents badge and thank him for the service he gave to the club over the past year.

Neil Johnston was elected Senior Vive President with Frank Manson becoming Junior Vice President. I look forward to working with both Neil and Frank in representing and promoting the club over the next 12 months. After conducting the second part of the meeting with the assistance of Secretary David Smith it was a pleasure to lead the members in Auld Lang Syne at the close of a morable evening for me.

Some members then retired to the Chinese restaurant for an enjoyable meal and refreshments.

Presidential duties are now under way; I look forward to the year ahead and thank the members of the Burns Howff Club for their support and confidence in electing me as their President for this year.

JOHN M CASKIE

PRESIDENT BURNS HOWFF CLUB 2009/2010