July will be a busy month. Saturday 4th saw a super performance at the Theatre Royal of the one-act play, "Tea with Clarinda" featuring Cheryl Anne Easton as Jean Armour Burns and Anna Hillis as Nancy ("Clarinda") McLehose. The play is about a meeting between Jean and Nancy with whom Burns had a romantic friendship. Burns and Nancy wrote many letters to each other using the pen-names Sylvander and Clarinda. The two women are supposed to have met only once, about 25 years after Burns' death, when Jean was in her mid-fifties and Nancy in her early sixties and the play is a fictional representation of what might have happened when "the wife" met "the other woman". The setting is the Edinburgh drawing-room of publisher George Thomson, sometime in the early 1820's.  The conversations were illustrated by Burns' songs from both performers, to traditional settings ending with a duet of "Of A' the Airts/ Ae Fond Kiss" and drew a standing ovation from the enthusiastic audience. Cheryl and Anna were later entertained to supper by the office bearers in the Globe Inn.

One of the most enjoyable gatherings in the Globe followed on Monday 6th when president John welcomed a good attendance of members and friends to the Jean Armour Dinner. Following an excellent meal by the Globe Inn, Guest speaker, honorary member David Shanland MBE, delighted the company with a droll, but thoughtful toast to "Jean" and was almost upstaged by Lesley Douglas who spoke on "The Other Women in Burns Life", peppered with  humour with judging from the response, was much enjoyed by the company. Entertainment was provided by Aileen Carr from Dunfermline and Willie McRobert from Moffat, supported by club members Bill Welsh, Les Byers and Gordon Johnston. Delegates form the Ladies Clubs of Dumfries and Annan were present and the Rev. Ella Pennington, president of Dumfries Ladies gave the pre-dinner Grace as only she can.  Junior vice president Frank Manson proposed a vote of thanks and was later spoken to by the secretary. 

Earlier, during a welcome break from the downpour, members and friends were led by club piper Calum Watson to the statue to Jean when president John presided at the wreathlaying ceremony and placed the club's floral tribute on the plinth. Another wreath was laid by David Baird in his role as president of the SSCBA.  In competition with the Brooms Road traffic, Jane Brown delivered a brief appreciation of Jean Armour before the company was piped back to the Globe for a reception for guests.

The evening was highly enjoyable and augurs well for John's year in office.

DS