THAT WAS THE JULY THAT WAS! (Part two)

Continuing my look back at July the busy month it was!!

July 21^st

Robert Burns World Federation Summer School concert featuring Emily Smith in the Globe Inn, (Compered a great night of entertainment from Emily and the supporting cast, first met Emily about 8/9 years ago and hey! what a talent, was great to be back on stage with her and to share her company.)

July 22^nd

SSCBA Brow Well service and social (High tea at Moreig before the touching service where I laid a club tribute, before compering an enjoyable social at the Bruce in Annan)

July 24^th

Homecoming open air night at Locharbriggs Community Centre (over 300 folk attended a fun night of entertainment which helped raise money for the centre and celebrate this the Homecoming year in style, the weather was great too!!)

July 25^th

Glasgow University launch of ‘The BARD Initiative’ (Attended the launch by the RBWF president Bill Dawson and ‘mingled’ with those who had attended the week long summer school)

July 25^th (evening)

Globe Inn Dumfries for the Kevin Thomson Burns 250 show (Kevin with his look at Burns life along with songs and recitations of the lesser known variety, audience was quality but sadly not quantity, although this did not detract from Kevin’s excellent performance)

So That Was The July That Was! Yes busy it was indeed but again most enjoyable. Throw in, my young brothers wedding, a work mates 40^th birthday party, entertaining the old folks club in Locharbriggs and organising and setting up the annual Locharbriggs Community Centre Car Treasure Hunt there have been few days spare.

August should be quieter but I am sure will be every bit as good fun.

JOHN M CASKIE

PRESIDENT BURNS HOWFF CLUB

2nd AUGUST 2009

THAT WAS THE JULY THAT WAS! (Part one)

July turned out to be a very busy month indeed; the Secretary has mentioned most of the events in his ‘lively blog’ so I wont go over the full details again other than make reference to them in bullet points.

July 4^th

 ‘Tea with Clarinda’ featuring Cheryl Anne Easton and Anna Hills followed by an after show meal at Globe Inn. (Polished performance from girls and great company afterwards.)

July 6^th

Jean Armour Night, Wreath laying at statue with the Dnner in Globe Inn with Guest Speaker D Shankland MBE. (Super night of great speeches and entertainment)

July 12^th

Wauchope Cairn ceremony at Wauchope near Hawick. (Bus journey eventful! ceremony moving and enjoyable entertainment to finish a grand day out!)

July 16^th

Howff Treasure Hunt. (I looked the part with my clip board but sadly my team let me down!)

In between have entertained at Scottish Night for Annan Riding of the Marches, attended the first Locharbriggs Gala for 20 years and was re elected Chairman of Locharbriggs Community Centre Association at the associations AGM

Half way through July more to follow!!

JOHN M CASKIE

PRESIDENT BURNS HOWFF CLUB

2nd  AUGUST 2009

The club does its best to support local florists this year. On Sunday 12^th July, 12 members and friends made the annual trip to Hawick to attend the Wauchope Cairn ceremony. Travelling by luxury minibus, the party arrived at Albert Bridge, the home of Hawick Burns Club, in good time for light refreshment before setting off for Wauchope. On route, the bus and exhaust parted company but made it for the ceremony when the club’s wreath was laid with dignity by president John Caskie. An address was given by Federation president Bill Dawson before returning to Hawick for an excellent buffet and lively entertainment to which the president and Gordon contributed.  The return journey was uneventful.

The next floral tribute was placed at the Burns statue in Ayr on 19th July when the club was represented by the secretary and treasurer. A ceremony is held at the statue annually before the company proceeds to Leglen Wood where Burns was said to frequent whilst at Alloway and another address from Bill Dawson.

Brow Well was the occasion for the next wreath on 22^nd July when a company of over 100 attended the annual service, conducted with style by David Baird and yet another oration from Bill Dawson. The social gathering at Annan was enjoyable and expertly MC’d by John. Entertainment included a rendition of a song, entitled “Coming Hame”, written and performed by Jim Shields for the Homecoming Year and which this reporter has now heard about 8 times at recent commemorative events.

Yet another floral tribute was laid before a statue on 26^th July. This time at Kilmarnock Cross at the statue to John Wilson, printer of the Kilmarnock Edition in 1786. The party from the club unfortunately arrived too late for the ceremony but that was not the fault of the driver, honorary member Jane Brown. It was decided to lay the wreath anyway and this was done with great aplomb by senior vice president Neil Johnston with other wreaths laid by Mrs. Brown and David Baird on behalf of the SSCBA. The delegation met up with the official party in the council rooms for a buffet, an address from Bill Dawson and Jim Shields’s song. Later, Mr. Baird sneaked his wreath back to lay again at the Burns Monument at Mauchline before repairing to “Poosie Nancies” for a pint.

In between these fragrant events, the annual Treasure Hunt took place on 16^th July when the clues were even more cryptic than ever but 20 odd members and friends turned up for the trail round 8 town centre pubs. Intoxication was avoided however and Chris Lyon and team were declared the winners. Although it can’t be proved, it was thought that Chris had sight of the answers in advance.  The RDV dinner was held in the Globe on 18^th July with much formality and sobriety.  St. Michaels Kirk was the venue on 20^th July for a splendid concert by St. Michaels Burns Club when ageing thespian Dr. John Cairney delivered his acclaimed narrative on Burns’ life with songs and music from local artistes. Emily Smith thrilled an enthusiastic audience in the Globe on 21^st July with a superb range of songs and the Globe was the scene for Kevin Thompson’s “Burns250” on 25^th July. This was Kevin’s one-man show of songs and poems, illustrated with a brilliant slide presentation. An excellent night but disappointing for the poor turnout which numbered 11 and included 3 members of the public.

DS