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