The club was well represented at the fourth Burns Supper of the Befriending Project, held at the Easterbrook Hall on 12^th February. The top table was almost entirely composed of members or honorary members and the chairman was Alex Fergusson MSP, a good friend of the club. Over two hundred of the great and good of Dumfries were assembled to hear an “Immortal Memory” skilfully delivered by Peter Kormylo and the “Lassies” toasted by James Haining in his inimical manner. Maureen McKerrow replied to the Lassies” with some wit and our president provided some songs along with Cheryl Easton. Bobby Jess recited  “Holy Willie” and a good night was had excepting for the outrageous Easterbrook bar prices. Gordon J. managed to sell two copies of “A Wee Kist O’ Verse”. I was later asked by the Befriending Project Organiser to do a bit for the Standard and now wonder if I can start up as a freelance scribbler.  The following night, out to the Burns Centre Film Theatre for the world premiere of “Father of the Bard”, two drama documentaries on DVD telling the story of the Burnes family’s early life in Kincardineshire before grinding poverty forced William Burnes to seek a better life in Ayrshire where he married Agnes Broun and his eldest son Robert was born in the “clay biggin” at Alloway. The DVD’s were produced by David Ramsay for Aberdeen City Council and the cast largely consisted of people with learning difficulties. I found this a moving but uplifting experience.  Meantime, the “Burns Unit” performed at round two of the Pub Quiz. Led by JVP Frank Manson, the intrepid team did considerably better than the first. Congrats are due to Frank, Ian McIntyre, William Johnston and Ian Jordan.  However, different personnel took over for round three and the score soared to 91 from a possible….. David Miller, Godfrey Bedford, Rab Walker and the writer confirmed the club’s reputation for excellence. On Friday 26^th February, Ted Murray, John Lauder, Derek Rogerson and myself returned a cumulative score of 353 but were unplaced. A lively night and the sum of  £1200 was raised between the Breast Cancer Charity and McMillan Nurses, two worthy causes.

Earlier, on 20^th February, president John Caskie, senior vice president Neil Johnston, Hon. Treasurer, David Baird, Hon. Librarian Gordon Johnston, honorary member Jane Brown and the writer journeyed to Edinburgh to attend the annual Burns/ Shevchenko Supper at the Ukrainian Social Club, organised by Peter Kormylo. This was another interesting and colourful event with the company drawn from all ages and the programme included David Baird, John Caskie James Haining and Jane Brown. Not having Ukrainian, I was unable to follow the appreciation of the Ukrainian national poet, Taras Shevchenko, given by a lady present but managed to stumble through the Ukrainian National Anthem at the end. This is a much more stirring tune that our own. Gordon Johnston’s skilful driving and navigation meant there was no repetition of last year’s fiasco. February’s Winter Lecture on Thursday 25^th, was one of the best for a long time. Peter Westwood, editor of the Burns Chronicle, held the company for two hours with his talk on the history of Burns Cottage and the descent of the Burns Family Tree. Before Peter’s talk, I was shown a proof copy of the forthcoming Burns Chronicle Special Edition. Extending to over 700 pages, this record of the Year of Homecoming and the 250^th anniversary of the birth of the Bard, has numerous pictures, articles and features from personalities and Burns Clubs worldwide and includes several pages from the club. It is a recurring shame that these lectures are shunned by members. Only one member of the committee managed to attend but thanks are due to members’ spouses and visitors for making up the numbers and the half time biscuits were good. Saturday 27^th February, out to Ellisland with David and Norma Miller for a “party” to thank those who had assisted with the Ploughing Match. To my considerable disappointment, Joanna Lumley was absent but some wine was quaffed and nibbles consumed. The entertainment included the lovely voices of Holly Little and Bill Welsh.  The Burns season for 2010 is now officially terminated. Hooray.

DS 28/02/2010

I trio of Davids and I had a great night across at the Buccleuch Hall in the Muckle Toon supper entertainment fra the full Scocha group , all the usual fun and amusement as well as a terrific performance of border ballads and burns songs.  We also managed to enjoy a 3 course meal and some refreshments before the start of the concert.

IF you see Scocha back at the Buccleuch its well worth a visit.

When Januar’ wind was blawing cauld!

January was always going to be a busy month and after the relatively quite time over Christmas and New Year I was ‘all set’ for the Burns season.

The secretary has documented many of the events in has blog so its bullet points for me.

Monday 11^th. Executive committee meeting at Howff, lively but controllable!! Just!!

Sunday 17^th. Durisdeer Village Hall for the old folks treat, yes I was their treat! Singing to the music of good friends John Douglas on accordion and Ian Kirkpatrick on fiddle.

Monday 18^th. Round Table Burns Supper at The Globe. Sang for my supper as well at ‘toasting’ the Round Table as is the custom for Howff Club President.

Tuesday 19^th. Locharbriggs old folks club Burns Lunch, cooked the meal for the locals then entertained with couple of Burns songs. Later in the evening chaired the meeting of the Locharbriggs Community Centre Association.

Thursday 21^st. Lochfoot Village Hall for the Lochfoot Lunch Club’s Burns Lunch. Sang couple of songs and won a prize in their garden plant competition. Out again at night to Broughton House Kirkcudbright at the invitation of RBWF President Mike Duguid for ‘An Evening with Burns’ along with Chris Rollie and Holly Little. Chris is still one of the best orators of Burns works and if there is a better singer on the scene than Holly Little I have yet to hear her.

Friday 22^nd. Dumbuck Hotel Dumbarton, for the Dumbarton Burns Club Burns Supper. Extended the fraternal greetings from Howff to our great friends at Dumbarton and then sang two songs at the request of the President.

Saturday23rd. Southerness Golf Club Burns Supper which was a comedy of errors at the start but turned out to be ok and a great Immortal Memory from Hon Member of the Howff Joe Campbell.

Sunday 24^th. Locharbriggs Community Centre, where as their Chairman I hosted the ‘Songs of Praise for Burns’ A packed hall sang hymns sung to favourite Scottish tunes,  Burns reflection from Wilson Ogilvie, Prayer from Rev David Almond and music from Willie McRobert on accordion. Great night and the many complimentary comments whilst enjoying the coffee and shortbread afterwards proved we had hit the right note with our theme.

Monday 25^th. Lunch at Globe Inn followed by service at St Michaels where I sang ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ before freezing at the Mausoleum to lay the clubs wreath. A welcome cup of coffee and blether was held in the hall afterwards.

Howff Club Anniversary Supper at Globe Inn.

Biased I may be here but I had the great honour or presiding over one of the best Burns Suppers I have ever attended. Toasts were great from Ted Cowan (Immortal memory) and Willie McDougall (The Lassies O’), Music from James Coutts, Ian Kirkpatrick and Lionel McClelland was of the highest standard and champion recitationist Willie Horne captivated the audience. Club members also added to the programme and I was overwhelmed by the support I received as President. A night I will remember for a long long time and another highlight in my year as Howff President.

Tuesday 26^th. Loreburn Retirement Group Burns Lunch at Maxwelltown Church hall and then to the Globe Inn for their ‘in house’ Burns Supper. Sang and enjoyed a relaxed night of great entertainment and atmosphere.

Wednesday 27th. Lunch at Globe Inn with secretary to de brief from the anniversary supper. We were both still on a high from that great night! Travelled onto Dunscore for a rehearsal with pianist Peter Gunnel for Burns Supper taking place in February.

Thursday 28^th. Globe Inn again as guest of Dumfries Lions Club and sang at their Burns Supper.

Friday 29^th. Gilcknockie Village Hall for a real community Burns Supper,  the hall was packed with all ages and was great to be back singing where I had entertained during their Homecoming event in late summer of 2009.

Saturday 30^th. Locharbriggs Community Centre for the Burns Season Dance. I didn’t do much dancing as my remit was to cook the meal for the 140 folk who were dancing to music from John Douglas and his band. The fun in the kitchen whilst listening to the music was hilarious and we served the meal in minutes with one complaint!!! It was too hot for some! Fun it was and we now realise that the fire safety warning system we installed in the centre in July does work as the alarms were ringing when the ‘tumshie’ boiled over on the stove.

Sunday31st. The month draws to a close with the humbling experience of the Charnwood Lodge Burns Supper. I chaired the event and addressed the Haggis before delivering a short Immortal Memory. I didn’t speak long and themed my speech round quotes from songs and poems that the audience would recognise. I was pleased with my effort and think it went down ok with the assembled members of the Howff and residents and friends of Charnwood.

So January over and what a great month it’s been. The anniversary supper is still being talked about and just proves what a great night it was.

Songs I have sung during the month have included. Ae Fond Kiss, Aye Waulkin O, Corn Rigs, There Was A Lad, Cragieburn Wood, Braes of Ballochmyle, Lass of Ballochmyle, Bonnie Wee Thing, Ye Banks and Braes, A Man’s A Man, O Wert Tho In The Cauld Blast and The Star o Rabbie Burns.

John M Caskie

PRESIDENT

BURNS HOWFF CLUB

07/02/2010