There was no let-up in March.  A meeting of the Executive Committee on the 1^st was well chaired by the president and anarchy was avoided. Friday 6^th, met up with the treasurer and visited McQueen the Engraver to look at options for the Globe Inn 400^th anniversary. Liased with Andy MacKay on content for the April Newsletter. Received the “master CD”s of the Anniversary Dinner and listening to the superb recording brought back a night to remember. Later, joined the librarian at the Globe to continue sorting out papers and photographs for the club archives.  Due to an ear infection, had to call-off from the Globe’s St. Patrick’s Night on 17th and missed the line dancing but heard that a fine time had been had by all. Delighted to be invited to attend a Burns Supper at the Bachelor’s Club at Tarbolton on 19^th and joined David Baird and David Miller. What an atmosphere and what talent from all over the country. Met several old friends including Jim Shields and Willie Horne. There’s always a downside and this was the Federation quarterly meeting on the following day but the show must go on. The highlight was the stop at Poosie Nancies on the way home where we met a member of Mauchline Masonic Burns Club who told tales of Burns and Mauchline and the “Mauchline Belles”.  The sub committee formed to look at the club constitution and chaired by Frank Manson, met on the 23^rd and started work on what will be a long-term project but the target date is the AGM in 2011.  Ian Millar of Thornhill was guest speaker at the Winter Lecture on 25^th March and raised some interesting points concerning the supposed trip by Burns and Maria Riddell to the Lead Mine at Wanlockhead and the legend of the carronades seized from the smuggling brig,”Rosamund” in the Solway in 1792 and the alleged attempt to ship them to the French Revolutionaries. Ian is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Burns scholar but his claims, although fascinating can’t be proved.  An on-going ear infection kept me from the Games Night at Marchmount but it was reported that the pies & peas were up to standard and Bert Hastings’s prowess on the bandit was much admired.  Saturday 27^th was the SSCBA meeting at the Murray Arms, Gatehouse, chaired by president David Baird who kept the lid on outbreaks of distemper amongst some delegates. The highlight was the lunch afterwards. Saturday night was the president’s soiree at Ellisland when unfortunately president John was unable to attend due to ill health but this was an excellent night with first class pies and mushy peas, good company and fantastic entertainment. Mention should be made of the contribution from John Clark whose verses were much enjoyed. Thanks are due to Les and May for their hospitality. Meantime, busy with the papers for the AGM and the Excom meeting on 5^th April. A most interesting meeting of the office bearers was held at the residence of the president on 2^nd April for a discussion on tactics and strategy for the future. John was a generous host and will be sadly missed.

DS