Hi Neil

Can we meet to finalise the arrangements for the Jean Armour Dinner?

I'm indebted to our hon. Secretary for the amount of time and effort which goes into the organisation to ensure that we 'the President & Member' have a great night most eventualities are planned, the menu is checked and I agree to print them.

During our meeting with Jane we manage to agree a on the 19th August for an additional evening evening in the Globe,  I had hoped to be able to add to their 400 year celebrations and it has been decided that we shall have a 'Fish Supper' with the address to the fish supper and some other light hearted entertainment, also we are hoping to arrange the return of "the gangral buddies" who appeared at the Globe last year when only a handful of Howff members attended and I'm sure that most members would really enjoy the performance which we hope will be the 2nd October, just before the Globe closes for the repairs to the wall.

Frank Manson has been very diligent and is methodically working through the rules and regulation of the club, it is surprising how the simplest of line can create such a lot of points for discussion. 

At the sub-committee tonight we seem to agree to change something then when you read it again later you think perhaps we should change that  again because if ........ then ........... because ............!    or  should that be under membership and not committee, etc. etc.

The work goes on and thanks are due to Frank, John Lauder, John Caskie, Bob Walker for their input so far there are some proposed changes which should ultimately benefit the club and other which just make things easier to understand. 

Restoration Restoration Restoration

We met in the committee room and David Millar explained the proposed sketches which had been drawn by Chris Lyon at some time, also there was some discussion as to what was under the current carpet and if it was lifted what we could put down,  some consideration need to be give to noise in the room downstairs if  a wood floor was laid in the club room anyway, thing are progressing and it is proposed to ask Mrs McKerrow to comment on what can be done to enhance the club room and ajoining library area before any decisions are made, we are also intending to wait until the exterior wall has been secured in October..

It has happened before, it's been 2 years since the Howff had to de-camp to the Moreig, and whilst the did look after us, it just wusn'y hame.  Once again the Secretary, Treasurer and President had to Stuart at the Moreig to arrange for our October meetings and more importantly our Hallowe'en Supper.   The visit went well and the bookings are made, we've had to compromise on the meal slightly, and hopefully this time someone finds the Silver Sixpenny - last time we were at the Moreig we think that someone must have eaten it, but I suspect that the 1/2 bottle prize would be enjoyed by someone........    

Anyway the price has been agreed, the room booked and we're good to go.  It would be better if we could go to the Globe it has that special atmostphere, but the next section of the wall really need sorted the job is supposed to be finished in October but it can't be guaranteed that all the work will finish on time. so the Moreig it is.  

Unfortunately due to a prior commitment  I couldn’t get to the Globe Inn as early as I would have liked despite having had 60 years to arrange this, but I was glad to see that John Caskie, David Smith, David Baird, Kennie McKinnon and George Templeton were all still there and the party was in full swing when I arrived. A fantastic medley on the pipes and a song composed and played by Lee McQueen on the accordion were among the highlights of an excellent celebration and our best wishes go to Jane along with a wee bunch of flowers to add to the garden centre which was accumulating behind the bar.  I hope that Jane had a brilliant day to celebrate her 60^th birthday and hope that we can be associated with her in the Globe for many many years to come.

Arriving in Mauchline things seemed very quiet, but the car park was open and there was attendants directing us where to park.  David Baird was representing the federation at the opening ceremony  at the Jean Armour statue so he was suited, booted and wearing the regalia, as we waited at the cross for others to arrive a police escort whizzed by sirens  & the works one way, then the other and back again, not entirely sure why bit it was fun to watch as the seemed to lose their charges so a quick u’ turn and flying by again.  The fair started at 11am and steadily more and more people arrived, before the long the centre of the town was a throng, lots of small stalls pedalling their locally produced wares, people walking around in period clothes, food stalls selling anything from burgers to smokies, but to my disappointment no giant Haggis this year.  A Mobile stage at the top end hosted many of the visiting performers and artists, the community hall in the centre also hosted some performances and small had a cafe.  Whilst the church was our apparent venue of choice, possible because most of the performances were of a  Burns nature, excellent performances from Willie Stewart, Shelly Clark and friends, and the Mauchline Burns Club featuring Daddy Auld, Willie Fisher, Pussie Nancy and other local worthies.  Not to mention a visit from the fire and brimstone preachers , who had accosted us earlier in the street “you’ve missed this morning service! But you be  there for the next sermon in an hour” – just time for lunch at Poosie Nancies .

A good entertaining day was had by all and its worthy of a visit in future years.