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Thursday, June 30
"An mair o' horrible an awful"
by
Secretary (DS)
on Thu 30 Jun 2011 13:32 BST
6th June, a meeting of the Executive
Committee chaired with panache by President Frank who is so laid back as to be
almost horizontal, but very effective with it.
Agreed to check the feasibility of a trip on the PS Waverley during the
summer and to take up the crumbling state of Burns Mausoleum with the
authorities. Thursday 9th June, attended a pleasant gathering of
Burnsians and others at the Municipal Chambers for a Civic Reception by the
Council to mark the election of David Baird as president of the WRBF. Welcome
from Convenor Patsy Gilroy, anodyne speeches followed by nibbles. No wine due
to Council cost cutting but repaired to the Globe afterwards for modest
refreshment.
Shocked on the following morning by news of
the sudden death of Mrs. Rose Edgar, secretary of the SSCBA, who had been
present at the reception. Saturday 11th June, SSCBA AGM,
overshadowed by the news about Rose but Jane Brown was elected president in succession
to David Baird. David Miller moved up to senior VP and Michael Duguid was
elected junior VP after ballot. Was unsure whether to demand a recount. John
Caskie was unanimously elected secretary. Sunday 12th, Matt Sempie, our
antique glazier arrived at the Globe, en
famile and on time to re-etch the Burns verses on the big pane of glass.
Fascinating to watch an expert at work with an electronic stylus with Burns
would not have had available. Joined by David Miller, David Baird and later by
John Lauder and Dan Cook who were poised to welcome a party from Newton Burns
Club, Ayr. Lunch afterwards with Matt
and family when the kids kept asking questions I couldn’t answer. Earlier, whilst waiting for Matt to arrive,
was attracted to the High Street by the stirring sound of a Pipe Band when the
Cornet and party, escorted by Provost Gloom and Baiile Caskie, shuffled past on
their way to the Kirking of the Cornet Ceremony. Counted five club members in
assorted finery and exchanged salutations. Tuesday, 14th June,
attended at North West Dumfries Kirk for an appointment with Rev. Neil Campbell
and David Baird to discuss arrangements for the Brow Well Service. Neil
suggested a reading form the King James Bible as this was the 400th
anniversary of that great piece of literature.
Mrs. Edgar’s funeral on Friday 17th. Chapel of Rest packed
and the company included several Federation folk who had travelled specially. A
moving tribute to Rose was delivered by David Baird. Accompanied PP Tom
Johnstone to the interment at Terregles Kirkyard. Gave Guid Nychburris a miss this year as was
out with friends for dinner that night. The week commencing 20th
June was a marathon. Monday night, Library Sub Committee, attended by Peter Kormylo
who proposed a club debate and discussion panel in November, with invited
guests. Also, a proposal to investigate the installation of a pull down screen
and ceiling mounted projector. Costs to be obtained before being remitted to
the Renovations Sub Committee. Tuesday, Globe Inn at 5.00pm for an SSCBA office
bearers meeting to discuss arrangements for the Fed. Meeting at Georgetown on
Saturday. Wednesday, 22nd June, back to the Globe for the
Constitution Revision Sub Committee. Now almost in final draft and Frank hopes
to present this to the Excom in August for discussion. Funny how more progress is
made when half the committee is absent! Thursday 23rd. A team of
four cerebral members assembled at the Globe to traverse the route of the
Treasure Hunt and to compile clues. Led by David Miller and Gordon Johnston,
the group visited 8 pubs (I think) and gathered clues along the route. In your
blogger’s opinion, the clues became more cryptic as the night wore on but I kept
being shouted down. Back to the Globe, we found we had 40, 50 or 60 clues which
David Miller would refine. Saturday, 25th, At the
Globe at 8.15am to pick up a cauldron of soup, crockery, savoury scones and
things to transport to Georgetown Community Centre for delegates arriving for
the WRBF meeting. Narrowly avoided being scalded in the groin en route. Superb work by the Ladies
Burns Club including Dan Cook in welcoming delegates and serving coffee. The
morning meeting of the Heritage Subcommittee was harmonious and productive.
Mixed views expressed on the Birthplace Museum and Cottage at Alloway but David
Miller reported positively on steps in hand for refurbishments at the Mausoleum.
After the snack lunch provided the Globe Inn, The afternoon plenary session
ended at the unusually early time of 2.45pm. David Baird as chairman reported
briefly that the employment of WRBF Chief Executive had been terminated and the
matter was now closed. Rather surprisingly, there was no discussion on
finances. The convenors’ reports were heard without much discussion and conference
in 2012 would be held at the Caird Hotel, Harrogate. That night, I had the pleasure of
transporting David Baird, Ted Murray and Neil Johnston to the Buccleuch Centre
at Langholm for the summer concert by “Scocha”, the Scottish Folk & Roll
Band. An excellent meal on arrival and delighted to meet Alex and David Pool.
The auditorium was set up in cabaret fashion and the Pools joined our table
which added greatly to the jollifications. The band was as energetic and exuberant as
ever with great interaction with the Langholm audience who lapped up the
programme of old favourites. As designated driver, I eschewed the sauce and got
everyone home safely before midnight to avoid one of the party being turned
into a pumpkin. Monday 27th,
the Excom again and pleased to note the high uptake of tickets for the Jean
Armour Dinner. Sufficient members and friends are interested in the Waverley
trip and that will go ahead. John Caskie has brought forward a proposal for a
club umbrella and the Webmaster has found a photo of the Hon. Secretary with a
cardboard cow for the Website. Ho, hum. DS
Sunday, June 5
"Musings for May"
by
Secretary (DS)
on Sun 05 Jun 2011 23:00 BST
Following a request from Hon. Member Murdo
Morrison, the Librarian and I met up with an Irish academic, Dr. Padraig
O’Boyle who was in Scotland researching material for a treatise on Celtic poets
and their memorials. Met Dr. O’Boyle at the Globe on 4th May and
Gordon and I conducted him round the Globe and up to the Kirk and Mausoleum
where he was thrilled to get access.
Made the long journey to Coldstream on Sunday 8th with Ian
McIntyre, John Lauder and Gordon where we were warmly welcomed and shuffled along
the High Street to the Bridge after the piper where Ian placed the club’s
tribute with flair. The weather brightened up and the ceremony at Craw Green
was impressive as usual. At the social in the British Legion which followed, a
generous buffet was provided and Gordon contributed to the entertainment. As
designated driver, was compelled to lay off the sauce. It is clear that the
Coldstream Burns Club really appreciate our attendance each year. A ceremony of
a different kind was conducted in St. Michaels Kirkyard on 10th May
when a goodly turnout of volunteers raced round cleaning the 45 commemorative
plagues of Burns’ contemporaries. Cleaning materials were provided and it was
noted that grave No 30, supposedly occupied by David Williamson, Draper and supplier
of Burns’ Volunteers uniform, was unaccounted for. Further enquiries will be
made. The party repaired to the Globe Inn afterwards to regroup. Saturday 14th,
back to Lockerbie Academy for the RBWF Primary Schools Competition. Surprised
by the attendance of parents and supporters and the force of stewards had to
manhandle hundreds of plastic chairs to the Assembly Hall for the closing
ceremonies. Again, some superb performances by the kids from all over Scotland.
Members of the Ladies Burns Club provided nibbles during the intervals for
which much thanks is due. The opening
meeting of the new Executive Committee took place on 16th May and as
is customary, members assembled at 7.00pm for the official photograph. The term
“silk purse and sow’s ear” comes to mind but photographer Tom Bonnar did his
best. The meeting was well conducted and productive and it is hoped that the
new committee will be more supportive of activities other than social functions
at the Globe. The public bowling rink at
Dock Park is now closed during the week, presumably due to council cut backs
but your secretary is nothing if not persuasive and managed to arrange for the
club Bowling Night to take place on the evening of Thursday 19th
May. There was a merciful absence of fertiliser and midges and Bowling Marshall
Bob Wilson conjured up 8 teams of two who bowled with a will! Bob’s marking system is inscrutable but this
year’s winners were announced as Ian McIntyre and David Smith who expressed
incredulity but accepted the highly coveted “Draffan Cup” now in its 100th
year. Coronation Chicken sandwiches, not apparently to everyone’s taste were
served thereafter at the Globe.
The Renovations Sub-Committee met on 23rd
May and David Miller did his best to make some progress. Matt Sempie, our
antique glazier, has dispatched a sheet of safety glass which he will inscribe
again with Burns’ verses but had still to materialise. Friday 26th, off to
Kirkcudbright Academy with David Miller, John Lauder and David Baird to attend
a concert by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in the Academy’s Cochran Hall.
Packed to capacity but enjoyed a tremendous programme of Haydn, von Webber and
the highlight of Beethoven’s Symphony No 3, “Eroica”, all under the baton of
the young guest conductor, Jonathan Schiffer whose enthusiasm was infectious. A
pint at the Royal Hotel earlier was enjoyed by some but not the driver. In my
capacity as Aide de Campe to the
president of the RBWF, I accompanied said personage to Mauchline for the Holy
Fair on Saturday 28th May. Damp
weather soon cleared up and after the opening formalities, the streets
resounded to the Pipe Band and an excellent Dixieland Jazz Band who played on
an elevated stage outdoors. The Manic Street Preachers were as lugubrious as
ever and Hell and Damnation was promised to the ungodly. Taking refuge in the
Kirk, enjoyed a performance by Willie Stewart’s songs to old and new settings.
Outside, a chapter of Hell’s Angels on Harley Davidsons were racing up and down
and a Hog (pig) Roast was being cooked on the Green. In the arcade, a stand
featuring 23 owls was being much admired and various craft and commercial
pitches were popular. Invited to the VIP lunch which by the time of arrival had
all but been consumed. The president who was resplendent in the Chain of Office
attracted much attention, being mistaken several time for the Provost, but he
graciously accepted the homage from the large turnout of Burnsians. Back to the
Kirk where we met up with Ian and Moira McIntyre, a group of ladies known as
“Ayres and Graces” sang interspersed with “turns” by members of Mauchline Burns
Club which might have better been omitted, but it was their show after all.
I would have liked to tarry at the Showground
Steam Engine and Fairground Organ but duty called. Sunday, 29th May,
joined David Miller and David Baird to St. George’s Church for a concert by
Dumfries Mail Voice Choir and the Brymbo Male Voice Choir from Wales who
delighted the packed Kirk with choral favourites, old and new. Special guests
were William Williamson and a lovely young soprano from Moffat, Jessica Barker,
who wowed the audience with some modern numbers from the shows. In the second
half, both choirs combined to produce a magical sound which resonated
throughout the church bringing the audience to their feet in appreciation. The
acoustics in St. George’s is much superior to that in DG One. Back to the Globe
for a welcome pint. Tuesday 31st May, appointment with Adam Coutts
from Nicholson Demolitions, Glasgow, to discuss the possibilities of sourcing
some aged wood for the clubroom renovations. Adam was intrigued by the story of
the Globe Inn and the clubroom and felt that he could find something suitable.
We will see. Saturday 3rd
June, was privileged, along with David Baird, to be driven in Gordon’s new Jag,
all high tech with bells and whistles, to the Buccleuch Centre at Langholm, for
an “Evening with Jimmie Macgregor”, possibly best remembered from the ground
breaking “Tonight” programme from the 60’s. Jimmie held the audience spellbound
with his songs and stories and reminiscences from the past and publicly
announced that he has been booked for an “Immortal Memory” by the “World Famous
Dumfries Howff Club” (his words) in 2013. Jimmie, who celebrated his 81st
birthday last year, agreed to stay alive until that date. An excellent steak pie supper and met up with
Alex Pool and his sister in law. Meantime, trying to encourage dilatory members
to cough up their subs before the deadline otherwise they will be cast out.
Baffled by the number who send their subs direct to me although the reminder
letter makes it clear that subs should be sent to the treasurer for Gawd’s
Sake! Oh good, the sheet of glass has
turned up.
DS
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