“In Memorium”

 Sunday 3^rd July, warm and sunny and thrilled to be conveyed in President Frank’s hi tech Porsche to Thankerton near Lanark to attend the annual ceremony at the commemorative stone at Covington Mains Farm, marking the spot where Burns stayed overnight on his journey from Mauchline to Edinburgh in 1786 to discuss proposals for his Edinburgh Edition.  The ceremony is arranged by the Lanarkshire Association of Burns Clubs and a goodly turnout of Burnsians was there including WRBF president and a number of past presidents. The oration was delivered by Mike Duguid who missed out last year due to his accident and the customary floral tributes were placed with great ceremony.  Afterwards, the company reassembled at the nearby Tinto Hotel for a buffet and some superb entertainment from two local youngsters, winners in the local schools competition, who played and sang brilliantly. The bar prices are clearly set to keep out the riff-raff. Good day and a chance to meet up with old friends.  The 7^th Jean Armour Dinner on 4^th July was a success story although some hiccups within the Globe delayed the start but the meal was excellent and the cheese board was a dream. The toasts by Josie Neal and Kevin Thompson were what we would expect but the singing from Leona Evans, the 2011 “Young Burnsian” was the highlight of an enjoyable night, well chaired by President Frank. Thanks are due to the team who achieved a record result with raffle ticket sales.  Earlier, at the Jean Armour statue, Frank placed the club’s tribute and the oration was given by David Baird before the company trudged back to the Globe led by Pipe Major Callum Watson.  Tuesday 5^th July, foregathered with distinguished local Burnsians at Burns Mausoleum at 2.00pm to meet with Council officials to discuss the sad state of the iconic building which has attracted numerous adverse comments of late. Peter Nelson, the Senior Architect was reassuring and promised that renovations would be put in hand before the end of the year and that the unsightly CCTV pole and disabled access ramp would be relocated. Will be able to report favourably to the next meeting of the WRBF but will watch for progress. The commemoration season continued on Sunday 10^th July with the annual trip to Hawick to attend the ceremony at Wauchope Cairn.  Eleven members, spouses and guests from Dumfries Ladies Burns Club No. 1 set out by luxury minibus, driven by club member Colin Craig who got the party to the destination on schedule.  It was as well that your blogger decided that the club bus would follow the Hawick coach as on arrival at the Cairn, the coach rear wheels were couped in a ditch whilst trying to reverse. After the ceremony when the oration was delivered by David Baird, our minibus brought as many back to the Hawick Burns Club as possible before the farmer pulled the coach out of the ditch.  Slightly later than advertised, the social hour got underway with generous hospitality and a splendid buffet. Mention must be made of the contribution made to the entertainment from SVP Ian McIntyre, deputising for President Frank, whose mellifluous tones were much acclaimed.  Back home on time and intact.  Thursday 14^th July.  The Club Treasure Hunt attracted a welcome turnout of 24 members and friends and were marshalled into four teams.  Setting out from the Globe at 7.15pm, the intrepid members navigated the route from clue sheets drawn up to avoid ambiguity but seemed to have failed in the minds of certain folk and your blogger, who was attached as advisor to a team had to step in to defuse an explosive situation.  Ted Murray was seen to be taking careful note of the “answers”.  Several first class malts at the “Tam” helped and back to the Globe for the calculation of the winners. This was a mistake as the four judges missed out on the pies, sausage rolls and mushy peas and got what seems to have been the left-overs.   Your blogger disagreed with the team identified as the winner. Thanks are due to Gordon Johnston and his colleagues, especially David Miller for compiling the clue sheets and creating an excellent and enjoyable night and to Kerr Little for providing the pie shells and sausage rolls. DS