Seasons Events
Date: Event:
06 May 2007 Coldstream Bridge
18 May 2007 SSCBA Ann. Dinner
24 May 2007 Bowling Night, Dock Park
26 May 2007 Mauchline Holy Fair
08 July 2007 Wauchope Cairn
25 July 2007 Club Treasure Hunt
09 July 2007 Jean Armour Dinner
18 July 2007 Brow Well Service
18 Aug 2007 Edinburgh Tattoo
16 Sept 2007 Dumbarton Bowling Match
31 Oct 2007 Hallowe’en Supper
29 Nov 2007 St. Andrew’s Night Dinner
25 Jan 2008 119th Anniversary Dinner
"Spring Fling", Crichton
04 April 2008 Games Night
24 April 2008 Annual General Meeting
Winter Lecture Programme
2007 / 2008
October 25th 2007 Mr. George Taylor "Sailors Three"
November 22nd 2007 Mr. Frank Ryan "Journalism"
February 28th 2008 Mr. John Picken "The Romans in Galloway"
March 27th 2008 Mr. George Thomson "Col. De Peyster"
April 17th 2008 Whisky Tasting in the clubroom
All talks take place in the clubroom at 7.30pm. Friends of members are welcome.
Executive Committee Meetings
Date: Main Business
14 May 2007 Inaugural meeting & Soiree
04 June 2007 General
02 July 2007 Jean Armour Dinner
03 Sept 2007 Season’s programme
08 Oct 2007 Hallowe’en Tickets
22 Oct 2007 Confirmation & Payment
05 Nov 2007 St. Andrew’s Night tickets
19 Nov 2007 Confirmation & Payment
17 Dec 2007 Anniversary Dinner tickets
07 Jan 2008 Confirmation & Payment
04 Feb 2008 General
03 Mar 2008 General
07 April 2008 Pre AGM
Anniversary Dinner
25th January 2008 - Immortal Memory by Alex Fergusson MSP
There is possibly no venue in the world that could replicate the charged atmosphere as president Alistair Johnstone of Dumfries Burns Howff Club welcomed more than 90 members to the 119th anniversary dinner held on Friday evening at the Globe Inn. The president was delighted to welcome Alex Fergusson and Donald McCuaig to the club as its principal speakers and to the entertainers who would provide an extensive programme of songs and recitations.
Following these early formalities, in this most special of taverns where Burns was an occasional customer, Howfers were quickly aroused into song when Frank Curran led them with a spirited delivery of "There was a Lad".
Elevated emotions continued when Calum Watson piped in the haggis and the president made a memorable address, displaying a fine articulation of the Scots language. After an excellent traditional meal the club secretary, David Smith indicated that 130 greetings had been received from kindred clubs around the world and these included good wishes from North America, Australia and Hungary as well as from many clubs in the British Isles.
This showed the status the club enjoys on the world stage and its prominence was endorsed by the attendance of the Consul General of Ukraine, Bohdan Yaremenko. In a short address to the company he said that Robert Burns and Scotland were very famous in Ukraine and that they were important to Ukrainians. Indeed, Ukraine’s national poet Taras Shevchenko had used Burns as his inspiration. He added that in he past 14 years Burns Suppers had taken place in Kiev and this year’s event would be on February 23. It was for him an honour and a privilege to be at the Howff club and he wished that members might in the future attend Burns Suppers in Odessa or Kiev.
Alex Fergusson, MSP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale was introduced by the club president and invited to propose the Immortal Memory. He started his toast by saying that he was no great expert on Robert Burns and that he had no great insight into his persona, psyche or thought process but that he did have one thing in common with the bard, which was that they both started their lives as farmers in south-west Scotland.
Fergusson believed that Burns did not enjoy farming but he found great ability as a poet while at the plough. This job allowed him to let his mind and imagination wander beyond the misery of his immediate task. An example of this was how he empathised with the mouse in his famous poem, his genius was in comparing his own lot with that of a meagre fieldmouse.
However, the main thrust of Fergusson’s Immortal Memory was how Burns was able to paint pictures with words, the only tools at his fingertips. Having been a farmer, he was genuinely moved by the verses Burns had written in the poem Old Maillie, which was about his favourite ewe. But perhaps the strongest images came through his descriptive words in the Cotter’s Saturday Night and this like all great pictures contains clearly defined contrasts.
He wondered what Burns would have made of Holyrood as it is today and how he wrote on his first visit to the capital that "here sat legislation’s sovereign powers" what he was referring to in the past is now there again, a seat of legislative power.
However, he was sure that Burns would have been proud at the opening of Holyrood in 1999 when Sheila Wellington sang his wonderful anthem "A man’s a man for a’ that".
Fergusson embraced the company by asking them to consider the words in Auld Lang Syne. By holding hands together, even for the briefest of moments, was the very essence that inspired Burns to write "that man to man the world o’er shall brothers be for a’ that".
President Alistair Johnstone presented honorary membership to Alex Fergusson, a long-time tradition at the Howff club that is conferred upon those who propose the toast to the Immortal Memory.
The evening followed with Frank Curran leading Howfers in various medleys and folk trio Scocha performing several stirring songs. This was punctuated by recitations from Stewart Park who delivered a flawless performance packed with panache and flamboyance of Tam o’ Shanter and with some style and dignity "The Death and Dying Words of Poor Mailie".
The Lasses, O’ were toasted by Donald McCuaig and he presented an exceptionally funny address, recounting many of his experiences during his time as a schoolteacher.
Past-president David Baird gave a cleverly crafted and witty address to the Howff’s Drouthie Cronies. It was in verse and many people in the company were clearly identified, however, of its verity there was no doubt. "Yer thrapple oiled with whisky neat from Jane Broon’s gantry", or "Wi’ Alistair his gavel bangs, he keeps together cleeks and gangs".
As the evening drew to a close there was some community singing led by Scocha and a solo from immediate past-president Bill Welsh who sang Mary Morrison. Junior vice-president John Caskie thanked the artistes and committee members of the Howff for their involvement in making the evening such a great success and the staff of the Globe for ensuring the company was well served.
As the Howfers stood for Auld Lang Syne and they linked hands the words of Alex Fergusson’s Immortal Memory were still quite clear "that man to man the world o’er shall brothers be for a’ that".
Winter Program
March 27th 2008 Mr. George Thomson "Col. De Peyster"
A good attendance of members and friends gathered in the clubrooms to hear a talk from George Thompson on “Colonel Arent de Peyster”, a friend of the poet and the commander of the Dumfries Volunteers in 1795 when Robert Burns was a member.
Mr Thomson’s talk was illustrated with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation featuring images of the Col.’s travels in North America before the Revolutionary War. Col. Arent Schuyler De Peyster was born in New York of Dutch Huguenot Stock and brought up in Holland and England. He joined the army and spent 47 years in the King’s Liverpool Regiment. On the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, as a young officer, he was posted to the Canadian - American border and tasked to persuade the native tribes to take up arms for the Crown. He was successful in this and was promoted several times. His last posting was garrison commander of a fort near the modern city of Detroit. After the campaign he returned to Britian until he retired in 1794. He settled in Dumfries where his wife had been been born and they lived in Irish street until they purchased Mavis Grove. Robert Burns was a regular visitor to the house and described the Col. in this epistle “My honor’d, much respected friend” . The Col. Commanded the Dumfries Volunteers of which the poet was a member and led the squad at Burns’ funeral in 1796.
Following a lively question and answer session, Mr Thomson was thanked by the president Alistair Johnstone and the company enjoyed coffee and biscuits.
February 28th 2008 Mr. John Picken "The Romans in Galloway"
Report to follow
22nd November 2007 Mr. Frank Ryan "Journalism"
The historic clubroom of the Dumfries Burns Howff Club within the equally historic Globe Inn saw President Alistair Johnstone welcome well-known local journalist Frank Ryan who proceeded to enthral the attendees to the third winter lecture of the present season with stories from his experiences in journalism. Frank painted a vivid picture of his life within the press drawing from his vast experience of wide and varied topics, a life that had touched on tragic stories such as the Lockerbie Disaster but also had a great deal of humour attached to it. As always the evening closed with a lively discussion accompanied by tea, coffee and on this occasion high quality shortbread.
October 25th 2007 Mr. George Taylor "Sailors Three"
The Globe Inn was the venue, as always, for the second winter lecture of the current season when an engaging presentation on three local sailors was presented my Mr George Taylor - Patrick Miller, James Anderson and John Campbell.
Although Patrick Miller is well known to the Howff Club as Robert Burns’ Landlord, the other two were perhaps known to some present but I would suggest not to the majority. George delivered a fascinating insight into these three giants of the world of invention navigation and achievement.
John Campbell from Kirkbean who in 1740 sailed around the world on the Centurian and is also remembered for his work in the development of the sextant and who was later Governor of Newfoundland.
Patrick Miller’s work on steam powered ships well known to us all but also a great innovator in the world of agriculture.
James Anderson’s involvement as Captain of the Great Eastern in the laying of the first Atlantic Telegraph Cables and indeed the retrieval of a lost cable, a momentous feat. George managed to bring the three sailors to life with a lively and informative talk and the evening ended with further discussion and debate.
September 27th 2007 Mr. James Haining "An African Journey"
New season's programme of talks in the Globe Inn opened on 27th September when past president Jim Haining gave an illustrated narrative on his recent working holiday in South Africa. Jim's lively description of the striking contrasts between the "haves and have nots" in African society was complimented by superp photographs of people, places and wildlife overlaid with a droll commentary that veered between wit and pathos. Jim was thanked by senior vice president David Miller.
Next lecture is on Thursday 25th October at 7.30pm,when George Taylor will talk on "Sailors Three".
AGM Meeting in the Howff
Tha club AGM took place in the Howff club rooms on the 26th April 2007 when Alistair Johnstone was installed as President for the coming year, David Miller elected Senior vice president and John Caskie was elected as Junior vice president.
for Full Report click here
Recent Events
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29/11/07 - St. Andrew’s Night Dinner
St. Andrew’s Day was celebrated by the Burns Howff Club with a dinner in the Globe Inn on 29th November.
The large gathering of members was welcomed by president Alistair Johnstone who introduced the guest speaker, Mr. Bill Dawson from Alloa, currently senior vice president of the Robert Burns World Federation.
After dinner, Mr. Dawson proposed the toast to 'Auld Scotia' and took the company on a rich tour of Scotland’s history and traditions from the trauma of Culloden in 1746 to the revival of the Scottish identity led by Sir Walter Scott in the early 19th century with the visit of George IV and the appearance of Highland Dress which was largely invented for the occasion.
The speaker said the Scots had an intense pride in nationhood and Scots culture highlighting the international appeal of Sir Harry Lauder in the 1920’s and the resurgence of literary genius by Hugh McDiarmid and others in the 1950’s. The film 'Braveheart' in 1996, although historically dubious, awakened the conscience of many Scots and led to a vast increase of visitors. This country with a population of 5million can boast 20million worldwide that claim a Scots connection and Scotland is now an international brand.
Mr. Dawson declared that it is not anti English to be a patriotic Scot and paid tribute to our neighbours to the south although his theme was spoiled somewhat with his reference to a medieval law which held that it was legal to murder a Scotsman in the centre of York, if he was carrying a bow and arrow.
Contributing to a superb entertainment programme were Frank Curran, Les Byers and Bill Welsh, with songs old and new. Gordon Johnston and David Baird performed the duo, 'Winter, a Dirge', to great acclaim and Honorary Member Peter Kormylo gave an introduction to Burns’ 'Scots, Wha Hae', the story of the Battle of Bannockburn, followed by a stirring recitation of the poem. Honorary Member Max Houliston accompanied the singers, and again demonstrated his prowess as the best accordion player in the south of Scotland. Special guest artist, Lionel McLelland delighted the company with musical selections on the guitar and tin whistle and later, a hilarious version of Shakespeare’s 'Hamlet', in which the original four hours was reduced to three minutes and sang in broad Glaswegian to the tune 'The Mason’s Apron'.
A raucous period of community singing concluded a memorable evening before a comprehensive Vote of Thanks from junior vice president John Caskie.
31/10/07 - Hallowe’en Supper
Members and friends of the Burns Howff Club gathered in the Globe Inn on 31st October to celebrate Hallowe’en in traditional manner.
The company was welcomed by president Alistair Johnstone who introduced guest speaker, Michael Duguid from Tywnholm and president of Gatehouse of Fleet Burns Club.
After dinner, Mr. Duguid who was recently elected junior vice president of the Robert Burns World Federation at the annual conference held in Canada, gave a light hearted talk on the old customs of a Scottish Hallowe’en as described in Burns’ famous poem of the same name. The speaker was thanked by the president and accepted a set of Burns etchings as a memento.
Spectacular entertainment was supplied by members and guest artistes, including Bobby Jess who recited a vigorous version of 'Tam o’ Shanter' to great acclaim. Honorary member John Glover delighted the company with his talent for comic monologues including a hilarious take-off on Max Boyce’s Welsh Rugby supporter.
Songs were provided by Frank Curran, Les Byers and Honorary Member Alex Pool from Langholm who also recited the stirring Borders poem, 'The Raiders'.
Junior vice president John Caskie proposed a comprehensive vote of thanks at the conclusion of a night to remember. The accompanist was Lee McQueen.
09/07/07 - Jean Armour Dinner
The club attended the annual ceremony to lay a wreath in honour of Jean Armour and the woman Burns life.
President Alistair Johnstone gave a speech to the assemble crowd from fellow Burns clubs and societies followed by a meal and excellent entertainment in the Howff, The Globe Inn.
06/05/07 - Coldstrean Ceromony
A delegation from the club attended the annual ceremony at Coldstream Bridge on 6th May, to commemorate Burns’ visit in 1787 when he crossed the bridge over the River Tweed and stood on English soil for the first time.
Senior Vice David Miller, Hon. Treasurer David Baird, Hon. Librarian Gordon Johnston, Hon. Secretary David Smith and hon. member Jane Brown represented the Howff club. The company continued to the bridge where Coldstream Burns Club president Robert Smith gave an address and placed a wreath at the commemorative plaque. Deputising for president Alistair Johnstone, senior vice president David Miller placed a wreath on behalf of the club. Following the ceremony, the party was piped to the Craw Green on the north bank of the river where the formalities continued with an appreciation of Burns’ visit, by Coldstream secretary John Elliot. At the conclusion of the proceedings, the company returned to the British Legion Club for a buffet and refreshments. During the social hour, which followed, Gordon Johnston contributed to the entertainment and Jane Brown proposed a toast to Coldstream Burns Club.
19/04/07 - Peter Kormylo - - Tam 'o' Shanter to interactive DVD
The season’s Winter Lecture Programme ended on a high note when honorary member Peter Kormylo entertained a good turn out of members and friends with an interactive DVD on Burns’ "Tam O’ Shanter". The DVD was originally produced for use in schools but is an excellent tool for anyone wishing to learn the story and background to the poem. Peter tested the knowledge of members with a quiz on "Tam" and was thanked by senior vice president Alistair Johnstone, standing in for president Bill Welsh.
06/04/07 - Club Games Nights in association with Marchmount Bowling Club
Dispite the Easter holiday some club members entered into competition against members of the bowling club with carpet and table bowls, domino and snooker, billiards all being competed for in a night of fun together with some serious competition, followed by the usual scotch pie & peas.
29/03/07 - Tom Johnstone - - Close to Dumfries Midsteeple
Tom Johnstone told the packed out room about the history of the Midsteeple, through its construction to its current downfall, and finished with some quotes from reports written in the 18th & 19th century detailing the squallor in which the inhabitants of the closes of Dumfries town centre lived. As usual Tea and coffee was served with biscuits but extra cups had to be requested.
22/02/07 - Andy MacKay - - Read all about it
Andy entertained a full house with tales of the world of journalism from local news to national press.
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25/01/07 - Anniversary Dinner
One of the most powerful and passionate toasts to the 'Immortal Memory' of Robert Burns was heard by members of the Burns Howff Club at their 118th Anniversary Dinner in the Globe Inn, on 25th January. The principal guest, Mr. Harry Hutchison, a native 'Doonhamer' who was a club member in the 1950’s, left Dumfries in 1960 to live in Dover, enthralled his listeners with a vivid picture of 18th century Dumfries at the time of Burns’ death in 1796, a critical time in the history of Scotland, and declared that the poet would still feel at home in the Globe Inn of today. Quoting extensively from Burns’ works, the speaker described the scenes from 'A Cottar’s Saturday Night' as a wonderful tribute to the rural life of simple lowland Scots. Robert Burns had a strong religious belief and was an active member of the Kirk up to his death, a tradition inherited from his father whom he revered. The nation owes Robert Burns a tremendous debt for preserving the Scottish tongue and leaving the best collection of love songs in the world. Mr. Hutchison stated that men are judged by their heart and men like Burns are needed today, as never before, quoting from 'A Man’s a Man, for aw’ that' and declared that Robert Burns is still a living force in the Nation.
The speaker received a standing ovation and was admitted an honorary member of the club.
The toast to 'The Lasses, O’', was proposed by Mr. David Adam FRICS, of Dundee, who captivated the company with his rich store of anecdotes and stories, managed to chastise and praise the ladies at the same time. Past president Jim McAlister toasted the 'Drouthie Cronies' and summoned up some of the colourful characters in the club from years gone by, great Burnsians such as George McKerrow, 'Cutty' Black, David Campbell, Willie Fergusson and David Miller, all of whom enlivened club gatherings in the Globe Inn for many years.
Contributing to an outstanding entertainment programme were guests from Dumbarton Burns Club, president Bill Kean who played fiddle selections and past president Ian McLean who sang from Burns’ 'Merry Muses' collection. Special guests included Phil Winning who demonstrated his skill with his award winning recitation of 'Tam O’ Shanter' and Donald Shamash who brought a new dimension to 'Holy Willie’s Prayer'.
Members were delighted when president Bill Welsh presented past president Frank Curran with a certificate of honorary life membership, in recognition of his many years service to the club, principally as Musical Director.
Two delegates from Dumfries Burns Club made a fleeting visit and were welcomed by the president. Ted Murray and Donnie McCuaig brought fraternal greetings from their own celebration in the Cairndale. Burns Howff Club members, past president David Baird and senior vice president Alistair Johnstone were charged by the president to visit the Cairndale and return the compliment.
Earlier, the president referred to the 2009 anniversary year of the birth of Robert Burns and stated that a programme of commemorative events was in place to mark this milestone, which had been designated by the Scottish Executive as the 'Year of the Homecoming'. Fundraising was underway and included a 'Spring Fling' at the Easterbrook Hall on 23rd March, featuring the ceilidh band 'Two Left Feet'.
Concluding a night to remember, the 'Artistes' were toasted by junior vice president David Miller who with the finesse for which he is noted, contrived to include the croupiers, catering and bar staff and the 'Chairman' was proposed by past president David Baird.
The accompanist was Ernie Currie and club piper was Calum Watson.
30/11/06 - St. Andrew's Night Dinner
Members of the Burns Howff Club gathered in the Globe Inn, Dumfries to celebrate St. Andrew’s Night.
After dinner, the toast to 'Auld Scotia' was proposed by the principal guest, Commodore Eric Thompson MBE, RN(Rtd) from Helensburgh. In a lively and witty address, the speaker catalogued the inventiveness of Scots and the Scottish Nation and quoted widely from his own verse. Commodore Thompson illustrated his toast with musical interludes on what he referred to in naval parlance as an 'Organ, Mouth, Small' and occasionally burst into song to emphasise a point. The speaker quoted from Kipling’s view of the Scots and poked some fun at our southern neighbours by stating that St. Andrew was a historical person and a known Apostle but St. George was not mentioned anywhere in the Bible. Commodore Thompson praised some great Scotsmen of the past, citing such geniuses as James Clerk Maxwell, Alexander Fleming and countless others in the field of engineering, arts and medicine. Robert Burns himself had redefined and exported the ethos of the Scottish Nation in words, which still resounded through the centuries. The speaker received a standing ovation and was presented with a commemorative tankard by president Bill Welsh.
A superb entertainment programme was sustained entirely by club members including songs from Frank Curran, John Caskie Jim McAlister and Donnie McCuaig. Past president Donald Urquhart recited to great effect from W. D. Cocker’s 'The Deluge' and 'The Broken Bowl'. Honorary members Max Houliston and Ian Kirkpatrick delighted the company with their musical elections on the accordion and fiddle. Delegates from Dumfries Burns Club were welcomed; their secretary Dennis McMorrin and Dr. Archie Downey who brought fraternal greetings from their members.
With his customary finesse, junior vice president David Miller proposed a vote of thanks and a night to remember concluded with the traditional 'Auld Lang Syne'.
The accompanists were Max Houliston and Ian Kirkpatrick.
23/11/06 - Ronnie Crichton - - Burns and other Poets, The Influences
Report to Follow
04/11/06 - Robert Burns in Illustration & Song
Our Honorary member, Professor David Purdie presented an illustrated talk on the life and times of Robert Burns at the Theatre Royal Dumfries on November the 4th. The Theatre Royal was opened in 1792 and is the oldest working theatre in Scotland. Robert Burns was associated with the theatre at this location until his death in 1796.
Special reference will be made to his years at Ellisland Farm and in Dumfries.
This talk received a five-star accolade at the Edinburgh Festival During August 2006 and the Scotsman Newspaper said "if you are interested in the life and works of Burns this is as good as it gets".
The presentation features images released from the Scottish national archives showing Burns, his friends and collaborators in Ayrshire, Edinburgh, and dumfriesshire and the scenes which inspired his greatest poems and songs.
The talk was interspersed with songs of Burns from Sheena Wellington, one of Scotlands greatest living performers of Burns words and music - and whose rendition of "a Man's a Man for a' That" at the inauguration of the Scottish Parliament will never be forgotten by anyone who heard it.
This was a very interesting and enjoyable evening presented to a almost capacity audience.
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26/09/06 - Ted Murray - - An Englishman living in Scotland
Club Member Ted Murray delivered his views and experiences of his time based in Scotland. He delivered this in a light hearted and yet very informative manner. Mr Murray managed to demonstrated to the company the origin of many of the local dialects and words.
28/09/06 - Angus Middleton - - Burn's Galloway Tour
"The clubs Winter Lecture Programme for the current season opened on 28th
September when president Bill Welsh welcomed Angus Middleton, newly elected
president of the Burns Federation, spoke on Burns' Galloway Tour in July
1793 with his friend John Syme. Illustrated by folk music, Mr. Middleton
told of their visits to the home of Viscount Kenmure and the Herons of
Kirroughtree and recounted the tale of Burns ruining a pair of new boots
when he was obliged to wade into Loch Ken when their boat ran aground. Angus
was thanked by secretary Dave Smith and accepted a club tie as a token of
appreciation
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17/09/06 - Club and committee members travelled to meet Dumbarton Burns Club for the annual Bowling challenged match lead by Alistair Johnstone (Vice President) shown reluctantly passing the quaich to the winning host team after an exciting and very closely competed match. Our thank go to Dumbarton for a great day and friendly welcome.
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28/08/06 - A delegation of members visit Edinburgh Fringe events related to Robert Burns
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