Events

Seasons Events

AGM Meeting in the Howff

The club AGM took place in the Howff club rooms on the 28th April 2011 when Frank Manson was installed as President for the coming year, Ian McIntrye elected Senior vice president and Godfrey Bedford was elected as Junior vice president.
for Full Report click here

2011/2012    Previous Years
 

08/05/2011 Sunday Coldstream Bridge Coldstream 19/05/2011 Thursday Bowling Night - Drafen Cup Dock Park 28/05/2011 Saturday Holy Fair Mauchline 04/06/2011 Saturday John Lapraik Competition Muirkirk 04/07/2011 Monday Jean Armour Diner The Globe Inn 10/07/2011 Sunday Wauchope Cairn Hawick 14/07/2011 Thursday Treasure Hunt start in The Globe Inn 17/07/2011 Sunday Leglen Wood Ayr 20/07/2011 Wednesday Brow Well Ceremony Nr Annan 23/07/2011 Saturday Edinburgh Commemorative Event Edinburgh 24/07/2011 Sunday Kilmarnock Cross Kilmarnock 30/07/2011 Saturday Doon the Water Glasgow 09/09/2011 Fri-Sunday RBWF Conference Peebles 17/09/2011 Saturday SSCBA Quarterly meeting The Globe Inn 18/09/2011 Sunday Dumbarton Bowling Match Dumfries Bowl. Club. 31/10/2011 Monday Hallowe’en Supper The Globe Inn 25/11/2011 Friday Dumbarton BC St Andrews Dinner Dumbarton 30/11/2011 Wednesday St Andrew’s Night Dinner The Globe Inn 03/12/2011 Saturday SSCBA Quarterly Meeting  The Globe Inn 04/12/2011 Sunday St Andrew’s Service - St Giles Edinburgh 19/12/2011 Monday Christmas Dinner The Globe Inn 14/01/2012 Saturday Burns Seminar -Glasgow University Glasgow 25/01/2012 Wednesday 123rd Anniversary Dinner The Globe Inn 27/01/2012 Friday Dumbarton BC Anniversary Dinner Dumbarton 29/01/2012 Sunday Charnwood Lodge Burns Supper Dumfries 04/02/2012 Saturday SSCBA Schools Competition Dfs Academy 29/02/2012 Wednesday Leap year Dinner (past presidents) The Globe Inn 23/03/2012 Friday Games Night - Marchmount bowling Club Dumfries 10/05/2012 Thursday Annual General Meeting The Globe Inn

Executive Committee Meeting Dates
 

16/05/2011 Inaugural meeting & soiree 06/06/2011 General 27/06/2011 Jean Armour Dinner tickets 29/08/2011 Seasons Programme 03/10/2011 Hallowe’en Supper Tickets 24/10/2011 Confirmation & payment + St Andrew’s Dinner tickets 14/11/2011 Confirmation & Payment - St Andrews 05/12/2011 Anniversary Dinner tickets 09/01/2012 Confirmation & Payment 06/02/2012 Leap Year Dinner Tickets & Payment 05/03/2012 General 02/04/2012 Pre Annual General Meeting

Winter Talks & discussion Programme 2010/2011
These night are open to anyone who is interested and are usually quite informal

29/09/2011 Helen Morrison “Burns & Freemasonry” 27/10/2011 Bob Dalziel History of the Glasgow Tobacco Barons 24/11/2011 Authorities on Burns Question time - possibly controversial 23/02/2012 Jim Thomson Story of Tam O’ Shanter 29/03/2012 Josie Neil John Lapraik 19/04/2012 Visit “The Devils Porridge” Exhibition *

*  Subject to confirmation.

All talks take place in the clubroom at 7.30pm. Friends of members are welcome.

2011/2012 Activities

19/12/2011 - Christmas Dinner
President Frank hosted the annual Christmas Dinner on 19^{th December when 17 members, suitably attired, sat down to a superb meal in the clubroom.} 

After dinner entertainment was supplied by talented members including Ian McIntyre’s rendition of “Sam the Skull” (which needs work), accompanied by himself on the guitar and songs from Frank Curran, Bill Welsh, with recitations from others. Earlier, Bill led the company in some uplifting seasonal carols which set the tone for the evening.
Thanks are due to the president for providing an excellent bottle of malt and some wine and to the treasurer and secretary for donating the port. Thanks also due to Moira, the cook for her gastronomic delights.
Secret Santa, thought to be Jane Brown, appeared following a fanfare and called members to her bosom to receive festive gifts of great value.

30/11/2011 - St Andrews Dinner

The Rt. Hon. George Reid, former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, proposed the toast to “Auld Scotia” at the Burns Howff Club’s St. Andrew’s Night Dinner in the Globe Inn on 30th November. In a powerful address to a packed company, the speaker stated that many of our enduring Scottish values are incorporated in the writings of Robert Burns, none more so than in 1999 when we regained our Parliament, we sang that great universal anthem to mankind, “A man’s a Man”. These same sentiments are found in the words of the Slovenian national anthem and were the last words of the German revolutionary Karl Liebknecht, seconds before he was shot down by the firing squad in Berlin in 1919. The values of Burns, which have guided great Scots at home and abroad throughout the centuries, are still celebrated on each St. Andrew’s Day by Scots worldwide. Laced with quotations and anecdotes, Mr. Reid invited the company to honour Auld Scotia but to take the best of the heritage from our forebears to ensure a bright future for the New Scotland.
The speaker received a standing ovation from his enthusiastic audience and was thanked by President Frank Manson. 
Contributing to the after dinner entertainment was Mikhail Pavlov, a young student from St. Petersburg, Russia, currently studying music at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire, who delighted the company with songs in English and Russian and whose powerful voice near raised the roof. Other artistes were Bobby Jess with “Tam the Bike” and “My Mither Tongue”, Peter Kormylo with “Scots Wha Hae” in both Scots and Ukrainian and songs from John Caskie and Bill Welsh.
The president invited past President Stewart Tweedie to accept a bottle of malt whisky, specially labelled to mark the 40th year since his presidency in 1971 to which Mr Tweedie replied.
Delegates from Dumfries Burns Club, Alex Hanley and Wilson Ogilvie were welcomed and thanked the club for its hospitality. Mr. Gavin Findlay, president of Dumbarton Burns Club brought fraternal greetings from his members and spoke of the close link between the clubs for many years. 
Senior vice president Ian McIntyre proposed a comprehensive vote of thanks at the conclusion of a night to remember.
The accompanist was Willie McRobert.

24/10/2011 - Question Time in the Globe Inn

The club’s “Question Time” night in the Globe Inn on 24^{th November was a great success when members and friends gathered to throw questions on a vague Burns’ theme at a panel of distinguished Burnsians.}
Peter Kormylo was in the chair and refereed the panel which consisted of Les Byers, Jim Scott, Peter Westwood, Betty Haining and John Haining, a past president of the Burns Federation.
The questions ranged from the esoteric to the arcane and included “Could Burns write musical notation” (yes) and “what was the prophecy made to Jean Armour before his death.”
Chairman Peter should be congratulated in steering the panel away from rancour and achieved a good natured and lively session which included many contributions from the floor.
Les Byers won the half time quiz and received a bottle of whisky. Hopefully the Howff Club “Question Time” might become an occasional event.

31/10/2011 - Hallowe’en Supper

Honorary member Professor David Purdie from Edinburgh was principal guest and after dinner, addressed the gathering with a richly humorous account of his travels in the promotion of Robert Burns and Scots culture both at home and abroad. Professor Purdie revealed that he is currently compiling an update of the “Burns Encyclopaedia”, originally published by Maurice Lindsay in the 1960’s. During his researches, he discovered a hitherto unknown letter from Robert Burns written at Ellisland accompanying a draft of his poem “On a Wounded Hare”. The speaker received an ovation from the company and accepted a framed print of a watercolour, “The Homecoming, Ellisland” painted by club member John Clark.
Among the guests contributing to a stellar entertainment programme was Cameron Goodall making his first appearance in the Globe Inn with a hilarious recitation of Burns’ “Court of Equity” and later, a spine chilling version of “Death and Dr. Hornbook”. Award winning musicians Andy Kain on the fiddle and Craig Paton, a previous winner of the “Young Burnsian of the Year” prize, on the accordion brought the company to their feet with medleys old and new including a “French Musette”, an innovation for the Globe Inn but which raised the roof. Another honorary member Alex Pool and his son, David, from Langholm made a welcome return with verses from the Border poet, Will Ogilvie and a rousing version of “Jock o’ Hazeldene”. Club members Frank Curran, John Caskie and Les Byers added to the programme with traditional songs, accompanied by Andy Kain and Craig Paton.

Club Librarian Gordon Johnston announced a panel debate in the Globe Inn on 24th November when a team of distinguished Burnsians will take questions on Burns’ related topics from the audience and to which all will be welcome.
President Frank Manson stated that the proceeds of the Hallowe’en Raffle, a record £230.00 would be donated to the Royal National Institute for the Blind and thanked members for their generosity.
Following a Vote of Thanks from junior vice president Dr. Godfrey Bedford, a raucous chorus of “Auld Lang Syne” brought a particularly enjoyable evening to a close.

27/10/2011 - History of the Glasgow Tobacco Barons
Bob Dalziel was guest speaker at the October Club Night gathering in the Globe when President Frank Manson welcomed members and visitors to the clubroom including Mr. Jim Williams from the Lanarkshire Association of Burns Clubs.
Mr Dalziel from Motherwell, a past president of the Burns Federation, spoke on the “History of the Glasgow Tobacco Barons, a subject dear to his heart judging by his in-depth knowledge of the matter.
Bob led the company on a fascinating journey through the history of Glasgow from its genesis as a village in the time of St. Mungo in the 6^{th century, later to become Patron Saint of the city to the boom times in the 18th} century when Glasgow was a major port and the home to numerous wealthy merchants. A principal import was tobacco from the American colonies in Virginia but this lasted only from 1760 until 1775 when the American Revolution put paid to trade for some years. But during that time, the wealth created from tobacco imports was phenomenal and led to the creation of the Merchant City and the magnificent mansions built by the importers. Glasgow’s City Chambers in George Square was originally built as a tobacco warehouse and traces of the storage halls can be seen to this day on ascending the marble staircases.
Mr. Dalziel took a number of questions from his audience before being thanked by Hon. Treasurer David Baird.

Photo: Left to right, President Frank Manson, Jim Williams, Bob Dalziel

19/10/2011 - Official unveiling of the facsimile inscribed pane


Deputising for the Club President, Senior Vice President Ian McIntyre welcomed Peter Westwood, renowned local Burnsian, Matt Sempie of Caladonia Glass, who etched the facsimiles, Moreen McKerrow, owner of the Globe Inn, and a number of club members to the official unveiling of the facsimile inscribed glass in the “Burns bedroom” of the Globe Inn. Later Past President Neil Johnston presented the club with the original framed facsimiles.  

The reproduction is produce with the kind permission and assistance of the National Trust for Scotland who allowed the original glass to be photographed and the facsimiles displayed.


2909/2012 - Helen Morrison “Burns & Freemasonry”

President Frank Manson opened the season’s programme of Winter Club Nights on 29^th September and welcomed guest speaker Helen Morrison of Airdrie, well known as a Burns scholar and enthusiast.
Mrs. Morrison spoke to a packed house on “Burns and Freemasonry”, tracing the story of the poet’s link with the Craft, the application of its ideals and philosophy which informed his writings over the years. Burns was initiated as an apprentice mason in the United Lodge St. David, Tarbolton, on 4^{th July 1781 and became Depute Master of Lodge} St. James, Tarbolton when the lodges separated in 1782. In Edinburgh, the brethren were a means of enabling Burns to meet people of a higher social status and assisting him from obscurity to the place he deserved. He was hailed as the Bard of Caledonia and honoured as Poet Laureate of Lodge Canongate, Kilwinning. In 1791 when the family moved from Ellisland to Dumfries, he joined Lodge Dumfries, St. Andrew, No 179, now defunct. His patron, and fellow mason, the Earl of Glencairn was able to secure a position in the Excise for Burns. Mrs Morrison stated that Burns had a true appreciation of Masonic Principles and lived up to its ideals. He accepted the basic concepts of a Brotherhood of Man under the Deity whose philosophy held the same humanitarian aims and ideals which permeated the poets work all his life. 
The company found the subject fascinating judging by the number of knowledgeable questions which followed and Mrs. Morrison spoke further on her association with the St. Petersburg Forum in Russia which seeks to promote Scottish culture in that country, chiefly by arranging parties of youngsters on exchange visits to promote a knowledge of Scotland and to give concerts. These have become so successful that they have been taken on tour.
Helen was warmly thanked by Hon. Secretary David Smith. 

18/09/2011- Bowling with Dumbarton



Dumfries was the venue for the annual tussle on the greens with Dumbarton Burns Club and President Frank Manson welcomed an impressive team of skilled boolers from Dumbarton to Dumfries Bowling Club on 18th September. After a welcome refreshment on arrival, the Sons of the Rock and the Doonhamers were marshalled into teams and play commenced with various degrees of booling skill. The weather allowed uninterrupted bowling and at the end, both teams were declared the winners and the trophies were swapped.
Gavin Finlay, President of Dumbarton Burns Club thanked the Howff for the gentlemanly manner in which the game was played and said that it would be different next year. Members adjourned to the Globe Inn for High Tea during which Howff Club mascot, Ted Murray was presented with a scone and candle and a gift to mark his 80th birthday.
Hopefully the visitors returned home safely as the battery on their luxury minibus was flat and had to be jump started.

More Photographs by Ian McLean (Dumbarton Burns Club)

23/08/2011 St Mungo Trail

President Frank Manson and WRBF President David Baird in the line up at the launch of the “St. Mungo Trail” at Hoddom.
Also in the picture. Left to right; Dr. Laurence Whitley, Glasgow Cathedral; His Grace Archbishop Mario Conti, Archdiocese of Glasgow; Lord Provost of Glasgow

16/08/2011 Library meeting - looking through thr clubs collection

Work underway on a long overdue valuation of the Library stock. William Robson, well known antiquarian book enthusiast has agreed to carry out a survey of the club library for insurance purposes.
Photo shows, William seated and Gordon Johnston, Hon. Librarian. William has a family connection with the club. He and past president David Miller share a grandfather, David Miller senior, who was honorary secretary from 1953 to 1972

30/07/2011 - Doon the Watter

A glorious sunny morning on 30^th July saw 21 members, friends and spouses make their way to Pacific Quay in Glasgow to board the PS Waverley for a trip up the Clyde or doon the watter for the club’s annual outing. 16 travelled in luxury minibus but President Frank Manson and a VIP party made their way in an equally luxury Porsche.
The vessel set sail at 10.15am for a cruise to Greenock, Kilcreggan, Dunoon and Rothesay on the Isles of Bute, passing Dumbarton Rock before fetching up at Tignabruich for an hour on shore where members repaired to a nearby hotel for some soft drinks. Although the Waverley was perhaps a tad overcrowded, spirits were high and the scenery and river traffic was fascinating. A lively band was in action below in the Bar where a Toga Party, got up in , well, toga’s disported themselves to the bemusement of other passengers. Many on board made full use of the bar facilities and much raucous laughter and clinking of glasses was heard but not from club members. Strathclyde Polis was on hand to welcome the Waverley back home.
An excellent day with superb company and the inevitable aftermath of badly burnt physogs made for a day to remember.

14/07/2011 - Club Treasure Hunt

24 members and friends scuttled round the town centre pubs in search of clues of a non cryptic nature at the club’s annual Treasure Hunt on 14^th July.
To the dismay of the team who compiled the route sheets on 30^th June, some of the clues had disappeared by the time members descended into various pubs which added to the usual confusion.
Most teams made it back to the Globe for 9.30pm in different stages of intoxication and sat down to pies, sausage rolls and mushy peas. After some argument amongst the judges whose decision was final, Ted Murray’s team whose moniker was “Teds aging Boys” was declared the winner and accepted their prize of a bottle of plonk each from President Frank Manson.”


          Photo, left to right, Selwyn Austin, John Clark, Ted Murray, Frank Manson, David Baird representing the scrutineers.

10/07/2011 - Wauchope Cairn - Hawick
Members and friends at the cairn marking the site of the house on Mrs. Elizabeth Scott, the “Guidwife of Wauchope”, Burns’ friend and correspondent. An oration was delivered by David Baird as president of the WRBF. Later, a social hour was spent at Hawick Burns Club
                             Photo from the Wauchope Cairn Ceremony, Hawick

04/07/2001 - Jean Armour Dinner
 

Members and friends of Dumfries Burns Howff Club gathered on July 4th at the statue to “Bonny Jean” for the annual ceremony to pay tribute to the wife of Scotland’s National Bard.
President Frank Manson welcomed the company and placed a floral spray on the plinth. David Baird, President of the World Robert Burns Federation, delivered a eulogy to Jean Armour and club piper, Callum Watson played a stirring medley.
Later in the Globe Inn, President Frank chaired the 7th Jean Armour Dinner took place followed by a toast to “Jean Armour” from Mrs. Josephine Neal of Dumfries, in which she related an imaginary encounter between Robert Burns and “Auld Nick”, all delivered in the “Guid Scots Tongue”. Kevin Thompson from Fife appeared as Burns and took the company on a musical journey among the other women in Burns’ life from Mrs. Dunlop, of Dunlop to Nancy McIlhose of Edinburgh in whose honour the Bard wrote “Ae Fond Kiss”, one of the most famous love songs in history.
Contributing to a stellar entertainment programme was Leona Evans, “Young Burnsian of the Year” for 2011, who captivated her audience with her version of “Fair Helen of Kirkconnel Lea” and later with “Auld Lang Syne” in its original setting.
Avril Kerr delighted the company with her own recitations and club members Bill Welsh, Frank Curran and John Caskie sustained the programme with favourites, old and new.
Delegates from the Ladies Burns Clubs at Dumfries and Annan were introduced and expressed good wishes from their members.
Junior Vice President Godfrey Bedford proposed a comprehensive vote of thanks and the evening wound up with a lively “Auld Lang Syne”.
The accompanist was Willie McRobert.

02/07/2011 - Covington Mains

President Frank Manson represents the club at the annual ceremony at Thankerton, Lanarkshire, marking the spot where Burns stayed overnight on his journey from Mauchline to Edinburgh to arrange the printing of his Edinburgh Edition in 1786" Also in the picture is David Baird, Jane Brown and assorted Burnsians

08/05/2011 - Coldstream Bridge 

Damp weather did not depress the delegation from the club who attended the annual gathering on Sunday 8th May. Arriving in good time, members assembled in the British Legion before forming up with other Burnsians and processing to the bridge led by the piper.
The president of Coldstream Burns club recited a verse and placed a wreath followed by Ian McIntyre deputising for Frank Manson Later, at Craw Green where the sun came out, the company heard addresses from John Elliot, secretary and the honorary president of Coldstream Burns Club before enjoying a dram.
Afterwards, an excellent buffet was served followed by a social hour.
The warmth of the welcome from members of Coldstream Burns Club and other clubs in the Borders indicates how much our annual visit is appreciated.
The club was represented by Ian McIntyre, Gordon Johnston, John Lauder and David Smith as designated driver.

19/05/2011 - Club Bowling Night

Council cut backs meant that the Dock Park Rink is now closed on week days but they kindly opened for the club’s annual frolic on 19th May.