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For
many years, Dumfries Ladies Burns Club No. 1 had the
ambition to erect a statue in Dumfries in memory of
“Bonnie Jean”, the love and wife of Robert Burns. Sadly
the plan never materialised but in 2002, following the
unveiling of the superb Jean Armour statue in Mauchline,
Dumfries Burns Howff Club decided to adopt the scheme
as a project for Dumfries.
A
sub committee under the convenorship of past president
Ian Whitehead was formed to investigate the feasibility
of commissioning an appropriate memorial to Jean and
a contribution to public art in the town, complementing
other local memorials to Burns and benefiting Dumfriesians
and visitors alike. Initial enquiries revealed that
a life size bronze statue would cost in the region of
£25,000 and it was decided to launch a public appeal
for funds. A prospectus was issued to local business,
Burns Howff Club honorary members and clubs and societies
affiliated to the Robert Burns World Federation.
The
Dumfries & Galloway Standard took up the scheme with
enthusiasm and committee members soon found themselves
discussing the statue on Border TV. The initial result
was astonishing. Maureen McKerrow of the Globe Inn pledged
£2000 and donations came in from members of the public,
local firms and organisations. Ian’s employers, EME
Furniture of Sanquhar also pledged £2000. An early boost
was a magnificent donation of £5000 from Tom Sutherland
of Colorado, USA, the former Beirut hostage and an honorary
member of the club, having proposed the “Immortal Memory”
at the club’s Anniversary Dinner in 2000.
Thomas
Tunnock, the biscuit manufacturer of Uddingston, donated
£1000. Meanwhile, club members were engaged in a wide
range of fund raising activities. The then president
Gordon Johnston, himself an international competitive
cyclist, undertook a sponsored cycle run from Alloway
to Burns House, Dumfries, a distance of 70 miles. A
party of golfers from Bolton visiting Dumfries donated
£200. The project had captured the public imagination
and donations kept rolling in. Dr. Jim Connor from Canada
sent a cheque for £50.00.
As
the centrepiece of the fund raising campaign, the club
decided to organise a Scottish Cultural Evening in the
Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries in March 2003. Honorary member
Joe Campbell agreed to chair the event and another honorary
member, David Shankland OBE would deliver a tribute
to Jean Armour. An impressive entertainment programme
was arranged featuring local artists and members of
the Junior Burns Club. The evening was well supported
and a great success with the fund swelling by £2500.
Howff Club treasurer David Baird obtained two football
strips, one each from Rangers and Celtic, both signed
by the first team players. Those were raffled bringing
in £1000.
Hawick
Burns Club responded with enthusiasm. They formed their
own fundraising committee and presented a cheque for
£2500 at a social evening in Hawick in April 2003. Generous
donations were received from individuals and Burns Clubs
and Caledonian Societies worldwide. Through the good
offices of George Anderson, Glasgow Masonic Burns Club
donated £2000. Pubs in Dumfries were supportive and
handsome donations were forthcoming from their Burns
Suppers and other social events. In August 2003, with
the fund standing at £27,500 and the target exceeded,
it was decided to commission design work from a shortlist
of five artists supplied by the Scottish Arts Council.
The
design specification would feature Jean Armour as she
would have appeared during the lifetime of Robert Burns
with a Bible in hand and the figure of a five year old
child. Shambellie Museum of Costume was consulted for
guidance on appropriate dress. With the fund reaching
£30,000, it was decided that a one and a half times
life size statue could be afforded. A design submitted
by Nautilus Burleighfield, of Essex, who would also
cast the statue was accepted and an order placed. The
firm produced a maquette for the Howff Club’s AGM in
April, 2004 which was universally praised but resulted
in some minor design changes. Delivery and installation
was promised for August 2004. Dumfries & Galloway Council
was supportive. As well as a handsome donation to the
Fund, they provided a site in Brooms Road, opposite
the gates of St. Michael’s Church and a short distance
from both Burns Mausoleum and Burns House. The Burns
Festival Trust kindly financed the provision of lighting
at the base of the statue.
Following
consultation with the Council, it was decided to mount
the statue on a concrete base, clad in granite and featuring
a commemorative plaque. By this time, past president
Chris Lyon had succeeded Ian Whitehead as convenor and
plans for the unveiling were put in hand. The club’s
honorary president, the venerable Hugh Sloan was invited
to perform the unveiling ceremony and Provost Ken Cameron,
OBE and Council Convenor Andrew Campbell agreed to attend.
Dumfries & Galloway Council agreed to provide a Civic
Reception to follow the unveiling and the award winning
Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary Pipe Band were engaged
together with other local artists.
Saturday
4th September was chosen as the date for the unveiling
ceremony and after installation, the statue would be
kept under wraps until then. Delegates to the annual
conference of the Robert Burns World Federation to be
held in Dumfries on the following weekend would be afforded
an opportunity to view the statue during the conference.
At the time of writing, July 2004, plans are well advanced
for the unveiling on 4th September and a great day for
Dumfries and the Burns world is in prospect.
Hopefully
the Burns Howff Club will have done Jean Armour proud
and have created a memorial of national and international
importance. The club would like to take this opportunity
to thank sincerely the people of Dumfries for their
support and to the many Burns Clubs and Caledonian Societies,
to numerous to mention and other organisations, far
and wide, for responding so magnificently to the appeal.
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