News:
BRIDGETON BURNS CLUB
Presentation at The Mitchell Library 1st February 2012
President Ian Lighbody
together with several Past Presidents and Directors of the Club attended a
presentation in the Burns
Room at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow. The presentation
was in memory of Past President Willie Telfer who died last year.
Willie's Cousin, Mammie Morrison presented a First Edition of The Edinburgh
Publication by Creech of the Complete Works of Robert Burns to The Bridgeton
Burns Club, to be retained in The Mitchell Library with the Clubs Collection
of Burns Memorabilia. President Ian Lightbody thanked
Mammie on behalf of the club and gave a short eulogy in memory of Willie.
Christine Henderson received the book on behalf of the Library.
The 142nd Anniversary Dinner 2012 -Wednesday 25th January
2012
Once again, The Bridgeton Burns Club staged the "Best Burns Supper in
the World" by holding its 142nd Anniversary Dinner on Wednesday 25th January in the
Marriot Hotel in Glasgow. The Dinner was attended by almost 700 very
well behaved Gentlemen and all were once again royally entertained by a
selection of first class after-dinner speakers, pipers, community singing,
pupils from some of the competition entry
schools (who were all superb) and an excellent appeal for club
funds.
The evening was expertly chaired by our President Ian Lightbody who
successfully controlled a very full, at at times noisy, house, with some
more full than others, and it is a great tribute to our club that all
700 attending upheld the great tradition of the Bridgeton Burns Club by
affording all our speakers and entertainers their full attention.
Very well done Ian for chairing the
Best Burns Supper in the World
and for your excellent Address to the Haggis.
Director Andrew
Samuel introduced the Schools Competition
entrants who performed for us.
Congratulations are due to Eric Thompson for his meticulous work in organising a very
well run competition and again for excellent entertainment at the dinner.
The
Schools Competition is what the club is all about and we were soon
entertained by a selection of the Competition entrants. It is obvious that the children who take part in the Dinner do so because
they enjoy it and their enthusiasm spills over in their performances.
The standard just gets better year on year. Seven of the prize
winners performed on the evening and included Amber Blake a primary 4 girl
from Calderwood School who
played "O my luve is like a red red rose" on the fiddle and was quite
outstanding. Liam Forrester from St Margaret Mary's
Secondary sang "A Highland Lad" and Taylor Logan the winner of the new category
"Speech Making" performed her "Reply on behalf of the Lassies" and had
the whole audience hanging on her every word. Cairns Primary
School Choral Speaking Group performed "Scots Wha Hae"Calderwood Primary
School choir sang "A Mans a Man" and " By Yon Castle Wa" and St
Mungo's Academy Choral Speaking
Group performed "Address to the Toothache". The performances
finished with Sarah Wills, a 5 year old pupil from Calderwood Primary School, standing
on a chair on the stage and reciting "On a Dog of Lord Eglintons" in front of an
audience of 700. Well done to all of the children who performed for
us.
Past Presided Rod MacCowan made the appeal for donations for club funds and
the use of Gift Aid forms again this year will enable the Club to recover a
28% donation from HM Revenue and Customs. Rod's very funny
and original appeal culminated in raising a staggering £22,000.00
towards club funds and that will go a long way to assisting the work of the
club and funding the Schools' Competitions in February and December. The President announced
that the 25th January was also the birthdays of PP Ian
Macpherson and PP Eddie Meek.
The Stamperland
Church Boys Brigade Pipe Band entertained us
once again during the
interval and this added to a wonderful evening.
Our
principal speaker was Alasdair Hutton, who followed a long line of distinguished speakers who have proposed the
Immortal Memory and we soon understood why he is in demand as a Burns
speaker. Alasdair provided a very humorous, interesting and informative Immortal
Memory, which focused on Burns as a military man. It was delivered in a quiet style and had the audience hanging on
his every word. A true tribute to the Bard and to Scotland.
Alasdair was very well received by all in attendance and their
appreciation of his efforts was made clear by the long standing ovation.
Director John McCaig presented Alasdair with a bronze bust of the Bard.
Past President Ian Macpherson proposed a very humorous Toast to the Guests which
had the audience howling with laughter. A whole load of new
jokes from Ian, delivered in his own brilliant style, made for a very cleverly
crafted and beautifully delivered toast to the guests.
Ian's toast was replied to by
Dennis Reid. Being the final speaker of the evening is
always a difficult slot, but Dennis held the audience throughout and
must be congratulated for a superb response. Well done
Dennis and we trust that you enjoyed your first, but
hopefully not your last, Bridgeton Burns Club Anniversary Dinner.
Well
Done all!
A
great many thanks are due to all of the Past Presidents and Directors
for their work in making this dinner The Best Burns
Supper in the World. Particular thanks go to Alasdair
Ronald and his sub-committee for organizing the event and to Past
President Ronnie Williamson for leading off the signing, (the largest
all male choir in the UK 700 of Glasgow's finest singers), to Director
Ian Samuel for introducing the Schools Competition entrants who performed on the
night, and to Director Eric Thompson for his sterling work in organizing
the Schools Competition this year, our Pianist Matthew Hynes, The Stamperland Pipe Band and The Marriot Hotel and
all of their Staff for keeping us all fed and "Watered".
Thanks to Langs Distilleries who provided a bottle of
their Big Peat superb Malt Whisky for each table.
President Ian Lightbody proposed a vote of thanks to all involved, and
everyone appreciated his excellent chairmanship of the evening.
Vice President Eric Thompson toasted "Our Chairman" and
thanked him on behalf of us all.
Thanks are also due to all who attended for supporting the club and the
appeal and to all who support our superb brochure with their
advertising. Thank too to our Ladies who helped with the sale of
Burns Memorabilia during the interval. Finally to Maureen
Brown who works tirelessly behind the scenes doing all of the necessary
administrative work of the club.
The evening closed in the traditional manner with everyone singing
The World's National Anthem, "Auld Lang Syne."
President Ian and the
Top Table Guests
President Hon Pres and Hon VP
The President with Alasdair Hutton
Alasdair Hutton delivers The Immortal Memory
John McCaig presents the Bust
The Primary School Choir
Senior Soloist Liam Forrester
Choral Speaking
The musician's prize winner Amber Blake
Reply on behalf of The Lassies Taylor Logan Senior Choral Speaking
St Mungo's Academy
Primary 1 "On a dog of Lord Eglintons"
Sarah Wills PP Ronnie Williamson leads the signing
The assembled company
PP Rod MacCowan makes the appeal
PP Ian Macpherson toasts the guests
Dennis Reid replies on behalf of the guests
VP Eric Thompson gives the Vote of Thanks
Wreath Laying Ceremony
The Glasgow and District Burns Association Annual Wreath
Laying Ceremony Saturday 21st January 2012
The Bridgeton Burns Club was well represented at
the Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony at Burns Statue in George Square on
Saturday 21st January 2012. This annual event is organised by
The Glasgow and District Burns Association and all parties meet
up in the City Chambers and thereafter cross George Square to the Burns
Statue. After the Wreath Laying, all retired to the Merchants
House of Glasgow, for tea and a Buffet Lunch.
Also in attendance were
Baillie Margot Clark representing Glasgow City Council and Jane Brown JVP of
The World Burns Federation. Another great day paying
tribute to the Bard.
Glasgow and District
Burns Association President Jim Slater
Springburn Academy Choir in front of Burns Statue
The Choir entertain in
Merchants House
G+D BA Secretary Bob McDonald
Shan Warren Senior VP G+D
BA
Burns Statue at night (by Andy MacArthur)
The
Schools Competition
Friday 2nd December 2011 - St Mungo's
Academy
The Bridgeton Burns Club Schools Competition took
place on Friday 2nd December 2011 in St Mungo's Academy - no last minute
cancellation this year due to weather. The Competition was
well attended and all went well with only the occasional hic-up when some
pupils were taking part in one competition but due at another.
It was "all right on the night" and everyone who took part enjoyed the
occasion. A full report and all of the results will be published
shortly. In the meantime here are some photographs which give an
insight into the evenings proceedings.
President Ian Lightbody
Schools Competition Convenor Eric Thompson
Choral Group
Choir
A well turned out Choir
PP Bob Burnett with some of the Senior Musicians
Winners with their
Medals and Prizes
The Throng in the main hall
A colourful and
enthusiastic group
A happy group ready to perform
Maureen Brown and Bill
Thomson at their Post
Bill Thomson with two groups
The Glasgow and District Burns Association - St Andrews Night
Friday 25th November 2011
The Bridgeton Burns Club was well represented at
the Glasgow and District Burns Association St Andrews Night Dinner held in
The Merchants House in George Street, Glasgow. The Bridgeton
Burns Club Past President Jim Slater, as President of The Glasgow and
District Burns Association, welcomed everyone and introduced Charlie
Newlands, another BBC PP who was the Soutar for the evening.
There were several other BBC PPS and Directors in attendance together with
Maureen Brown from our admin office. Musical entertainment
was provided by the Wherries from Port Glasgow who had the audience singing
and clapping along. The main speaker for the evening was David
Sibbald who once again delivered a very humorous, entertaining and thought
provoking speech. There was a well supported raffle with lots of
excellent prizes. All in all it was another successful evening.
The Audience in the Main Hall of Merchants House
Jim Slater welcomes all to the G & D St Andrews Dinner
Charlie Newlands as "The
Soutar"
David Sibbald "A Toast to St Andrew and Scotland"
The Wherries performing
"Sam The Skull"
Hallowe'en Supper
Friday 28th October 2011
The Halloween Supper, held once again in
Merchants' House, was a great success. President Ian Lightbody
welcomed all and said grace. Thereafter everyone enjoyed a superb steak
pie meal accompanied by incidental music on the piano throughout
dinner. This was followed by a medley of sing along songs from
Caroline & her sister.
President Ian introduced his first speaker of
the evening, John Devereux, former British Lion and Welsh
Internationalist Rugby player. Followed by
the Bridgeton Burns Club's Past President Alan McLennan. Both speakers entertained the audience with great wit and humour.
This was followed by a further sing-along and a superb rendition of Holy
Willie's Prayer by Past President Kenny Wilson to round
off the evening.
Vice President Eric Thompson proposed the
collective vote of thanks to all, The Merchants House Staff, the Caterers,
The signers and Pianist, the Speakers, Kenny Wilson, President Ian and
last but not least
all the guests who, with admirable generosity donated nearly £600 by buying
raffle tickets. The surplus from the raffle will be split
equally and donations made to Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Bridgeton
Burns Club Fund for the Arts. Eric also thanked Honorary
President Stuart Wallace for his work in designing the programme for the
evening, embellished by his usual sprinkling of superb cartoons and to
Director Paul Hughes, for all of his work in organising the event.
A great night was had by
all.
Schools' Competition 2011 - Syllabus
***Attention
all Teachers, Pupils and Adjudicators***
The Syllabus for the 2011 Schools' Competition
has now been added. Please click on the
"Schools Competition" bar on the left for detailed information.
Rutherglen High School Certificate Presentation
Rutherglen High
School was one of the Bridgeton Burns Club Competition entrants for the
Special Needs and Assisted Learning Art Work Section. The school did
amazingly well and achieved a range of prizes across the board. Thanks are
due to Club Past President Eddie Meek who, when he learned the school needed
the essential paperwork to submit their entry, quickly resolved the problem.
Eddie “parachuted” into the school with a Competition Package and Head of
Art Moray Watts got to work with his pupils. The standard submitted was
very high and received many compliments from the competition judges, who
awarded the prizes to Rutherglen High.
Club Director Andy
McArthur attended the school in order to present the Prize Winning
Certificates, the framed Certificate of Participation and to congratulate
all who participated. Head Teacher Jan Allan was delighted with the
results and some of the prize winners were assembled for a group photograph.
The prize winners pictured are George Albert, Rachael Jackson, Nichola
Dawson, Kuwlinder Kaler, James Muirhead and Amy Docherty. Well done to all
of these pupils.
Moray commented that the competition gave
his classes an additional interest and he was pleased that the pupils did so
well. The Bridgeton Burns Club looks forward to having Rutherglen High
School compete in this year’s completion in December 2012.
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Director Andy McArthur with Prize Winners and
Teachers
Spring Outing
14th May 2011
A
total of 35 members, partners, family and friends thoroughly enjoyed the
Spring Outing to Ellisland Farm and Dumfries. Past President
Charlie Newlands had organised the annual Spring Outing and his wife
June had prepared the food and organised soft drinks for the short journey
from Glasgow to Ellisland Farm. On arrival at Ellisland,
the party split into two manageable groups for the tour and for the sandwich
lunch. The party spent over an hour looking at the excellent
display of artefacts, manuscripts and books and listening to the wealth of
information about Ellisland from our tour guide. It felt very
special to visit the house that Burns had commissioned to be built as his
family home and to stand in the same room where Burns composed many of his
songs and poems. It was well worth the visit.
We
then travelled on to Dumfries to be met by members of the Dumfries Burns
Howff Club who were to be our guides for the afternoon. Our
first visit was to the Globe Inn where Burns had spend many a day and quite
a few nights as well!!!! We were to return there later for
a meal, refreshments and harmony. Our guides took us to
see Burn's House where he lived as an Exciseman and eventually died in
poverty. The house has been carefully restored and is in
excellent condition for its age. It was an emotional visit.
Thereafter we visited the Burns Mausoleum
and the site of Burns's original grave in
St Michael's churchyard.
It is indeed fitting that his remains were moved from the far corner of the
churchyard to a suitable Mausoleum. We were given the following link
to Bill Wards excellent site where you can run a panoramic view of both the
Churchyard and the Mausoleum.
http://billward.eu/burnsm/burns_start.htm
On completion of the
visit to the churchyard, we returned to the Globe Inn for a tour of the Inn
and a visit to the Dumfries Burns Howff Club meeting room on the upper
floor.
We all sat together in
the main bar area and enjoyed a much needed High Tea with some liquid
refreshments. After the meal we had some music and singing
courtesy of Charlie with his guitar and the assembled throng, together with
some short recitals from club members and from Jane Brown the bar manager of
the Globe and honorary member of the Dumfries Burns Howff Club.
Eventually it was time to
leave and Club President Ian Lightbody thanked the members of the Dumfries
Burns Howff Club for their assistance, Jane for her hospitality and
excellent recitals, for all those who had supported the outing and for
Charlie and June for all of their work in organising the outing.
The weather had remained kind and all in all it was a great day.
We returned to Glasgow with a sing song on the bus and lots to ponder.
Lunch at Ellisland
Ellisland Farm with Burns's "New" house in the rear.
The House in Dumfries where Burns died
The Statue to Jean Armour, erected by The Dumfries Burns Howff Club
The Burns Mausoleum
in St Michael's Churchyard
The pipers farewell in the Globe in
The President inside the
Mausoleum
The Group outside The Globe Inn
Annual General
Meeting 2011
The
Annual General Meeting of The Bridgeton Burns Club took place in the Marriot
Hotel, Argyle Street, Glasgow on Tuesday 19th April 2011 at 7.00 pm.
Congratulations to Ian Lightbody who was elected President for 2011 - 2012.
Director Eric Thompson, was elected Vice-President for the ensuing year.
President’s Message:
It is a great honour to be installed as the President of the Bridgeton Burns
Club for the forthcoming year.
My predecessor Ronnie Williamson handed over the reigns at our AGM on 17th
April 2011 in the Glasgow Marriott Hotel, after an eventful but very
successful year in charge.
It was also my great pleasure to ask Eric Thompson, the next Director in
line to become my Vice President. Eric accepted willingly and he was duly
appointed on the night.
The history of the club dating back to 1870 carries with it many traditions
and the magnificent President’s Chain together with the Vice President’s
Chain were both passed on as part of the proceedings.
On the conclusion of the meeting, all present were invited back to the
Lightbody household in Eaglesham where a buffet supper and light
refreshments were on offer, courtesy of the First Lady Mrs “L”, ably
assisted by our children Gemma, Amy and Ellyn, together with a number of
wives of some of the Directors and Past Presidents. Like all Bridgeton
Burns Club events the success of the evening was due to a collective effort.
The highlight of the evening was without doubt the “chaining” of the “First
Lady” Louise, by the club’s Honorary President Stuart Wallace, who just
happens to be a neighbour of ours and a great friend and support to our
family. It was Stuart who, together with Past President Alan McLennan,
proposed me as a member of the Board, some years ago, so it was fitting that
he was on hand to undertake this tradition.
Stuart undertook his duty in rhyme, called an “Owed to Louise”, and
presented Louise with a copy on completion of his superb and humorous
delivery.
The storyline is based on our dog Jess and Stuart’s dog Jade basically a
parody of Burns’ “The Twa Dugs”
With Stuart’s permission we have scanned the poem and it is here on the
website for your enjoyment.
We now move quickly onto our Annual Spring Outing in May, which this year is
to Dumfries, the last abode and resting place of Robert Burns, where we will
be visiting the Mausoleum at St. Michael’s Kirkyard, Ellisland Farm
culminating with supper and a singsong at the Globe Inn, a regular haunt of
the bard.
The Board will meet again in May at the “Choosing Meeting” before the summer
recess. This meeting held at St Mungo’s School is where the syllabus for
this year’s Schools Competition is chosen and agreed.
The Board reconvenes again in September when we get started on preparations
for the events to be held over the Autumn and Winter.
I will keep you updated with progress throughout the year.
Finally I would like to record my thanks to all fellow Directors and Past
Presidents of the Club for their support to date and in the forthcoming
year.
Ian Lightbody
President
President invited all in
attendance back to his house for a buffet and refreshments and for the
traditional ceremony of Chaining the Lady President.
Outgoing President Ronnie
Williamson
Ronnie congratulates Ian Lightbody on his election as President for 2011
-2012
President Ian presents
Ronnie with his Past President's Meda
Honorary President Stuart Wallace at "The Lightbody's"
Stuart reads his poem
"Owed to Louise" as part of the "chaining"
VP Eric Thompson with Honorary VPs Bob Burnett and Allan Findlay
BBC Director Andy
McArthur submitted this article of interest on one of the newest Burns
Clubs, the RT Burns Club and their Inaugural
Meeting.
Held in 2010 in the
Red Room at Burns Cottage Alloway.
RT Burns Club was very honoured to
present the first ever Meeting/Event as an Official Member of the Robert
Burns World Federation, a very special evening at Burns Cottage on a warm
July evening in 2010.
The Event held in The Red Room of the
Education Pavilion, Adjoining Burns Cottage, which was formally the Museum.
Donald Kay as Robert Burns conducted a guided tour of Burns Cottage prior
to the entertainment. This was followed by Robert (Donald) presenting all
of the ladies attending the event with a Red Rose.
A wreath laying by RT Burns Club President
Rosemarie Rounce-Rigou, the co-founder of the RT Burns Club and Chief
Executive, Reg Tait was made at the bust of Robert Burns, located in the
gardens adjacent to the Cottage.
Bridgeton Burns Club Director and RT Burns
Club Director Andy McArthur attended to enjoy the harmony amongst like
minded people, who appreciate the works of Robert Burns.
In addition to Donald the other artists who
entertained were, Anne Gomez - Folk Singer/Musician, Irene Rice and Kevin
Robertson – Musicians, Callum Cooper – Piper, Robert Mac - Poetry Musician.
Guest Speakers for the evening were Sarah Crome and Geoff Crolley.
Compere for the evening was Keith James King.
The raffle held on the evening raised funds
for both, the Burns Birthplace Museum and Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Research, Scotland. A total of 37 trees will also be planted in the
Robert Burns Grove, Trees for Life Charity, restoring the beautiful and
historic Caledonian Forest. These trees were donated by members of the RT
Burns Club.
Also attending the event were father and son
Tom and William White, Tom is a Past President of Kilmarnock Burns Club.
Other well kent faces were Tom and Margaret Morrall, Tom is the President
of Ayr Burns Club. The evening was a pleasant one of music and recitation
of songs and poems from the collection and works of Robert Burns. At the
close of the evening Margaret Morrall presented Rosemarie Rounce -Rigou with
a Robert Burns 250th Centenary Medal, in appreciation of her
establishing the RT Burns Club and congratulated her on becoming a member of
the Robert Burns World Federation.
The finale was lead by Ann Gomez and the
company singing Auld Lang Syne.
Presentation of Red Roses
Donald Kay as Burns
Dr Tom Morrall, Rosemarie Rounce-Rigou Margaret Morrall and Andy
Andy at
the bust of Robert Burns
Donald Kay conducts the tour
Bridgeton
Burns Club Members help out the Forces
221 Transport Squadron (Volunteers) Burns Supper
Saturday 5th February 2011 held in the Mess of the TA Centre,
Cambuslang.
“Robert Burns had a strong connection the Reserve Army. Although not
founded till 1908 the fore runner in Burns day was the Militia in which
he enlisted during the war between France and Britain. Quite fitting
that 221 Transport Squadron Volunteers of the Royal Logistic Corps hold
an Annual Burns Supper. Bridgeton Burns Club Director Andy McArthur a
Serving Officer in the Territorial Army who served with 221 Squadron as
the Squadron’s Second in Command was contacted by Sergeant John Todd to
invite speakers. A very pleasant connection to the club is that John’s
daughter, Kerry Todd is a Bridgeton Burns Club Competition Winner in
previous years.
Lieutenant Colonel James Galloway Commanding Officer of the Scottish
Transport Regiment Volunteers opened the evening by welcoming all
members of the Officers Mess, Sergeants Mess and guests. Major Gary
Wallace then delivered an Address to the Haggis to get proceedings
started. Bridgeton Burns Club Past President Ian Macpherson MBE gave the
assembled audience an Immortal Memory they had never heard before. Ian
focussed on the connection with Burns and the military. He described
how Robert Burns campaigned to have a Volunteer Regiment raised and was
active with the Dumfries Volunteers as a Serving Officer.
Club Past President Charlie Newlands MBE was on hand to give his
rendition of Tam O’ Shanter, his imitation Maggie enhanced a very
entertaining performance. Charlie also recited another of his
favourite poems, this time a Robert William Service poem titled the
Haggis of Private McPhee. A humorous but poignant story of the
delivery of a Haggis in the trenches of France during World War One.
Both Past Presidents’ performances were met with rapturous applause
form the assembled audience.
To round of the entertainment a special treat was in store. A previous
club competition winner Leona Logan was also invited to perform. Her
unforgettable rendition of A Parcel of Rogues in a Nation was listened
to and appreciated by a hushed audience.
The Toast to the Lassies was delivered with a great deal of humour and
plenty of compliments to the lady diners by Major Gary Wallace. Officer
Commanding of 221 Squadron Major Kaz Smith replied on behalf of the
Lassies. She had penned a rhyme to match key figures in the Regiment
which was well received.
Music for the evening was provided by the Dunfermline and District Pipe
Band, three excellent sets of traditional tunes to please all. The
Vote of Thanks was delivered by Regimental Sergeant Major Andy Dunwell,
he thanked in turn all of the guests for an excellent evening’s
entertainment. To close it is traditional that the Top Table retires
to the Mess and Mr Vice then sits at the Top Table to entertain.
Sergeant James Neilly did so with some humour and an auction for
charity. 221 Squadron supports the two charities, Children’s Hospice
Association Scotland and Erskine Hospital for Ex-Service Veterans.
Sergeant Neilly raised over £100.00 for charities from the sale of two
bottles of wine, a very generous gesture indeed.
c.JPG)
BBC Past Presidents Ian Macpherson and Charlie Newlands
c.JPG)
PP Macpherson delivers The Immortal Memory
Schools Competition 2010 (February
2011)
PRESS RELEASE FROM BRIDGETON BURNS CLUB
The 135th annual Bridgeton Burns Club
Competition was held in St Mungo's Academy on Friday 4th February. (It
had originally been planned for 3rd December but was postponed due
to snow). The Competition was established in 1876 with the aim of
promoting the works of our National Bard, Robert Burns, amongst the
Schoolchildren of Glasgow's East End.
This year 792 children entered with 81
teachers accompanying them. There were 25 performing arts categories on
the night with 13 other categories in Visual Art and Newsdesk being
judged separately. The Visual Art sections also had Assisted Learning
sub-categories. 25 volunteer Adjudicators were involved with 33
officials co-ordinating. 30 volunteer senior pupils from St Mungo's
Academy were also engaged in the crucial role of shepherding competitors
from waiting rooms to their adjudication rooms. In attendance was
Baillie Jean McFadden, Executive Member for Education on Glasgow City
Council.
The Competition covers the entire school age
range from Primary 1 to the Senior 6 and encompasses all schools on the
East of the City including those in the Cambuslang and Rutherglen
areas. The event is funded entirely from voluntary subscription.
The Club's most famous medal winner is Lulu.
This year's winners are listed in the Schools'
Competition Page, Results Section (click on Link Bar Schools
Competition or the link Below)
Please address any further queries to
burnsclub@btconnect.com
Eric
Thompson
Schools Competition Convenor
Burns Memorial - Bridgeton Cross, Update
It is with sadness that I
have to report that the recently erected Burns Memorial at Bridgeton Cross
has been vandalised. The letters on the memorial spelling LUVE
have been "adjusted" to spell UVF. The "subtlety" of his may be
lost on some of our viewers, but it is sad that such a well crafted monument
to Burns should be vandalised in such a way.
The Robert Burns World Federation
The link to The Robert Burns World Federation new
Website is: www.rbwf.org.uk
FOR ALL TEACHERS IN SCHOOLS
PARTICIPATING IN BRIDGETON BURNS CLUB SCHOOLS COMPETITION
The Schools Competition has now been
re-arranged for Friday the 4th February 2011. We apologise to all of
the Teachers and Adjudicators, but especially to all of the Children, who must
be bitterly disappointed having worked so hard, for the very late cancellation
of the Competition on Friday. We are sure, however that everyone
involved, will appreciate that the safety of those participating had to the
priority and given the weather conditions the Directors of the Club had no
alternative but to cancel.
We look forward to February when the
Competition will take place and we hope that all of the children will understand
the reasons for the cancellation and retain their enthusiasm for performing on the
new date.
Full details will be issued to the
participating Schools shortly.
Danielle McIlroy
Danielle McIlroy, one of the
students previously supported through the Bridgeton Burns Club Fund For The
Arts, recently addressed the Board Members. Danielle has
been selected to join 400 other Scottish representatives to perform at the
Closing Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
"Good-bye Delhi - Hello Glasgow 2014".
Bridgeton Burns Club Wining Choir Perform for Pope
Benedict
The choir from John Paul 2 Primary School in
Castlemilk, sang at Bellahouston Park for the visit of Pope Benedict during
his visit to Glasgow on 17th September.
Aileen Barnett, the music teacher the Club funded
to coach this choir for last year's Competition, was asked to train and
conduct the choir for the event and they sang a Burns song.
Head teacher, John O'Hagan, believes they were
selected for the honour because of their performance in our Competition.
Our mission to promote the Bard's works has not been
without fruit.
Burns Memorial - Bridgeton Cross
23rd August 2010
The unveiling ceremony
today went very well from the Club's point of view.
The event began with nine
of us foregathering in the Club office for refreshment. This included Mike
Duguid, President of the Robert Burns World Federation and Jack Steele as
Acting President of the Club - both resplendent in their chains of office.
Jim Slater was also there representing Glasgow and District Burns
Association.
Before leaving the
office, a minute's silence was observed in memory of our late Past President
Stewart Walker whose funeral was taking place at the same time.
The ceremony began at one
o'clock with the chiming of the restored Umbrella clock followed by a short
speech by the Lord Provost.
The Lord Provost,
accompanied by the Lord Dean of Guild, also resplendent in gold chains, then
viewed the names of the three Bridgeton VC holders which are now engraved in
the paving of the piazza, before progressing to the new Burns memorial.
On arrival at the Burns
Memorial, Audrey Carlin, the Clyde Gateway Project Manager, introduced the
VIPs to Jack Steele who then introduced the other Burnsians and Alec Keeper,
the designer/sculptor of the memorial, who won the Club's design competition
prize.
The combined choir of
Dalmarnock and Sacred Heart Primary Schools then sang 'O My Love's Like a
Red Red Rose' and 'Coming thro' the Rye' under conductor/trainer
Jean Thomson who was funded by the Club. Other VIPs in attendance were
Frank McAveety MSP, Councillor Elaine McDougall and Councillor George
Redmond, whose willing support the Club had sought at the start of the Burns
Memorial initiative.
There must have been
300-400 people in attendance at the Cross area and the whole event had a
lovely, low-key, folksy feel to it with many of local residents in evidence.
I think the Bard would have been delighted by both the sub-ceremony at his
new Memorial and by the singing of his songs by schoolchildren 251 years
after his birth.
Those invited then
took two old-fashioned, green and orange, double-decker, ex-Corporation
buses provided by the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust (Bridgeton Garage) to
the City Chambers, where a buffet lunch was enjoyed in the Banqueting Hall
together with cabaret acts by the children from Sacred Heart Primary and St
Mungo's Academy.
The Lord Provost and
Councillor Redmond gave speeches and at 4 o'clock, the two ex-Corporation
buses returned the revellers to Bridgeton.
Time and weather
prevented 'Bridgeton Burns Club' being engraved on the Memorial's plinth
which was only installed on Friday. This engraving will be completed
when weather permits.
Thanks to all who helped
or attended and to Maureen Brown for turning the office into a reception
lounge.
Attached are some
photographs:
1. The Burns Memorial as
seen from the Umbrella. Note the straight (illuminated) line of
paving stones which bear Burns quotations.
2. The Umbrella as seen
from behind the Memorial. Note the Memorial is in the shape of a plough,
this view showing the cutting edge.
3. The ensemble in front
of the Memorial: L-R Mike Duguid, President of the Robert Burns World
Federation; Schools Competition Convenor, Director Eric Thompson; Director
Robert Pit-Kelly; Past President and President Elect of Glasgow and District
Burns Association Jim Slater; Reverend Howard Hudson of Saint
Francis-in-the-East Parish Church; designer/sculptor Alec Keeper (winner of
the Club’s Design Competition); the Lord Provost of Glasgow (Councillor Bob
Winter); Past President Ralph Leishman; Past President Ken Wilson; Past
President Alan McLennan; Acting President Jack Steele; Club Treasurer
Director Alastair Denholm.
4. An ex-Corporation
bus.
Yours Aye
Eric Thompson
Some additional Photos below
The Memorial
The Lord Provost Bob Winter
Alec Keeper The
Designer/Sculptor
Recent Events 2010 - 2011
Schools Competition Winners 2010 (held
in February 2011)
Please
click on the Schools Competition Results at the foot of this page.
Group Photograph
©copyright
David Cairns Cairns Photography
The President, Vice President, Honorary President, Honorary Vice
Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Past Presidents and
Directors
Visit to the Mitchell Library
A
group of Past Presidents and Directors recently visited the Mitchell Library
in North Street in Glasgow to view some of the many Robert Burns artefacts
held by the Library including several belonging to The Bridgeton Burns Club.
It was a very interesting evening and all who attended were impressed by the
extent and quality of the collection. The Past Presidents and
Directors wish to thank the Staff of The Mitchell Library for their
assistance and it is the Club's intention to organize another visit in the
not to distant future.
Original Manuscript by Robert Burns
The Kilmarnock Edition by Robert Burns
The
Group of Visitors and Staff
The
Bridgeton Burns Club Punch Bowl 1872
Schools Competition
Results 4th February 2011 (Postponed from December 2010):
A Full list of
all of the results of the recent Schools Competition can be found by clicking on
the link below.
| 
The
Bridgeton Burns Club
