Ayr Burns Club
EARLY HISTORY of AYR BURNS CLUB
Five years after the Death of Robert Burns in 1801, nine of the poet’s friends and admirers met in this building, the Birthplace of Burns and sat down to dinner, including sheep’s head and
haggis.
The poem Address to a Haggis was read and several toast drunk.
Thus reading from his Works, the first recorded Burns Supper was held in the cottage to pay tribute to the memory of Robert Burns.
This was the beginning of the Burns Movement ! !
Known today as the Robert Burns World Federation
Writing an Ode for the occasion in honour of Robert Burns, to this distinguished gathering of Ayr and Ayrshire dignitaries. On occasions such as these, this practice is continued today throughout the world
The nine gentlemen present were:
William Crawford, Doonside, Ayr
John Ballantine, Castlehill Ayr. lawyer
- to whom the poem The Brigs of Ayr was dedicated
Robert Aiken, Whitehill, Ayr, lawyer
- to whom the poem The Cotters Saturday Night was dedicated.
Dr Patrick Douglas, Garallan, Cumnock, poet’s patron
- who had arranged a post for him in Jamaica.
Primrose Kennedy, Drummelland, Maybole
Hugh Ferguson, Ayr, barrackmaster
David Scott, Ayr, banker
Thomas Jackson, rector of Ayr Academy
The Rev.Hamilton Paul, Chaplain and Laureate
The gathering resolved to meet again in the cottage on 29 January 1802. It was thought then the poet’s birthday was 29 January.
They duly met as arranged, joined by Provost William Bowie of Ayr and other 8 leading citizens. Meeting annually in the Cottage, at Alloway, from 1801, when they moved into Ayr, to the city tavern, The Kings Arms.
The local press and The Ayr Burns Club’s Minute Books record the club met in The Kings Arms, Ayr, through the 19th century and beyond.
Commemorative Historical Resurrection 200 years later in 2001 “A FRIENDSHIP EVENING”
This first recorded World Burns Supper and gathering of admirers of the National Poet of Scotland in 1801, was commemorated in Burns Cottage and Museum, in July 2001, 200 years later.
Tom and Margaret Morrall, for over three years, had been trying to seek permission to hold this important event in 2001. Eventually permission was granted, received within three weeks of the proposed July date.
Mr Dougal McIntyre, Treasurer/Secretary of The Burns Cottage and Museum Trustees, trusted Tom and Margaret Morrall, with the safekeeping of these precious world heritage premises, and kindly gave permission for this historical event with numerous constrictions.
Permission received with strict contract stipulations:
No publicity before the event.
Limited numbers, allowing only twenty four people to be involved within the grounds at one time.
No food or beverages within Burns Cottage or Museum.
Honouring these restrictions, Dr Tom Morrall, President and Mrs Margaret Morrall, Honorary Secretary of Alloway Burns Club were able to successfully repeat the 1801 event, calling it “A Friendship Evening”.
Later the “THE GOINGS ON” on July 2001 during that First Friendship Evening will all be revealed with photographs.
VISIT US LATER
Commemorative Another Historical Resurrection 165 years at least later in 2009
Ayr & District Youth Robert Burns Club being Launched
on Sunday 25th January 2009
at Ayr Burns Club’s Community Anniversary Dinner
Margaret Morrall in her research has discovered that on 25th January 1844 -
Ayr Junior Burns Club held their Anniversary Dinner.
History of Youth Robert Burns Clubs
The first Federated Primary Schools Robert Burns Clubs in the World!
December 1996, in The Bicentenary Year of the Death of Robert Burns,
Burnsian Margaret Morrall founded three Robert Burns Clubs in the local Primary Schools.
These three schools formed a triangle surrounding the birthplace of Robert Burns, Alloway.
Application to the then Burns Federation to be federated was successful -
Alloway Primary Robert Burns Club : Instituted 1996 Federated 1997 Federated Number 1044
Ayr Grammar Primary Robert Burns Club : Instituted 1996 Federated 1997 Federated Number 1045
Doonfoot Primary Primary Robert Burns Club : Instituted 1996 Federated 1997 Federated Number 1046
Alison Jones at 12 years of age was the President of Ayr Grammar Robert Burns Club, and participated in laying a wreath on the 25 January, at Burns Statute, Burns Statue Square, Ayr with the South Ayrshire Provost and The Robert Burns World Federation President and many others.
Alison, also Addressed the Haggis at that year's Primary Schools Robert Burns Club Anniversary Dinner.
The history of these Primary Robert Burns Clubs will be published here in the not too distant future.
Watch this space!
APRIL 2008
FROM LITTLE ACORNS OAK TREES GROW
THE ESTABLISHMENT IN 1996 OF THREE PRIMARY ROBERT BURNS CLUBS
PROVIDED A SOUND FOUNDATION FOR ,2008 YOUTH ROBERT BURNS CLUBS
Yes indeed, it has definitely been an interesting and exciting journey since 1996
with giant steps going forward for 2009!
On Sunday 25th January 2009 the 250th Birthday of Scotland’s National Poet Robert Burns, the Official Launching of the Ayr & District Youth Robert Burns Club will take place at the Community Anniversary Dinner
in The Princess Royal Suite, Ayr Racecourse, Ayr
Margaret Morrall, President of Ayr Burns Club, agreed it would be appropriate to celebrate the 250th Birthday
of Robert Burns with launching an Ayr & District Youth Robert Burns Club
.
Now Margaret, has achieve her ultimate wish by targeting and having Burnsians in the Universities and Colleges and Employment in Scotland !!
An added bonus is the proposal to encourage pupils from the Ayr and District to annually return and establish their own Anniversary Dinner.
Thus sharing their talents with us and enabling the public to enjoy The Life and Works of Robert Burns through the eyes of our youth.
Into this 21st Century These Young Burnsians are Opening Doors to others,
sharing the Fun, Friendship and Fellowship while Studying The Life and Works of Robert Burns.
Launch of Youth Robert Burns Club on 27th April 2008 Secondary & University Groups
Launch of Youth Robert Burns Club on 27th April 2008 Secondary & University Groups
Three Secondary Pupils from Belmont Academy, were winners at Robert Burns World Federation National Secondary Schools Festival
on 27th April. at Inverclyde Academy
Recitation Winners - Alison Jones : Beth Clelland:
Singing Winner -Kelly Mathieson
These members helped to bring the Robert Burns World Federation Secondary Team Cup to Ayrshire. the first for many years.
These three pupils had been involved with the Primary Schools Robert Burns Clubs activities and participated in the Annual Anniversary Dinners in January when younger!
History of Youth Robert Burns Clubs
December 1996, in The Bicentenary Year of the Death of Robert Burns, Burnsian Margaret Morrall founded the three local Primary Schools
surrounding Burns Cottage, Alloway, as Robert Burns Clubs.
These schools were Alloway Primary: Ayr Grammar: Doonfoot Primary School.
These were successful in their application to be federated with the Robert Burns World Federation -
The first Federated Primary Schools Robert Burns Clubs in the World!
Alison Jones at 12 years of age was the President of Ayr Grammar Robert Burns Club, and participated in laying a wreath on the 25 January,
at at Lawson Burns Statute, Burns Statue Square, Ayr.
With her Primary President Peers she joined the South Ayrshire Provost and The Robert Burns World Federation President and many others
A Alison, also Addressed the Haggis at that year's Primary Schools Robert Burns Club Anniversary Dinner. Alison also recited Scots Wae Hae in July 2007 in The Auld Kirk of Ayr and To a Mouse at the Leglen Wood, Wallace Burns Cairn.
Kelly Mathiesion attended Alloway Primary School, was at the very first Primary School Robert Burns Anniversary Dinner.
Her older brother Liam was the 11 year old piper at The 1st Primary Robert Burns Clubs Anniversary Dinner in 2000 The Millenium Year.
B Beth Clelland also attended Alloway Primary School
Margaret Morrall has been asked many times over the years, by the numerous youngster who enjoyed and participated in these Primary
Anniversary Dinner, to organise and launch a Youth Robert Burns Club for their older age group.
Al Alison and the Office-Bearers and numerous others are very enthusiastic to have an event in this their year .
T h
It has been an interesting journey since 1996 and giant steps going forward for 2009!
An
Sco
Youth Robert Burns Clubs
Sunday 20th July 2008
Honouring our National Bard by paying their Tribute to the Life and Works of Robert Burns on Sunday nearest the day he died, 21st July 1796
Young Burnsians join The Other Adult Burns Clubs by Laying Wreaths at Burns Statue, Burns Statue Square Ayr and Wallace Burns Cairn at Leglen Wood River Ayr, Auchincruive, Ayr.
Primary and Senior Burnsians fully participated in these events on Sunday 20th July 2008 by sharing their Talent by singing and reciting.
Order of Service
Morning Church Service in The Auld Kirk of Ayr (St John the Baptist) in the Parish of Ayr.
Ayr & District Youth Robert Burns Club
2008 Archival Material
Sunday 20th July 2008
Morning Church Service in The Auld Kirk of Ayr
(St John the Baptist) in the Parish of Ayr.
Being baptised at one day old on 26th January 1759 by Ayr Minister The Rev. William Dalrymple, Robert traveled with his family, into the town of Ayr to worship in The Auld Kirk until leaving Mount Oliphant Farm 1777 for Lochlea Farm in the Parish of Tarbolton.
The Auld Kirk of Ayr’s congregation nurtured Robert Burns from the cradle into his teens, with the aid of his father their Elder to the Presbytery of Ayr, Developing his sensitivity and perception of this embryo poet. The boy who became the man we all admire. His genius in giving us many word pictures of the way he saw his world and people..
10 am Morning Service
The Auld Kirk in Ayr : www.Auldkirk.org
Join Us
William Burness and Family
worshipped here.
Rev. Paul Russell,
Moderator of the Presbytery of Ayr
and Chaplain at Ayr Hospital.
These young Burnsians sat in the same pews
where the Burness Family worshipped.
One of the “furms” set in the body of the kirk
for the Burrowfield and Alloway folk
Robert being a Communicant Member.
President Alison Jones :
Recitation: To A Mouse
Vice President Kelly Mathieson
Singer: The Banks of Doon
Photograph Left to Right
Rev. Paul Russell Moderator of Presbytery of Ayr
Grant Kidd Vice President, Ayr & District Youth Robert
Burns Club
Mrs Nan MacFarlane South Ayrshire Council SNP Group
Alan G Templeton LTCL Auld Kirk of Ayr Organist
Alison Jones President Ayr & District Youth Robert Burns Club
Kelly Mathieson Vice President Ayr & District Youth Robert Burns Club
Mrs Winifred Sloan Provost South Ayrshire Council
Mr Alex Mackenzie Council Member Ayr Burns Club
Mrs Margaret Morrall, President Ayr Burns Club
Mr Angus Middleton President Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs
Mr John Haining President Robert Burns World Federation.
2.30 pm Annual Commemorative
Service Wreath Laying
Burns Statue, Ayr
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Caitlin Barrie
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Primary Burnsians,
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Laying a Wreath
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President Alison Jones :
Ayr & District Youth Burnsians
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Laying a Wreath
3.30pm Annual Commemorative
Open Air Service,
Wallace and Burns Cairn,
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Leglen Wood, River Ayr, Ayr
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Rev. Arrick Wilkinson,
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Kirkoswald Parish Minister
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Piper Scott Barrie
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Gardenrose Primary, Maybole
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Caitlin Barrie
Gardenrose Primary, Maybole
Recitation: The Auld Trout
Vice President Kelly Mathieson
Singer: The Banks of Doon
