1: THE BURNS CLUB Of London. Extract from "Annual Report." Two outstanding events during the past year call for more than ordinary mention, viz., the Birthday Celebration and the Hallowe'en Concert. There are two days in the calendar which Scots the world o'er cherish in their hearts, and these are birthdays. One is New Year's Day-the birthday of a New Year, the other the day on which a blast o' Janwar' win' Blew hansel in on Robin "; and the one vies with the other in point of national interest and importance. Our club, never lacking throughout its long existence in an enthusiastic endeavour to keep alive "The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns," added one more to its long list of distinguished Birthday Festivals. A company of over four hundred members and their guests, forming, as The Times stated, "a brilliant assembly of eminent Scots, met in the Hotel Metropole to do honour to the sweet singer and poet of Scotland. The gathering over which Sir Robert Blair presided with much acceptance was a most inspiring one. Immortal Memory" was proposed by the Rt. Hon. J. Ramsay MacDonald, M.P., ex-Prime Minister, in a speech which will rank as one of the greatest orations ever delivered on such an occasion. "The Greetings were exchanged with clubs in all parts of the world; and early in the day, following a time-honoured custom, your President, accompanied by Lady Blair and members of his family, and attended by Mr. S. J. Fraser (Past President), the Hon. Treasurer, the Hon. Secretary, and Mr. Swan, Member of Council, laid a wreath at the Statue of Burns in Embankment Gardens. SYLLABUS 1928-29. 1928-Oct. 17. Opening Gathering: Combined Social and Vernacular Meeting. 31. Hallowe'en Concert at Queen's Hall. Nov. 12. Vernacular Circle: Lecture on "The Raising of the Highland Regiments," by Dr. J. M. Bulloch. 17. Whist Party. 1928-Dec. 2. Annual Scottish Festival Service at St. Columba's. 10. Vernacular Circle: Lecture. 1929-Jan. 25. Birthday Festival Dinner. Feb. 4. Vernacular Circle: Lecture by Sir Joseph 22. Whist Party. Mar. 11. Vernacular Circle: Prose and Poetry contribu- June 8. Annual Summer Gathering at Royal Caledonian J. A. BROWN, 36: ROSEBERY BURNS CLUB, GLASGOW. The forty-fourth Annual Meeting of the Club was held in the Burns House Club on 26th April, 1928. Mr. T. Stewart Barrie, M.B., Ch.B., presided. The Secretary reported that 13 members had been added during the year. The Annual Outing, which took place in June to Kirkoswald, proved a great success, and was enjoyed by the members present. During the year the usual lectures and social evenings were held, being very successful. The Annual Dinner was held in Arcade Café; the toast of "The Immortal Memory was proposed by Geo. Eyre-Todd, Esq., J.P. The Children's Competitions were held as in former years: Singing and Reciting Competition in Grove Street Public School, and Essay Competition in Whitehill H.G. School. A. W. ALEXANDER, Hon. Secy. 40: ABERDEEN BURNS CLUB. SYLLABUS 1928-29. 1928-Oct. 1. Presidential Address: on "Robert Burns." 31. Hallowe'en Night. Nov. 5. Ladies' Night. 30. St. Andrew's Night. Dec. 3. Chas. Edwd. Macdonald: on "The Scot Abroad." 1929-Jan. 7. Gentlemen's Night. 25. Annual Supper: "The Immortal Memory," proposed by the Right Rev. Bishop Deane, M.A., D.D. Feb. 4. A. M. Sutherland: on "Random Remarks about Burns." Mar. 4. W. Edmund Bell: Address. Apr. 15. Annual Meeting. 68: SANDYFORD (GLASGOW) BURNS CLUB. The thirty-fifth Annual General Meeting of the Club was held in the Burns House Club on Tuesday, 3rd April, 1928, the President, Mr. James Graham Greig, presiding over a good attendance of members. An exhaustive revision of the Rules, and the institution of a Prize for a competitive essay on a subject relating to Burns, open to the boys attending the High School of Glasgow, were important items in the Secretary's Report. The Prize, this year, was awarded to Master Thomas Shearer for an astonishingly sane and well-informed paper on "Burns as a Critic of his Age." The Anniversary Dinner and Ball was held in the Grand Hotel. The toast of "The Immortal Memory was given by the Rev. Arthur C. Hill, D.D., minister of Elgin Place Congregational Church, in a speech that exemplified all the arts and graces of the orator. Particularly moving was his charge, in a noble peroration, to hold Burns in undying remembrance for his belief, in an age of derisive scepticism, in the high destiny of mankind. The thanks of the Club are due to Dr. Peter Pinkerton, Rector of the High School, for an effortless and inimitably droll contribution to the gaiety of the evening in proposing the toast of "The Lassies," and to Dr. Frances Melville, Mistress of Queen Margaret College, for a very gracious speech in reply. The Collection on behalf of the Mauchline Burns Houses realised the sum of £17 12s. 6d. The Annual Outing on 12th June to Peebles and Abbotsford was taken part in by over 100 ladies and gentlemen-a pilgrimage by the adherents of the dynasty of "Rob Mossgiel" to the country of the great and equal-starred King of Romance. It was a day of midsummer pomp, full of incident and laughter on the journey and in the return home. The M'Lennan Bowling Cup was won by the Club for the second time in the history of the Competition, the players of the winning rink being John Blackburn, Peter Cumming, William M'Pherson, and James G. Williamson (skip). The Directors regret to record the death, during the year, of Mr. Archibald Cameron, one of the founders of the Club, and of Mr. Alexander Duthie, a Past-President and a gentleman of high administrative gifts, who brought the impress of a strong individuality to the Club's early development. ALEXANDER MILLER, 74: GLASGOW-MAUCHLINE SOCIETY. National Burns Memorial and Cottage Homes, Mauchline. The year 1928 has been one of steady progress. All the eleven cottages have been fully occupied by old folks, whom it is a pleasure to assist, and visitors must have noted how comfortable they look, with their pretty gardens and open surroundings. The occupants are carefully chosen and come from all quarters. They get the houses free of rent and taxes, and each, in addition, receives £6 per annum. feature of the Homes is that there are no irksome restrictions. The cottagers bring their own furniture, have their own key, and have their own friends visiting them. The Committee try to let them have as nearly as possible their "ain fireside," and this liberty they greatly appreciate. Α A very happy gathering took place on 23rd June. Eight private motor cars assembled at the Homes, and took the cottagers and friends a two-hours' motor run by Ayr, Alloway, Turnberry, &c. The day was fine, and the cottagers greatly enjoyed the run, particularly when in view of the sea. On their return all were entertained to tea in "Poosie-Nansie's " hostelry at Mauchline. It is now 32 years since the first of the Cottages were built, and in erecting them the Glasgow-Mauchline Society has, it is believed, the proud record of being the first Burns Club in the world to do something in a permanent form for the benefit of the deserving poor, in memory of the poet. J. LEIPER Gemmill, President. 89: SUNDERLAND BURNS CLUB. The We have again to report a very successful season. meetings have been held in the Palatine Hotel, whose reconstruction has added materially to our comfort. The Picnic for the second year in succession was to Hexham, where a delightful afternoon was spent in the Tyne Valley. The St. Andrew's Day Celebration was held on 23rd November, 1927, when a company of one hundred and thirty ladies and gentlemen attended. A most enjoyable evening was spent until the wee short hour ayont the twal." The Anniversary Dinner was held on 25th January, 1928, when we were honoured by having the Secretary of the Federation, Mr. Thomas Amos, M.A., propose the toast of "The Immortal Memory." A company of one hundred and fourteen enjoyed the inspiring address delivered on this occasion. We had a Ladies' Night on 12th April, when an excellent programme, arranged by our Musical Director, Mr. Donald Gordon, was much enjoyed by the company. SYLLABUS 1927-28. 1927-Oct. 13. President's Address, by G. Mitchell. 27. "History and Tales of Old Sunderland," by J. H. Meek. Nov. 10. "Burns and Mauchline," by W. M. Donaldson. 23. St. Andrew's Day Celebration. Dec. 8. "Men and Women of Note," by D. Campbell. 1928-Jan. 12. "David Livingstone," by J. M'Nicol. 25. Anniversary Dinner. Feb. 9. "Historical Dumfries," by J. J. MacDowall. Mar. 8. "Thoughts on Mankind," by W. Nesbit. 22. "Burns in the North," by G. Mackay. Apr. 12. Ladies' Night. 26. Annual Meeting. M. NEILSON, Hon. Secy. 91 SHETTLESTON (GLASGOW) BURNS Club. Once more we have to report a year of steady and encouraging progress. We have increased our membership, our finances have improved, and all our functions were a decided success. "Ladies' Night," our first social function, was held in Wellshot Public Halls in September last, the first occasion this meeting has taken place locally. The change proved a great success, 115 members and friends being present. As in previous years, the Co-operative Halls, Shettleston, housed our Annual Whist Drive and Dance; 140 were present, and prizes were presented to successful players by Mrs. George Stirling. The Anniversary Dinner was a great occasion. "The Immortal Memory was given by Wm. Connal Buchanan, Esq. Past-President James Lucas complimented Mr. Buchanan on his efforts as a lecturer. Harmony was excellent, and 94 members and friends were present. Schools Competition held in Wellshot Public Halls, while not so successful as last year, had a good attendance, close upon 400 being present. Four schools entered competition, and great credit is due Headmasters and Staffs for the excellent display of talent in singing and reciting. Club Bowling Match in May last had good weather, and a most delightful game took place, four rinks competing. Thanks were sent to Directors of Shettleston Bowling Club for the generous use of Green and Bowl House. M'Lennan Cup Competition had most favourable weather also. We had four rinks forward; scores were good all round, and all enjoyed the game. M |