AYRSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF BURNS CLUBS

A Meeting of The Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs was held on Thursday, 8th December 2005 in Memory Lane, Kilmarnock at 7.30 pm.  
                                   

WILSON PRINTING PRESS:
The President introduced Robert Kirkwood from Newmilns and invited him to speak for a few minutes on his proposed project.  Bert explained that, following research by him into the life of John Wilson, the Kilmarnock printer, he had become curious about the printing press used.  He had discovered that no-one seemed to know exactly what Wilson’s printing press had looked like and had looked into whether any presses used around the same time still survived.  Bert found there was one in London and one in the Smithsonian in the USA and that plans for these existed.  His third query was had anybody tried to build one and on discovering that there was, he got in touch with them.  Bert had spoken to Bill Stafford, East Ayrshire Council to try to determine where a replica working press might be housed.  Unfortunately Mr Stafford had reported back that there would be no room in the proposed new building in the Kay Park.  Discussion then took place as to possible sites, when the general feeling was that somewhere in Kilmarnock would be preferred, followed by a location in the Burns National Heritage Park, Alloway.  Bert had applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding using, with permission, the name of the Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs.  Donald Howe advised that he approach Des Browne, MP.  Hugh Monahan explained that he and his joiner brother were very interested in helping Bert to reproduce the Wilson printing press and it was agreed that all three men continue to work together and report back regularly to the AABC.  Hugh explained that with 8 pieces of sleeper-sized wood it would be possible to make a quarter-sized model to fit on a table.  This could then be used to illustrate what was being attempted and could also be taken round schools, etc easily.   Hugh had contacted Morton’s of Dalry, printers in Dalgarven Mill.  Making a table-sized model was greeted enthusiastically and it agreed that 8 sponsors be sought.  Joe McGinty immediately volunteered to sponsor one piece of wood and delegates were asked to take back the idea to their Clubs.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT: 
President Joe McGinty had attended meetings at Kilmarnock Howff BC and Skelmorlie Poosie Nancie’s BC, but unfortunately had had to miss Irvine Lasses’ St Andrew’s Evening.  AABC had received a gift of several Chronicles covering the period 1910-1968.  The Federation Secondary Schools’ Overall Team shield had now been passed on to Largs Academy.    
                                   
SECRETARY’S REPORT:   
Irvine Burns Club had been sent a donation of £20 for the use of Wellwood;
The Burns Federation had been informed of our 5 representatives for the coming year;
The President of the Robert Burns World Federation had been invited to lay wreaths in January and July and to attend our Church Anniversary Service.  A verbal reply had informed that Maj Paterson intended attending them all;
Alloway Burns Club had been thanked for offering to host the Burns Masterclass in 2006;
Ayr Burns Club had confirmed they would be organising the wreath-laying Services at Burns Statue Square and Leglen Wood;
Amended dates concerning a Series of Burns Celebrations and the Lasses Lunch were given to the meeting.
                                   
SCHOOLS’ SUB- COMMITTEE:                             
Margaret Hume informed that arrangements for AABC Schools’ Competitions were in hand and added that Application Forms would be going out shortly to schools.  This year the Schools’ Competitions will be held in Church Halls, Castle Street, Mauchline starting at 2 pm - Primary on 11th March and Secondary on 18th March.  Schools would also be informed that Ayrshire were seeking a Primary School Choir to compete in the National Finals on 13th May.

BURNS FEDERATION:
Ray Connal reported that the Conference Committee were concerned about the lack of information from Winnipeg and felt they may have to have a contingency plan for 2007.  Everyone had agreed that the Ayr Conference had gone very well.  John Skilling informed that a bust of Burns, probably made by James Thom, had been bequeathed to the BNHP and was now in the Cottage garden as was a “Loupin’ Stane” from the Cellars in Maidens purported to have been used by Burns.  Jim Gibson informed that Peter Westwood, who had retired at the AGM, was back as Editor.  Jim then added that he wanted to put all the letters and poems of the Bard on the Federation website and asked Clubs to put information on the site.  He was disappointed that participants to the discussion site were low in number. 
                                                                                                                          

ANNIVERSARY:

Members were reminded of the Anniversary Church Service to be held in Mauchline Parish Church on Sunday 22nd January at 11.00 am and of the Wreath-laying at Burns Statue Square in Ayr on Wednesday 25th January at 12 noon.

OTHER INTERESTING MATTERS:
Campbell Shaw, informed that he had 11 books of John Rodie’s poems left from an evening held at Prestwick BC and that they were available for sale at £7.50 each.  The President reminded everyone of the St Petersburg Cheese & Wine Night being held at Skelmorlie Community Centre on Sat 10th December at 7.30 pm. It was agreed to try to change the Quiz to another date so that it would not clash with Irvine Lasses’ meeting.  Anne Gaw pointed out that it would soon be the centenary of the AABC and felt that we should be thinking of arranging special events.  She suggested an AABC Burns Supper.  The President said that the Executive would look into arranging suitable commemorative events.  Joe Kennedy commended Angus and Lesley for raising £130 for the AABC and asked if there were any ideas to continue raising revenue at our meetings.  The Executive will also look at this.  Mauchline BC asked if Federation President, John Paterson, might lay a wreath at the Mauchline monument on 22nd January and it was generally thought that he would if asked.  Andrew Bell informed that Mauchline were three-quarters way through cleaning the Burns-related stones in Mauchline graveyard and hoped to finish by February.  He added that their next project would concern lighting and security.  John Skilling reported that for the proposed Development Project in the Burns National Heritage Park, the National Trust of Scotland intended appointing a Project Manager on the 13th December, a Business Consultant on the 15th December and finally a Design Team on the 19th December.  Joe Kennedy reported that Kilmarnock No 0 had purchased a new AABC Quiz trophy.  Lesley Diack presented a frame for the Federation Certificate of Appreciation. 
                                   
NEXT MEETING:   
The next Quarterly Meeting will be held on Thursday 9th February at The Old Castle Bar, Dundonald at 7.30 pm.