Middletons Month
No 4

One of the Giants of the Burns Movement was laid to rest on December 23, 2006 at Dreghorn Old Cemetery.
Phil Todd the President of Busbiehill Burns Club and Honorary President of The Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs passed away at the ripe old age of 89.
The turnout of family, friends and Burnsians at the Funeral Parlour in Irvine was tremendous.  The Service was conducted by Joe Kennedy with great dignity, respect and of course humour.  At Phil's request the service centred on his lifelong devotion to Robert Burns and the participation of Willie Frew singing The Lea-Rig had even the hardest hearts fighting back the tears.
 Tributes were paid by Willie Morrison reciting Epistle to Davie, A Brother Poet and Jimmy Gibson took us on a trip round Burns Country with Phil on a special day to remember.  It was my duty and honour to pay tribute from The Robert Burns World Federation and The Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs and showing the high esteem Phil was held in, no fewer than 7 Past President of The Federation were present and 11 Past Presidents of The Ayrshire Association.  Also in attendance were my 2 Vice Presidents John Haining and Bill Dawson.  The service was closed in fitting style with A Man's A Man For A' That,  by Joe McGinty.
 I would like to pay tribute to all who played a part in this special send off, but particular kind thoughts go to the Immediate Family and of course to Joe Kennedy at this time.  As I said in my oration ''In life Phil Todd was large in stature in his passing we The Burns Family have lost a Giant.
2007
 Santa had just parked up his sleigh and I was on my way to my first supper of the season on Friday January 5th at the home of Greenock Wanderers Rugby Club.  Fort Matilda Bowling Club being the hosts for a fine evening of good fellowship.  Is this the first Burns Supper of the year?  Let me know!
 Next up on the President's travels was a visit to Colville Park Country Club in Motherwell for a presentation of cheques to The Robert Burns World Federation and the Lanarkshire Association of Burns Clubs.  Ravenscraig Burns Club have been stalwart supporters of the Schools Competitions over many years and we are very grateful for this continued generosity.
 And Action ! was the watchword at Poosie Nansiies in Mauchline for a filming of a Burns Supper by SMG TV Productions.  The programme can be viewed on the web at www.scotlandontv.tv in the 'town and country' section.  It was a great experience and was  fun for all taking part, just the way Burns should be.  As I was about to leave I was called back by the Producer for some advice....''dont give up the day job'' !

By this time the Supper Season was in full swing and I attended events in West Kilbride, Irvine, Belfast, Dumfries, Largs, Glasgow, Cupar, Troon, Wishaw, Sanquhar, Seamill, Kilmarnock and Ayr.  All have been memorable for me in many ways, I have tried to be a good Ambassador for the Burns Movement in general and of course The Robert Burns World Federation in particular. 
  I was delighted to be part of the toast list of the following Clubs who are Federated to The Robert Burns World Federatio and I wish them all continued success.  Irvine Lasses, Fort Matilda Bowling Club (Burns Section), Royal Arch WK , St Columba Burns Supper in Largs,  Cupar Burns Club, Ayr Police, The West Kilbride Burns Club and Ayr Schools Burns Club.
 In tandem with the above I have attended various events from Wreath Layings at Burns Statue Square in Ayr and George Square in Glasgow.   My thanks go to the Glasgow & District Burns Association and to Ayr Burns Club for looking after me so well.
 Event Launches and committee meetings etc etc have kept me busy..  I have been keeping a diary of all the above and at the end of the Supper Season which will be on March 23 in Kilmarnock I will give a full resume of my highlights and maybe even the lowlights ! for your perusal.
So in closing this the 4th edition of Middleton's Month I have attended 68 events since becoming President and Damp & Decay is still in business!