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Robert Burns World Federation

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Robert Burns World Federation
The portrait of Burns, by Alexander Nasmyth, 1787 (detail)
The portrait of Burns,
by Alexander Nasmyth, 1787 (detail)
Born(1759-01-25)25 January 1759
Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland
Died21 July 1796(1796-07-21) (aged 37)
Dumfries, Scotland
NationalityScottish
CitizenshipBritish
Literary movementRomanticism

The Robert Burns World Federation is a literary society based at the 3A John Dickie Street, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, KA1 1HW. It is a Scottish Charity No. SC029099 and a company limited by Guarantee. The Federation links existing Burns Clubs and kindred societies, giving a unique number to affiliated Clubs, which is then used by them in their promotion and identification. Their ongoing intent is to provide a way for clubs to link together and enjoy the mutual benefit of association, communication and shared mission. The mission of the organisation is to advance the knowledge and education of people, in Scotland and internationally, about the life, poetry and works of Robert Burns and the Scottish Language. It does this through generating projects and activities under the broad headings of: a) Stimulating and Developing the study and teaching of Scottish literature, art, music and language. b) Conserving buildings, property and artefacts and places associated with Robert Burns and his contemporaries. c) Strengthening the bond of fellowship among members of Burns Clubs and Kindred Societies by encouraging them to honour the memory of Burns and his works. d) Working with Schools, Colleges and Universities to promote an awareness of the contribution and relevance of Burns and other literary figures in shaping today's cultural heritage. e) Encouraging, arrange and support events, competitions, conferences, festivals and exhibitions involving the public, students and school children in furthering these prime objectives.

The Federation was founded in 1885 to educate the public about the life, poetry and works of the poet Robert Burns.[1] The Board of the Robert Burns World Federation (RBWF) is composed of the main Directors (as per the Articles of Assoc. inc. President, Snr Vice, Jnr Vice, Immediate Past President and the three overseas Directors i.e. USA, Canada and Pacific Rim). Additional Directors are Archivist, Conference, Heritage, Literature, Marketing and Schools, with two non-exec directors of Education and Membership. [1]

History

In 1884 a statue to Robert Burns was unveiled in London.[2] A group of those attending agreed to celebrate the forthcoming 1886 centenary of the printing of the "Kilmarnock Edition" by setting up a "Burns Federation". Societies in Burns' memory already existed, notably the Irvine Burns Club. Following an initial informal meeting in London early in 1885, the first formally minuted meeting was held in Kilmarnock, where the "Kilmarnock Edition" had been printed.[3]

The minutes of the meeting of 17 July 1885 show that seventeen 'Burnsians' were present: - Colin Rae Brown, President of London Burns Club; Peter Sturrock, Provost of Kilmarnock and President of Kilmarnock Burns Club; Rev. Wm Dunnett; James McKie, Publisher; A. J. Symington; David Sneddon, Ex. President of Kilmarnock Burns Club; John Law, President of Springburn Burns Club; George Dunlop; Andrew Calderwood; R. S. Ingram; Richard Armstrong; Andrew Turnbull, Ex President of Kilmarnock Burns Club; David Aird; James McAlister; Arthur Sturrock; Thomas McCulloch and David Mackay, Secretary of Kilmarnock Burns Club.[3]

At this 1886 meeting the proposal by the London representative that the London Burns Club should be allocated the prestigious Number 1 as the initial idea had been raised in London in 1885.[4] When the roll was first announced, the reader started with Kilmarnock Burns Club No. 0, London Burns Club No.1 and the situation has remained this way ever since.[3]

Activities

Provost Peter Sturrock of Kilmarnock was the first RBWF President, followed by Provost David Mackay of Kilmarnock.[5]

Burns Clubs

Main article: Burns Clubs

In 2013 the Robert Burns World Federation had over 250 member clubs worldwide.[1] The 1941 'Burns Chronicle and Club Directory' lists that 577 Burns Clubs had federated to that date.[6] The first four federated clubs were - 0. Kilmarnock (1885), 1. London (1885), 2. Alexandria (1885), 3. Tam O'Shanter (1885).[7]

Archives

The Dower House at Dean Castle was home to the Robert Burns World Federation until 2018.

The federation holds a number of Robert Burns artefacts such as the Betty Burns portrait by John Hunter of Kilmarnock and holograph letters, etc. held on the federation's behalf at the 'Burns Room' in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow.[8][9] Sadly a number of Burns Clubs have ceased to function and the RBWF holds a number of chains of office from said clubs, donated to them for safe keeping.[8]

Annual Conference

The RBWF holds an annual business and learning Conference every year and has done so since 1885, exceptions being 1914 and 1939. From 1885 to 1893 the conferences were held in Kilmarnock and after that date they were held at sites throughout the United kingdom and internationally.[5] In 2018 the conference was held in Irvine, Scotland and in 2019 it took place in Glasgow, Scotland. The Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew (near Glasgow Airport) is the venue for the Conference which will take place from 3 to 6 September 2020. The RBWF awards Honorary Life Memberships and certificates to recognise outstanding service and other contributions to the federation and to the furtherance of the memory of Robert Burns and his works.[8]

The Burns Chronicle

A 'Burns Chronicle' is issued every year and was first published by the Burns Federation in 1891. The Chronicle, contains current articles on Robert Burns and Scottish enlightenment and acts as a record of club activities with special editions issued for events such as the 2009 'Homecoming'.[10][11] Duncan McNaught was the second editor and held the post for 32 years. A regular 'Newsletter' is produced giving details of Burns Clubs and their activities, conferences, important visitors, publications, etc.[12] The majority of these have now been digitised and are available online.

Websites

The memorial to Highland Mary at Failford.

The RBWF is represented on Facebook, Twitter and has its own dedicated website.[13][8]

Schools

The federation has been actively involved with furthering knowledge of the Scottish Language Scots dialect, the memory of Robert Burns, his songs and poetry with primary, secondary and other school pupils since its inception.[14] A Schools Committee oversees and organises competitions and other events as do many individual Burns Clubs.[8]

Memorials

The Robert Burns World Federation and local Burns Clubs help to maintain various Robert Burns linked sites such as the 'Trysting Tree' of Robert Burns's poem The Soldier's Return at Millmannoch and the Highland Mary and Robert Burns Memorial at Failford, both in Ayrshire. In 1933 John M. Hannah, owner of the Auchencruive Estate, gifted half an acre of the Leglen Wood to the federation which had erected a cairn as a memorial to Robert Burns and William Wallace.[8]

Campaigns

Since April 2014 the Federation has been involved in a campaign to have Prestwick Airport renamed "Robert Burns Airport".[15]

See also

References

Notes
  1. ^ a b Robert Burns World Federation Retrieved : 2014-01-19
  2. ^ Monuments and Memorials to Robert Burns - London Statue. Accessed 5 December 2014
  3. ^ a b c The Grand Lodge of Scotland - Burns Federation
  4. ^ Burns Club of London website. Accessed 5 December 2014
  5. ^ a b Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, Page 89
  6. ^ Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, Page 129
  7. ^ Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, Page 104
  8. ^ a b c d e f RBWF Annual Conference Minutes, 2012
  9. ^ Burns in Scotland, page 45
  10. ^ Westwood (2009)
  11. ^ Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, Cover
  12. ^ RBWF Newsletter.
  13. ^ Robert Burns World Federation Accessed : 2015-01-04
  14. ^ Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, Page 101.
  15. ^ BBC News - "Plea to rename Prestwick Airport after poet Robert Burns", 1 April 2014. Accessed 5 December 2014
Sources
  • Mackay, James (2004). Burns. A Biography of Robert Burns. Darvel : Alloway Publishing. ISBN 0-907526-85-3.
  • Westwood, Peter J. Edit. (2010). Homecoming Burns Chronicle 2009. Robert Burns World Federation.
  • Burns in Scotland. Highlights of the National Burns Collection. (2004). Irvine : National Burns Collections Project.
  • Burns Chronicle and Club Directory. Second series : Volume XVI. (1941) Kilmarnock : The Burns Federation.
  • Robert Burns World Federation Conference (RBWF). 2012. Cairn Hotel, Harrogate.
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