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Bridgeton Burns Club MAIN PAGE
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Then
let us pray that come it may, as
come it will for a' that
that sense and worth o'er a' the earth, shall bear the gree an' that
For a' that an' a' that, it's
comin' yet for a' that
that man tae man the world o'er, shall Brithers be for a' that.
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 Bridgeton
Burns Club
is one of the oldest and most active with a national and international
reputation. It is reputed to be one of the largest in the world
A
shopkeeper, John Wilson invited three of his friends to a supper prepared by his wife
in his backshop at No.13 Main Street, Bridgeton on 25th January
1870 to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the bard. The
initial Anniversary Supper of the Bridgeton Burns Club was held on 25th
January 1871 in Bridgeton’s Murdoch Hall, Main Street, (sadly now
demolished). The first President, John Wilson, in company with a group of like
minded enthusiasts, many of whom boasted either membership or close
association with Bridgeton Bowling Club attended the initial anniversary supper..
From this
modest beginning the club increased in numbers and by the turn of the
century there was over 300 members!
The
club has 900 plus members on the roll and its anniversary dinner each year
has an attendance of almost 700 members and their guests, with a waiting
list for tickets.
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Bridgeton
Burns Club aims:
From the outset, the educational ambitions of the Club were clearly in
evidence, a commitment clearly stated in the printed rules and objects
of the Club, the latter requiring the… "…endeavour, through DONATION, SUBSCRIPTION and other MEANS to
establish a fund for the encouragement of the KNOWLEDGE and CULTIVATION
of SCOTTISH LITERATURE amongst the children of members, with a view
ultimately to found scholarships… and… bursaries at the University, for
meritorious Pupils selected from the Bridgeton Elementary Schools, who
shall excel in a competitive examination on a portion of Scottish
literature previously indicated by the Club.”
To this day the Directorship of the Bridgeton Burns Club has not
deviated from the principle embodied in the original and admirable
objects as testified by the programme of events organised by the Club’s
14 strong and extremely active Board, which meets formally each month
from September until May, but operates at sub committee level
throughout the entire year. The Board has also established The
Bridgeton Burns Club Fund for The Arts.
The principal aim of the Bridgeton Burns Club in celebrating the life
and works of ROBERT BURNS is to introduce his songs and poetry to the
young people of Glasgow
 This
is carried out by organising a competition for the children of the schools in
the East-end of Glasgow. The schools competition began in 1876 with just two or
three schools from the east-end, this has developed to over 50 schools.
Hundreds of children participate in this event and in
December 2002 an incredible 750 young people took part!
When I was a boy in Bridgeton in the 1950's-70's this was held in Bridgeton
Public Halls and I can still fondly remember going there with the school...a
lasting memory. It then moved to John Street secondary School and when that
school sadly closed the event moved to the local secondary school, St.Mungo's Academy in
Crownpoint Road, Bridgeton.
A number of trophies and prizes are awarded to the winning entrants, many of
which are cherished in later life. A concert is held in February and the various
winners perform on stage in front of an audience of about 1000!
The club owes a great debt of gratitude to the school teachers whose work in
helping the children prepare and then bringing them to the event on the night,
allows the work of the club to succeed. Maybe with this mind The Club
established its second aim......
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The second
aim is that when sufficient funds are available, children of the East-end
schools who wish to go to University or College to study Scottish Literature or
music and were of needy circumstances could be awarded a bursary to help them
financially.
This scheme came to fruition in the early 1990's. The Bridgeton Burns Club Fund
for the Arts was instituted as a registered charity. The scope has been enlarged
to include Drama and other Scottish interests.
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Glasgow's
Lord Provost's Award 2002.
The Lord Provost's Award is given each year to mark the contribution by an
individual or an organisation to the well being of Glasgow and its people.
The 2002 award I am delighted to tell you was awarded to Bridgeton Burns
Club for its contribution to the education and well being
of the children of the East-end of Glasgow.
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It is a remarkable
fact and one worthy of mention, that the Pipe Band of the
278th Boys Brigade
Company, from Netherlee Parish Church, Glasgow,
has entertained the Bridgeton
Burns Club's members and their guests at
their anniversary dinner since 1977.
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Bridgeton Burns Club contact details:-
E-Mail: admin@bridgetonburnsclub.org.uk
Bridgeton Burns Club official
website
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old premises 23 McPhail Street,
Bridgeton |
I am lover of the works of the Bard and
annually attend and perform at half-a-dozen Burns Suppers, I am sure my love of
his music and a love of my country was sown in those early
Dalmarnock
Primary School
visits to Bridgeton Public Halls.........
thank
you Bridgeton Burns Club.......webmaister.
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'Bridgeton
Burns Club'
medal from 1904
uncovered !
(
click on medal )
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John Street Senior Secondary School
photograph
Burn's choir
1946
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