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In Maybole, Friday
December 14 to Sunday December 16 was a whole weekend
devoted to marking the 250th anniversary of
the marriage of Agnes Broun to William Burnes in the
town. The events started in the town hall on Friday
evening with a concert by local young people. Compère
was Carrick Academy pupil Grant Kidd who kept the fun
going all night as he alternated between his two
characters of Boab and Jimmy.
Gardenrose Primary
School presented a fantastic “Snapshot of Rabbie’s
life”; Maybole Majorette and Dance School excellently
demonstrated maypole dancing; Alastair Edmond and
Ruaraidh Park, of Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra, entertained
with some fiddle tunes; and a choir of pupils from the
town’s three primary schools brought the first half to a
close.
The second half got
off to a great start with St Cuthbert’s Primary School
re-enacting Agnes and William’s wedding in a very
humorous sketch; Carrick Academy pupils retold the
legend of the Countess and the Gypsy Johnny Faa; Cairn
Primary School presented their hilarious version of the
X Factor at the time of Burns; and young members of
Maybole Pipe Band brought the house down in the grand
finale.
During the evening
Alan Reid, chairman of Maybole Community Association
presented commemorative gifts to the Gala King and Queen
of Carrick and their attendants. They were Ross Keenan,
King; Sophie McPherson, Queen; Damian Westran and
William Fleming, Crown Bearers; Paige Campbell and Emma
Milligan, Ladies in Waiting. Unfortunately Damian was
unable to be there but his gift will be taken to him.
David Kiltie thanked
everyone who had taken part in what had been a memorable
night and went on to thank the head teachers of the
local schools, and their staff, for all the work they
had put into what had been a magnificent concert.
Saturday December 15 was the exact day Agnes and William
were married in 1757 and the marriage ceremony was
re-enacted in the Auld College at the foot of the
Kirkwynd.
The actual church
where the original wedding was held is no longer there
but the Auld College would have been standing at the
time and is only a few yards from the site of the former
parish church. Agnes and William had met at a market
fair held in Maybole the year before, 1756, had courted
and then became engaged. They were married on December
15, 1757 by Rev. James MacKnight, who in 1769 was
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of
Scotland.
Donald Kay and Susan
Whiteman played the parts of William and Agnes with
Denis Reid playing Rev James MacKnight. The bride was
given away by her father Gilbert Broun, played by Dave
Whiteman. The best man was played by Paul Gregor and the
bridesmaids by Rachel and Rebecca Whiteman. Scott Barrie
piped the bride to the church and after the ceremony he
piped the bridal party to Maybole Castle for the wedding
reception which included a hog roast, wedding cake and
refreshments.
John Haining,
President of the World Federation of Burns Clubs, and a
number of friends from nearby Burns Clubs attended the
event and afterwards John congratulated everyone on how
well everything had gone. Then it was time for the usual
wedding speeches and toasts to the health of the bride
and groom.
On Saturday evening
there was another concert this time featuring a number
of local artistes and this was attended by Provost
Winifred Sloan, Sandra Osborne MP, John Haining, Angus
Middleton, President of the Ayrshire Association of
Burns Clubs, and several other invited guests.
Compère for the
evening was Dennis McCaffery and he introduced singers
Mhairi Gibson and Jim Stevens; Jean Dunn in a hilarious
sketch; Davie Anderson with some Burns songs; Ayr Branch
of the Scottish Country Dance Society; Lesley Rodgerwho
was in fine voice; Fergus Cook with a magnificent
version of “Tam O’ Shanter”, and Maybole Pipe Band
brought the first half to a close with some rousing
tunes.
The second half
artistes were Frances Dryburgh with old and modern
songs; Maybole Concert Party re-enacting the wedding in
humorous style; Crosshill Entertainers with a couple of
Burns songs; Denis Reid and David Hunter who certainly
brought history alive in a very funny and realistic
way; and the marvellous Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra with
leader Wallace Galbraith.
After a comprehensive
vote of thanks for what had been another memorable
event, Maybole Pipe Band joined the Fiddle Orchestra for
a rousing finale of “Highland Cathedral” and the evening
was brought to a close with the orchestra playing “Auld
Lang Syne” and the company joining hands in the
traditional way.
The year’s events were
brought to a conclusion on Sunday December 16 with a
united church service in Maybole Hall led by Rev Dave
Whiteman and Fr Stephen McGrattan. All the hymns were
sung to tunes written by Robert Burns and Angus
Middleton spoke about the poet’s knowledge and love of
the bible.
David Kiltie thanked
everyone who had taken part in the many events during
the year and especially thanked the Heritage Lottery
Fund for the grant which had made the whole project
possible. As well as the weekend events there had been a
launch of the project, a market fair to commemorate the
first meeting of William and Agnes in Maybole, and the
annual gala had an 18th century theme.
“Susan Whiteman and
Donald Kay were outstanding all year as Agnes and
William,” he said and added, “It has been an exceptional
year which hopefully will stay in all our memories.” He
went on to thank June Dunlop for all her work in making
the many costumes needed; the working group of Alex
Kelly, Jim McDermott, Eileen Hamilton and all their
helpers who had co-ordinated the events; Maybole Men’s
Health Forum; May-Tag staff and Peter Walker; as well as
Rev Dave Whiteman and Fr Stephen McGrattan for their
support.
“In addition,” he
continued, “can I thank all those from the World
Federation of Burns Clubs and the Ayrshire Association
of Burns Clubs - especially Angus Middleton and John
Haining. Their support has been much appreciated.” The
overall committee was Peter Mason, of Maybole Community
Council, Susan Whiteman, of Maybole Community
Association, and Helen McAdam of Maybole Historical
Society and they were thanked for their time in effort.
Ellen Hawkes was thanked for her tremendous work in
co-ordinating the whole project from start to finish. Mr
Kiltie added that Agnes and William were not to know
their chance meeting and marriage in Maybole was the
real beginning of the immortal story of Robert Burns.
“With these events, the world will now know,” he
concluded.
Peter Mason then
thanked Mr Kiltie for his involvement and contribution
to “Robert Burns… where it began”.
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