Resume Activities
Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club resume activities on Monday 5th September at 7.30 pm in Beith Masonic Hall (lower lounge). The speaker is well known local, Arkley Simpson, who takes as his subject: Archery. Knowing Arkely he will no doubt get straight to the point!
The Burns input will be given by Past President Bob Wark. Visitors and potential members will be warmly welcomed and copies of the syllabus for session 2011/12 will be distributed. For further information about the Jolly Beggars contact Donald Reid on 01505-503801 or Warnock Longridge on 01505-503994 or simply come along on the evening.
Tribute – William Fairnes
Friends across the town and district and throughout the Robert Burns world were saddened at the passing of a fascinating character and keen Bursian, William Fairns, who died peacefully in his 93rd year in Spiers Nursing Home on 25th July 2011. Born and raised at Barkip (The Den), Willie attended the Den School, the large family moving into Beith around 1934.
Leaving school in 1933 aged 14, he began work in the quarries at Trearne as a labourer, eventually working his way up over the years to become a manager from 1967, a post he held until he retired in 1984, always earning the esteem of all who knew him. Willie served in the army during the war and his experience working with explosives in the local quarries, meant that his expertise was put to good use dealing with munitions, often finding himself in dangerous situations.
Wiliam Fairns Respected Beithian, Quarry Manager And Burnsian
A well respected individual, he was an elder at Trinity Church for over 60 years, giving faithful service to the kirk. A freemason, he was a member of Lodge Beith St John’s No 157 rising to be Master of the Lodge in 1971, following on from his brother Charlie in the chair.
Perhaps it was as a member of Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club where he is most fondly remembered and where he made his own special mark. Joining the club when it was formed in 1944, he was the longest serving member and Honorary President. For the 50th anniversary booklet, he recalled the inaugural anniversary supper in 1944. “We held the first Burns Supper in the upstairs room in the Barrmill Inn. Food rationing was still in force, but we had the good fortune of having in our founding members, two local farmers. A few potatoes and turnips found their way into the kitchen. With this and the resourcefulness of the members wives, a good quality meal was served and a memorable night was enjoyed – the first of many with the Jolly Beggars.”
Willie often recalled many of the wonderful speakers who entertained the Jolly Beggars over the years. Among his special favourites were many of the Church of Scotland ministers, all noted blethers, including Rev John Murray-Woodburn; Rev Andrew Heron; Rev Robert Paterson, otherwise known as the Happy Padre; Rev Robert Porter; Rev James Currie; Rev David Harbison and Rev Bill Hewitt.
A first class speaker and reader himself, for many years Willie was the principal reader at Jolly Beggars events from the early years of the club until the 1980s, performing classic Burns poems including Tam o’ Shanter, Epistle to Davie and Holly Willie’s Prayer whilst at the inevitable après evenings, a special highlight for many, he always performed several short humorous poems, bringing a tear of laughter to the eye. His life-long love of Burns remained with him and despite ill health preventing him attending the Jolly Beggars meetings in later years. However, he always eagerly awaited reports of club ongoings and received copies of programmes from cronie Willie Edmunds, a good friend who worked with him in the quarries.
The eldest in his family, Willie was predeceased by his wife, Jessie and brothers James, Robert, Charlie and both his sisters. His is survived by his brother, John, who lives in Largs.
A well attended service of remembrance was held in Beith Parish Church (Trinity Building) on Friday 29thJuly.
