Barrmill Jolly Beggars

James R Wait

It gives me great pleasure to welcome visitors to Barrmill Jolly Beggars Official Web site. The club, although numerically small, is vibrant, friendly and welcoming. My great grandfather RB (Robert Burns) Neill was a founding member way back in 1944, so becoming President in his footsteps is a great honour.

The club has the distinction of holding a Burns Supper and St Andrew’s Dinner every year since its formation. In 2009 we also introduced an evening with the ladies and both such events have been very successful indeed and are now firmly on the club calendar of events.

The club is represented on the Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs and in recent years we have held verse-speaking competitions and support Beith Primary and Gateside School. We recently gained an Awards for All grant and currently under the leadership of secretary and local historian, Donald L Reid, undertaking a major history/reminiscence project which will culminate in the publication of a book, hopefully by Christmas 2010.

Visitors are warmly welcome at our club. And like those is whose footsteps I now walk, it is my hope that this little club remains a key local organization that will welcome future generations in the spirit of fun and friendship

James R Waite

Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club resume their activities on Monday 6^th September at 7.30 pm in Beith Masonic Club (lower lounge) when they welcome two well known Burnsians, Colin Hunter McQueen and Jim Thompson, both stalwarts of the Kilbirnie Rosebery Club. Colin and Jim will give an audio-visual presentation entitled: Tam o’Shanter. Watch out for witches and warlocks about Beith that night! All members and potential members are encouraged to come along to enjoy what will be a fascinating evening. Personalised club diaries for 2011 are now to hand and can be obtained from the secretary.

Interestingly, Jim Thomson of Kilmarnock No: 0 Burns Club, a good friend of Barrmill Jolly Beggars, recently published a book entitled: In and Out of Tam o’ Shanter, which tells not only the story of the poem, but highlights the history and folklore of places associated with what is arguably the greatest of all Burns poems. The illustrated book costs £7.99 and is available from Jim Thomson Tel: 01563-534423 or E: For further information contact Donald Reid on 01505-503801 or E: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com

Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club pass on their grateful thanks to Beith Christian Action Group for a recent financial towards their ongoing project to produce a local social history book entited: Voice of Yesterday and today: BEITH BARRMILL & GATESIDE: Precious Memories. Excellent progress is being made on the publication and the many individuals and organisations who have kindly assisted are also thanked for their great support.

A huge number of photographs have been collected, interviews carried out and the assistance of many locals called upon in an effort to indentify many folk in photographs, a major task. If the current progress continues it is anticipated that the book will be available before Christmas. Any royalties arising from book sales will benefit Barrmill Communty Association (new hall fund); Beith Branch, Ayrshire Cancer Support Group and Barrmill Jolly Beggars.

Anyone wishing further information about this project should contact Donald Reid on 01505-503801 or e: donaldleesreid@hotmail.com