Winnipeg Robert Burns Club

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March 4

RBANA Conference Set For Detroit

The 2010 RBANA Conference has been set for Detroit, Michigan June 4-6 Details will be available on the RBANA website:

wwww.rbana.com

January 22

Winnipeg On Global Map

Winnipeg's Burns Statue is one of many featured on an online global map on the Scottis Government website scotland.org.

The map pinpoints the various locations where Burns Statues have been erected. Winnipeg's is one that features a picture of our local statue.

Check out the map at:

www.scotland.org./burns-night/statues/

November 21

Club announces bid to host 2011 Conference

Today, at its regular monthly meeting the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club announced that a committee had been formed to prepare a bid to host the 2011 Annual Conference of the Robert Burns Association of North America (RBANA) Secretary Colin Harris will chair the committee to prepare the bid to be presented to the forthcoming conference in May.

The Winnipeg Robert Burns Statue

Reportedly inspired by news of the unveiling of a Robert Burns statue in San Fransisco, in 1911, the same year the Burns Club joined the Burns Federation, the club, under President Colin Campbell, made a decision to raise, by public subscription a sum sufficient to erect a statue to Robert Burns, and appointed a committee, of Chairman Col John Y Reid, Dr Isaac Pitblado KC LLD, Lt Col Hugh Osler and Mr Alex Jamieson. William Anderson Weir was appointed as Treasurer of the fund.

It had been suggested that $50,000 could be raised, but Scottish caution prevailed and a goal of $10,000 was set. The first donor was a K. G. Affleck, who subscribed $50.00. Other subscribers included the famous Scottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, the largest donor at $500.00. A multitude of others contributed various amounts down to two of 50 cents, and one of 25.
By the time World War I began the total collected amounted to $3,297.25. After sundry expenses were paid an amount of $3,000 was left in Mr. Weir’s custody. In 1925 the committee was approached and asked if the money might be used to help erect a building to house all the various Scottish Societies, but were refused. In 1930, the General Hospitalsuggested thatthey might establish a “Burns Ward,” but were refused the funds.
Finally a Mrs Marguerite Taylor offered to supply a statue and four panels for $6,000. The committee were inclined to accept but postponed until they could be assured that they had sufficient funds for the purchase outright.

The committee were inclined to accept but postponed until they could be assured that they had sufficient funds for the purchase outright. The club ultimately agreed to purchase the statue and panels for $5,000, plus shipping and related expenses.
The pedestal on which the statue stands was completed, by Mr Jamieson of the committee, for about $2,100.

The statue,a very fine bronze, similar to the one in Ayr,was unveiled,on October 12, 1936 a cold wintryThanksgiving Day before acrowd of over 300, on the grounds of the provincial Legislative Building, by Lieutenant-Governor W. J. Tupper, presented to the province by Committee Chairman Col. John Y Reid, and accepted by Premier John Bracken.

It has been said that the story of the statue is largely the account of the enthusiasm, integrity and zeal of one man, William Anderson Weir who, in the face of stiff opposition, retained custody of the fund until it could be used for the purpose for which it was intended and held steady for 25 years. In 1940, in recognition of his efforts, the Burns Federation bestowed on Mr. Weir its highest honour, the rank of Honorary President. Mr Weir was the first Canadian to be so recognized.

Annually the club club continues to gather, in July, at the statue, for a memorial service.

Updated March 4, 2010