For immediate issue: Tuesday 27 September

Nominations open for Robert Burns Humanitarian Award 2012

Nominations are now open for one of the world’s most prestigious humanitarian awards, named after Scotland’s national Bard, Robert Burns.

The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award – launched in 2002 and supported by South Ayrshire Council, EventScotland and VisitScotland – recognises a  group or individual who has saved, improved or enriched the lives of others or society as a whole, through personal self-sacrifice, selfless service or ‘hands on’ charitable work.

Winners receive the equivalent of 1759 guineas – a sum which signifies the year of the Bard’s birth and the coinage then in circulation – as well as a specially commissioned award handcrafted in Scotland.

The winner of the 2011 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award was Linda Norgrove, the Scottish aid worker who died during a US military-led rescue mission to free her from Afghanistani captors. Previous recipients include Habib Malik, Scotland Manager of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and a member Islamic Relief (2010); and Guy Willoughby, Founder and CEO of the HALO Trust which specialises in the removal of war debris (2009).

David Anderson, Chief Executive of South Ayrshire Council and Chair of the 2012 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award judging panel, said: “Burns’ famous words, ‘Man to Man the world o’er, Shall brothers be for a’ that’, are the inspiration behind the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award and we’re looking for nominations for people that exemplify the qualities of tolerance, friendship and humanity.

“This award recognises those people who go above and beyond the call of duty to help others and have an affinity with their fellow human beings, just like Burns himself and all our winners such as Linda, Habib and Guy are terrific examples of what a humanitarian is – a person who works to make other people’s lives better.

“Nominees can be from any part of the world and be of any age or gender, so let us know about the people who work to improve life for others and – who knows – they could become the winner of the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award 2012.”

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland, added: “The Burns Humanitarian Award is a wonderful celebration of individuals who do a tremendous amount of work in the community and often go unrecognised. EventScotland are delighted to be part of this celebration of their achievements.”

Nominations for the 2012 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award can be made online at www.robertburnsaward.com and nominations close on Friday 4 November.

The winner will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway in January, which will coincide with the 253^rd anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.

ends

Notes to editors:

The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award

The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award was first awarded in 2002 andis supported by EventScotland, South Ayrshire Council and VisitScotland. It recognises those who saved, improved or enriched the lives of others or society as a whole, through personal self-sacrifice, selfless service or ‘hands on’ charitable work. The winner will receive the equivalent of 1759 guineas, a sum which signifies the year of the bard’s birth and the coinage then in circulation, as well as a specially-commissioned handcrafted award. The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award Ceremony 2012 will take place in January 2012 at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway (www.burnsmuseum.org.uk). Further information, including details of Linda Norgrove, the 2010 recipient, as well as previous winners can be found at www.robertburnsaward.com.

The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award takes place in 2012 the Year of Creative Scotland, a chance to spotlight, celebrate and promote Scotland’s cultural and creative strengths on a world stage. The award also forms part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals programme which begins with celebrations for St Andrew’s Day and includes Scotland’s Hogmanay celebrations on 31 December and Burns Night on 25 January – the culmination of the Winter Festivals.

EventScotland

EventScotland, the national events agency, works to promote Scotland as the perfect stage for events and as ‘The Home of Golf’. By developing an exciting sporting and cultural portfolio it helps to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy through events tourism. Find out more at: www.EventScotland.org.

South Ayrshire Council

South Ayrshire Council is an ambitious, forward-looking and responsive organisation and considers itself the most improved Council in Scotland. The Council serves a population of more than 112,000 people located across a diverse area that includes the towns of Ayr, Girvan, Maybole, Prestwick and Troon as well as small rural villages, coastline and farmland. The Council’s services are as diverse as its area – from beaches to building cleaning, care homes to civil ceremonies, day care to debt advice or social work to swimming pools. www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk .

FROM:            Denise Robertson, Communications Manager

E-mail: denise.robertson@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

Tel: 01292 612211 / 07581 007258

Ambitious, forward-looking and responsive

Dr Tom Morrall extends a warm welcome to all admirers of our National Bard, Robert Burns.

Where – Robertson Room, Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

When – Saturday 19th March 2011

Time – 4.45pm for 5pm until 6pm
PROFESSOR DAVID PURDIE MD FRCP Ed FRSSA FSA(Scot)
The Editor of the Burns Encyclopaedia
Secretary of the Edinburgh Burns Club
AN ILLUSTRATED PRESENTATION OF BURNS 1789 NEWLY DISCOVERED UNPUBLISHED LETTER
ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT OF  POEM
‘On seeing a wounded Hare’
Ellisland near Dumfries 13th May 1789
An early draft of a work published 1793
Before and after this lecture, AB Club has arranged for Group Entrance to Birthplace Museum.
ENTRANCE TO MUSEUM
FREE ON SHOWING NTS MEMBERSHIP CARD
£5.25p   With AYR BURNS CLUB GROUP

Contact: Ayr Burns Club Hon. Secretary: Margaret Morrall<>
Tel/Fax (01292) 442427 (margaret.morrall@mac.com)

Vote for The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum to win “The Art Fund Prize”.  At the moment it is in second place, and is the only Scottish museum up for this award.

http://www.artfundprize.org.uk/2011/vote/step2.php?mref=Robert+Burns+Birthplace+Museum&iref=7

The complete works of Robert Burns, Scotland’s National Bard, have been made available free of charge on the iPhone for the first time.

An iPhone app allowing enthusiasts around the world to download and instantly access Burns’ poetry has been developed by the Scottish Government.

The app includes a searchable database of every poem written by Burns, a summary of facts about the poet’s life and a guide to hosting a Burns Supper.

Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop said:

“Robert Burns is Scotland’s greatest cultural icon, recognised and celebrated all around the world. His legacy is of incalculable value to Scotland and the country’s image abroad.

“This app uses the very latest technology to bring Burns firmly into the 21st century, with his enduring messages of human equality and international brotherhood now available to iPhone users the world over.

“This app will appeal to existing admirers of Burns and make his poetry available to a whole new audience. It is a great platform to promote his work on the international stage.”

Burns Night on January 25 marks the end of Scotland’s Winter Festivals.

The launch of the app comes ahead of the opening of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum this week.

People from all over the world will celebrate Burns’ birthday on January 25 and the National Trust for Scotland is encouraging Scots to take advantage of free entry to the museum to learn all about Burns while enjoying a great day out for the entire family.

Visitors on Saturday 22 January 2011 will not only be treated to free admission for all the family but can also expect an action packed live entertainment programme which includes highly acclaimed acts such as the Chemical Poets, King Creosote, Little Fire and Colin Hunter paying homage to the bard through a series of performances across the site.

The bard’s life is shown through a new lens at the state of the art Robert Burns Birthplace Museum as a host of exciting interactive elements, including the Burns Supper, Burns Jukebox and Auld Lang Syne sing-a-long, encourage people to engage with the bard’s life and works in a new way. The museum also houses a wide and varied range of Burns manuscripts, artefacts and pieces of memorabilia ranging from the original Auld Lang Syne manuscript to a cast of the poet’s skull and has something for Burns fans of all ages whether they’re completely new to Burns or learned enthusiasts.

One of the day’s highlight will be the Lantern Procession, which sets off at 4pm, led by pupils from Alloway Primary School’s Choir who have created their own little lanterns to guide the way from Burns Cottage to the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum while celebrating the bard in song. The public are invited to come and join the procession which musters at 3.30pm outside the Burns Cottage.

The day’s festivities will come to a spectacular finale outside the new museum with ‘The Vision’ – a stunning music and lighting depiction of Burns’ famous poem.

Set in the beautiful Ayrshire countryside, the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum offers a fully immersive experience for visitors who can stop by Burns Cottage where the bard was born, look at the original Tam o’Shanter manuscript in the new museum and explore the Auld Kirk and Brig o’ Doon where the poem was set.

The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum houses the world’s most important Burns collection with over 5,000 original artefacts, manuscripts and pieces of memorabilia
and replaces what was formerly known as the Burns National Heritage Park to join all of the Alloway related Burns sites including Burns Cottage, the Auld Kirk, Brig o’ Doon, the Burns Monument and Statue House.

The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm.

Regular admission prices are as follows:
Adult – £8
Concession – £5.35
Family tickets – from £16

Running order of events on Saturday 22 January 2011

RBBM open from 10am – free entry for all

4pm – Lantern Procession, led by Alloway Primary School Choir, commences from Alloway St, through walkway, crossing and into RBBM

4.25pm – Alloway Primary School Choir perform at the entrance to RBBM, procession enters the museum

4.30pm – Chemical Poets in the Education Centre
King Creosote in Café
Little Fire in Foyer

5pm – Mungo’s Hifi join Chemical Poets for Poetry Slam in Education Centre
Little Fire in Café
Colin Hunter in Foyer

5.30pm – Chemical Poets in the Education Centre
King Creosote in Café

6pm – The Vision

6.30pm – Museum closes

Scotland’s maverick brewery to celebrate Burns Night at The White Horse, SW6

Tuesday the 25th of January is Burns Night and maverick Scottish brewery BrewDog is hosting an extraordinary event to celebrate in South London. The White Horse on Parsons Green will be holding a beer and food matching event, including some of the world’s most exotic and artisanal ales, hosted by BrewDog co-founder James Watt

The event will start at 7:30pm and be held in the upstairs bar and dining area of The White Horse. It will include a 5 course Scottish inspired set menu with relevant BrewDog beers, including beers previously never sold in the UK, matched to each inventive course. BrewDog food and beer pairing evenings have never before been hosted in London, despite a cult following in Scotland, making this Burns Night an iconic event for South London’s beer fanatics and gastronomes.

In addition to the inventive menu and exclusive drinks on offer, there will be traditional Burns Night entertainment including Scottish folk music and a bag piper.

The Brewdog beers available on cask will include a new 5.4% version of BrewDog’s flagship Punk IPA, Alice Porter, the international award-winning Hardcore IPA, the whiskey-cask aged Paradox and the rare gem Rip Tide. An exclusive sample of the brewer’s special edition AB:05, a Scotch ale, will be on keg, alongside 77 Lager, Punk IPA, Citra and the exotically-named Hello, My Name is Ingrid, which has never been sold in the UK before. An IPA brewed specifically for the discerning Swedish market, Hello, My Name is Ingrid is brewed using cloudberry and will only be available in the UK on Burns Night at this venue.

The White Horse will also have a fine selection of Scotch whisky available from the highlands to the lowlands, from the isles to speyside.

The food created to match with this powerful array of beers includes Scottish favourites, such as Cullen Skink, Scottish Salmon and Raspberry Cranachan, as well as an interesting twist on the Scottish icon, Haggis spring rolls. To conclude the festivities, there will be Scottish cheese and a shot of Tactical Nuclear Penguin Ice Cream Float (32% ABV).

James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog commented:
“The plan is to add BrewDog’s customary bite to Burns Night; building on its foundations of gastronomy and debauchery to provide a spark of Scottish punk verve to an otherwise dull midwinter night. Nobody will ever have experienced a Burns Night like this before.”

This will be a night to celebrate Scottish influence on the world of food and beer, with Scotland’s own resident expert, Brewdog. Come join us and create a new Burns Night experience, as well as receive a Scottish beer & food matching education.

Ticket cost is £45 per person, which includes a 5 course menu with relevant beers matched. To make a booking please email Brendan@whitehorsesw6.com or call the number below. There is a £10 per person deposit.
The White Horse is located on Parsons Green, within a 2 minute walk from the District line’s Parsons Green station. We are also a short walk from the 22 bus, and Fulham Broadway.

The White Horse, 1-3 Parson’s Green, London, SW6 4UL

Tel: 020 7736 2115

In 2009, thousands of STV viewers and on-line voters selected (quite rightly in our opinion) Robert Burns as the Greatest Ever Scot. To celebrate this, STV have generously commissioned a new public work of art in Burns’ birthplace in Alloway.

STV and a panel of experts have asked a shortlist of some of the country’s best sculptors to present their proposals for a new permanent work to be installed in Alloway.

Before the winning proposal is selected, local people, Burns enthusiasts and art-lovers are invited to an informal presentation to see the proposals and meet some of the artists.

Robert Burns Gifts suggests you get yourself down to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum on the 14^th January (2011) to examine the proposals, discuss the artists’ ideas and be part of those involved in selecting a lasting celebration of the Greatest Ever Scot.