Scotland's National BardBQ Week on & around July 21st

[Geoff]

A FAMILY FUN BBQ DAY & NIGHT lighting up Burns Corridor & Scotland to celebrate BURNS' life on the anniversary of his death, 21st July.
What a sight on GoogleEarth if it's handled correctly.

This is to good an idea to dismiss.
It's been decided.
The annual BardBQ's will be held on the 21st of July.

WHY??

This is not a random date.
The first recorded Burns supper was in 1801 in Greenock, when a group of his friends gathered, not in January but on the 21st July, to mark the fifth anniversary of his death.
Burns Suppers are part of a global tradition nowadays but they had to start somewhere, as do BardBQ's.
Did you see how much fun was had at Dumfries Enlightenment: uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QpmshaUuVYY&NR=1
Below are some great pictures taken at the BURNS LIGHT FESTIVAL, Dumfries in 2009.
A possible climax to the "SNBBQ"?
BURNS enLIGHTenment FESTIVAL?

www.homecomingonyourdoorstep.com ... light.html
www.homecomingonyourdoorstep.com/gallery.html
uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ceVWSdW9p ... re=related
uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fj-gHwHlVqA&NR=1
uk.youtube.com/watch?v=W36HFWR0r ... re=related
www.dgstandard.co.uk/videos-pics ... -22810172/
uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GvVsZI50itI
uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QpmshaUuVYY&NR=1

[Geoff]

www.sfmta.co.uk/index.php?ID=2080&CATEGORY2=1-News
The Robert Burns World Federation, with Headquarters in Kilmarnock, is identifying the year 2014 as the Year of the Haggis.

This initiative is in co-operation with the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders (SFMTA) and supported by sponsorship provided by Grampian Oat Products and Scobie & Junor.

The announcement was made to Robert Burns World Federation Members attending the Annual General Meeting and Conference in Glasgow on Saturday 7th September 2013..

International representatives from Robert Burns Clubs in Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand and a group from Norway were attending together with delegates from Scotland, England and Northern Ireland.

A range of associated activities are being planned which will include Burns Clubs, Makers of Haggis, and community involvement. The full programme will be announced in advance of St Andrew’s Day in November.

The number of Burns Suppers in Scotland alone has been estimated as running into thousands. Church organisations, many charities and fund raising causes, can be added on to Burns Clubs, Bowling Clubs, Golf Clubs, Rotary Clubs, Sailing Clubs, Masonic Clubs, Caledonian Clubs, Clan Societies, Schools and Colleges, Guilds, Groups and Associations, Councils and Conventions and a variety of other Clubs. Burns Suppers make a major contribution to charities.
Haggis, although mostly identified with Burns suppers is, for all reasons, a suitable food for all seasons and adds a touch of Scottish authenticity throughout the year.

Whether at Hogmanay, Burns Nights, St Andrew Celebrations, or whether ‘dining in’ or ‘dining out’ the call of the Haggis is irresistible

The year 2014 will have Scotland as a focal point for visitors from all over the world who are attending major events based in Scotland such as the Commonwealth Games, The Ryder Cup, the Commemoration at Bannockburn, all enhancing the year of Homecoming.

The members of the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders will be receiving a poster for display, together with a participation certificate, identifying them as suppliers of Haggis in this special year. They will be supplying their own unique brand of Haggis, many of them prepared by closely guarded secrets, and will be available for events throughout the year.

[Geoff]

"What are communities throughout Scotland doing to participate in the Queen's Baton Relay?"
Community Participation would be brilliant! Get people involved. Not only standing by the roadside watching the Baton going by but doing something that they will remember taking part in.
The Baton not only carries the Queens message but also the Flame of Rabbie Burns.
The Mobile Bard-BQ, preferably run by Cook School, would precede the Queen’s Baton along the route and be lit from the Baton at each venue?
Extra Bard-BQ’s organised by groups can light up at any time.
The idea is to have a nation celebrating their community through a common event which anyone can hold.
"Can't imagine Rt Burns wearing an apron and holding a tenderiser?" Think about it.
Have Whistles provided to public by Burns World Federation or others.
*17:59: Penny Whistler plays Robert Burns' "The Whistle" for 2 minutes.
*18:01: Everyone blows their whistle as loudly as they can.

*1759 The year of Robert Burns’ birth.
*1801 The year of the 1st ever Burns memorial dinner, held in Greenock on the 5th anniversary of his death.

List of BardBQ's in Scotland 2014:www.visitscotland.com/info/events/homecoming-scotland-2014-the-awl-scottish-national-bardbq-p768581

[Geoff]

In 2013, we suggested creating Scottish National BardBQ Day. It was brought to our attention that people may think that this may be construed as being in support of the SNP, so we changed the name slightly, to Scotland's National BardBQ.
Happy?
www.facebook.com/groups/566384280098525/