Annual Jean Armour Dinner in Dumfries

That the Parliament congratulates the Burns Howff Club of Dumfries, on the occasion of its annual Jean Armour Dinner, commemorating the life of the wife of Scotland’s National Bard, Jean Armour; understands that the dinner was held on 26 July 2023 at The Globe Inn, "Burns’ favourite howff", following a floral tribute and piped lament at Jean Armour’s statue, which was erected by the Club in 2004, and which stands opposite the site of Robert Burns Mausoleum, at St Michael’s Kirk, Dumfries; further understands that the dinner included guests and delegates from other local and national Burns Clubs, including Dumfries Burns Club, Dumfries Ladies Burns Club No. 1, St Michael’s Burns Club, and the Ellisland Trust; recognises contributions to the evening from Rose Byers, former head girl at Lockerbie Academy, who, it understands, is about to embark on a degree in Traditional Music at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow, from the retired Chief Constable of Police Scotland, Kate Thomson, from honorary Club members, John Caskie and Gordon Johnston, and from past presidents, Callum Watson and Neil Johnston; commends the Burns Clubs for honouring the Bard’s wife, who outlived her husband by 37 years, bore him nine children, and was the inspiration for many of Burns songs and poems, and for their promotion of the use of the Scots language, and sincerely thanks everyone in Scotland, and around the world, for keeping alive and fresh the poetry, songs, and memory of Robert Burns and his beloved Jean Armour.