Father of the Bard

Press Release Stonehaven Heritage Society Launch “Father of the Bard” Website

www.fatherofthebard.org

As its contribution to the Year of the Homecoming 2009, Stonehaven Heritage Society has created a new website that highlights the life and times of William Burnes, Robert Burns’ father, who was born at Clochnahill farm near Stonehaven. Andy Hall, award winning local author and photographer, will officially launch the site during his talk to the Stonehaven Heritage Society on his book
“Touched by Robert Burns”. The book, launched at Edinburgh Castle on St Andrews night last year with a contribution by the First Minister Alex Salmond, highlights the Stonehaven connection with the world famous ploughman poet. All royalties from book sales go to UNICEF. Andy, who is also the current President of the Stonehaven (Fatherland) Burns Club, is confident that the new Father of the Bard website will strengthen the desire from visitors both home and aboard to investigate the area and culture of Burns’ farming forebears. Burns himself visited the area on his Northern sojourn to the birthplace of his father.

The new website is spilt into nine categories allowing a broad glimpse into the life and times of Burns’ father in the early part of the 18th Century. Categories cover: work, food, dress, politics, song, dance and the telling of tales. A special feature is the online Forum allowing those with an interest in Burns and his forebears to post comments and chat. Content contributors will be clients of the Forrest View Centre in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire Council’s Father of the Bard working groups under their Project Manager Dave Ramsay and local primary schools. ICT visiting specialist teacher for Stonehaven area Ms Jean Forsyth commented: “It is an ideal context for local children to access local Scottish history and the life and works of Robert Burns’ forebears as well as the bard himself. It shows how much Burns was influenced in his poetry by the land and the farming culture, and by his father, grandfather and great grandfather, who were all Stonehaven farmers.”The meeting and launch of the website will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25th February at St Bridget’s Hall, Dunnottar Avenue, Stonehaven. Everyone is welcome and it’s a chance to become a member of Stonehaven Heritage Society, and/or purchase local history publications.

For further information contact:
Gordon Ritchie Secretary Stonehaven Heritage Society C/o Connons Solicitors Stonehaven. Tel: 01569 762971

Phil Mills-Bishop Committee Member Stonehaven Heritage Society. Tel: 0792 002 8314

Website Address www.fatherofthebard.org

Photo opportunity with Andy Hall 7.30pm on 25th February St Bridget’s Hall, Dunnottar Avenue, Stonehaven.