Kilbarchan General Society

2018 Burns Supper

The 2018 Burns Supper was under new management this year and nerves were fraying as the Preses turned up without any of the stuff needed to organise the tables at 2pm. Upon his return the Managers set to and had the place organised and ready for the caterers to dress the hall in no time at all. The early kick off always causes a panic in the days running up to the event and it’s always the same question, “So, it’s 6:30 for 7?” “No, it’s 5:30 for 6, we have a lot to get through.” Stephen Vaughan was Chairman this year, his first time chairing this and he had a few eye opening moments. After the Managers had corralled our guests into the main hall our Piper, Michael Kerr, led the top table into the room. The Preses introduced Mr David Blair, Mr Geoff Urie, Rev Stephen Smith and Mr Ian McCosh before Piper Kerr led in the haggis; carried this year by one of our new Managers Mr David Dunlop with Mr Scott Tennant carrying the whisky. Mr Alan Gordon toasted the haggis and the Vice Preses Mr David Blair said grace, the company sat down to a fantastic repast of Cockaleekie soup, haggis and neeps, Steak pie and champit tatties and finishing with cheese and biscuits. Once again our caterers had excelled themselves. After the Loyal Toast we had a short interval to let the caterers clear the tables before a selection of Burns songs. Andy Hay, our resident soloist was unable to join us this year due to ill health and Mr John Armit had stepped up to the mark. After a brief hiccup between himself and Norrie Currie the musicality of Burns was celebrated in fine style. The Rev Stephen Smith then proposed a funny, poignant and thought provoking Immortal Memory before Alan Gordon donned the guid blue bonnet and regaled us with the cautionary tale of Tam O’Shanter. After the briefest of intervals Norrie and John led the company in singing The Lass O Ballochmyle before Mr Geoff Urie rose to Toast the Lassies with aplomb. Ian McCosh gave a reading and the company stood to sing our very own crowd pleaser, The Habbies O Kilbarchan. Mr Norman...

2017 AGM

The 2017 AGM was held in Kilbarchan Bowling Club, Preses Eric Black was in the chair and welcomed the assembled managers and members. The Clerk read the minutes of last years AGM and they were duly adopted. The Preses then invited the meeting to join him in standing for a minutes silence in remembrance of those members who have passed away in the previous year. The Treasurer reported that we had raised more than £4,000 during 2017 and that we were well on the way to meeting our stated position of holding £2,500 as a reserve by 2020. Due to the generosity of members and their guests we were in a position to make substantial donations to five local organisations, including £2,100 to St Vincent’s Hospice for new TV’s. The Auditor’s reported that the books continue to be kept in good order and were balanced to the penny. We then moved on to the election of the Preses for 2018, Mr Black proposed Mr Stephen Vaughan who was duly seconded and presented with the Chain of Office. Mr Vaughan thanked Past Preses Black for his kind words and guidance over the past year and outlined a plan of events very much in keeping with the Society’s traditional fund raising events with possibly one or two trial events. The Preses now moved to elect his Vice Preses; Mr Vaughan proposed Mr David Blair for the position and it was seconded by the Officer. Managers due to retire were re-elected unopposed and the Office Bearers were returned unanimously. Mr Vaughan then moved on to AOCB but as there was nothing arising he thanked everyone for attending and invited the assembly to join him for refreshments. Thanks to Mrs Hazel Vaughan for a fine...

2017 Sportsmans Dinner

The early afternoon of Saturday 14th of October had the Managers setting up the Bowling Club for the Dinner that evening. The only worry was that we’d not fit everyone in. There is always a bit of trepidation when these events draw near as to the actual number attending what with late call offs and last minute scrambles for places. This year we had the added worry of one of our speakers cancelling due to an operation, he is thankfully on the mend. So after everything was finally nailed down we had 90 guests and our speakers were Tam Cowan and Chick Young, both very well known from TV and radio. The company sat down to dinner at 7:30pm and the caterers had excelled themselves; Chick Young ,who’s attended one or two of these events, thought it the best soup he’d tasted in ages and the top table agreed. The steak pie was top notch too. The only cloud was the continued absence of Tam Cowan who had still been presenting Off The Ball when the dinner was supposed to start. Undaunted we soldiered on. Tam arrived in plenty of time to hear Chick regale us with anecdotes, memories and tale tales. I’d like to thank John Deans for finding a PA system of sorts from the depths of the basement. After a quick prize draw it was the turn of Mr Cowan to take the floor. He spoke for over an hour; gave the Preses and Vice Preses plenty of verbal abuse, was hilarious throughout and at the end hosted the auction and raised a considerable sum for the Society’s coffers. I’d like to offer the Society’s thanks to both Tam and Chick for a job well done....

Our History

The Kilbarchan General Society was founded in 1765 and is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, charitable institution of its type in Scotland. It was formed from several other institutions which operated in the village. The following pages give some of the history of the General Society, details of the current activities of the General Society along with contact details if you would wish to learn more of our work or even become a member. We hope you enjoy your visit and hope to see you at one of our events or Lilias Day, where the General Society Preses leads the historical pageant to the village park.

2018 Events

Mr Stephen Vaughan is Preses for 2018. This is Stephen’s first term as Preses of the Society and he is planning a packed social year ahead.

This years Burns Supper was a great success and raised a considerable amount for local causes.

We plan to run the very well attended Whisky and Gin tasting night in the Bowling Club on the 28th of April and our Arran Airlift sponsored walk on May the 20th, Goatfell is the challenge.

We are holding a Cabaret Night in the Bowling Club on the 16th of June with a fish supper.

Running the Society

The General Society is managed by its office bearers, The Preses, Vice Preses, Secretary (or Clerk) and Treasurer along with eleven Managers. The Managers are elected for 3 years and are available for re-election if so desired. The Preses and Vice Preses hold office for 1 year. These officials meet on a regular, usually bi-monthly, basis. They plan the General Society’s events and fundraising ventures as well as considering new applications for membership and requests for funds. The A.G.M. of the Society is held on St.Barchan’s Day, the first Tuesday in December each year.

Contact Us

Please feel free to e-mail us should you wish any further information, regarding the Kilbarchan General Society.