The Hull Burns Club

Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and lyricist. Born 25^th January 1759 he packed a lot in to his relatively short life and is widely considered the national poet of Scotland. Events and clubs across the world have been established to celebrate the life and works of Robert Burns.

Greetings sent to the Hull Burns Club from Ayr Burns Club on the
anniversary of Robert Burns birth,reference C DSBU/1/4

At the Hull History Centre, we have recently had the pleasure of adding a collection of minute books relating to the Hull Burns Club to our collections. The Hull Burns Club was established on 2^nd January 1863. According to records of the Burns Federation as stated in a history of the club given in a speech by Mr. Spiers at a member’s night in March 1920 the Hull Burns Club was the oldest club this side of the border. The object of the club at its formation was to disseminate as much as was possible the works of Robert Burns among his own countrymen resident in Hull as well as its traditions and history. In its early history, meetings of the Hull Burns Club were held quarterly at the Builders Arms, Cogan Street and was customarily preceded by a tripe and leg of mutton supper which was referred to as “a full and ample repast” for which 1s. 6d. was charged. A dinner dance took place in January each year to coincide with the birth of Robert Burns.

Article from the Eastern Morning News, March 20, 1920,
regarding liquor and the gauge of enjoyment at the meetings

At the beginning of the Club’s history the yearly subscription was just one shilling. It was necessary, however, to pay for a collector to gather in outstanding debts and consequently a rule was passed that any member proposing a new member had to pay that person’s entrance fee and first year’s subscription. In 1878 the subscription was raised to 2s. 6d. and was followed by a great reduction in membership. The Club disbanded. It is unclear from the minute books exactly when the Club disbanded as they include minutes up to 22 April 1886 (reference C DSBU/1/1) but do not mention the winding down of the Club.

In April 1892, the Hull Burns Club was reformed. An anniversary dinner was promoted and carried out with success and the following day a few gentlemen that had attended the dinner met at the Imperial Hotel in Hull and agreed to reform the late Burns Club on a firmer and wider basis. A notice was placed in the Eastern Morning News the next day and an informal meeting on 5^th April 1892 kicked off the proceedings of the reformed Burns Club. Members were encouraged to recommend friends and acquaintances to join the Club.

Minute books of the Hull Burns Club, reference C DSBU

The reformed Club increased its meetings from quarterly to monthly meetings. The objective of the Club also broadened to promote literary and musical meetings and entertainments at which the writings and songs of Robert Burns and other National poets were rendered. Entertainments included papers read at meetings, concerts, whist drives and dinner dances. The Club was popular and membership steadily increased. For many years the Hull Burns Club held a prominent place in the social and literary life of the city. Members continued to be put forward for recommendation to join the Club. On 10^th December 1937, 15 new members were put forward to the Executive Council for recommendation but just a few months later on 4^th March 1938 the Treasurer reported an estimated loss of £50 for the season which led to the decision that owing to the decline of support the Hull Burns Club would be regretfully wound up. The final meeting of the Executive Council was held on 20^th May 1938 in the Grosvenor Hotel in Hull when the final debts of the Club was settled, and the Club officially disbanded.