Photo: President Graham Kane greets Wilson Burgess, with club members (L to R) Mervyn Patterson, Cecil Spotton and Cecil Leitch

Talk by Mr Wilson Burgess and a selection of his favourite Ulster Scott verse

President Graham Kane introduced Mr Wilson Burgess. Wilson is a well known Ulster Scots broadcaster, writer and poet. For the meeting we were treated to a selection of his favourite verse, and how he came to write the different poems.

At the start of his talk, Wilson explained that he originates from Aghadowey, and that he had a great interest in the Ulster Scots dialect (or 'language' depending on your point of view) from an early age. He took to writing about what he heard and saw all around him, because he came from Aghadowey, and that was different to life in the city.

His first book of poems was published in 2007 - 'Dae ye see' - and he was surprised when he was asked to read from it, he'd never done anything like that before. The reading was to take place in the Waterfront Hall, in Belfast, and he was very nervous appearing in front of 100s and 100s of people. The poem he read was 'Sneddin Turnips' (‘Click Me’ to see attached short booklet) and it went down very well.

After that, the BBC approached him and he was on the radio the next week. That was the start of a long line broadcasts and the odd TV appearance over the last six years, with more to come, especially as it's the City of Culture year for Londonderry (where he currently lives).

The Waterfront was a 'Big Moment' in Wilson's life, and his writing career has been sprinkled with such moments. Wilson talked about these moments, and illustrated them with one of his poems - much to the delight of the members. Among the treats we heard a great tale about 'The Incapacity' as well as a tribute to our currently famous three golfers, and a fun look at being careful with money in 'The second-hand computer'. Wilson also had a slightly more serious and sometimes whimsical look at life, as shown by a reading of 'Nancy' and the much acclaimed 'Darkness to Light'.

To date, Wilson has published two books of poetry (the second being 'Ah jist wunner') and has another at the printers, which should be available in a couple of months time. We were treated to a further six readings and the stories behind them. Some are included in the attached poem booklet, please read them and enjoy the skill in writing these displayed*.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Cecil Leitch who said that as he had been brought up on a farm (80 odd years ago!) , the poems brought back so many memories. Cecil thought it was a wonderful talk and it could have gone on all day. The thanks were duly passed on by the President.

(Secretary, Mike Turner)

*NOTE-1: For some more information about Wilson Burgess, ‘Click Me’ (It is the bottom left image!)
*NOTE-2: By the time this report is published on our up and coming web site, we also aim to attach a recording of Wilson reading a poem or two - by September, that is! (Web Ed).