Burns Supper will be held every two years - as annual event axed
GLASGOW City Council will not host its annual Burns Supper event next year, the Evening Times can reveal.
Lord Provost Eva Bolander has opted to turn the yearly celebration into a biennual event, sparking outrage from opposition councillors.
It’s understood it will be the first year the city will not officially mark the birthday of beloved poet Robert Burns for more than two decades.
Councillor Paul Carey, who represents the Drumchapel and Anniesland areas, said: “I am astonished to hear that the Lord Provost’s office has cancelled the annual Burns Supper which is held in January.
“This has been going on for 21 years and this would have been its 22nd year. It is an absolute disgrace.
“In 2016, under the then Lord Provost Sadie Docherty, more than £1 million was raised for charity. I am sure that charities will be extremely disappointed and I cannot understand why this decision has been taken.”
He added: “I am now calling for the Lord Provost’s office to be brought under a cross-party committee to find out what exactly is going on because this decision proves that this has to be done as there has to be scrutiny into the Lord Provost’s office.
“I am sure many Glaswegians will be absolutely puzzled as to why the Lord Provost and her office has cancelled this most successful night in January in celebration of the our most famous poet, Robert Burns.” Email news@ eveningtimes.co.uk
Last year’s event raised £40,000 for charity with Evening Times columnist Libby McArthur acting as master of ceremonies.
However, the council insists the event has not been cancelled, instead a decision was made to change the frequency of the celebration due to a lack of interest.
It’s not clear if any celebration will take place to honour the Bard or if there will be official recognition of his birthday in 2019.
A spokeswoman for the council said: “A decision was taken to make the Lord Provost’s charity Burns Supper a biennual event. Therefore the 2019 Burns Supper has not been arranged – or cancelled.
“It’s an evening that is routinely supported by local business and corporate supporters who buy tables. Many are local residents. Interest has dwindled in recent years. That’s part of the reason for changing.
“The Lord Provost remains committed to raising charitable funds, recently hosting a coffee morning for Macmillan Cancer Support that realised almost £5000. The Lord Provost’s Charity Lunch will also go ahead in the Spring in support of the Lord Provost’s Malawi Fund.”