Harkness – MacGillivray Stories

In Rhoda’s 1962 Diary, talks about Burns’ Night together with their friends.

Robert Burns is the Scottish national poet, and he was perhaps my mother’s favourite poet. 

 A ‘Burns’ supper’ is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns. The suppers are normally held on or near the poet’s birthday, 25 January, known as ‘Burns’ Night’ (Scots: Burns Nicht). Burns suppers are held all around the world.

Surprisingly, they had a ‘Burns’ Night’ in England. However, in this context, the fact that the venue was in Risley provides a clue. Some workers from the Atomic Energy Works in Cumberland at Windscale started to work for the Atomic Energy Works at Risley, Lancashire, such as Clive Campbell. 

I remember the name ‘Storey’ but not the face. I can’t remember the Kennets and Parkers. I remember the Campbells, and have some photos.

In other words, many of these workers were perhaps Scots, as Windscale Atomic Energy Works is just south of the border. So they might have clubbed together to arrange a ‘Burns’ Night’ at their workplace in Risley.