Dear Curator Stuart . I have some spare time on my hands for a few days during the first week of October. Would some help be welcome at Ellisland in the form of manual work .. some decorating / gardening maybe ? I am a member with opinions (!) and maybe time for me to " put something back " and offer some form of help towards this very worthy cause .

Had a fantastic experience at Ellisland Farm on Tuesday . The curator Stuart certainly knows his subject well and with offers of cups of tea makes one feel most welcome . He was explaining that he had recently taken on the role which is something of a challenge. My question is this - why are there so many artefacts exhibited which were clearly manufactured after Burns time here ? My guess is that these items have been "donated" by generous folk who no longer have use for them. I know that as a charity they probably cannot be sold ..but surely if the proceeds were used for more relevant purpose or even maintenance of this delightful site - that has to be an option ? I am not a friend of the trust , but I would suggest to them that this should be a point for discussion. Other than this - a superb and memorable afternoon walking in the "Hare field "and even the sun shone for us . Beautiful.