The Burn comes first June 2000 1 of 3

Every year the Chairman of the East Yorkshire Council holds an awards ceremony to recognise the best of what the East Riding has to offer. Nominations needed to be in at the beginning of the year, and those are then short listed from the 100’s of applications. The various nominees in each category, and their nominators, are then invited to an awards evening, where the winners are announced.

The awards aim to recognise outstanding achievement in promoting and enhancing the East Riding. They also include architectural awards and awards for local businesses. Nominations are in the following categories:

• Enhancing the built heritage (sub-divided into two categories: single new dwellings, conversions and minor works; commercial development and major schemes).
• Enhancing the economy (sub-divided into two categories: businesses with more than 51 employees; businesses with up to 50 employees).
• Enhancing the environment (sub-divided into two categories: Tidy East Riding; environmental projects)
• Enhancing the social well-being (sub-divided into two categories: individuals; groups)

Kirkburn’s very own, ‘The Burn’ was shortlisted for the ‘Social Well Being (Group)’ category along with Howden Live Arts and Skidby Windmill Volunteer Millers. The Burn was nominated for the award by regular performer Steve Sansom, and the nomination was supported by many letters and poems from other Burn performers and audience members from far and wide, and we are very grateful for their support and kind words.

Held every 6 to 8 weeks, The Burn is an evening of local, live, music, poetry and comedy, and has encouraged local people to work hard to improve their musical and literary skills and to have the courage to share them with others. It has also brought great friendships between the villagers who work together, with many different collaborations: Steve Saunders accompanying different people on piano, David Illingworth accompanying people on guitar, and Steve Sansom helping out on drums where needed.

Formed just over 2 years ago, The Burn has gone from strength to strength, with regular audiences of around 75. About half of the performers come from Kirkburn or the near surrounding villages, but such is the reputation of The Burn, performers are now travelling from Malton, Wakefield, Leeds, Bradford, York, Pocklington, Hull, Bridlington, Scarborough, Hebden Bridge and even Wigan!