Robert Burns statue out of sight on poet's birthday

Robert Burns would've celebrated his 259th birthday on Thursday but this year Fredericton will be without its guest of honour.

Since construction started on theBeaverbrook Art Gallery expansion about two years ago,the Robert Burns Memorial Statue, which sat a few metres east of the downtown institution,has been missing in action.

"It's much better to have it put in a secure place than to have it out somewhere just to be there," said Maxine Campbell, president of the Fredericton Society of St. Andrew.

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Burns Nights are held around the world every year as people celebrate theScottish poet born Jan. 25,1759.A Burns dinner isusually accompanied by bagpipes, images of the poet and recitals of his poetry, including his Address to a Haggis, the main dish at the event.

The Fredericton Society of St. Andrew will hold its Burns dinner thisweekend.

"We'll just have to do with our own statue that we have on Saturday night," she said. "It's just a little one."

Campbell said the society recognized the statue had to be removed and feelsit's in good hands.

Suspense worse than disappointment

The renowned statue is being looked after in storage at the city'sparks and trees department.

City officials have said the statue will be back in place somewhere on the Green very soon, close to its former homenear the art gallery. They wouldn't say exactly when this would be happen, only that it will be this year.

"I know the city is taking good care of it and they have good plans," Campbell said. "They've put a lot of thought into how they could rejuvenate the downtown without losing any of the traditions."

We want him to be placed prominently and have the due attention.-Maxine Campbell, Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew president

David Seabrook,manager of Fredericton Tourism, said the statue is an important piece of city history and should return to the public in a "respectful way."

"It's an iconic statue and one that Frederictonians and New Brunswickers appreciate, and it's important that he's re-established," he said.

The Robert Burns Memorial Statue was unveiledOct.18, 1906, which was Thanksgiving Day.

The statue is made of bronze and stands 10 feet six inches tall ona granite pedestal.

The statue was taken down for repairs in 2008, and itsfuture becameuncertain when the city announced itcould not afford the $80,000 in flood-proofing that the work needed.

With a donation from business owner J.K. Irving and his wife, Jean, the statue was rejuvenated and revealed in2011.

Members of theScottish community can handle being without the statue for now,Campbell said, if it means it willhave a long life.

"We want him to be placed prominently and have the due attention."