Think of a number, multiply it by 52, add "million" to the end. Shade it up or down so it is conveys an air of suprious accuracy - round numbers are not welcome here - and what do you know: you have the basis for a press release...

The real mystery is why our media are so credulous and unquestioning to let them get away with this sort of thing time after time after time. Is it really beyond the wit of any journalist to ask the simple question: "exactly how have you arrived at that figure?" Apparently it is.

Which is not to say that Burns' legacy is not important to Scotland; nor that tourism is not very important to Ayrshire; nor that Homecoming was not good for Scotland. But how can anyone believe that the figures of £157m, £176m and £44m have any basis in reality and are accurate to better than a hugely wide tolerance of, say, plus or (more probably given the purpose of such projections, which is to attract more funding to the thing generating the alleged beneift) minus 80%?

Aulyin, I think the following is a very important point in all this talk of money:



The estimation itself might not be entirely based on Ken's formula, but it would be nice to know, as Ken asked, exactly how have they arrived at that figure? Also note that the figure mentioned is for the Scottish economy, not just that of Ayrshire so it certainly doesn't account for over 89% for the latter! Yes there is much in Ayrshire (as there is in other areas of Scotland) that is connected to Burns, but equally there is much that is connected to events/people from before Burns' time as well as (tho maybe less so) after it... the bottom line is, Ayrshire isn't just about Robert Burns (just as Burns isn't just about Ayrshire!)

Having said that, there is still a strong argument for the airport to be renamed after Burns so here's another plug for the petition!

The computor is very sluggish today and it took me ages to get any information at all. I wasn't pleased when I came across http://www.visitscotland.org/marketing_ ... paigns.htm simply because the page is still talking about 2009.
When do we start talking about 2010?

When I get my own computer mended I will try again

Details of the petition to have Glasgow Prestwick International Airport renamed after Robert Burns now on Google Wave: http://bit.ly/85By1H

Thanks

That particular organisation will probably be talking about 2010 by the start of 2011: they are not renowned for fleetness of foot or speed of response!

A good day yesterday for the petition with 27 signatures taking the total to over 260... it looks like word is beginning to spread!

The petition continues to do well and has almost reached 300 signatures. One of the comments, made by Prof. David Purdie, caught my attention and I have included details below:



I have since been in contact with Prof. Purdie and he has offered to help with the petition; this offer is made more interesting when some more information is taken in to consideration: originally from Prestwick, he is secretary of the Edinburgh Burns Club and is honourable Curator of the Auld Lang Syne manuscripts for the National Trust of Scotland at Alloway. I'm sure, like me, you will appreciate this offer and like to take it further if possible!

* This would be a much more appropriate motto than the current Pure Dead Brilliant logo that as Prof. Purdie says defaces & disgraces the Terminal building at the airport!

and what about:
The two-seat W.5 (60-hp Weir engine) first flew on 7 June 1938 at Dalrymple, 7 miles south of Ayr, Ayrshire, Burns Corridor, making it the first partially successful British helicopter.
http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/models/Air ... -Fa61.html

£160million per year according to 2005 figures :
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Release ... 5/20134522

So, Ayrshire got £1million a year from Robert Burns. Is that right? WOW

Again there's the fantastic figure and yet again there's nothing to show how it was worked out... if only we could see the actual study by the Moffat Centre!

I found this wee coincidence though:
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/travel/europe/1477130,TRA-News-burns15.stng
===============================================================
Anyway,
Hopefully there will be tourism waves made by the Ocean Agency in Ayrshire:
http://www.oceanagency.co.uk/ they have a write up here:
http://www.irvineherald.co.uk/lifestyle ... -25490809/

Some interesting events coming up concerning Burns:
http://www.sipsmokesavor.com/index.php/ ... t-articles

335 signatures so far. That's 334 since 7th of December '09. Well done all those who have signed so far.

THE ROBERT BURNS INTERNATIONAL?
Prestwick Air Control Centre, Prestwick, Ayrshire:
Thanks for pointing this out to us Bruce
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2676&p=23021#p23021

"The £180M Prestwick air traffic control centre entered full operation today, with 130 staff transferring from Manchester."

Prestwick air control centre opens
25 January, 2010 | By Ed Owen
http://www.nce.co.uk/news/structures/pr ... 10.article

The Ayrshire Airport needs to rebrand itself with an identity of its own, not under Glasgow. It should not be the "substitute" airport.

£25 million upgrade planned for Glasgow airport.
Glasgow Airport will invest £12 million in 2010, followed by a further £13 million in 2011. The airport is also contributing £1 million towards the cost of the M74 extension which, it is hoped, will reduce journey times to and from the airport. In 2008, Glasgow Airport opened the doors to a £31 million terminal extension - the biggest single investment for more than a decade. The extension includes a new security search area, arrivals hall, additional seating and a wider choice of bars, shops and restaurants. Between now and 2014, when Glasgow hosts the Commonwealth Games, the airport expects to spend between £85 million and £100 million on new terminal and airfield facilities.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/tran ... t-1.994751

What do Prestwick locals think about the petition?

http://www.s1prestwick.com/news/airport ... pport.html

Have your say

355 signatures so far. We need more so I've set up a board to promote Burns Corridor, which I felt I had to do to promote the identity of the tract of land where Robert Burns spent 95% of his short life. If we're spendinding £21million on his birthplace then people should at least know where it is.
The ROBERT BURNS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Burns Corridor, is a significant piece of the network.

Please have a wee look at the site.
http://burnscorridor.proboards.com/inde ... =11&page=1