JIM Roberston, of Dunnington, is the new president of the Robert Burns World Federation. Jim, a retired British Rail manager, who has lived in the village just outside York for more than 30 years, was elected a ceremony in Scotland earlier this month.

The Burns Federation, which has about 30,000 members world-wide, brings together people interested in the works of Robert Burns, Scotland's leading poet. It also promotes annual competitions of Burns' poetry and songs for thousands of Scottish schoolchildren.

Edinburgh-born Jim, who after 30 years in York has lost little of his Scottish lilt, is a past president of the St Andrew Society of York and the Burns Federation - Yorkshire District.

He told me: "This is a great honour and one which reflects on the local St Andrew Society and Scots community.

"It is significant that the works of Robert Burns are cherished by Scots world-wide. They seem to do far more to promote their national bard than the English seem to do for any of their great poets."

For the next 12 months Jim and his wife, Eileen, will travel the length of the country to attend functions hosted by Scots and Caledonian Societies, and Burns Clubs.

Then it is off to Toronto in Canada followed later by a Burns bash in Baltimore for the North American meeting of Burns Clubs.

Jim retired nine years ago from the infrastructure section of now-defunct Regional Railways, which was based in York.

During his 20-year association with Burns clubs and societies he reckons he must have "addressed" 60 haggis on various Burns' Suppers - which, of course, is on January 25.

He must be haggised-out. I find it hard to address an envelope.

Jim, whose favourite poems by the Scottish bard are Tam O'Shanter and Holy Willie's Prayer, confirmed what I always believed. Burns was a ladies' man.

A case of small jockey, big whip and stunning stanzas... when you unravel what on earth he's going on about.

TALK about having your Currie and eating it.

York MP Hugh Bayley rushed straight back from Blackpool - where the talk was all about one particularly feisty and venomous Currie - to York, to eat curry.

Not just any curry. This was York's finest, prepared by award-winning chef Mohan Miah, of the Bengal Brasserie in Nether Poppleton.

Mohan's boss, Iqbal Chowdhury, was throwing a gala dinner in aid of two champion York charities - Age Concern and York Against Cancer - and his champion chef, winner of the York and North East Curry Chef Of The Year was the mastermind behind the feast.

Hugh, eyes still a little glazed after being wooed (along with all the other Labour conference delegates) by the Great Seducer Bill Clinton, was the guest of honour at Iqbal's little do. You could tell that when Iqbal introduced him, tongue-in-cheek, as "your excellency".

He still retained enough presence of mind to deny that Labour conference delegates had been too preoccupied with Currie concerns of the Edwina variety. "We didn't need to talk about Currie", he whispered in the ear of a dining companion. "She did enough talking herself."

Iqbal's far more prestigious Curry affair raised £1,200 for the two York charities - £600 apiece.

"It was just marvellous!" says Age Concern's chief officer Sally Hutchinson, one of the many diners who packed the restaurant for the night. "It was a lovely evening, and I'm just so grateful to Iqbal for taking the trouble."

And, of course, to Mohan for those great curries.

A STOAT scampered into WH Smith in Coney Street, York, the other day much to the amusement of Harry the security man and startled customers.

It hid under the newspaper and magazine racks. Harry quipped: "It left in huff when I told him we hadn't got the latest edition of Stoat Weekly."

Whatever next, buffaloes in Browns? Ferrets in Fenwicks?

IDLY browsing the sixth edition of The Hidden Places Of Yorkshire, published last month at nine quid, I was intrigued to read the entry for York.

Among the attractions listed is the Museum Of Automata, which "traces the history of automata, from the simple articulated figurines of ancient civilisations, through to displays of modern robotics; the Automata Shop sells contemporary pieces, music boxes, mechanical toys and craft kits for all ages".

A very fine description - of a museum which shut its doors five years and seven months ago. What you might call a very well hidden place of Yorkshire... but what can you expect from a Berkshire publishing firm and a Cheshire author?

Actually, the long defunct museum is being turned into a snooker centre.

Outta sight!

MY TRUSTY spies have been at work again recently, spotting the "rich" and "famous" as they walk the streets of this fine city.

Or perhaps not. Boro striker Alen Boksic certainly falls into the rich category. Many rumours have flown about over the size of his weekly salary.

Who knows for certain exactly what it is, but it is rumoured he gets Securicor to take his pay packet home.

Our second celeb falls loosely into the famous category because she is the definition of famous for being famous: it is Seventies Martini ad girl Lorraine Chase.

Seen happily shopping in High Petergate, Lorraine is now earning a crust in Emmerdale, after years relying on the odd Blankety Blank appearance and doing who knows what else?

Surely you can spot bigger celebs than these. Let me know.

On to currant affairs, not Edwina and John again - Christmas! It is fast approaching, and as Yorkies dust down their cake tins and stock up on dried fruit, Whitworths wants to find the Christmas cake that people go crackers for.

In a nationwide challenge to cake-bakers, they are asking you to wow them with your unusual and imaginative Christmas cake recipes.

The lucky national winner with the best recipe will unwrap an early Christmas present - a £500 cash prize - £250 of which will go to the charity of their choice.

The recipes will be judged by a panel of experts at Whitworths, then baked by a top home economist. Cakes will be judged on appearance, taste, texture and imaginative use of ingredients.

"We know how many people take great pride and pleasure in making Christmas cakes and that many recipes are handed down from generation to generation. We're looking for a cake that will really wow the judges," says David Smith, Whitworths' head of marketing.

If you think you can rise to the challenge jot down your recipe and cooking instructions and send it to the World Of Whitworths, PO Box 7, Leyland PR5 3GW.

Alternatively recipes can be faxed to 01772 436 260 or e-mailed to cakecomp@mtjpr.co.uk

Closing date for entries is Friday, November 15.

Updated: 10:25 Saturday, October 05, 2002