Thanks to all for making Lanimer Week a success
Dear Editor Lanark Lanimer Committee and its chairperson Loraine Swan thank everyone involved, for helping to maintain the history and traditions of Lanimer Week.
We congratulate Lord Cornet Gordon Jess, Lanimer Queen Morgan Shillan, Crowning Lady Julie Cox and Sashing Lady Grace Abernethy for the dignity, composure and visible enthusiasm with which they carried out their duties, bathed in glorious sunshine throughout our celebrations.
Depute Lord Lieutenant Lady Susan Haughey joined us on Lanimer Day and we welcomed back Vice Lord Lieutenant John Brown for Marches Night and the Shifting of the Standard ceremony.
Everyone was delighted to have ‘one of our own’ represent the Lord Lieutenant for the Kirkin’ of the Lord Cornet-elect; Ex-lord Cornet Millar Stoddart bringing his new role as Depute Lord Lieutenant in further recognition of his services to Lanark.
The Lord Cornets’ Equestrian Processions, visiting dignitaries, Lanimer Procession entrants, Lanimer Court and Bands demonstrated the commitment that makes Lanimer Week so unique. Lanimer Day itself was a true spectacle from start to finish, reflected in the smiling faces on participants and spectators alike.
We are grateful for the support of South Lanarkshire Council, led by Provost Eileen Logan.
Local Land Services staff at Caldwellside, and Roads and Transport, gave sterling service throughout the week, ensuring the safety of all taking part, and the smooth movement of processions and traffic flow during our celebrations.
Police Scotland, including the mounted branch, served us well, and patiently, throughout Lanimer Week.
The assistance and guidance of local officers and those from further afield is much appreciated by all of us.
Special mention goes to Inspector Scott Jones who was on his last period of ‘Lanimer duty’.
We wish him well in his retirement from next spring and look forward to seeing him ‘in civvies’ at future Lanimer events.
We also thank members of St Andrew’s First Aid who support us in impressive numbers, with patient and prompt response as they cover our events.
Thanks also to The Red Cross who provide support for the cross country equestrian events organised by the Lord Cornets’ Club.
Lanark Rugby Club provided stalwart support this year, stewarding on the Perambulation route and selling Lanimer Brochures.
Celia Orr’s dancers gave us a spectacular display at Lanark Cross with the backdrop of sunny skies on a warm Monday evening.
We are grateful to Lanark Floral Art Club, whose members prepared the beautiful bouquets for the Court Ladies and donated the Lanimer Queen’s headdress.
Shopkeepers, residents and court families provided added colour by decorating homes, shops and gardens in greater numbers this year.
The Lanimer Committee is truly grateful for the support on which we can call from local businesses and organisations.
Special thanks go to Mckellar’s Jewellers for their donation of the Lanimer Queen’s watch; to Ross of Lanark for access to their yard for procession assemblies and for use of tractors on Lanimer Day.
We are indebted to Morrison’s, who provided so generously a water stop for the whole Lanimer procession; for snacks and soft drinks for the children’s Friday picnic at Castlebank, and for their co-operation in provision of bar supplies at the Marquee.
The generosity of some local businesses afforded premises for building Lanimer entries, or display of court dresses, while others contributed through advertising in the Lanimer brochure, and selling brochures.
Sincere thanks go to you all. The Lanimer Committee is indebted to the landowners within whose properties and policies our March Stones sit ; their permission allowing us to follow tradition, unbroken since 1140AD, to check Lanark’s boundaries. We depend on the courtesy of the public, young and old, to proceed in a courteous manner through these properties and they did not let us down. 1351 perambulated the long-established route on the Monday evening.
Our Critic this year is Mrs Margaret Scott, former headteacher at Lanark Primary School. We await with anticipation her views from ‘a new angle’ on Lanimer Day.
The Young Farmers and our official mascots shook their buckets to encourage contributions to the Official Collections, raising just over £2700.
Thanks go to everyone who contributed, and to the loyal supporters of the Silver Club, Patrons Scheme and the Lanimer Brochure.
It all goes to help the 2017 Lanimer Funds. Our historic birks, a traditional feature, were sourced generously, once again, by Mr A Plenderleith. The New Lanark Village Group played Tuesday evening’s host at New Lanark, and presented the Loving Cup to the Lanimer Queen-elect.
The Air Cadets turned out smartly in the Lanimer Procession, on Escort, Guard of Honour, and Banner and Shield Carrying duties. We thank them - and all of the above-mentioned - for their valued contributions, services and generous support provided throughout Lanimer Week.
As we begin to plan for 2017 we wish Lord Cornet Gordon Jess and Lanimer Queen Morgan Shillan a happy and well-deserved year in their historic roles.
To all acknowledged above, to anyone we may have missed, inadvertently, and to everyone else who shared the sunshine-drenched spectacle that was Lanimer Week 2016, we say, ‘Thank You’, once again - and ask only that you put in your diary the week surrounding Thursday, June 8, 2017, for another spectacular Lanimer celebration.
Molly Cumming, Honorary Secretary