Queen Kaitlyn’s seal of approval
Day of entertainment and fun
Kaitlyn Crawford was given a rousing royal reception on being named this year’s Landemer Queen. The teenager had a thrilling day in the VIP role and is pictured leaving the crowning event on Saturday with her champion Stewart Loftus.
Revellers basked in glorious sunshine as they enjoyed yet another fantastic Landemer Day.
Queen Kaitlyn Crawford and her Ladies in Waiting arrived to rapturous applause as locals took to the Main Street on Saturday morning.
And Rutherglen proved it really does have talent as local singers, musicians and dancers provided a terrific afternoon of entertainment.
As ever, community groups and charities lined the road with stalls to add to a memorable day for all.
It was a day to remember for Landemer Queen Kaitlyn Crawford, as the crowds turned out in the sunshine to celebrate her coronation.
Members of the public basked in temperatures as high as 25 degrees to fill Rutherglen Main Street on Saturday as they enjoyed one of the highlights of the local calendar.
Cambuslang Parish Church pipe band were playing as they marched along the road on the arrival of the Queen and her Ladies in waiting.
Kaitlyn, 15, a pupil of Rutherglen High, was greeted with applause and cheers as she arrived, joined by her champion Stuart Loftus of the Air Training Corp.
Her court, which included Amy Duffin and Kayla Jackson of Trinity High, Stonelaw High School pupils Carole-Anne Hopkins, Alexandra Pollock, Morgan Lee and Rachel Campbell from Cathkin High and Rutherglen High School’s Molly McBride and Angela Clemente also received the warmest of welcomes.
Landemer secretary Ian Duncan was the ceremonial host and had the large crowd chuckling at his witty sense of humour.
The pipe band played a medley before dowager queen Abbey McDonald stepped on to the stage to give Kaitlyn some kind words of advice.
Her big moment soon followed when Cathkin High School head teacher Mrs McNair crowned Kaitlyn the 2018 Landemer Queen to rapturous applause from the public.
Kaitlyn said: “My wish is that each day we continue to be kind to one and other, keep our areas tidy by not dropping litter and showing our respect for others’ property.
“I sincerely hope everyone has a lovely day and that we gather 12 months from now to celebrate the next Landemer.”
As part of the Queen’s entertainment, Cathkin High pupil Paul Gallagher produced a powerful performance as he sang a strong rendition of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’.
Fellow school peers, the Cathkin High School Vocalists, followed with a beautifully sung harmony before the SLS All stars wowed the crowd with some dazzling routines to a mash up of modern pop and Disney hits.
The Active Schools Club, including pupils from Stonelaw High and surrounding primary schools, also joined in the dancing before the Queen made her way off stage for a traditional Landemer lunch.
Cathkin’s rock band Rebrand took to the stage to kick the afternoon entertainment up a gear, followed by the Bronx Show Band, Rebecah Kirk, Toby Erskine and Missing Focus.
The public were also able to enjoy various rides, inflatable floats, a climbing wall and numerous stalls, tombolas and raffles.
Landemer secretary Ian told the Reformer the event was once again a day the community could be proud of. He said: “The sun kept shining. Last year it was ruined because we had the thunder and lighting, so this year we couldn’t have wished for any better.
“Everything has gone great. It’s not for us, it’s basically for those girls and I thought they were immense. It’s been a brilliant day.
“We’ve been working at this since November and when it comes together you think it’s all worthwhile.”
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey, who received a flowers as a thank you from the Landemer Day committee, added: “Anyone who knows me knows how much I enjoy Landemer Day and this year was no exception.
“The entertainment was extremely good. The energetic performance of the cheerleaders was fabulous and the young man who sang is very talented.
“The organising committee have a difficult task topping this year’s event.
“The Queen and her Ladies in Waiting did a great job as did the Queen’s attendant. Huge congratulations to them all on I’m
sure what was a day they will remember for many years.
“Landemer Day is a Rutherglen tradition, it certainly brings back lots of very happy childhood memories for me.
“It is also a vital fundraising day for local charities and organisations. It was lovely to see Churches Together putting on free activities for children, particularly when some families may be struggling to make ends meet.”
Rutherglen MP Gerard Killen was in attendance and was glad to see the day was still popular after 99 years.
He said: “It is always a good day at Landemer. It’s important to celebrate days like this. I was talking to some colleagues who represent other constituencies who don’t really have an equivalent to this.
“It’s been running for so many years. I took part in Landemer Day when I was at school and it’s still going all these years later.
“The singing and dancing was all excellent and it’s nice to see people taking part in a community event like this.”