Rosie has her big moment at Bay Queen crowning
There may be no fun week in Whiting Bay due to the pandemic, but organisers were determined that, despite the cancellation, this year’s Bay Queen, Rosie McNamara, would still enjoy some of the pomp and ceremony that goes with the position.
Taking place on the beach, chairwoman of the annual event Shonagh Pringle arranged for a socially distanced crowning ceremony complete with handmaidens, a page boy and local spectators.
The thoughtful work of the Whiting Bay Improvements
Committee and Shonagh ensured that Rosie got to enjoy her moment which was made all the more special by the large turnout of people, parents, siblings and grandparents who witnessed the scaled down procession and crowning ceremony.
Bubbles
Last year’s Queen Annie West piped Rosie down the old quay where her attendants awaited her while blowing bubbles.
Annie’s younger brother and page boy Innes West joined the procession carrying the Bay Queen’s sash.
Annie then crowned the new Queen before hastily piping the small procession back onto the beach where Rosie posed for a number of photographs and was congratulated by her peers, friends and family.
The crowning ceremony was short and concise, yet most of the attendees were delighted that, despite the challenging circumstances and the need for social distancing, the ceremony remained charming and special, and they were delighted that some ceremony, however small, could be arranged to mark the occasion.