Countdown to big festival procession
Bathgate Procession and John Newland Festival is only weeks away and there are is a wealth of events in the run-up to whet your appetite.
The procession will be held on June 3 and the principal character parts will be played by Rachael Linn ( Princess Marjory) and Bruce McCaig (Walter, Lord High Steward) with the Newland Oration being delivered by former Bathgate Academy pupil Mr John Jeffrey Downie.
But before the event takes place, help is needed to construct the traditional threespan arch on George Street and volunteers are being sought to help with the task on Friday, June 2.
The celebrations kick off on Saturday (May 20) with the street fair at George Street from 11am until 3pm and the mile of pennies which runs from 10am until 4pm.
On Sunday ( May 21) the popular car treasure hunt will start from the Guide Hall, Mid Street from 6pm. Entry is £5 per car and includes a BBQ at the hall.
On Monday (May 22) the venue changes to Balbardie Sports Centre for the inter primary schools potted sports competition at 6.30pm and on Tuesday (May 23) the Bathgate Band and Bathgate Youth Band will give a free concert in the Partnership Centre at 7.30pm.
And Wednesday ( May 24) will see the keenly contested inter schools swimming gala at Xcite Bathgate at 6.30pm.
On Friday (May 26) the popular scooter race sponsored by Morrisons supermarket will be held in the car park at 6.30pm and is open to all children of primary school age.
The winner will be crowned Morrisons Scooter Racing Champion come along with your scooter and safety gear, if you have it.
On Saturday (May 27) the West Lothian Highland Games will be held in Meadow Park and the next day the five-a-side football tournament for primary school children will be held at Balbardie Park from 1pm to compete for the Weslo Challenge Cup and Meadow Park is the venue for the children’s sports on Tuesday, May 30 from 6.30pm.
The next night (Wednesday, May 30) will see the Annual Trivia Quiz at Bathgate British Legion. Teams of four players or less are invited to take part and entry is £5 per team.
The Newland Oration will be delivered in Bathgate High Parish Church at 8pm on Friday, June 2.
Bathgate Procession Committee secretary, Jim Walker, thanked the community for their support with the celebrations.
He said: “We would like to thank everyone who gave their procession donations during the recent door-to-door collection and at the collection at both B&M and Tesco.
“We would also like to thank everyone who volunteered their help with the collections and the stores for giving their permission.
“Anyone who would still like to give a donation can do so at the street fair and mile of pennies.”
Jim Walker added that nominations are needed for awards and musicians are needed to take part in the procession.
He said: “Meanwhile we are looking for nominations for the John Hardy and John Hunter Memorial Awards.
“We are also experiencing difficulty recruiting bands to play in the procession and I would love to hear from any marching band who is free to play on June 3.
“Finally, anyone who wants to collect spruce for decoration can meet at Gardners Lane car park at 9.30am on Sunday, May 28.
Contact Jim Walker on 01506 652483 to help out or to make nominations for the John Hardy and John Hunter Memorial Awards.
We would like to thank everyone who volunteered their help