Border Telegraph | News | Great day for 'ticals' as well as 'zontals'

Published: Wednesday, 27th June, 2007 14:25

Great day for 'ticals' as well as 'zontals'

By Border Telegraph Newsroom

MELROSE has been acclaimed as the perfect home for “horizontals” and “verticals.”

A heartfelt tribute to the town’s past, present and future was given by the Rev. Haisley Moore during the installation of the Melrosian and crowning of the Festival Queen on Thursday evening.

The abbey grounds were bathed in sunshine for the main event in the Melrose Festival and hundreds gathered to see Iain Oliver and Erin Maguire add to the town’s rich cultural heritage.

It was a memorable ceremony — with an electrifying conclusion.

Black clouds, rumbling thunder and lightning flashes over the Eildons eventually led to torrential rain just as the official party were preparing to leave the stage.

Proceedings began with a welcome from Douglas Hardie, joint chairman of the Festival Executive, who greeted the Rev. Moore, the orator, and his wife, Jill, the Crowning Lady, and visiting principals and dignitaries.

St Boswells Concert Band and the choir of Melrose Primary School led the audience in singing Psalm 121.

It was then time for the 2007 Melrosian, Iain Oliver, to make his stately entrance from the abbey.

He was shadowed by his Right and Left-hand Men, David Crawford and Brynmor Thom, and a procession of Ex-Melrosians, who took their seats beside the ceremonial platform.

Mr Hardie then introduced the Melrosian, the son of David and Evelyn Oliver.

Iain was educated at Melrose Grammar School and Earlston High School and now works in his father’s engineering business.

His main hobby is modifying and customising cars, although he is a keen mountain biker and basketball player and enjoys a round of golf when time permits.

His mother, who is secretary of the Festival Executive, was Festival Queen in 1966 and his sister, Karen, took the same role in 2001.

Before presenting Ian with the sash of office, Mr Hardie said: “Since being appointed in May, Iain has attended many of the towns’ election nights, as well as having supported the Selkirk Standard Bearer and Hawick Cornet where he gained his Mosstrooper’s badge.

“He has every intention of supporting the other principals in the weeks ahead at their own ceremonies.

“Iain has been an excellent ambassador for Melrose and I am sure he will continue to be in the future.”

Accepting the honour, the Melrosian said: “I’m sure that every young lad in Melrose will, at one time or another, imagine what it would be like to be Melrosian.

“But, if I’m honest, I used to think it was something I’d never have the confidence to take on.

“However, after seeing what a great time both Brynmor and David had over their terms in office and realising what a great opportunity it was for them, I was very happy to be asked.

“It’s only now that I’ve experienced some of it for myself, though, that I fully appreciate what a great honour it really is for both my family and me and I would just like to take this chance to say what a fantastic time I’m having and to thank the Ex-Melrosians for nominating me.

“I know that, in accepting this sash of office, I am joining a select band of men who have been chosen to represent Melrose, not just here this week, but at all the other common ridings and festivals, and I will endeavour to carry out this role in a manner which will make the people of Melrose proud.”

The Melrosian offered congratulations to Queen Erin and her Court.

Penny Hardie, the joint chairman’s wife, then presented the rosette to Kenneth Brown, who was Melrosian in 2004.

She also presented the Silver Jubilee medal to Grant Roden, who recalled fond memories of his installation in 1982.

He said: “Although my hair now appears to be slightly different in colour, according to my friend, Ian Crawford, it appears to still be the same pudding bowl I’m using to get it cut.

“But I can assure you my heart still burns strongly for the town of Melrose.

“I’ve been fortunate to have stayed in and around Melrose all these years and, even after short spells away on holiday or the like, I always drive down High Street and along Buccleuch Street to check that nothing has changed.

“I always end up using the old saying: ‘A day away from Melrose is a day wasted.’”

Mrs Hardie presented the Golden Jubilee medal to Donald Campbell, who celebrated his 24th birthday on installation night in 1957.

He said: “I’m even more proud and, I must say, extremely relieved to have reached my Golden Jubilee year.”

Mr Campbell paid tribute to his late Left-hand Man, Raymond Allan, and his Right-hand Man, George Bunyan.

He said: “George was a first-class supporter to me during my time in office.

“He was always available to offer help and advice and, some 50 years on, George is still giving me advice.”

As he left the stage, the band struck up “Happy Birthday” and the crowd sang good wishes for his 74th birthday.

The ceremony proceeded to the crowning of Queen Erin, who was followed to the platform by attendants Kirsty MacDonald and Mary-Beth Patterson; courtiers Calum Sharp and Niall Bleasdale; heralds Ben Cunningham and Russell Mackay; and trainbearers Amy Inglis and Laura Brown.

A trumpet fanfare was the cue for Calum to read the proclamation, a task he carried out confidently.

Mrs Moore then placed the crown on Erin’s head.

Mr Hardie introduced the Silver Jubilee Queen, Mhorag McKenzie, who was presented with a commemorative badge and flowers.

The joint chairman welcomed the Golden Jubilee Queen, Jennifer Seidler (née Burnett), who had travelled from her home in Toronto, Canada, and she also received a commemorative badge and flowers.

After reading out good wishes from around the world, Mr Hardie introduced the principal guests, the Rev. and Mrs Moore, who both hail from Northern Ireland.

The couple, who first came to the Borders in 1982, have three children, Michael, the local MP, Jennifer and Sally.

The minister retired recently as pastoral associate at Melrose Parish Church, while Mrs Moore, a trained physiotherapist, now works as a lip-reading tutor.

Now living in Tweedbank, the Rev. Moore underlined the sense of community engendered within the Melrose area.

He distinguished between natives and incomers by referring to a wedding he had attended in the USA, where the bride was “a vertical” and the groom was “a horizontal.”

He said: “If you’re born and bred and a native of this area, you’re vertical.

“If you’re an incomer from over the horizon, you’re horizontal.

“Let’s abbreviate it: incomers are zontals and the natives are ticals.

“Whenever the ticals meet with the incomers, that’s where a community becomes rich.

“Melrose is the culture capital of the Borders.”

In a freewheeling and humorous speech, the Rev. Moore made reference to the town’s great literary and sporting heritage.

He believed the community’s strength and prosperity lay in the townspeople’s willingness to welcome incomers and visitors and maintain traditions such as the festival.

During his oration, he noted the recent tragic death of Beverley Sinton, a teacher at Melrose Primary School.

He said: “We in the community will be both sympathetic and supportive and the best way we can do this is to resume normality wherever possible.”

The vote of thanks was given by Brynmor Thom.

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