Dream come true for Chris and Amy - Braw Lads Gathering 2009

Ally McGilvray 1606 - 1606 • Last updated 26 Apr 2009 15:08 1 Comment

CHRIS MacKenzie and Amy Gunter were unveiled as this year"s Braw Lad and Lass - and then revealed it was a dream come true.

They will fly the flag for Galashiels at the annual Braw Lads Gathering after newly-elected President Colin Playfair announced the appointments from the balcony of the town"s Burgh Chambers on Friday night, also known as Picking Night.

The festival celebrates the history of the town and culminates with a week-long series of celebrations in the summer.

Hundreds of townsfolk turned out to welcome the appointments for the Gathering which chairman Philip Macari said had become one of the biggest events of its kind in the country.

This year it will also feature in Homecoming Scotland - an events programme, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of bard Robert Burns birth, to celebrate Scotland"s great contributions to the world.

The Braw Lad and Lass, who will be supported by their attendants Jamie Hind (Bearer of the Sod), Phillip Halliday (Bearer of the Stone), Emma Carlyle (Bearer of the Red Roses), and Amy Quinn (Bearer of the White Roses), will lead the ceremonial rideout on the town's Gala Day - Saturday, June 27.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph following the announcement, Chris said: 'I feel fantastic.

'I must admit it was a little nerve-wracking going out on to the balcony but I have followed the Gala Day since I was very young and this is something I have always dreamed about.'

And Amy added: 'It does sounds like a cliche but it has always been my dream to be Braw Lass and when my name was announced and I heard everyone screaming it felt absolutely amazing.'

It has long since been described as the town"s best-kept secret.

But even the President admitted he was shocked to discover the appointment of Braw Lass was his niece.

Mr Playfair, who was Braw Lad in 1980, said: 'I don"t think we could have made a more popular choice of Braw Lad and Lass judging by the crowds who have turned out. And the Braw Lass is my niece which makes it extra special for me, although she kept it very quiet.'

Chris, of Craigpark Gardens, Galashiels, works as an engineer for his family"s plumbing and heating business, Chris Mackenzie Plumbing and Heating.

The 21-year-old was educated at St Margaret"s Primary School and Galashiels Academy. His interests include rugby, football, swimming, go-karting, and socialising with friends.

Meanwhile, Amy, of Forest Gardens, Galashiels, works as a paediatric nurse at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

The 20-year-old was educated at Balmoral Primary School, Galashiels Academy and Napier University. Her interests include horse-riding, swimming, keeping fit and socialising with friends.

The full list of children who danced the Dashin' White Sergeant with the six principals on Declaration Night were as follows -

Balmoral: Kirstin Boland, Tegan Duffy, Zara Heath, Gregor Wood, Lace Roy, Callen Robertson, Jordan Hughes.

Caddonfoot: Louise Chandler, Iona Cruikshank, Dani Scott, Megan Stavert, Leon Auty, Hamish Robertson.

Langlee: Alicia Davidson, Rebekah Sherratt, Emily Turnbull, Josh Bertram, Sam Ormiston, Callum Reid.

St Peters: Amelia Handley, Sinead Handley, Chiara Lenaghan, Jenny Stavert, Benjamin Kepes, Aaron Kerr, Cuillin Melrose.

Burgh: Danielle Doogan, Jade Mulligan, Yasmin Robson, Zennor Bacon, Fraser Brown, Gareth Murray, Liam Nicholson.

Glendinning: Samantha Crawford, Ellie Fairgrieve, Stephanie Crawford, Paige Minnikin, Greg Ford, Kieran Martin, Corey Sinclair.

St Margarets: Hannah Falconer, Megan Callaghan, Marilyn Riddell, Carmen Smith, Alice Thompson, Niamh Doyle.

Tweedbank: Karina Foord, Bronwen Jones, Kirsty Lennon, Holly Richardson, Heather Rutten, Criss Cameron, Gregg Douglass, Kailee Reidie.

And Victoria Gray, from Langlee, presented the Braw Lass with a bouquet to mark the occasion.

FOR MORE BRAW LADS COVERAGE BE SURE TO BUY THIS WEEK'S BORDER TELEGRAPH...

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This article appeared in Border Telegraph 24 Apr 09

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Lynne Benoit
  Unregistered User
  Apr 29, 17:03
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  Oh Guys! What a fine thrill. We are so proud of our family. We are so proud and wish we could be with you to celebrate. You deserve the honour, and how lucky are you all to call Galashields Scotland your home.What a fine family. I am so Happy to part of. Love you all. Lynne and Family, Canada.xxoo peace and love.
  
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