Kirkin' ceremony marks start of 2012 Melrose Festival

Published 19 Jun 2012 09:30 Comments 1 Comment

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MELROSE Festival marks an important milestone this year.

The 2012 event will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the crowning of the first Festival Queen - Hilda Ross in 1937.

And a record number of her successors are expected to return home to remember the occasion.

Melrosian Graeme Crawford will lead this year's festivities which run from Sunday, June 17, to Sunday, June 24. He will be supported by his Right Hand Man Ruaridh Nairn and Left Hand Man Scott Majoribanks.

They will be joined by this year's Festival Queen, Katy Wilkinson, from Gattonside, and her Court - Queen's Attendants: Imogen Walls and Isobel Reid; Courtiers: Duncan Howard and Macx Clark-Wright; Heralds: Oliver Watson and Michael Jamieson; and Train bearers: Grace McWhinnie and Amelia Edmondson.

The programme for the Melrose Festival 2012 reads as follows - Sunday June 17: Wreath laying at War Memorial, 10.45am; Kirkin' of Melrosian in Melrose Parish Church, 11am; Football fives at Gibson Park, 1pm.

Monday June 18: Melrosians rideout, leaves Greenyards, 6pm; Judging of the best turned out rider takes place at 5.30pm. Concluding ceremonies in Market Square, 9.30pm.

Tuesday June 19: Fancy Dress Parade in Gibson Park, assemble 6.15pm. Float entrants should contact Liz Brown before night or on entering field on 01896 822996. The prize for the winning float, donated by the Ex-Melrosians Association, is £100.

Wednesday, June 20: Cycle Ride, leaving from Gibson Park, 6.30pm. The route is about five miles long and arrives back at Gibson Park for refreshments at 8pm.

Thursday, June 21: Installation of Melrosian and Crowning of Festival Queen in Melrose Abbey, 7pm. If wet, the event will be moved to Melrose Parish Church.

Friday, June 22: Visits by Melrosian and Supporters to Borders General Hospital, Melrose Grammar School and St Mary's, from 10am until 3pm. Festival Ball at Annay Road Rugby Ground, 7.30pm for 8pm prompt. Ticket enquiries: 01896 823956/ 07810 384660.

Saturday, June 23: Tour of ceremonies - Start in Market Square, 9am; Visit Newstead, 9.15am; Visit Trimontium, 9.45am, Visit Gattonside, 10am; Visit Abbotsford, 10.45am; Visit Darnick Tower, 11.15am; Arrive Melrose Abbey, 12 noon. Sports in Gibson Park, 2.30pm, including Eildon Hill Race at 3pm.

It will be followed by a programme of Pipe Band music in Market Square at 7pm and the Melrose Festival Dinner at 8pm (venue to be confirmed). All Welcome.

Sunday, June 24: Melrose Cricket Club's "Festival Sixes" at Huntlyburn, 11am.

This article appeared in Border Telegraph 19 Jun 12

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drjillb
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Jun 19, 12:39
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Sorry I can't be there this year. Hope you all have a wonderful week. Jill Bunyan (Festival Queen 1977)

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