ORGANISERS of this year’s Beltane Festival once again refused to allow the COVID restrictions to dampen their spirits and produced a host of memorable events throughout the week.

Several short videos and past photographs were posted online which proved to be hugely popular.

And they triggered many happy memories from Beltanes gone by.

A total of 38 teams took part in the Virtual Pub Quiz.

The winners were ‘AitchisonsAssemble’. whose team included Ex-Cornet Jim Aitchison.

Runners up were ‘Clicked the wrong button by mistake’, followed by ‘Damcroft Duncans’, ‘ElCYD’ and ‘John Mayer’.

The Noble family, who live in Forest View, won the best decorated house competition.

Wilma Barrett of Glensax Road took second place and Donna Jardine of Connor Street finished third.

A ‘special prize’ was given to Natasha Frizzel, of Dalatho Crescent.

The Best Decorated shop and office was won by Elmbank Print, of Elcho Street Brae with Sense Scotland in the High Street finishing in second place.

The Beltane Memories Picture Competition winners were: P1-3 – Maria O’Hara of Halyrude Primary; P4-6 – Freya Garrison and Rudy Ward of Kingsland Primary; P7 – Ava Lukehirst of Priorsford Primary.

In the Photo Treasure Hunt, only seven groups managed to name all the locations and Caillie Douce was randomly chosen as the winner.

There were no prizes awarded in this year’s fancy dress competition but as always, the standard was high amongst the young and not so young.

Peebles March Riding and Beltane Queen Festival chairman Paul Spence said: “Can I thank everyone who made the Virtual Beltane Festival a success.

“There have been some great moments from a virtual boogie to a highly competitive quiz and the horse race won the hearts of the people.

“We were blown away by the support for the front garden fancy dress and we couldn’t let Saturday go by without paying our utmost respect to those who fought so hard and sacrificed so much.

“Thank you must also go to the Peebles Ex-Servicemen’s Pipe Band and the Peebles Burgh Silver Band for continuing to provide that musical spirit that lifts so many during the week and to the people of Peebles for getting the bunting out and decorating the houses and shops to turn the town red and white.

“It was heartening to see so many people making this Virtual Beltane Festival one to remember for many years to come.

“However, in the nicest possible way hope it will be the last Virtual Beltane Festival for a very long time.”