ALL DRESSED UP FOR GUID NYCHBURRIS! (part three)
After a lunch break it was back on the Streets of the town and to Friars Vennel to view the children’s fancy dress contestants and join them in a parade to the Mid Steeple. We were greeted on stage by the thousands who had assembled to watch the final of the ‘Homecoming Idol’ with some interesting and amusing turns. A quick walk about to ‘meet and greet’ as many locals as we could it was then a quick change before getting ‘robed’ for the last time to join the Provost and other dignitaries for the Big Parade and the Beating of the Retreat. The crowds had lined the near 2 mile route and cheered every lorry which went past as well as the pipe band ,baton twirlers, brass bands and walking entries, all led by Cornet Donald Anderson and His Lass Lauren Patterson and of course Queens Beth and her attendants on their float.
There were many Scottish and Burns themed entries this year with the Homecoming to the fore and the Howff Challenge Cup was won by the Dumfries Musical and Operatic Society for their ‘Burns Bothy’ themed entry.
Five pipe bands along with the Dumfries Town band joined together for a closing spectacle with the massed bands version of Highland Cathedral followed by the Town Band playing the evening hymn bringing a close to a special and exciting week.
I was proud to be part of the festivities and thank the Guid Nychburris committee for asking me.
As that week closed another very busy one was about to begin. For the past 18 years along with a trusty band of men and women from Locharbriggs we run a children’s football tournament for all ages through to 14 years. The Locharbriggs Five a Sides or as it’s affectionately known locally ‘the Caskie Cup’ attracts over 50 teams each year. After lining pitches on the Sunday, its all go though the week until the Friday which is always Grand Finals night. This year, Guid Nychburr of Dumfries Mrs Ruth Emmerson presented prizes to the lucky winners and commemorative medals to the runners up.
It’s back to Burns now with a meeting of both the Project 2009 and Executive Committee of the Howff on Monday 29th June and Tea with Clarinda and Jean Armour statue ceremony and Dinner to look forward to next week.
JOHN M CASKIE
PRESIDENT