LANARK LANIMER DAY
An ancient celebration held within the Royal Burgh of Lanark on the Thursday between the Sixth and Twelfth days of June annually since the year 1140.
 

30 Years In My Lanimer Life

The year I celebrate my 30th birthday, but it also marks 27 years of walking in Lanimer Day Processions; 13 years as a member of the Lanimer Committee and 10 Lanimer lorries. When I look at these statistics it makes me feel really old. But none of this would have been possible without the faithful team of helpers, friends and family, and to you all I want to say a special thank you.

In 1974 at the grand old age of two I had my first experience of being on a Lanimer Lorry. The entry was "The Dancing Years" and understandably memories of this are rather vague, but I do remember the next year very clearly. "Ooh La La" was the lorry and I had a bright yellow costume and was to sing Chick Chick Chicken at the reception. I managed to create a stir on both nights by fighting my way to the front of the stage to be near the mike (some things never change).

I was then on several more of Aunt Vena's lorries before Mum entered a lorry with Kirkfieldbank Youth Fellowship called "Welcome to Lanark and our Heritage". I was centre stage at the reception. I watched mum as I sang by to my horror she proceeded to sing the wrong word and I followed. The look that passed between us will forever remain in my mind.

From 1980-1986 I was many characters on Mum's lorries, including an Egyptian Princess and a Christmas tree. Then in 1987 when I was 15, Mum suggested I put in my own entry and thanks to the fantastic help of family and friends I won the newcomers Tableau with "A Pearl is Born".

1988 was "Smarty Pants". This float consisted of a log cabin made from carpet rolls and a fence made of Smarties tubes. I ate all the Smarties and needless to say, have never eaten one since. The float was almost never seen, as the night before (after carefully manoeuvring it out of Stewart Toy's barn) it nearly toppled over going up the hill. Tam Waddell has never been allowed to forget that one!

1989 was "Munchkins round the Jaffa Tree". We actually artexed this lorry to give the effect of bark on a tree.

1990 was "Panda's Picnic". This was probably the most disorganised lorry of them all. In January (usually the starting point) Mum went to Bolivia and didn't return until early April. Everytime she phoned we used to ask her if she thought we had bought crêpe paper. Danielle, my little sister was on the lorry and celebrated her first birthday on Lanimer Day (June 6). To think this year she will be 13 on Lanimer Day and is also a Lanimer Maid (if ever something was meant to be!). Best of luck Danielle.

1991 was "Edd goes for Gold". This lorry featured in the following year's brochure, which to me means it must have been good, even if it didn't win!

1992. Back to Mum's lorry and a year off for all my helpers. Well, there was only ONE lorry to build which of course was massive as usual.

1993. "Captain Birds Eye". I can't imagine how we managed to build a boat so well. I'm sure that if we'd tried it would have floated on the Loch!

1994-1997. Back with Mum's floats. During this time I got married; sat more exams etc. so I needed the break. In 1994 Mum crowned the Queen on what must have been one of the wettest Lanimer Day's ever.

1998. Nowhere to build. Just had a baby. Mum's retired. No problem - I'll just go with the judges…it was dreadful! I cried, Jane cried, we ALL cried. We just weren't used to it. We won't do that again!

1999. "Play Your Cards Right". Jane and I decided to put our children Jonathan and Alana into the procession in a pram as the King and Queen of Hearts and we would go as the King and Queen of Diamonds. Danielle decided she wanted to join us so she was the Queen of Spades. Then there was another, then another and before we know it we had a full pack. Jonathan and Alana were only a year old, but the loved it (then again, they wouldn't have been ours if they hadn't).

2002. "The Mouse Ran Up the Millennium Clock". It rained that day. Jonathan fell asleep and woke up at the crowning. He'd missed the whole thing.

2001. "Rosie and Jim". We co-opted the children from Clyde Valley Kindergarten. The smaller the cuter I say. This was a difficult year for me. As a consequence of the Foot and Mouth outbreak and an impending General Election, the Lanimer Committee decided to change the date, which then clashed with an exam I had to sit in Glasgow. This would be the first year I would miss the crowning, but I was determined at least to complete the procession. Jane kept checking her watch - "No, I'm not going yet". It was all very emotional and only a true Lanimer thoroughbred would understand this. However just to put the record straight, yet I did get caught speeding and yes I did pass the exams, so it was all worth it in the end.

Over the last 10 entries the helpers haven't changed all that much. But none of it would have been possible without each individual doing their own bit. Be it Mum making costumes; Jane "doing" the flowers (and last year wigs 0 first time she had EVER needed a needle); Alan who always builds, Dad who cuts, builds and basically does what he's told and Andy for putting up with the mood swings in the last few years. So to all who have helped and hopefully will continue to help, thanks for EVERYTHING.

Karen Brown Romer