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.
 

Proud To Have Played A Part

by Councillor Alan Dick - South Lanarkshire Council

As a non-Lanarkian I am pleased to be in a position to wax lyrical about the annual celebrations in June.

I would say that Lanark Lanimers is an occasion that should be experienced at least once in a lifetime. And I would challenge any town anywhere to better it. The sheer scale of the work that goes into making the festivities a success is astounding.

From the youngest child in nursery bedecked in crepe paper on a colourful lorry in the procession, to the old Lanimer hands with tales both true and undoubtedly apocryphal, the spectacle is a real achievement of civic pride and strength of community.

Personally, I am delighted to have played a small part in the Lanimers story in recent years and was proud in 2001 to be appointed an Honorarv Cornet by the Lord Comets' Club. Now I feel I have the right to claim honorary citizenship of the Royal Burgh once a year during the Lanimer celebrations.

I am also delighted to say that I successfully completed the Perambulation of the Marches - still standing - with a warm glow thanks to the generous measures of whisky and Drambuie on the last lap. Inspecting the boundaries of the town it struck me that in this fast-paced modern world it was solidly reassuring there was still time to value ancient traditions undeterred by the passing of time. The fact that Lanark has held a celebration between the sixth and twelfth day of June annually since 1140 is worthy of note in any historical circles.

During conversations I learned that the Perambulation of the Marches had its origins in the granting of its Charter by King David 1. One of the conditions was that the March or boundary stones should be inspected every year and a report given to the King that all was well. It is believed that Lanark is unique among the Royal Burghs that this duty has been carried out every year without fail since it was imposed.

The colourful march past of lorries and bands on Lanimer Day is unforgettable, with everyone putting their heart and soul into the proceedings. And again I reiterate that I am proud to have played a small part in the history of this great occasion.

Lanimers is a first class example of a positive attitude from a whole community. There is a lot of negativity around today, however the whole Lanimers experience is definitely one that embodies the glass half-full approach to life - and not just during the Perambulation of the Marches! I wish everyone taking part a Happy Lanimers for 2004.