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Crowning Lady 2004 Selected
Lanimer stalwart Jennifer Johnstone has been chosen to crown this year's Lanimer queen.
"I am absolutely shocked," said Jennifer. "It was the last thing I was expecting. It was just such a surprise but I am very, very honoured."
Jennifer has been involved in the Lanimer procession since the 1950s. Her father, Alan Jamieson, was a joiner and keen lorry builder, then when Jennifer began work with Lanark telephone exchange in the 1960s she helped organise their lorries. After her marriage to Tom Johnstone she helped with Loraine Swan's playgroup entries, and for the last decade she and Senga Hamilton-Guy and Fiona Cross have been producing procession tableaux, with Tom responsible for the construction - especially of moving parts - and the ladies the more artistic aspects. Work has started on this year's entry, "Ascot", and Jennifer was away buying material for costumes when the Lanimer representatives went looking for her.
Tom and Jennifer farmed at Covington, where they raised their family, sons Douglas (Doug), Kevin, and Tommy, who died tragically in a road accident, and daughters Heather and Jean. Altogether they have eight grandchildren. Tom has now retired and they have moved to Muir Glen in Lanark.
In addition to Lanimers, Jennifer works for a number of charities. Tom was a founder member of Wigwam which has raised many thousand pounds to meet specific local needs.
"It is a super choice - it could not be better," said one fellow Lanimer Committee member.
Jennifer has chosen old friend Liz Williamson from Blackburn as her companion on Lanimer Day, Thursday June 17.
Lanark & Carluke Gazette
Thursday, February 12, 2004
A woman associated with Lanark's Lanimers for more than 40 years is the popular choice as this year's Crowning Lady.
Jennifer Johnstone from Muir Glen has been involved in Lanimer processions since the 1950s, firstly through her father, keen Lanimer lorry builder Alan Jamieson.
She helped organise entries from Lanark Telephone Exchange, where she worked in the 1960s, and then, after her marriage to Covington farmer Tom Johnstone, they both helped Loraine Swan's playgroup entries. For the past 10 years she has been entering stunning Lanimer entries, along with friends Senga Hamilton-Guy and Fiona Cross, with husband Tom still assisting with the construction of their tableaux. Despite Jennifer's honour in being chosen crowing lady the trio will still be entering the procession as usual, with their 2004 lorry entitled 'Ascot'.
The couple farmed at Covington before moving to Lanark following retirement. Apart from Lanimers they are both actively involved in the Wigwam charity, which they helped start, and which has raised thousands of pounds for needy causes in Clydesdale. Jennifer's companion on Lanimer Day, which is later than usual this year, on June 17 because of European elections, will be an old friend, Liz Williamson from Blackburn. And 2004 Lanimer Queen is Kirkfieldbank Primary pupil Carolyn Baird.
Lanark & Carluke Advertiser
Thursday, February 12, 2004