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My First Lanimer Experience
by Laura-Jane Miginiac
Wonderful! Simply wonderful! What else to say? You have to participate in at least one Lanark Lanimer Day! It is a really good experience. Especially when you are with nice people, but in Lanark you will always find nice people.
Now let me tell you my first experience with Lanimer week.
First, I am French so I had never heard of Lanimers before this year, even if my mum is Scottish and from Lanark. Every body was asking me: “Will you be there for Lanimers?” but I did not even know what or when it was so how could I know if I would be there?
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| Paul Archibald, Lord Cornet 1995 with a March Stone |
Fortunately, I work with Paul Archibald 1995’s Lord Cornet. So he explained to me what Lanimers were all about, the aims and the events which would take place…
I was so exited to participate but in the mean time I was afraid because it was new for me.
And then Monday came - The Marches’! At 3.30pm we stopped our normal work to welcome all the Lord Cornets. I just marvelled at all the generations in front of me. And all were so nice to me. They did not stay long because they had to pick up the new Lord Cornet at his home. When they left, a big pipe band escorted them. They get ready just like military men. When the band started playing it was magic.
Forty-five minutes later, they came back with the new Lord Cornet, they had a toast, posed for a picture and here we go! The perambulation starts.
The first part of the route was in the town but soon we were walking into the country side around Lanark. I had discovered another side of the town, full of nature and so beautiful. I learned many things (like where the main road to Edinburgh was, the water tower had won a prize…). Of course you have to take a birk to prove that you have done the whole perambulation.
During the Perambulation, at one point the children go into the river to get some coins thrown by the Cornets and they make the most of it to do battle mainly with mud! I saw many young people covered with mud and I was really happy to have just carried on to see another march stone. I will never forget this one. It was in the middle of the River Mouse. You need a rope to go down and check if it is still there. It was really hard to go down because the steep slope but once down, the view is exceptional.
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| Paul Archibald going down the slope |
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| The River Mouse |
Then we went back to Lanark, but this time by the road. It may seem a long march but honestly it is not. I was afraid when Paul showed me the route but in fact, as I was with his wife and friends we just talked so much I didn’t realise the distance. We walked for 2 hours to cover 5 miles, it is really healthy!
Once back in Lanark, we went down to the cross for the Shifting of Standard. When we arrived, the highland dancing was nearly finished, so we took our place near the stand. A few minutes later, I could hear the pipe bands in the distance. When I saw them I was totally amazed. After the pipe bands came the new Lord Cornet with his Right and Left Hand man on horseback followed by many other equestrians.
They went on the stand and the Lanimer committee’s Chairman and the ex-Lord Cornet each gave a speech. It was so moving. I could feel all the passion he had for his temporary job.
After the speeches the Standard was passed to the new Lord Cornet - Now Mr. John Dickman is officially Lord Cornet for 2008. But the ceremony was not yet over the Sashing Lady presented him with his Lord Cornet’s sash and he has his gold club badge was pinned to his jacket. The ceremony finished with a fine speech by the new Lord Cornet.
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| The Sashing Lady with John Dickman Lord Cornet 2008 |
It was an afternoon full of emotion but it is not finished yet! We had a little break to the pub (essential) and we are gone again. This time it will be quieter. We went to the Lord Cornet’s Reception in the Memorial Hall. The Right and Left hand men welcomed us. After this we had to wait a moment to congratulate the Lord Cornet and then we had a drink and something to eat. It was merited! It was the first time I saw so many people together in the same room. I could feel a really friendly atmosphere.
After this the first day was finished. My first impression was - like Mrs Archibald said - New Year or Christmas. Everybody is brought together, and happy. It is an excuse to see people you haven’t seen for long time, it is also an excuse for the young to go out to meet friends. Lanimers is a way to solidify social links. Moreover, people are so euphoric that they just welcome you as if you are a part of the family and I think it is just wonderful!
Now Lanimer Day. It took place on Thursday. The day before you can already feel the excitement of everyone. Everybody wakes up earlier than usual, and dress up to be as presentable as possible on this special day. Before leaving the house you phone your friends to know where to meet them… It is just magic.
First, at the Memorial Hall there a little breakfast to welcome the visitors from the Borders, Councillors and other invited guests. I think it is great that people from the Border towns come for the Lanimers, especially those who have the same role as the Lord Cornet in their home town.
Then it is time for the “Safe out, Safe in” ceremony for the new Lord Cornet and the other horse riders. It is a toast given by the Provost of South Lanarkshire. The Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, Gilbert Cox (the Queen’s representative in Lanarkshire) was also present together with Lanimer Committee Chairman. It is where I saw that the Lanimer celebrations are important because of all the official’s that attended.
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| The Provost, Lord Lieutenant's Wife, Lord Lieutenant, the Town Officer. |
After the toast, the procession led by massed pipe bands playing “Scotland the Brave” made its way up St. Leonard Street to join the lorries. Fifteen minutes later the full procession came back down the street.
I had a special Lanimer Day because I had a Press Photographer’s badge which allowed me to go just in front of the procession. I was so happy. It was so wonderful that I believe I will never have another Lanimer Day like it again. The procession was so colourful and children were just so happy to be there. You could feel how much Lanarkians loves Lanimer Day.
All the lorries are made by local people and many children form part of most entries. Also it is competition between them to create the best lorry.
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| The Lorry Winner |
At the end of the procession, all the children leave the lorries and go to sit on the stand. It is time to crown the Queen. It is exactly like the crowning of a real queen. The commentator first calls the ladies in waiting with the first and second Lord, then the sword bearer with the proclamation bearer and the 2 yeoman. Then the Queen is announced just before the crown bearer. There are two pages to carry her dress with a train.
The crowning began only when every body was ready. It is so realistic. It is like if you were at the real Queen’s crowning. After the crowning, “God Save the Queen” is played. The young Queen must be so nervous!
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| The Queen's Crowning |
The morning finished after the crowing and in the afternoon, before the Lord Cornet’s declaration, there are some activities at Castlebank Park. It is a beautiful park where the children can be entertained with many stands, games, mini shops, etc.
As for the parents, there are stands where you can buy alcohol and also a tent. We were lucky because the weather was good, just a little bit cold when a cloud hid the sun.
After this break, at 5.30pm the festivities carried on with the Lord Cornet declaration. He had to report to the Lanimer Committee Chairman and to the Lord Lieutenant that all the march stones were where they should be. The declaration is followed by a Tattoo. All the pipes bands played together. It is just magic and exciting - I was totally covered in goose bumps.
And it is with this magical moment that Lanimer Day finishes. Of course afterwards, you could go out to try some pubs, but sensibly.
Lanimers was just the best event I have ever seen. People love Lanimers so much and the atmosphere is so good, how can you not like it? You just have to be with good people and in a good location. Good weather also helps!
I really want to thank Paul Archibald and his wife for their welcome, and also all the people I met during the week because they were so nice with me, I really felt like I was a real Lanarkian. Now I can’t wait to be next year to renew my experience!
Happy Lanimers!!!