Peeblesshire News | News | An unforgettable day

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Friday, 22nd June, 2007 10:33

An unforgettable day

By Jamie Halpin

MARY Fleming may have been Queen of Scotland for a day in 1563, but she couldn’t have felt any more like royalty than 11-year-old Naimh Stewart did as Queen of Biggar last Saturday.

On the 100th Gala Day, Niamh was a bright ray of sunshine as this year’s Fleming Queen, despite the wind and the rain. Her mum, Una, and her dad, Alistair, looked on with obvious pride. As well as doting dad, Alistair had the role of retiring Cornet and Right Hand Man to this year’s Cornet, Grant Sutherland.

But the unseasonal weather could not deter the people of the town from enjoying their centenary celebrations in the traditional way.

A canopy was erected outside the Municipal Hall so that the crowning of Queen Naimh could take place in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd.

If Biggar has the reputation as the most eco-friendly town in the land, its Gala Day is certainly one of the most people-friendly.

The Cornet’s colours of Green and Blue were proudly displayed in shop windows and on the rosettes sported by many of those taking part in the proceedings or looking on.

As he waited on the High Street before the procession made its way down to the Municipal Hall, Cornet Grant Sutherland took time out to speak to the Peeblesshire News. He said: “I am really enjoying myself. It’s been great.

“It’s a shame about the weather, but it has not dampened the spirits of everyone.

“I am really proud and honoured to be Cornet. To be honest, I had never thought I would be one when I was growing up.

“It has meant that I had to go on a horse for the first time and I was scared at first, but now I really enjoy it. At least I have managed to stay on so far.”

Although he is a great U2 fan, Grant said that he did not have one of the group’s songs as inspiration for the day. “If I did, it certainly wouldn’t be ‘Beautiful Day’, that’s for sure, “he quipped. “Although apart from the weather, everything’s been brilliant.”

The crowds were packed on the slope at the front of the Municipal Hall to see the arrival of Queen Niamh.

First to be presented on to the platform were Yeomen Andrew Sumpster and Mark Bertram, followed by the Heralds Keith Buchanan and Daniel McCallum.

Then Archers Sam Grassie and Colin Chapman, Crown Bearer Tom Robertson, Sceptre Bearer Craig Stewart and Sword Bearer Aird Jardine took the applause.

Cornet-Elect Gordon Hamilton and the Queen’s parents were next to arrive.

Cornet Sutherland then escorted Crowning Lady Isobel McAlpine to the platform and his next duty was to accompany former Queen Lauren Hendrie up the steps.

The First Lord Richard Adams then escorted Queen-Elect Niamh to her throne and Pages Cameron MacIntyre and Blair Callan took their places.

The First Lord went down the steps to meet the Maids of Honour, Kirsty Carruthers and Sophie Bartholomew, and then The Champion,Thomas Stott, and the Archers greeted the Ladies-in-Waiting Samantha Wilson, Hayley Moor, Kirsty Shearer and Lyndsay Wight.

The story of Mary Fleming was then told.

Her father, Malcolm Fleming of Biggar, was the Chamberlain of Scotland. She was grand-daughter of King James IV and became a Lady-in-Waiting to her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, as one of the famous Four Marys.

She was chosen to be Queen of Scotland for a day in 1563, which is the occasion remembered in Biggar each year.

This year’s Crown Bearer Tom Robertson took the crown to the Crowning Lady Isobel McAlpine and placed a cushion in front of Queen-Elect Niamh, who was assisted on to the cushion.

And then came the moment that everyone had waited for. Mrs McAlpine crowned Niamh Stewart as Fleming Queen 2007.

The singing of the Festival Queen song followed and the Maids of Honour returned bouquets of flowers to the Queen.

The First Lord read the proclamation, before Glove Race winner Simon Rew stepped up to receive his prize.

Afterwards, Crowning Lady Isobel McAlpine, whose late husband Tom was a local councillor for 18 years, told the Peeblesshire News: “Despite the weather, the spirit of the Biggar community has succeeded in overcoming it, as they always do.

“Niamh is a lovely Queen and all the other children involved have done fantastically well.

“I would like to thank the gala committee for inviting me to perform this wonderful role as Crowning Lady.”

The Principals and the Gala Court stepped down from the platform to join the parade through the streets of the town. The parade stopped at the War Memorial to remember the Fallen, and Queen Niamh laid a wreath.

Meanwhile the crowds stayed on in the streets of the town centre, waiting for the parade to return.

And as the 100th Gala Week came to a close, it would surely be one that Cornet Grant, Queen Niamh, all the other Principals and their families would never forget.

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