Getting the ball rolling at St Ronan's
David O'Leary • Published 19 Jul 2011 09:30
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THE 183rd St Ronan's Border Games Week and 110th Cleikum Ceremonies got underway in Innerleithen last weekend with the staging of the Standard Bearer's Ball and the Kirkin' ceremony.
The annual ball was held on Saturday night and this year's Standard Bearer, Steven Notman and his Lass, Kirstie Evans, rejoiced in welcoming visiting Principals and guests to the opening event of their big week.
A record 350 people attended the event held in a specially erected marquee at St. Ronan's Community Centre.
Music on the night was provided by ball regulars, The Strangers. The Standard Bearer's Reel was then danced at 11pm with music supplied by Innerleithen Pipe Band.
A fantastic night of song and dance was had by all until the wee small hours.
Not too late mind, as next morning at 11am, St. Ronan's Silver Band led this year's Principals along the High Street to the Memorial Hall for the Kirkin' ceremony - the special church service held each year to inaugurate Games Week.
In a break with tradition this year's service was held in the town's Memorial Hall instead of the Parish Church, which is currently undergoing extensive repairs.
No matter as townsfolk and visitors still flocked to the hall for the service which was conducted by local minister Rev. Janice Faris who received the town's Standard during the first hymn.
Standard Bearer Elect Steven Notman read the first Bible Lesson which told the well known story of Moses and the Burning Bush in which Moses led the people of Egypt out of slavery and suffering.
Principal Guest and former MSP Jeremy PurvIs read the second Lesson from the Letter to Hewbrews which emphasised the importance of faith in the life of Moses.
Putting a modern translation on these Bible readings, Rev Faris drew on the unlikely sources of Victor Meldrew and the TV programme One Foot in the Grave when he coined the memorable phrase "I don't believe it!" when silly things were said - and also Alice through the Looking Glass when the White Queen told Alice she believed six impossible things before breakfast.
Challenging the congregation to close their eyes, take a long breath and think of six impossible things, the minister recalled news reports in the last week which referred to the death of yet another young soldier in Afghanistan; strikes and disagreements over financial crises; three Scottish stores closing every week; harrowing pictures of starving children in the Horn of Africa; care for the disabled where prisoners were allegedly treated better than a disabled ballerina; and the News of the World story about phone hacking which made people wonder what lengths some will go to get a story.
Rev Faris went on to say: "Nearer home we might worry about our future, our loved ones, getting a foot on the housing market, finding a job that will last. It's easy to depress ourselves with these things.
"But we need something to believe in - something that keeps us going - and thats where God comes in,' she declared before adding that faith in God keeps us going just as it kept Moses going despite plagues, disasters and various setbacks.
One highlight of the service came when the Church Holiday Club - Mission Rescue - sang God Knows Everything - which was well appreciated by the congregation who participated in the song and rewarded the young singers with a well deserved round of applause.
Continuing her message the minister said: " The God we worship transforms people's lives in their communities. In our church community in Innerleithen, Traquair and Walkerburn we have helped transform lives not only locally but in far away places such as Thondwe and Zomba in Malawi where, with the help of our schools, the Rotary Club and others, we have provided books and uniforms and football strips for youth teams.
"If you bought water at the local Co-op this helped with the provision of a water tower in Thondwe - a good example of real people being helped in a positive way. Likewise in Zomba, in a Presbytery-wide initiative, we have helped setting up a Fistula Clinic where 100 local women suffering from post-childbirth complications received life-saving surgery - another example of transforming lives through our efforts.
"In our own community lives will be transformed by successful local efforts when we were champions in the Race to Infinity that will bring good broadband to all. That seemed an impossible dream - just like the award of £60,000 to St Ronan's Silver Band Tuba Dreams where local people took action to achieve these splendid results."
The Rev. Mrs Faris compared achieving impossible dreams to the efforts of Moses in improving lifestyles with the memorable words of the song from the musical, The Man of Lamancha, which spoke of dreaming impossible dreams, fighting unbeatable foes, fighting for right without question or pause, and ending: And the world will be better for this, That one man, scorned and covered with scars, Still strove with his last ounce of courage, To reach the unreachable star.
"On Saturday,' concluded the minister, "As we burn the De'il in Innerleithen, when the sky is alive with fireworks like stars, we reaffirm that this is a community where peace and harmony and the good of all who live here is our prime concern.
"We live in a community with dreams. We must continue to make sure that we share and work together to achieve those dreams and not let the De'il raise his ugly head and create division".
As she 'kirked' - or blessed - the 2011 Games Principals, the Rev. Faris said: "You have been chosen to represent this community and as such you are like salt - all you do is give people a flavour of our community. This year, may the salt of friendship be seen in all you do in the community's name."
The congregation responded, "May God, himself, the God of peace Bless you and keep you sound in spirit, soul and body as you carry out your community duties this year."
During the final hymn, the minister returned the town's Standard to the Standard Bearer Jason Cord. The service closed with the singing of the National Anthem after which the Principals and congregation left the Memorial Hall - well and truly Kirked for another year!
Following in the afternoon Innerleithen Pipe Band and St. Ronan's Silver Band entertained the public on the High Street.
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 15 Jul 11
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