LAUGHTER filled the air in West Linton as the traditional concert to launch the Whipman poked fun at a rival summer pageant.

Peebles’ Beltane festival was lampooned in one of the acts from the show at the Graham Institute.

During the sketch entitled ‘West Linton Home Guard!’ an actor joked that the Peebles rideout “was a walk in the park” compared to the Whipman affair which requires participants to tackle steep hills and demanding countryside tracks.

To the theme tune of television show Dad’s Army, the cast sang: “Who do you think you are kidding Peebles Beltane, if you think your rideouts fun?...We are the boys who gallop hills so steep...You are the boys who just walk from street to street...So who do you think you are kidding Peebles Beltane, if you think your rideouts fun?” It was the highlight of a thoroughly entertaining variety show staged as a prelude to the announcement of the Principals for the summer festivities in the village.

The concert was compered impeccably by Ian Reid whose task it was to introduce six acts.

The evening began with musical entertaiment from the West Linton Youth Orchestra, led by conductor Murray Campbell, followed by West Linton singer Torcull Kennedy with Scottish folk songs.

The cabaret continued as West Linton troupe dance@studio21 showed their moves with modern and Highland dance.

Comedy was then on the agenda as the Greasy Lasses - also known as the ex-Whipmen Lasses - dressed in costume from the film Grease! and embarked on a song and dance routine.

The chance for laughter at the expense of Peebles followed after the interval before the concert was brought to an end with hilarious exchanges between two trawlermen. Sheila Forsyth, the Whipman secretary, said: “I am sure that the Peebles people that were there had a good laugh at the Dad’s Army sketch just as everyone else did. It was all just a bit of harmless fun.

“All the acts were great at the concert and we’re delighted that the Whipman has got off to another good start.”