THE countdown to this year's Whpman Festival began last Friday evening with the traditional Introduction Concert.

As always, the event played out in front of a packed Graham Institute filled with residents young and old, as well as this year visiting principals from Biggar, Lanark, Penicuik, Peebles, Innerleithen, Edinburgh and Musselburgh all eagerly awaiting the announcement of the 2016 Whipman and Lass Elect.

The night of entertainment was expertly hosted by Master of Ceremonies, Ian “the big bairn from the back road” Reid who kept the crowd entertained with puns, wise cracks and stories between acts.

The first act to entertain the audience was the West Linton Wasps, a group of children from West Linton Primary School who have been making a name for themselves competing in The Institution of Engineering and Technology’s FIRST® LEGO® League world final in St Louis, America this week after winning both the Scotland and UK heats.

The group wowed the audience by showcasing one of their experiments live on stage.

Following the Wasps, was young singing sensations Doone and Zoe who gave us their own inspirational rendition of Rachel Platten’s ‘Fight Song’. Doone and Zoe have been fulfilling their own ambitions with successful auditions for Oliver at the Edinburgh Playhouse.

Next up on stage was acting and Whipman Concert veterans Janette and Dorothy, thoroughly entertaining the audience with their comedy act of geriatric jokes and innuendo West Linton Joggers.

Following the comedy duo was the Ex-Whipman’s Lasses with their own take on hit Channel 4 show Gogglebox – Gobbybox. The Lasses capably acting as West Linton’s most known characters as well as a cameo appearance from 2014 Penicuik Hunter, Craig Cherrie who strutted his stuff in his own take on the famous Lidl advert – "I like this champagne and I like this champagne".

After the break it was the turn of the Ex-Whipmen, this time it was ITV show “I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here” which got the West Linton treatment.

“I’m an Ex-Whipman Get me Out of Here” saw Ant and Dec, four camp mates and a couple of men dressed in drag poking fun at the people of West Linton, the Lasses and visiting Principals as they underwent bush tucker trials, which eventually saw current Whipman, Ryan being crowned King of the Jungle.

The final act before the big reveal was Disco Divas - a dance act led by Debs Armstrong who dragged visiting Principals on to the stage to teach them classic dance moves such as “The Whipman Wobble” and “The Harper Hip” before putting all the new moves together and performing to Shangalang by the Bay City Rollers.

The finale of the evening was the announcement of the Whipman and Lass Elect for 2016.

Joining Whipman President, Raymond Nicol, Whipman Chairman, Ian Crozier and Whipman Secretary, Sheila Forsyth on stage was the 2013 Whipman and Lass, Alan and Susan Stewart; this year’s Left Hand Supporters and 2014 Whipman and Lass, Calum Murray and Alison Hardie; and this year’s Right Hand Supporters and current Whipman and Lass, Ryan Stewart and Rebecca Murison.

Before revealing the 2016 Whipman and Lass Elect, President Raymond introduced this year’s other Principals - Presenting Lady, Margaret Struthers, Barony Herald, Jack Kinghorn and Flower Girl, Ellen Allan Lord.

Whipman 2015 Ryan gave an emotional speech where he thanked the village for giving him the opportunity to represent the village he grew up in, in a year in which he had the adventure of a lifetime.

Attention then turned to Secretary Sheila who read the Minutes of the Selection Sub-Committee meeting and introduced the 2016 Whipman and Lass Elect to be Gary Ross and his wife, Louise Ross.

Gary addressed the audience with his first speech by thanking everyone who voted for him, apologising to his three boys who he had kept this big secret from for the past few months and that he looked forward to the summer ahead. The evening was rounded off with the singing of The Whipman Song led by official Whipman singer, Celia Hayton.

All the Whipman Principals attended the Coffee Morning the next day.

Thank you to everyone who supported this event and donated home baking, raffle and tombola prizes.

Whipman Week 2016 kicks off on Friday, June 3 with the Installation of Gary and Louise Ross at 7pm on the Green at Linton and comes to an end on Saturday, June 11.

The Junior Rideout takes place the Sunday before, May 29.

For a full list of events or more information on The Whipman Play Society pick up a Programme in any local shop - £4 (including Gary Ross Badge).