When Father Tony Lappin arrived in Peebles in June last year he was encouraged by his parishioners to get involved in the town’s Beltane Festival.

A week later he was swept up in the town’s historic annual traditions and this year became a very important part of them.

Mid flaming skies of June burst through threatening rain clouds on Sunday evening and out marched this year’s Beltane Festival Principals onto Peebles High Street, the festal colours of red and white fluttering in the breeze above them.

Father Tony Lappin was a newly welcomed guest to this spectacle only a year prior. But the honour of being installed as the Warden of the Cross Kirk was his on Sunday.

Cornet Gregor McGrath led the parade of Principals, Court, Committee, Ex-Cornets, their Lasses and Peebles Callants to the medieval ruins of the Cross Kirk which comes to life annually to host an annual congregation for the town’s religious ceremony which marks the start of the Beltane Festival.

A wide variety of local organisations flying their flags marched to the ancient grounds for the Inaugural Service where retiring Warden of the Kirk, Rev Barry Hughes, carried out his last official act in Peebles.

Rev Hughes left the town six months ago to take up ministry at St Mark’s Church in Raploch in Stirling.

He said: “Peebles and Raploch are in many ways as different as two places can possibly be – they are different socially, economically, geographically.

"Peebles is a small Borders town, full of history, whereas The Raploch is a large council estate which sprung up in the middle of the 20th century.

“But Peebles and The Raploch have one very important thing in common – the strength of their communities. You only have to look round this evening to see that.

"During the 14 years I lived here I was always overwhelmed by the welcome given to us, and the many opportunities to be involved in all aspects of town life.

"It has been the same in Raploch, even after only six months, and if a place is defined by its community spirit, then both Peebles and The Raploch score very highly indeed.

“So I hope you will permit me to say a huge thank you on behalf of myself and my family for the years we have lived here – to all I have worked with and met through church, Scouting, Beltane, schools, Tweed Theatre, running and many other ways, thank you, and Peebles will always have a very special place in my heart.”

Introducing this year’s Warden of the Cross Kirk, Rev Hughes told the congregation of Father Lappin’s journey to becoming the Parish Priest at St Joseph’s.

He added: “His first calling was as a curate in West Lothian and then in 2018 West Lothian’s loss became Peebles’ gain.

“Tony, I know from my friends at St Joseph’s that you have made a big impact during your first year – indeed even before you came here a friend of mine in West Lothian messaged me and said ‘Peebles is very lucky – you are getting Fr Tony’.

"Speaking to one of your parishioners last week I was told about how the parish feels re-invigorated and everyone is looking ahead with joy.”

After officially being installed, Father Lappin delivered his address and chose two readings from the New Testament, the first being Luke 10:25-37, when Jesus speaks the parable of the Good Samaritan and what it means to be a good neighbour.

He said: “During Beltane Week, Peebles celebrates being a community, and one of the important aspects of a good and healthy community is our commitment to be good neighbours to one another.

"We are called to do for others, especially those who need a helping hand, what the Good Samaritan did in this reading.”

The second reading was from the First Letter to the Corinthians.

Father Lappin explained: “This tells us that the Holy Spirit gives us many gifts in order that we might share these gifts for common good.

"We are told that the Kingdom of God is like a body made up of many parts, with each part needing the other parts so that the body can function properly.

“Again, an important aspect of a good and healthy community is recognition by all its members as to their individual skills and talents, and then a commitment to share these skills and talents freely in order that the whole community may benefit.

"Peebles is full of people with wonderful things to offer.”

A selection of children from the local primary schools and uniformed organisations spoke about how they contribute to their community.

Father Lappin closed with an important message to Peebleans: “As we go into this great week of community celebration, let us be mindful of what it means to be a good neighbour to others, especially to those who need our help.

"And, to be mindful of our own skills, talents and gifts, so that we can share these for the building up of the community and the common good.”

The rain stayed firmly in the clouds for this majestic outdoor ceremony and that is just where this community wants it to stay until their Queen is crowned tomorrow (Saturday).