Yahoo News Queen of the Border Macy Oliver helps making Annan Riding of the Marches history
Teenager Macy Oliver helped make Annan Riding of the Marches history on Friday night when she was crowned as the 75th Queen of the Border in an open air ceremony on the High Street stage.
Cheered on by the gathered crowds, the 13-year-old Annan Academy pupil – who was crowned by John Ramage – said the public crowning ceremony, with her champion Lloyd Downie by her side, was a “dream come true”.
This year’s retinue includes: ladies in waiting Maddie Irving and Imogen Cairns; heralds Emma Irving and Ellie Mitchell; crown bearer Theo Nicholson; sceptre bearer Paighton Gallagher, gift bearer Lexi Mulvenna; trainbearers Polly Dinnin and Georgia Gilfillan; and flowergirls Emilia Evans, Harper Thomson and Lillie Riddick.
They will all play a big part in tomorrow’s Annan Riding of the Marches and gala day along with this year’s principals Annan Cornet Ewan Murray, Cornet’s Lass Kirstin Kerr and Standard Bearer Jennifer Park.
Orrin Mackay will make both ROM and family history tomorrow when he takes part in the historic Hole in the Hedge Ceremony at Landheads, around 9.40am, as his dad, Oliver and Uncle Neill, in 1990 became the only twins to ever have performed this part of the boundary checking.
The ROM starts at 5.30am with Jamie Bryden performing the bugle call reveille ahead of the 7.45am handing over of the burgh standard and the start of the morning’s boundary checking tradition.
Meanwhile, judging for most humorous, most original most artistic and most topical of the floats, small vehicles and walkers starts at Silverlaw at 11.30am – the same time as judging for the children’s fancy dress entries at St Andrew’s Social Club at Standalane.
The big parade of public entries, headed by the Queen of the Border float, will leave at 12.30pm for Newington Road, Butts Street, Johnstone Street, Thomas Street, George Street and onto the High Street to meet up with the returning Cornet and cavalcade of horses.
It will be followed by an afternoon of entertainment at Annan Academy fields from 2pm – entry free with parents asked to donate £1 – which include the Annan ROM mini Highland Games, which Kenzie Avery will officially open after being chosen as the chieftain.
There will be displays by The Bruce Medieval Society; Uncorn Experience; Owl Magic, Double Trouble circus skills, and various charity and amusement stalls.
A number of the bands from both sides of the border and beyond will take part in the massed pipe band presentation and closing ceremony on the High Street from 5.45pm.
