Look there's a pipe band playing in my driveway!
What an amazing day we experienced on Friday. This of course was Martha's day. She was the one being honoured by our community as she crowned the Bo'ness Fair Queen.It all started with a pipe band marching into our driveway. When was the last time someone said to you, "Look there's a pipe band playing in your driveway?"
For those of you who have no knowledge of this event. It is now accepted to be the biggest childrens' Fair of its kind in Europe. This town knows how to party and celebrate. They also have some of the most experienced and talented arch builders in Europe if not the world.
Now although the weather wasn't all that good the input to the Fair from the local community was second to none. Indeed for me it was the spirit of the children who took part who made the day. For despite the near continuous rain each child showed themselves to be effective resilient contributors. As for Martha she was a star. She crowned the Queen with style and grace. Now her name will be listed among the venerable women who once crowned the Bo'ness Fair Queen, and her name will appear each year with all the others in the Bo'ness Fair programme, which I would like to add is in itself a prestigious publication.
Not only do the children contribute, the whole community get involved; gardens are tidied, hedges are cut, doors are painted, and parents pay special attention to their children by buying them new clothes and encouraging them by entering into the spirit of the Fair themselves. For many this means building an arch across the doorway of the house, or in some cases completing a frontage for the front of the house. Have a look at this year's arch for the Queen. This was built by her father and his friends. No mean task. Even the "wrought iron"gates were made from wood.
Later on in the evening it was Martha's turn to reply to the excellent speech of Walter Williamson who proposed the toast to her. In turn Martha replied using the capacities of a Curriculum for Excellence as the basis of her reply. She very cleverly highlighted how the children, by taking part in the extensive community preparations for the Fair, were in fact demonstrating many of the experiences and outcomes of the current curriculum. The next high point of the evening was the Bogle the Younger, Stephen, who was invited to make a speech to toast the Bo'ness Fair. This he did with his usual wit and panache.
Another high point for me was having the chance to walk around the town in the Fair procession, a few steps behind Martha. In reality it wasn't far from the truth. Martha is normally at least two steps ahead of me in real life. She's the one that keeps me right on many issues.
In all it was a magnificent day and it only reminded us of what we know already. Bo'ness is an amazing town with fantastic community spirit. It is because of this spirit when connected to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit so many exciting things seem to happen around St Andrew's Parish in Bo'ness.
And for your delight here is the band playing "Highland Cathedral"in our manse driveway on Friday morning!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXO7WfvhGY4[/youtube]
Posted By: Helmut On: 2 Jul 2012 At: 4:10pm
Readers may pre-order the Bo’ness Fair dvd in the Sanctus Media online shop! What a good idea to rig up a dvd - even if it should be just fish across the screen
given the rain.