Annan Riding of the Marches 2006

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2006 ROM Day Report
by Kevin Edgar (photographs by Kelly Barty - Country Images)

At 8.00am on Saturday the 1st July a cavalcade of around 84 riders led by Howard Tweddle carrying the Standard, and accompanied by Chief Marshal Jim Hodgson, Cornet Alistair Woodhouse and Cornet’s Lass Karen Jones set off from the Town Hall and onto the Everholm.

The horses were fresh but everyone managed to cross the park safely. The cavalcade then made their way to Landheads where the boy "skelped" through the Hole in the Hedge ceremony at Landheads this year was Daniel O'Neil.

Next was Cleughhead, Williamwood, Creca, the belted stane and then onto the popular rider’s stop on Chapelcross old aerodrome.

After refreshments it was downhill through Stapleton, Woodhead, and onto the shore at Battlehill. The tide was out this year so with the local fishermen and their tractor as guide, the riders went round the point of the old viaduct and off the shore at the mouth of the River Annan, Waterfoot Road, along Port Street and back to the Everholm for the Chases at midday.

The chase winners were as follows:

• Juvenile
  Miss Niamh Dobie,
• Juvenile
  Miss Chelsea Barnes,
• Cornet Lass's
  Mrs Margaret Kane,
• Cornet's Chase
  Mr Adrian Kane,
• Open Chase – Viki McGinnes (Lanark)
• The female and male best turned out rider on the High Street at 7.45am was judged to be 8 year old Miss Hannah Graham, (Annan) and David Stewart (Lockerbie).

The 2006 Queen of the Border Miss Corrine Smith led another well supported and impressive parade with the display of 14 decorated floats and around 100 children in fancy dress.

The Pride of Procession Shield this year going to Cummertrees Youth Club float "The Wizard of Oz", The Rotary Cup for youth organisations and churches also went to Cummertrees Youth Club, the Lower Annandale Cup, large vehicle, went to the Eaglesfield Kids "Wacky Races", and the Best Small Vehicle was The Shed with "The Simpsons". The Children's winner was the Alice in Wonderland.

The combination of the large crowds that turned out to view the parade at 1.00pm and the sunshine appearing meant there was an extra large attendance at the Annan Academy Sports fields at 2.15pm to view this years entertainment which included a medieval jousting tournament enacted by "Legends", the Golden Lions Freefall Parachutists the Dalziel Dogs agility group, and of course the annual Pipe Band competitions consisting of bands from all over the UK.

At 5.45 pm the handing back of the Standard ceremony and presentation of trophies took place. The Grade 2 BNFL Cup was won by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, The Grade 3 Cup de Watermal Doitsford went to The Royal Borough of Annan, The Grade 4 McCubbin Shield went to Kirkcudbright and District.

The best juvenile Drum Major was A. Symons (Dumbarton and District), the best senior Drum Major was F. Stewart (Royal Scots Dragoon Guards) The Best Drum Major was, as expected, once again won by John McQueen from Dumfries.

This year 18 pipe bands marched up the High Street culminating in another marvellous finale to the day’s events.

PICTURED ABOVE: Cavalcade leads the parade 2006.

RoM reports available for 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007