Annan Riding of the Marches 2007

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2007 ROM Day Report
by Kevin Edgar (photographs by Kelly Barty - Country Images)

At 8am on Saturday the 7th July a cavalcade of around 90 riders led by Ian Greig carrying the Standard, and accompanied by Chief Marshal Jim Hodgson, Cornet Gareth Lacey and Cornet’s Lass Kate Griffith set off from the Town Hall and onto the Everholm.

Because of the previous showery fortnight the Official party of 6 were the only riders to canter across the Everholm. 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 for a 30min stop. 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 tractors as guides, the riders were able to canter 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. The Chases had been cancelled the previous day because of the continuing showery weather. 

The female and male best turned out rider on the High Street at 7.45am was judged to be Miss Maxwell, (Dumfries) and Craig Anderson (Carrutherstown).

The 2007 Queen of the Border Miss Alix Smith led another well supported, exciting and colourful parade with the display of 15 decorated floats and around 110 children in fancy dress.

The combination of the large crowds that turned out to view the parade at 1.00pm and the sunshine appearing through the clouds meant there was a large attendance at the Annan Academy Sports fields at 2.15pm to view this years entertainment which included the Mega Minis spectacular stunt show and the aerial escapology from one of UK’s top stuntman The Amazing Magnus, and of course the keenly contested 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.

This year 19 pipe bands marched up the High Street culminating in another marvellous finale to Annan’s big day.

PICTURED ABOVE: Mass Pipe Bands 2007.

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