Annan Riding of the Marches 2010

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2010 ROM Day Report
by Kevin Edgar (photographs by Kelly Barty - Country Images)

As the Town Hall clock struck 8.00am on Saturday the 3th July a larger than usual cavalcade of around 103 riders led by Standard Bearer Karen Martin and accompanied by Chief Marshal Jim Hodgson, Cornet Robert Hollis and Cornet’s Lass Rachael Armstrong set off down the High Street and onto the Everholm.

Safely over the playing fields and up the hill the cavalcade then made their way to Landheads where the boy “skelped” through the Hole in the Hedge ceremony at Landheads this year was Thoran Sharp. Next was Cleughhead, Williamwood, and then onto the popular 30min stop at Chapelcross for a roll from the "Creca Ladies".

After refreshments for the riders (and thanks to the fire brigade for filling the horse troughs) it was downhill through Stapleton fields, Woodhead, Swordwell fields to the shore at Battlehill. The tide was out this year so guided by the local fishermen with their tractors the riders had a gallop of almost a mile along the shore. The Burgh Standard flying along made a stirring spectacle watched by many from the old viaduct at Seafield, before coming off at the river Annan estuary and then back to the Everholm. 

The Chases winners this year were: Juvenile –Kirsty Cooper, Annan, Cummertrees; Junior – Donna Hall, Canonbie; Cornets Lass’s -Margaret Kane, Annan; Cornet’s – Conner Johnstone, Annan; and The Open – Steven Scott, Sanquar;

The female and male best turned out riders on the High Street at 7.45am was judged to be Jennifer Hastings and Flynn Mann.

The 2010 Queen of the Border Miss Ailsa Sharkey led another well supported, colourful parade with the display of 16 decorated floats and around 85 children in fancy dress (see prize winners in right hand column).

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 2.10pm to view this years entertainment which included Amanda Saville with her unique Chariots of Fire, the marvellous Cheshire Dog Display Team and the Amazing Magnus (fire eater etc.), 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 (see prize winners in right hand column).

This year 14 pipe bands marched up the High Street culminating in another marvellous finale to Annan’s big day.

Next year will be 2nd year that the World Pipe Band Championships being held in Annan the week before ROM, we wish another successful event.

Kevin Edgar
Marchriding Convener 2010

Photos provided by Kelly Barty, Country Images, 7 Gill Place, Dornock, Annan DG12 6SS - tel: 01461 40425 / 07791 676935

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