BELTANE NOTES 2010

May

Crowning Ceremony There are a limited number of seats available for the Crowning Ceremony. Obvious preference will be given to the elderly or those who would have difficulty standing for that length of time. Space will be made available for wheelchair users. Applications for tickets should be sent to the secretary, a stamped addressed envelope would be appreciated. It would be helpful if wheelchair users could notify the secretary of their intention to attend in order that the appropriate arrangements can be made.  David Turnbull 729559

Overseas Guests Each year Peebles folk  return from all over the world at Beltane and where possible the Beltane committee includes them on the overseas guest list. If any person has knowledge of such visitors returning could their details be passed to the secretary. It would be helpful to include notes of the family background and where the person is staying during their time in Peebles.

Red and White Bunting  .  Strings of flags can again be purchased from the Beltane Committee through the Castle Warehouse Old Town,  the committee are selling the flags on a no profit basis and the Castle Warehouse has kindly agreed to be the local outlet. The cost of these flags are £3.00 per string.

Y M Dancers. For some weeks now the young and not so young men of the Y M dancers have been practising and perfecting their routine in preparation for performing at Beltane. These men give up their Sunday afternoons for several weeks in the run up to Beltane in order to entertain the public on Beltane Friday and Saturday. All money collected by the Y M dancers goes to the Beltane Committee funds. 

Beating Retreat   This year Beating Retreat will be carried out by Sedbergh School CCF band, Cumbria.    The CCF Band and Drums was re-formed in October 1990 by Alan Lewis as part of the brief on his appointment as Head of Brass. Its first official engagement was a performance before Her Majesty the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh on the occasion of their visit to the School in 1991. Since then the Band has developed an impressive repertoire and a reputation for high standards. The Band is continually changing with variations in strength from 40 to 50 as musicians leave for university each year. It is a constant challenge to maintain the very high standards now expected but, despite this, the Band has won almost every competition it has entered – just two second places in its exceptional record.

The high standards of individuals have also been recognised with several members of the Band awarded professional diplomas in the past year and more such accolades and awards likely in the near future.

The Band has performed at international festivals across Europe, cricket Test Matches, other sporting events and completed a tour of the Bahamas in 2003 which raised thousands of dollars for local Bahamian projects. The band previously entertained us when the performed ‘Beating retreat’ at the 2006 Beltane.

Secretary :- David Turnbull, 48 Cademuir Drive, Peebles EH45 9AG  729559

                     Allan Beveridge, 13 Witchwood Crescent, Peebles EH45  722486

JUNE

Decorated Shops  In recent years the shops in the town have entered into the spirit of Beltane by decorating windows in the town colours of red and white.  The Beltane committee is again appealing to shopkeepers to continue this tradition to assist in brightening up the town for the week. Some may wish to go that bit further and compete in the decorated shops competition.  Windows should be ready for judging by lunchtime on Beltane Wednesday and entries should sent to Mr G. Mackison, J.Mackison and Son. 42 Northgate, Peebles by 5pm on Beltane Tuesday.  The winner of this competition will receive the Maharajah's Shield.

Decorated Houses Please Note change of procedure Once again the Beltane committee is keen to encourage participation in the decorated houses competition. This is not restricted to principals but to anybody keen to get involved.  In recent years with the introduction of plastic the committee are keen to encourage householders to decorate for the whole week and not just Beltane Saturday.   To enter the decorated houses competition entries should be sent to Mr G. Mackison, J.Mackison and Son. 42 Northgate, Peebles by 5pm on Beltane Tuesday and houses must be ready for judging by lunchtime on Beltane Wednesday. The winner will be presented with the Community Council cup. It is hoped that by bringing the judging forward to Beltane Wednesday it will give the public the opportunity to view the decorated houses and take the stress out of decorating later in the week.

Decorated Lorries/Assistance required - The Beltane committee are once again appealing for helpers to accompany the children on the back of the lorries on Beltane Saturday morning.  While assisting the Beltane committee in this task, feedback the committee have received is that adult helpers have enjoyed their morning at the same time as being valuable assistants to the committee and the town in general.  Any person willing to assist should contact David Turnbull or Allan Beveridge  729559 or 722486.

Beltane Badges Again this year the Beltane committee have produced a small lapel badge with the name of the Beltane Queen Alana Craigmile thereon. In line with recent years the centre of the badge depicts a topic related to Beltane.  In recognition of the contribution made by the Callants Club to the Beltane the centre of the badge this year depicts the Callants badge in this their 75^th Anniversary year.   These badges will be distributed to primary school children in the town.  Caledonian Countrywear in the High Street have offered once again to sell the badges on behalf of the committee to the general public for £1.50

Decorated Houses The Beltane committee is keen to encourage participation in the decorated houses competition.  This is not restricted to principals but to anybody keen to get involved. In recent years with the introduction of plastic for flower making, the committee are keen to encourage householders to decorate for the whole week and not just Beltane Saturday. In a change to the usual schedule it has been decided that houses must be ready to be judged by lunchtime on Beltane Wednesday to allow judging to take place thereafter. It is hoped that by altering the schedule it will allow families to avoid the stress of decorating on Beltane Friday and will allow the public to view the houses.   To enter the decorated houses competition entries should be sent in writing to Mr G. Mackison, 44 Edderston Road, Peebles by 5pm on Beltane Tuesday. The winner will be presented with the Community Council cup.  The addresses of entrants will be listed and displayed in the premises of Elmbank Printing Services, Elcho Street Brae.

Cornets Walk The committee are once again appealing to the public to participate in the cornets walk. The Beltane queen is taken home and the Cornet is taken to his party venue at the conclusion of the Beltane Concert which this year will be at 9.30pm. Anyone attending the cornets party should make an effort to attend and join in, the more the merrier, after all this was and should be the pre lim to the cornets party. If the Silver Band can walk the distance – So can you.

Beltane Pub Quiz Once again and due to its success in previous years the Cornets Lasses Association is again organising a Beltane Pub Quiz. This is to be held within the Peebles Rugby Club Rooms, Eastgate on the evening of Tuesday 22nd June at 8pm.  Full details can be obtained in the Beltane programme.

Get Insured!   Peebles Beltane Festival Committee is urging participants to have adequate personal injury and legal liability insurance to cover them in the event of an accident.  The insurance obtained for this years festival is public and employers liability insurance  for the committee and helpers. Riders and other participants must make sure they have personal injury and third party liability cover.

Children’s Disco   The primary  3 to 5 children should attend the disco at the community centre Walkershaugh between 6pm and 7.15pm and primary 6 to 7 children should attend between 7.30pm and 9pm.   Entrance to the disco is free and each child will receive free juice and crisps.   It should be noted that the Beltane committee and assistants will be on duty to assist and run the event, however they are not at liberty to imprison children within the hall for the duration of the event, they are on duty to safely run the disco and maintain as much order as can be expected at a children’s disco, they are not responsible for baby sitting.  Parents must take responsibility for briefing their children as to behaviour expected and as to whether they should leave the hall to walk home by themselves. Parents will be welcome to assist in stewarding the discos or if any wish to wait in the vicinity of the disco they are welcome to do so.

Beltane Sunday Motorists are requested not to park on Sunday afternoon and evening in the vicinity of the Old Cross Kirk, Cross Road to allow access for the bands and the procession on Sunday.

Fancy Dress Parade. The committee is appealing to all members of the public not to enter the judging arena at the fancy dress parade.  In recent years the judges have found difficulty in viewing the entrants due to the numbers of person not participating but standing in the judging area.  The committee have received comments that participants have not been judged due to the arena being overcrowded with the public. 

Parking on parade routes

The Beltane committee in conjunction with the local police appeal to all motorists and householders who park their vehicles on the parade routes especially on Wednesday evening and Saturday morning not to leave their vehicles in a position where they may block the parade routes. Rosetta Road at its junction with Kirkland Street and Kirkland Street at its junction with Connor Street have been particular problems in the last few years. It should be noted that the parade involves large vehicles that normally do not use these streets therefore more room than normal is required.

Previous experience has shown that locals move their vehicles but the space is then taken by visitors who do not appreciate the situation and the committee ask that if any householders see the situation developing then it would be appreciated if this could be pointed out to the unsuspecting motorists. Motorists are asked not to park on Springhill Road on Beltane Wednesday until after 7pm.  Approx 200 horses will be coming down Springhill and parked cars can cause major congestion problems.

Get Insured!

Peebles Beltane Festival Committee is urging participants to have adaquate personal injury and legal liability insurance to cover them in the event of an accident.The Borders Common Ridings and Festivals Committee after talks with Borders Regional Council have been informed that all participants, particularly riders must wear the appropriate clothing and headgear and carry adaquate insurance.The organising committees reserve the right to refuse to allow any person to participate if they believe they have not made adaquate provision.The insurance obtained for this years festival is employers liability insurance  for the committee and helpers, riders and other particpants must make sure they have personal injury and third party liability cover.

Car Parking

For the parade route on Beltane Saturday morning the Council have kindly agreed to allow parking in the parking spaces at the County Building. St Josephs Church has kindly allowed the use of their car park for the duration of the parade, but request that all vehicles are removed by 4pm on Beltane Saturday. The Beltane Committee would appreciate your cooperation in supporting this request.

Also please purchase this weeks Peebleshire News where on page 17 all the local traffic arrangements, issued by the Peebles Police can be observed. Please help the Police and the Beltane Committee keep everyone happy and help assist with the traffic arrangements so we can all have an enjoyable Beltane Week.

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