FALKIRK COMMEMORATION - 20th JULY 2019 |
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Well - what can I say about Saturday and the Battle Of Falkirk Commemoration? Outstanding, just outstanding and the weather was an added bonus as it was roasting.
An early start for all involved, getting tents up, getting everyone organised and arranging for our 126 Spanish-speaking guests from Ruta Inti to meet up with us for the day, which commenced within the kirk with a talk for them on William Wallace from our convenor Gary Stewart. With the talk done and everything all sorted, we walked down to the cairn to see the flag raised by Nick Brand, the entrance of the sword party and placement of the sword as cross. Ken Shirra of the Knights Templar opened proceedings with a blessing and a short precis of the battle. Wreaths were then laid on behalf of the various societies present, plus one from the Bairns of Falkirk, followed by the piped lament and a minute's silence. Then we had brief speeches from Martyn Day, MP, and William Allerdyce, Grand Master Of The Free Colliers. Gordon Aitken finished proceedings off with 'Scots Wha Hae' then we got everyone set up behind the Uphall Station Pipe Band and started our march back to the Church, we even had the horse on the march which was brilliant to see. After arriving at the church further wreaths were laid, then we had the festival in full flow; we had the Treubh Dansse dance group, Britannia doing what they do best with their re-enactments show, which was outstanding, but the highlight for me was Clann an Drumma playing and our Spanish guests getting involved with dancing and playing some instruments along with the band. The church was also doing tours which were well worth being on and we also had the Bruce throne, thanks to the Strathleven Artizans for that, a 3D copy of the Declaration of Arbroath (the pictures don’t do it justice), a replica copy of the Lubeck Letter and some of the props used in the latest film 'Outlaw/King', which included the sword Chris Pine used in it. It all finished at 4pm and throughout the day seeing the smiles on people’s faces, you knew it was all worth while. We then headed home totally knackered for a well earned drink LOL See you next year folks. Gary |
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Gary's talk in Trinity Kirk |
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Our guests from Ruta Inti |
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Gary's talk in Trinity Kirk |
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The Saltire is raised at the cairn |
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The sword party approaches the cairn |
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Complete with horse and armour |
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Ken Shirra opens the commemoration |
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Preparing to lay the wreaths |
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Wreath laying commences |
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Wreath laying |
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Wreath laying |
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Guests from Ruta Inti lay the Society wreath |
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Final wreath from the Falkirk Bairns |
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The piper plays the lament |
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Martyn Day, MP, makes his speech |
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William Allerdyce of the Free Colliers makes his speech |
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Gordon concludes with 'Scots Wha Hae' |
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Uphall Station Pipe Band prepare for the off |
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The march to the kirk begins |
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The march under way |
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The horse seemed to enjoy the march |
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The uphill section into town |
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Approaching the kirk |
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Britannia re-enactors knocking lumps out of each other |
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The Britannia crew |
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The Treubh Dansse dance group in full flow |
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Lubeck Letter replica in the kirk |
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Declaration of Arbroath replica in the kirk |
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Clann an Drumma prepare to let loose |
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Tiny dancers |
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Our guests really enjoyed CaD's tribal music |
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A final group shot before we all packed up and went for a well-deserved drink or two. |
Special thanks to Michael Balahura, Ruta Inti, Battle of Falkirk 1298 Society, Amber McCann, SITV Tam, Colin McDonald, Norma Johnson, Grant McKee, Paul Egan, Gill Gardner, George Kempik, and Alex Johnson for all the photos |
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| © Society of William Wallace 2007-2024 | The Society of William Wallace is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registration number SC045959 |