Wallace Day 2014

WALLACE DAY 2014

What an outstanding day and night Wallace day and a big thank you to everyone who took part. it was always going to be a hard day for a lot of us without our convener Duncan Fenton who sadly passed away in May, but sure he was looking down with pride with how the day went. The march was well attended and a cracking day for it, at the front of the march Ted Christopher had the honour of carrying Duncan's sword, together with Glen who was carrying Davie's axe. On arriving at The Wallace monument it was up to me to start the proceedings, which was tough as this was usually Davy or Duncan who did this and was a bit surreal for me, hope I did you both proud.

First was the wreath laying which was done this year by Jean Thompson, Duncan's long term partner, and Irene Clarke. First speaker up was Mark Hirst, who was so much help in helping us get the Wallace safe conduct letter back and his speech did not disappoint. Next speaker was SOWW member Lesley Matthews who after her last year's speech didn't disappoint this year again, totally outstanding. Our third speaker, who I first heard at Bannockburn was Martin Mitchell, another SOWW member and as I said on the day if he was half as good as at Bannockburn we were in for a treat - and another tremendous speech the crowd were treated to.

Next up was Ted better than Elvis who I did say to him follow that after Martin's speech but Ted did, speaking from the heart as per usual was brilliant. Ted finished off with Scots Wha Hae and we headed back to the village hall for a well deserved drink and entertainment. Think with everything that had gone on and making sure the day went well, George Boyle and I could have gone home at that point to sleep LOL.

The entertainment started off with Fiery Jack to get the crowd into the mood and then we went on the The annual award ceremony conducted by William Ballantyne who started us off with a minute's applause for a man and good friend we basically called Boss, Duncan Fenton. First award of the night went to Jim Singer and John MCCallum for their walk from Aberdeen to Bannockburm in memory of David R Ross.

Second award went to George Kempik for his work on save the Culloden battlefield campaign and also his YES convoy. The third award went to SITV Tam and his daughter Stephanie Reilly for all their efforts to the Yes campaign, to Scotland and to the Society. The fourth went to FAITHER for, well, just being Faither, and all his work and dedication to the Society. The second last award was for the Young Lions Award and this went to a very special person who is currently fighting cancer, Catherine Crome who has shown all the courage and dedication that Wallace would have done in fighting to get better. The final award is the David R Ross and this went to Ted better than Elvis for all his work at Bannockburn 700, the Guardians Trust, the Society, his help on the Walk for Wallace and also for Dunblane, anyone who was there on Sat will know that everyone in the house agreed with the decision.

Next we had on Ted better than Elvis who was his usually outstanding best, then the Tartan Specials who were just class. Next were the Tonkerers, first time I had heard them but was not disappointed. Ted finished off the night and what a night it was. A big thank you to everyone who helped make Wallace day the day it was and to a few people who spoke to me during the day and night, you know who you are, thank you so much, your kind words were a great help. See you all next year and we do it all again and hopefully be our first Wallace Day in a FREE SCOTLAND