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Forty Years of Festival Frolics
After forty years, Haddington Festival (inaugurated in 1968) is still going strong and is as popular as ever. The twelve page programme now on sale at numerous local outlets highlight a twelve day series of events which truly offers something for everyone.
Whilst the programme kicks off on Wednesday 21st May, the official opening, as always, is on the last Sunday of the month, in this case, Sunday the 25th. The opening ceremony will feature the traditional parade of local organisations through the town, the wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial and the church service in St Mary’s Parish Church. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Jennifer Macrae and the Festival will be officially opened by local man, George McFarlane, Commanding Officer of the Combined Cadet Force who celebrate their centenary this year.
Festival co-ordinator Jan Wilson declares herself well pleased with the variety of events on offer and took time out to make special mention of the years of dedication given to the Festival by local stalwarts Jack Tully Jackson and George Angus.
This year Jack in association with Haddington History Society presents ‘Balfours Bairns’: Jewish Refugees at Whittinghame, 1939/42 in St Mary’s Parish Church from Sunday 25th May until Tuesday 3rd June.
George Angus will present The Very Last Haddington Old and New in the Town House on Monday 26th and Tuesday the 27th. Haddington Old and New has been a feature of many previous festivals and it is anticipated that many people will turn out for what is indeed the end of an era.
sReaders of this column may wish to enter a team into the Festival Quiz at the Railway Hotel on Friday the 30th. This fun evening is hosted by none other than your editor, Bob Mitchell and you are advised to book your entry in advance.
Regrets as Historic Pilgrimage Cancelled.
The Very Rev John Cairns, chairman of the executive committee of the Haddington Pilgrimage expressed his regret at the decision to cancel this year’s Haddington Pilgrimage. Although the decision proved inevitable because of a number of factors including dwindling numbers, Mr Cairns acknowledged that it would cause great disappointment and hurt to many people and in particular to those for whom the pilgrimage has been an important part of their spiritual journey.
The pilgrimage first took place in 1971 when about 30 pilgrims took part in the ecumenical experience which focussed on Whitekirk, Lennoxlove Chapel and St Mary’s Parish Church Haddington, but at its peak, it attracted more than 2000 people from across the world.
While it seems as if the old style pilgrimage may have run its course, those involved believe that the idea is not dead and that there is a great deal of potential for a modernised Haddington Pilgrimage. A consultation process is already underway with a view to devising a new look event for next year.