Strath starts 2009 in style

Jan 9 2009 by Lynn Duke, Strathearn Herald

HUNDREDS of good-spirited revellers gathered in Comrie and Crieff’s squares to herald in the new year.

In Comrie the traditional Flambeaux parade began as the bells rang out and fireworks filled the sky. The ten flaming torches, accompanied by extravagant fancy dress creations, were led to the four corners of the village by the Comrie Pipe Band. Scores of villagers and visitors followed while others stayed to dance in the street and be entertained in Melville Square by tunes from Jimmy Stewart and Jake Robertson.

On the procession’s return the flambeaux were extinguished and judging of the fancy dress competition took place before the party continued into the wee small hours.

Earlier in the evening Comrie’s youngsters had their chance to be involved with the festivities with their own fancy dress competition in The White Church. Like the senior event, this attracted some very imaginative and high quality entries. This was followed by a fireworks display on the banks of the River Earn.

In Crieff 2009 was also toasted in style when approximately 800 people braved the icy conditions to gather in the Strath centre for the tenth anniversary Hogmanay in the Square celebrations.

Crowds enjoyed live music from a small band of pipers and drummers from the Sounds of Strathearn Pipe Band, interspersed with Scottish tunes from Crieff’s resident DJ Steve McDougall.

Free hot pies, courtesy of event organisers Crieff Community Council and Crieff Community Initiative, kept the throng warm while they waited to bring in the new year.

Crieff Community Council chairman Robert Ferguson said: “This was a fine hour and a half of festivities, well supported by both locals and visitors alike, and we would like to thank everyone for their contribution.

“We plan to continue staging Hogmanay in the Square for at least another ten years.”

Police reported a happy Hogmanay with no major incidents. Crieff’s Inspector Cathy Macdonald was attending Strathearn’s celebrations for the first time and was impressed by what she saw.

Praising everyone involved, she said: “This was my first experience of how the festive season is celebrated here and the atmosphere was great in all the villages and towns involved.

“It was a fantastic evening. The key events at Comrie and Crieff were first class and went without a hitch.

“All credit must go to the organisers, who ensured everyone had a good and safe time.

“Compliments must also go to all who came along and enjoyed Hogmanay in the right spirits”.

COMRIE fancy dress results – Junior: Singles – 1 Francesca Jarvie (Bunch of Grapes); 2 Callum Kay (Pirate); 3 Rebecca McKinnes (St Trinian’s girl).

Pairs – Ruaridh and Kirsty Flint (Rebecca Adlington OBE and Sir Chris Hoy).

Groups – Lucy, Beth, Daniel and Scott (Last Toys in Woolworths); 2 Anya Brzeski, Mollie Goddard and Ellie Goddard (The Irn Bru Advert); 3 Niamh and Callum Morgan, Kieran and Nicole Ferguson and Blair Gardiner (Panto comes to Comrie). Vic McEwan Shield – Last Toys in Woolworths.

Senior: Singles – 1 Banker with a Begging Bowl - Gordon Dick. Groups – 1 Boom and Bust; 2 Barrack Obama Road; 3 Flambeaux Past; 4 The A Team.

Vic McEwan Quaich – Boom and Bust.