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Thread: HarbourFest..."a truly community event"

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    Default HarbourFest..."a truly community event"

    A right royal affair -Wick’s colourful contribution to the Queen Elizabeth's memorable jubilee celebrations

    WICK staged a right royal celebration, befitting the Queen’s diamond jubilee achievement.
    And there was a heartfelt tribute from the town’s honorary Queen – its HarbourFest monarch.
    Abigail Jolly took an early opportunity after being crowned to mark the 60 years milestone.
    She said she was privileged to have been chosen to lead the celebrations, recognising Queen Elizabeth’s “long and steadfast service to the nation”.
    Queen Abigail added: “We are very fortunate in having a head of state who has dedicated her life to it.”
    Following her coronation before a large crowd of local folk and visitors, Queen Abigail said it was fitting that the crowning ceremony had been performed by the county lord lieutenant, Anne Dunnett.
    She recalled Miss Dunnett’s father, Willie Dunnett, had been provost of Wick when he welcomed Her Majesty and then her mother, the Queen Mother to Caithness, in 1964 and 1966, respectively, and was delighted to see the family link continued.
    Queen Abigail added that she was “very proud” to be part of the HarbourFest pageant and invited everyone to enjoy the celebrations.
    Earlier, Harry Gray, welcomed one and all to the coronation and introduced the platform party.
    Caithness convener, Gail Ross described the celebrations to mark the Queen’s jubilee as a “unique gala event” and “a truly community one”.
    She too referred to the county’s long-standing connections with the royal family through Queen Elizabeth and her mother, the Queen Mother. Mrs Ross referred to HarbouFest as “a truly community event” and paid tribute to everyone who had collaborated on its programme, in particular, the local schools, the organising committee and the shops and businesses “without whom, none of this would have been possible.”
    HarbourFest and Lifeboat Day got underway with a SeaFest youth music showcase at the harbour, on Friday night and literally got into its stride on Saturday morning when a colourful procession of Queen Court, civic dignitaries and Wick RBLS Pipe Band led the combined cadet units and youth services to the Market Square for the crowning ceremony, in dull, chilly, but dry weather.
    After performing the crowning ceremony, Miss Dunnett said that she had been in London, recently, for the jubilee celebrations and paid tribute to the city for the “fantastic job” for the style in which it had celebrated it and she had experienced a wonderful feeling of respect for the Queen.
    The Lord Lieutenant drew applause from the crowd when she stated: “Anything London can do, however, Wick can do”.
    Highlighting the combined cadet units present, in particular, she said she had “a soft spot” for them.
    Miss Dunnet continued: “We hear so much about bad youth but there are far more good young people and it’s a great encouragement to see them here today. We welcome back the Dundee unit and its wonderful band”.
    Mr Gray then revealed that a special tune had been composed for HarbourFest, by local musician Adie Harper and sprang a surprise when he announced the well-kept secret of its title..."Miss Anne Dunnett, Lord Lieutenant of Caithness". Along with spectators, she was treated to a rendering of the march performed by the pipe band.
    The procession was on the march again, down High Street past crowded pavements, to the harbour and for the official opening of HarbourFest and Lifeboat Day. Crowds thronged the harbour as the weather brightened to give them and the many nautical visitors, exiles and tourists, a timely bonus.
    Spectators enjoyed a variety of displays and the fundraising tents were kept busy. Later the restored cannon, formerly a landmark at the Riverside, was unveiled overlooking the inner harbour.
    The memorable day was rounded off with a jubilee dance in the Assembly Rooms.

    See celebration photos at http://www.caithness.org/fpb/2012/june/gallery.php?gallery=5&start=0
    Boats leaving Wick Harbour On Sunday at http://www.caithness.org/fpb/2012/ju....php?gallery=4
    Last edited by Bill Fernie; 17-Jun-12 at 22:31.

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