Jedburgh Royal Visit
It was pouring with rain at 8am on Wednesday 26th April when we were setting up the arena for this second visit in 5 years by HRH The Princess Royal. However, the sun started to shine at 11am and continued to do so for the rest of the day (we also had a duplicate set up in the adjacent Town Hall, just in case).
On cue, the helicopter carrying HRH The Princess Royal landed in The Glebe about 200 yards away from the Bandstand. By this time, there were hundreds of people in and surrounding the park, stewarded by the Committee members under the direction of Joyce Lightbody.
Met by John Young (President) and George Burt (Secretary), Princess Anne was then escorted to the Bandstand and introduced to Alan Fernie (Musical Director), Cameron Mabon (Bandmaster), Marion MacAfee (our longest serving player), Eilidh Dickson (representing our young players), David Sutherland (Pricipal Cornet, and designer and Project Manager for the Bandstand), Kenny Crookston (editor of British Bandsman, and representing SBBA) and Jedburgh?s Provost Len Wyse.
George Miller (Vice President) made a short speech of welcome, explaining how the new Commemorative Park and Bandstand was created by Jedforest Instrumental Band to celebrate its 150th anniversary, and in order to create something permanent and for the benefit of our community, and to thank local people for their superb support for the band over the years.
HRH then enjoyed concerts by Abbey Brass Jedforest (our ?junior? band ? a 4th Section contesting band in its own right with many prizes to its credit) under Cameron Mabon, and Jedforest Instrumental under the baton of Alan Fernie.
After unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion, Princess Anne made a short speech to the audience of hundreds, praising the work of the band and complimenting it on creating this wonderful asset for the historic Royal and Ancient Burgh of Jedburgh. Presented with a CD made by the band, on her walk out of the park, she talked to several of the audience encouraging them to continue supporting the band and to buy the CD!
All in all, a very successful day, with no hitches. The turf was laid only 2 weeks ago, mainly by Alan Currie (Percussionist) but stood up to its first test, and final painting of the gold leaf highlights was only completed the day before by David Lightbody (Soprano). Our thanks to all those who helped ? funders, band ?labourers?, and our loyal supporters. Especial congratulations go to Principal Cornet David Sutherland, a Chartered Surveyor, who designed and oversaw the project (and did a lot of the physical work) and whose life has been taken over by it over the past few months.
