article by Finbar from Lanark

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Lanimers. 

Lanark Lanimer Day is an ancient celebration which has been held within the Royal Burgh of Lanark annually since 1140, on the Thursday between the 6^th and 12th of June.

Lanark is one of the oldest Royal Burghs in Scotland, its charter having been granted by David 1st [1124-1153]. One of the conditions attached to the granting of the charter was that the Burgess of the town was required to examine the March (or boundary) stones every year and report back that all was well or ill according to what was found. Lanark is unique among the Royal Burghs in that it has carried out this duty every year since this condition came into force. This duty of the Land Marches soon became an annual duty called “The Lanimers”.

This simple duty soon turned into an annual festival which included racing on Lanark Moor.  By the 19^th Century members of the Burgh Council were competing for the position of Lord Cornet, to whom fell the honour of carrying the Burgh flag or standard.  Until 1834 the Burgh Council and Deacons of Craft appointed the Lord Cornet.  From 1834-1974 only magistrates chose the Lord Cornet.   Since 1974 a selection committee has appointed the Lord Cornet.

Each Lord Cornet becomes a member of the Lord Cornet’s Club, which was established by former Lord Cornets in the town in 1949.   The principle objectives of the club are to support the Lord Cornet in his year of office and to maintain the equestrian traditions associated with the Lanimers.   The club keeps in touch with other Border towns, supporting their festivals and inviting their representatives to Lanark Lanimer week.

The equestrian riding of the Burgh boundaries pre-dates the perambulation of the Marches, which now takes place on the Monday of Lanimer Week.   Perambulation took the place of riding in 1752 to prevent damage to crops now being grown on land which had formerly been moorland.   The area has numerous birch trees.   The "birk" is the Lanimer emblem and birch branches are given out to all who take part in the perambulations.

In 1951 the club initiated the “Kirkin” of the Lord Cornet elect.  This is the church service which inaugurates Lanimer Week.   A Club chaplain is appointed annually, normally the minister of “St Nicholas”.

The Club donates the engraved gold badge of office to the Cornet of each year.  The Cornet receives his badge and Cornet’s sash after the perambulation of the Marches on the Monday. Both are formally presented to him by ladies chosen by a selection committee.  The brass badge and sash have to be paid for annually and the cost is usually met by the Committee.

The Club organises an annual Lanimer Ball which the Lanimer Queen elect attends and, like Cinderella, she leaves at midnight.  They also organise an Annual Dinner.  From some of the profits of these and other fund-raising events, the Committee arranges discounted charges for hired horses, and particularly ponies for young riders, for the week of Lanimer celebrations. In many instances the profits pay for the feeding and stabling of the horses and ponies.   Strathclyde Police give the Cornet elect riding lessons if they are required.

The Lord Cornet receives a grant which pays for his “uniform”, which consists of riding jacket, hunting bowler, breeches and boots. The boots are hand-made by only one company and as there is a six month wait for delivery of brown boots, either black or brown boots are acceptable.

The current Burgh Standard was presented in 1986, and the previous one was refurbished and is held by the President of the Lord Cornet’s Club.

The Lord Cornet is supported during Lanimer Week by his Right and Left hand men, who are the Cornets of the two previous Lanimers. The Cornet chooses his Lanimer colours and rosettes are made.   His escorts wear one colour and he wears another. 

The Lord Cornet has a busy year in office going to different festivals. He returns to the cross at Lanark the following Lanimers and gives a report of his year’s activities after having handed back the standard “unsullied and unstained” 

The tradition of processions with decorated vehicles started in the 19^th century and gradually developed into the colourful affair that we have today.  Much of this dates back to when Grace Adams became the first Lanimer Queen in 1893.   At present the Queen is elected by fellow pupils in Primary Seven. The six schools in the district elect the Queen in rotation, each having its turn every six years.

Lanimer Day falls on the Thursday between the 6^th and 12^th of June. No one knows how this came about, but it has always been held between these dates.

Lanimer Day is the highlight of the week and for many the culmination of months of work, involving planning of floats, flower-making and costume-making.   Households can become very tense during the preparations for the big day.   As you walk down the streets there is an air of anticipation of what is to come.   Brightly-costumed children wait eagerly for the procession to start.   (Sometimes very small children under five have a sleep, both before and during the procession, in which they too have a part.)    Schools are closed and are shops are shut.   Pubs open early.   Crowds gather early so as to get a good view of the procession. Each child in the procession receives a Lanimer medal which they proudly display on their costume.

The Lanimer Queen is piped to the top of St Leonards Street by one of the bands taking part in the procession.   Her parents give the band members a “Lanimer” drink to toast the Queen elect.  The drinks are served on a silver tray.  The Queen cannot go up St Leonards Street until she has first come down it.  For this reason a detour sometimes has to be made to the top of the town.

The bell of St Nicholas’ church chimes ten and slowly the procession, led by the Cornets, winds its way slowly round the town.   It does this twice and the occasion culminates in the crowning of the Lanimer Queen under the statue of William Wallace at the cross.  The Lord Cornet is the first to ascend the steps at the cross, followed by the members of the Queen’s Court escorted by the First and Second Lords.   Other Court members follow. The queen is finally escorted up the steps to the resounding cheers of the children on the stand and of the spectating crowds.  The Crowning Lady is escorted up the stairs and the moment has finally arrived when the Queen-elect is crowned Lanimer Queen of the appropriate year. The Lanimer Proclamation signed by the Queen is read out.   The sceptre and sword are presented  by the boys elected to carry them.

This ceremony at the cross makes a wonderful sight, the Queen and maids in white dresses and the gentlemen of the court in traditional costumes.

The Royal Proclamation.

“Whereas it has come to our knowledge that many of our faithful and devoted subjects desire to know our Royal mind concerning diverse important questions, we do desire that our Royal will and pleasure be promulgated, set forth and made known in the following Proclamation:

That all our subjects strive to live in peace, charity and goodwill, one towards the other;

That a love of truth be cherished;

That a respectful and ready obedience be given to all parents, teachers and those in authority;

That all animals in all places on our dominion shall be kindly treated;

That no birds shall be maimed and that none of their nests shall be molested;

That lastly, all our faithful and devoted subjects appear before us each year at our Lanimer Festival, and that any person found guilty of disobeying these provisions shall incur our Royal displeasure.

Given at our Court at Lanark this . . . . . .th day of June, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and  . . . .

. . . . . . . . . .    Lanimer Queen.

Everyone makes their way home to have lunch and the children get changed into their “Lanimer outfits” (another Lanimer tradition).   There is entertainment at Castlebank Park in the afternoon.   The fairground shows are out at the Racecourse and this is also part of a child’s Lanimer Day.   At the close of festivities the Lanimer Queen’s reception is held in the Memorial Hall on the Thursday and Friday nights when the children in the procession sing and dance for an enthusiastic audience.

The Lanimer Silver Club is Lanark’s own lottery.   Tickets are valid from January to December.   There is a monthly draw with the first prize £100, second £50, six of £25 and eleven of £10.    Lanimer Week draw takes place on Marches Night (Monday).  

There are five prizes of £1,000 each.   December’s first prize is £1,000 of travel vouchers. Membership gives you a ticket with a number.   The ticket is valid from January to December and is entered in a monthly draw. Proceeds from the Lanimer Silver Club go towards the Lanimer celebrations for the following year.

So Lanimer Week is over once again.   Mind you, float sponsors are already planning for next year’s celebrations.   Lanimers is a family gathering and children will pass their memories on to the next generation.

Webmaster replies

One of the best summaries I have read of Lanark's Lanimer Day (week even) celebrations.

Thanks.

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