Lanimer Day flower row is thorny issue in Lanark

JUST six weeks before what is meant to be the happiest day of the year in the Royal Burgh, a bitter row has broken out over whether an entry to the procession is a truly ‘Lanarkian’ creation or not.
By Ron Harris
Published 23rd Apr 2014, 19:04 GMT
Jersey float...which is at the centre of controversy in Lanark, as the Kilninie Club has decided to purchase "bits and bobs" to recycle for its float this yearJersey float...which is at the centre of controversy in Lanark, as the Kilninie Club has decided to purchase "bits and bobs" to recycle for its float this year
Jersey float...which is at the centre of controversy in Lanark, as the Kilninie Club has decided to purchase "bits and bobs" to recycle for its float this year

Allegations have been made that one of event’s most successful entrants, The Kilninie Club, is putting a ‘shop-bought’ tableau entry into the June 12 procession, having acquired it from the world-famous Battle of Flowers Festival in Jersey.

The club has strongly counter-attacked, stating that only “bits and bobs” are from the Channel Island float and the bulk of its entry will be very much made in Lanark, by Lanarkians, for Lanarkians.

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A spokeswoman for the Kilninie Club said: “It is far from the truth to say we’ve just bought an entry from Jersey, shipped it here and entered it in the Lanimer Procession.”

However, Moira Gemmell, a Lanarkian now living in the West Coast of Scotland, said that she found it “very disturbing” that the club had acquired several items from the Jersey float including two large elephant figures.

She added: “I find this action not only despicable but insulting to all the people who build their lorries from scratch.”

For the full story, pick up a copy of this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now. What’s your view? Share your comments here or write to the Editor Julie Currie, 3 High Street, Carluke, ML8 4AL, or email [email protected]

Related topics:Jersey