Friday, August 29, 2008
Bo'ness Fair
Bo'ness Children's Fair is a very very big deal here. Apparently parents plan their children's school places and even buy houses to ensure they are in the school that nominates the Queen and court in their final year of primary school. This year, the local Catholic school nominated the Queen and I don't doubt some parents considered conversion, perhaps even converted, to give their daughter a chance at being Queen.
Houses of the various members of the court, presentees from the other schools, the previous year's queen, even previous queens are decorated with "Arches". Each school follows a theme although some families seem to go it alone. They are all made by parents and family members, you see very little that has been bought in for the Arch.
The Queen's 'Arch'. This pink hearts had the name of every former Queen, for although its more than 100 years since the Fair started, this year saw the 100th Queen as several years were missed out due to the World Wars and the Depression.
The Champion (number 1 male character) had a non-traditional arch. Remember - this is made of wood and assembled in the few days before the Fair day and then taken down shortly afterwards.
The timetable in the next shot is actually a list of all 100 Queens.
Other Arches
That's not the little girl on the steps there, its a cut out! She herself was riding up and down the street with her hair in rags!
L checking out an arch.
Houses of the various members of the court, presentees from the other schools, the previous year's queen, even previous queens are decorated with "Arches". Each school follows a theme although some families seem to go it alone. They are all made by parents and family members, you see very little that has been bought in for the Arch.
Other Arches
That's not the little girl on the steps there, its a cut out! She herself was riding up and down the street with her hair in rags!
L checking out an arch.
