Sponsored by: Eskside Taxis - 665 1992
Wednesday, 27th July 2011 The picturesque Sashing Ceremony, conducted on the banks of the Esk between the ancient Roman Bridge and the New Bridge, contrasts the old traditions of the town and the hopes and aspirations of the young, and is perhaps the most picturesque event of Festival Week.
The Lad and Lass 2010 will be sashed with the emblems of their office by Lord Cameron of Loch Broom. He will present the sash to this year's Honest Lad and Honest Lass.
The Burgh Flag will be officially handed over to the Honest Lad by Councillor Barry Turner and will be bussed at the Sashing Ceremony. He will be given the responsibility to return the flag 'unsullied and unstained' after the ride-out on Saturday afternoon.
The Honest Lass will be presented with the Jewelled Riding Crop and the Lad and Lass will receive gifts from the Fisherrow Fishing Community and local businesses.
A feature of the Sashing Ceremony will be the presentation of Medallions to the Official Party which will act as a lasting reminder of their year in office.
The ceremony ends with the Official Party dancing the Musselburgh and Eightsome Reels.
THE SASHER
Canon Joseph McMullan
Canon Joseph McMullan was born in Denny, Stirlingshire, on 27th December 1940 to parents Peter and Mary McMullan and is blessed with a brother and four sisters as well as nephews and nieces to the fourth generation. Canon McMullan was educated in St Patrick's Primary School, Denny and began training and studying for the priesthood in 1953 in St Mary's College, Blairs, Aberdeen and then in St Andrew's College, Drygrange, Melrose. He was ordained priest in St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh on the 3rd April 1965.
His appointments following this were:
St Bride's, Cowdenbeath, 1965 -1966,
St Margaret's, Davidson's Mains 1966-1969.
St Mary's, Bathgate 1969 -1974,
St Margaret's, Dunfermline 1974 -1982,
In 1982 Canon McMullen opened the new parish and church of St Peter's in Livingston and was subsequently appointed to Our Lady of Loretto Parish in 1991 and in 1996 arranged for the interior renovation of Our Lady of Loretto church. He became the Chairman of the Musselburgh Fraternal in 1998 and was appointed Dean of East Lothian and Midlothian in 2000.
In 2003 he became a member of the Rotary Club of Musselburgh and in 2005 celebrated the centenary of Our Lady of Loretto Church by accompanying Cardinal O'Brien to Bauchi, Nigeria to open a new church. The church, which can accommodate 1,700 people, is dedicated to Our Lady of Loretto, the funds to build which, were donated by the people of the parish.
In 2006 Canon McMullan was awarded the "Citizen of the Year" by Musselburgh & Inveresk Community Council. In 2008 he was appointed a Canon of St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh.
In his younger days he played football for the College teams and hails from a footballing family. His uncle, Jimmy McMullan, being captain of the Scottish team that came to be known as the "Wembley Wizards". Canon McMullan also did a bit of climbing in the Scottish mountains, and played badminton and squash.
Canon McMullan has always had an interest in history and was honoured when asked to bless the Memorial to the Battle of Pinkie Cleuch. Canon McMullan has also played an integral part of Musselburgh Festival in recent years through his participation in the annual ecumenical service for the Kirkin of the Honest Lad & Lass. |
