Buckie area communities show they know how to party for coronation!
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THERE was a right royal knees up across the Buckie area to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Communities large and small marked the historic event with style as young and old came together to mark the occasion.
A wide-ranging programme of events spanned Saturday through to Monday, enjoying mild weather for the most part.
Findochty showed it is a village which knows how to party with three days of festivities organised by the local community council. Saturday afternoon brought the community together in a shining example of community spirit that was not dampened in the slightest by the forced relocation to the town hall from the harbour green due to the forecasts of high winds. There was a parade of kids sporting hand-decorated crowns at 2.30pm, a cake decorating competition, taster sessions by Findochty Water Sports Club, games and entertainment in the Admiral's and much more in what was a jam-packed afternoon.
There was an extra special touch for youngsters who were given a tote bag which they could then decorate themselves. At the end of the day, the bags were filled with sweeties and other goodies.
Sunday saw the Findochty Big Lunch get down to business at the town hall, while the coronation celebrations were rounded off on Monday with an open day at the bowling club. The town hall had also played host to a Royal Tea Party at their pop-up café on the Thursday.
Findochty Community Council chairwoman Caroline Ferguson said: "It's been absolutely great and it's so lovely seeing everyone coming together.
"We wanted to put on something for everyone and bring the community together and we had a good range of ages coming along.
"There's not been a lot on in the community the last two or three years due to the pandemic and we wanted to get people together and have some fun. The National Lottery funding we received made a huge difference in terms of what we were able to put on."
Lending a helping hand at the town hall was Buckie councillor John Stuart who had words of high praise for both the organisers and the community response to their efforts.
He commented: This is Findochty at its finest and doing what it does best.
"It's been brilliant and everyone's had fun.
"Congralutations to everyone involved in making this happen."
There was a Blast from the Past afternoon and evening at the Fishermen's Hall in Buckie on Saturday, featuring a memorabilia exhibition which ran alongside a wartime food experience as well as a hearty sing-a-long to some timeless classics.
The hall also played host to an indoor street party on Monday afternoon which, appropriately enough, was VE Day marking the end of World War II in Europe.
Organiser Stan Squires said he had been bowled over by the response from the community.
He said: "The response has been fantastic and has gone far beyond anything I expected.
"Everyone has really pulled together, it's unbelievable. We got the use of the Fishermen's Hall for free and Peoplehood in Buckie gave us the food."
The two events had their roots in more modest origins, with Mr Squires initially hoping to get rid of his vast collection of CDs in exchange for donations to charity. However, a chat with James Farley, the Fishermen's Hall co-ordinator, made Mr Squires consider that his CDs could be put to better use and ultimately led to the idea of bringing the community together
The memorabilia itself came from a number of different sources – Mr Squires' family, the internet and photos of exhibits at the RAF Lossiemouth museum.
There was an extra boost for Mr Squires and his team in the shape of letters from the King and Queen and the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson.
Their Majesties said: "We greatly appreciate everyone's efforts to organise such celebrations and very much hope they will be enjoyable and happy occasions.
"As we look towards the future, we feel deeply touched and sustained by the heartfelt good wishes and support of so many kind people across the country."
Mr Simpson stated that the event and ones like it embodied many of the core values the King had identified as central to his coronation.
He continued: "On this special weekend, I am excited to know that people from Buckie are gathering in the Fishermen's Hall to mark and celebrate the historic occasion of the coronation of King Charles III.
"His Majesty is keen that events surrounding his coronation reflect issues which are important for the world today. Building communities is key amongst these. By providing this opportunity in Buckie, people will not only have fun but enjoy each other's company and develop relationships."
Proceeds from the event will be donated to Clan Moray and the Oaks palliative care unit in Elgin, causes close to the heart of Mr Squires. Diagnosed a year ago with lung cancer, he said that both organisations had been "fantastic" in supporting him.
There was a drive down memory lane on Sunday thanks to the Rotary Club of Buckie's Coronation Vintage Vehicle Run. The event got under way at Cunningholes Industrial Estate then stopping off at Deskford, Fordyce, Portsoy, Sandend, Lintmill, Cullen, Portknockie, Findochty and Portessie before arriving back at Cluny Square in Buckie.
Cash raised from the rally will go to MS Society Scotland and MND Scotland.
Organising the event were David Smith and Robert Hair.
Mr Smith said: "We had about 35 vintage vehicles take part, including tractors and a lorry.
"There were drivers attending from quite a wide area, from Elgin to Banff and inland.
"We're very pleased with the turnout and the feedback so far has been positive with people asking us if we're going to do another run next year, so maybe we'll look at going a run next summer."
Fochabers Village Association chose to shine the spotlight on volunteering, thinking of others and supporting fellow community members through acts of kindness as the core of their festivities.
This saw the group host a Recycled Summer event on Sunday and Monday at the Public Institute, which mirrored a similar one held in December.
The two sessions followed a pop-up shop style event featuring good quality, pre-loved items with people invited to come along and help themselves. In addition there was a coronation-themed stall for children and refreshments were available.
Over at the Bellie and Speymouth Church on Sunday it was time for the younger members of the community to celebrate with a Messy Church Coronation Special.
Meanwhile, in Portknockie there was a good, old-fashioned community knees up in the McBoyle Hall and McLeod Park with the Coronation Big Lunch.
Run by Portknockie Community Council, who obtained a grant to the tune of £2900 from the National Lottery to help fund the event, the packed programme events featured live music from local music group The Cool Jam Cats, a chocolate tombola, face painting, exotic animals, bouncy castles, a fancy dress parade with prizes and a bottle stall among the many attractions, not to mention some excellent food.
The same afternoon in Cullen the Hall Church was the place to be when a coronation tea and quiz, including entertainment from The Singing Bobby, took place.
On Monday, the Public Hall was the place to be between 10am and 4pm when a Family Fun Day was held to celebrate the coronation. There were all sorts of activities, ranging from bouncy castles to giant games, plus refreshments. The hall had also hosted a coronation coffee and cake event on Saturday.
