WATCH: Message of hope rings out from Buckie candlelit carol service
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THE spirit of Christmas – and its message of hope – was definitely to be found in Buckie when a candlelit carol service was held in the centre of town.
Crowds flocked to Cluny Square last Thursday evening to celebrate the true meaning of the season while also sparing a thought for friends and loved ones who are no longer here.
The service followed on from the hugely successful inaugural event last year, and once again was organised by award-winning community group Buckie's Roots. Leading the singing were Buckie and District Community Choir with members of the public encouraged to join in.
A total of nine carols were performed, interspersed with readings telling the nativity story and reflecting on the meaning of Christmas. The classic carol Come All Ye Faithful got the evening under way joined by other well loved carols such as Oh, Holy Night, We Three Kings and, rounding off the singing, the timeless Hark the Herald Angels Sing. A verse of We Wish You a Merry Christmas provided a fitting backdrop to the end of the event.
WATCH: Buckie and District Community Choir as they perform Joy to the World.
In keeping with the theme of the service, there were three trees of remembrance, entitled Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. Prior to the event, people were invited to buy message baubles from a variety of local outlets in return for a donation which were then placed on the trees. Around 600 baubles in all were sold, with the messages varying from what kiddies wanted from Santa or which team should win the league to messages for peace in the future and a safe place for all and hopes that as a community everyone look out for each other in these times.
The choir got the evening under way, entering the square to the strains of James Eager's Song of Peace carrying advent candles which were then placed at the trees.
WATCH: The choir make a candlelit entrance to Cluny Square.
Later in the proceedings, members of the public were invited to come forward and lay their own candles by the trees before special guest for the evening, the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson, brought the proceedings to a close.
Addressing those present, he first of all thanked all those involved in organising the service and the members of the community who turned out to support it before proceeding to reflect on Christmas as a message of hope.
He said: "We have three trees here – Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future – and what a terrific idea that was to have that as our theme for this year.
"Christmases past – when the choir was singing Joy to the World my mind was going back nearly 50 years to the first Christmas I spent away from home in Canada. That was the first time that I ever sang that song Joy to the World. My mind goes back to a happy occasion, a good occasion.
"Also, Christmases past bring back sad memories of people who used to be with us but who have passed on. Christmases past bring good memories and sad memories.
"And then we have Christmas present. Christmas seems to come and go so quickly; in September the shops are getting ready for Christmas but now we're more than half way through December and it will soon be Christmas Day itself, then Boxing Day, then new year and then the new term.
"So, Christmas present, let's enjoy it, let's enjoy the time that we have with family, with friends, let's enjoy the activities like tonight, the opportunity to meet together. Let's make the most of this opportunity, of this Christmas, of Christmas present.
"There are some people who will not have their friends around them, who will not have family and we, this Christmas present, should do something to help others, to care for others, to make Christmas special for them.
"And then, finally, Christmas future. There's one saying that I like that's used by a number of charities to do with dogs – 'A dog is for life and not just for Christmas'. I think that's brilliant, I think that's a good message for those who think about getting a pet...at this time of year.
"But it's also true that the message of Christmas is not just for the 25th of December, it's a message for the future, a message of hope, a message of peace, a message of love, a message of the future.
"My hope and prayer and message for everybody who is with us today is go and have a good Christmas, enjoy your Christmases past, enjoy your Christmas present but then also we can all dedicate ourselves to the Christmas future, taking the message of Christmas from today and taking it into our lives in the future, making a difference to our community; not just to our community here in Buckie, in Banffshire and in Scotland but across the world. Take that message of hope, take that message of peace and take that message of love and make it real in this world today, tomorrow and forever."
During his visit to the event, Mr Simpson also took some time to chat to a group of Parklands Care Home residents who were attending.
One of those delighted with the service was Buckie's Roots chairwoman Meg Jamieson.
She said: "Everyone seemed to really look forward and join in with this community event.
"It’s so nice to see old traditions being kept going in the town and how it was so nice to see all the generations come together in this way.
"There was lots of chatter, laughter and a sense that Christmas is just round the corner. It was good to see people enjoying meeting up for a chat over soup or a mince pie and mulled wine. There was certainly a a joyful atmosphere buzzing around the square.
"As always it’s been a busy year for Buckie's Roots and we are already planning a new event for the summer. There is a Boxing Day dook/paddle planned at Strathlene and as always we will be there with hot food for the brave, crazy folk doing this."
The group are the reigning Moray and Banffshire Heroes Community Champions.
BLOB For more photos from the service, turn to page 5.
