After two years of being cancelled, the Guid Nychburris Festival is set to return this year with many of the usual traditional aspects and events of the Festival being held, along with a few additions to incorporate 90 years since the first Guid Nychburris in 1932 and also the Queens Platinum Jubilee of 7o years of Her Majesty on the throne.
The Guid Nychburris Festival Association (GNFA) along with the Dumfries Cornets Club and Queen of the South Association , have been working tirelessly with the support of other community groups, Dumfries and Galloway Council officers, Police Scotland, and others, as arrangements take shape for Guid Nychburris 2022.
Kady Kirkpatrick was revealed as this year’s Queen of the South Elect and Ross Findlater is this year’s cornet and Robyn Peden is the cornet’s lass.
DGWGO went along to the launch event to meet up with some of the principals
Dates for the pre Guid Nychburris Ride Outs, hosted by Dumfries Cornets Club, are as follows:
Friday 20th May: Woodlands Ride Out
Tuesday 24th May: Netherwood Ride Out
Sunday 29th May: Tinwald Shaws Ride Out
Tuesday 31st May: Overbanks Ride Out
Friday 3rd June: Douievale Ride Out
Sunday 5th June: Belton Hill Ride Out
Tuesday 7th June: Ingleston Ride Out
Sunday 12th June: Mabie Ride Out
Thursday 16th June: Kingholm Ride Out
Detailed route advice will be published in due course.
Other pre Guid Nychburris events including children’s schools hand writing, and primary schools’ football will be held early June.
Windows (or interior) design competitions for pubs, café’s, shops, offices, homes, etc will be held in the run up to Guid Nychburris with judging taking place the week before Guid Nychburris Day, itself, on 18th June. It’s hoped that folks will decorate their premises as Guid Nychburris bounces back after the two-year hiatus. Let’s ‘decorate Dumfries’ for Guid Nychburris 2022!!
Applications will be sought to find the 2022 ‘Guid Nychburr’ and ‘Junior Guid Nychburr’ with the chance for people to nominate their unsung hero, of the town, who they think deserves the title Guid Nychburr 2022.
The Queens of the South Association members will display pictures of Guid Nychburris activities ‘through the years’ with their popular window display on shop windows with in the Mid Steeple Quarter part of Dumfries.
Its proposed, once again, that a Guid Nychburris souvenir magazine will also be published to celebrate this year’s festivities.
Diary dates for Guid Nychburris week events, featuring regular and new events are:
Sunday 12th June: Kirkin of Cornet / Mabie Ride Out / Songs of Praise
Monday 13th June: Installation of Principals
Tuesday 14th June: Senior Citizens Concert / Family Pet Show / Miniature Garden Competition (Queens Platinum Jubilee event…. design a miniature garden for the Queens Garden Party) for both children and adults.
Wednesday 15th June: Cornets Ball
Thursday 16th June: Kingholm Ride Out / Cornets Supper
Friday 17th June: Children’s Fancy Dress / Family Treasure Trail / Decorate a Cake Competition (Queens Platinum Jubilee event… decorate a cake fit for a Queen!) for both children and adults.
Saturday 18th June: Guid Nychburris Day: Riding of Marches: / Cornets Chases / Charter Ceremony / Crowning of Queen of the South / Entertainment on Dumfries High Street / Guid Nychburris Parade incorporating the Big Burns Supper Carnival Parade / Beating Retreat.
Although full details and rules of all competitions and activities are still to be announced.
Interest can be shown through messaging [email protected] or the Guid Nychburris Festival Association Facebook page.
Further events and details will be announced as soon as the information is available.
GNFA will adhere to any Scottish Government guidance regarding Covid restrictions and in the unlikely event that events have to be cancelled or curtailed, details will be announced through the usual channels.
