When I was a wee girl, I became aware at an early age that I had the wonderful opportunity to perhaps be chosen as the Bo’ness Fair Queen. My friends and family would often remind my mum and dad, but we never really started thinking about it seriously until the day the letters from school were handed out. We talked about it for ages…. and after a great deal of yes, no and maybe’s …. I was finally handing in my letter with a great big smile on my face.
Then on Friday, our Deputy Head Teacher, Mrs Raeburn, requested, “Can everyone bring a pencil, something to write on and please line up.” Unsurprisingly everybody did as they told very quickly as we became aware that we were about to pick the retinue for 2009. The entire primary seven were sitting in the Art Room just as the Fair Committee entered. Everybody was so excited and I had butterflies flying everywhere! After we finished voting, it seemed it seemed like forever, until they announced, “This year’s Queen Elect is Shanagh Penman.” I didn’t know what to do. I just had the biggest smile on my face ever and it didn’t disappear the whole day. I was allowed to phone home, my Dad was really shocked but also really pleased and when my Mum found out at her work she started crying, her workmates thought she had received bad news before she managed to speak.
I couldn’t wait for the big day to arrive. So after a lot of hard work by so many very special people the day was finally upon us. When I woke and realised it was a lovely sunny morning I was so thrilled I was soon at school and meeting all my friends and teachers. I will was so excited and happy with the thought that the last day I would spend at Deanburn would be filled with excitement, happy faces and special memories for everyone.
I loved the walk into the park and colourful ceremony. When I heard lovely Mr Snedden announce “Mrs Cuthell has crowned our new Queen” I just thought, this is amazing and it was better than I had ever imagined it would be. I was so relieved that it was a warm sunny day.
There are so many generous people I would like to thank,, My mum and day for allowing me my once in a lifetime opportunity and for their hard work throughout the year. My classmates for voting for me and the staff at Deanburn Primary, especially Mrs Raeburn for teaching the retinue so well. I would also like to give a huge thanks to all the talented friends and family that worked so hard to make my house frontage so spectacular and Alice Hamilton for two gorgeous dresses. I would also like to thank Barbara-Ann Hogarth for styling my hair and helping me so much throughout the year and to Janice Blackley for her lovely bouquets. I would like to give a big thank you to the hard working Fair Committee and for their kindness shown to me from the day I was elected. Last but not least, thank you to Mrs Cuthell for crowning me on my unforgettable day and for her kindness also.
I send my best wishes to Queen Elect Georgia and her retinue. I wish you all as many wonderful memories as I experienced on what is definitely, “The best day of the year.”
SHANAGH PENMAN
Bo’ness Fair Queen 2009
