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RoM to return to Annan

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By Newsdesk
Annan and Eskdale
RoM to return to Annan

THE pageantry of Annan Riding of the Marches (AROM) is set to return this summer, as organisers this week confirmed they will make their best efforts to stage the 2022 event after a two-year hiatus due to covid.

All events will comply with any Scottish Government guidelines that may be in place at the time.

This may require adjustments to some events, including a reduction in numbers at indoor events and moving some other activities outdoors.

And the committee is currently working on a finalised programme of events which will be published over the coming months.

Confirming the return of AROM, convenor Stuart Thompson said it had partly been made possible thanks to the continued support of local businesses, organisations, and Dumfries and Galloway Council.

He said: “The committee prove continually grateful for all financial and logistical collaboration and support between all parties. Here in Annan we have spent years developing relationships and very proactively and constructively ensuring the best outcome for all parties.

“This has allowed us to continually assess and seek opportunities to develop the scale of events.”

Stuart said that he and his fellow committee members are in dialogue with businesses to secure funding to cover the numerous running costs associated with the event, which includes the cost of road closures, street cleaning, erection of staging, bunting, builders warrants, insurance, first aid cover, and barrier hire and installation.

He continued: “Businesses and organisations are the life blood of AROM in present times.

“We comply robustly with all health and safety requirements which is always at the forefront of our minds.

“The committee members, who are unpaid volunteers, expend hundreds of hours planning, orchestrating and staging all events.

“They are extremely loyal, committed, enthusiastic and experienced individuals working to celebrate and maintain our time honoured historical march riding.”

This year’s AROM will hold additional significance as there will also be special events to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

And Stuart said the whole committee is looking forward to seeing the Burgh Standard held aloft once again.

He continued: “I am very proud to be part of such a hard working team and working with the local community to support, participate and engage in Annan Riding of the Marches 2022.

“The skirling of the pipes, and the sound of horses hooves echoing off the locally-mined sandstone buildings is something we are all desperate to experience once again.”

 

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