HALF an hour to go before the official start of the Girvan Civic Week opening ceremony and South Carrick Councillor Ian Fitzsimmons was puffing, anxiously, on his cigarette.
"Is it going to clear up in time?" he muttered to no one in particular, while scanning the grey, sodden skies outside the Westcliffe Hotel, where his fellow organisers and early arrivals were clustering for shelter from the steady, unrelenting and
dismal drizzle.
Fifteen minutes later and a ray of sunshine appeared...not from the heavens but in the mini-clad form of fruit shop owner Margaret Howieson, leading Maggie's Tartan Army.
A week before the call had gone out for parade participants to come clad in cultural clobber and "show us yer legs!"
Maggie and clan did so in style, setting the scene for a festive atmosphere that even the rain couldn't ruin and which was soon boosted by the arrival of irrepressible comic fundraisers the Jolly Boys, a nucleus of Soroptimists, grass roots Make It Happen community garden members and the ever-inspirational Girvan & District Pipe Band.
One coronation later for the civic King and Queen and the procession set off through the puddles - flags flying, hips swaying and spirits soaring.
Even our concerned councillor had his head in the clouds...or rather a cloud of tobacco smoke wafting out from underneath the umbrella anchored firmly at head height.
His SAC colleagues Alec Oattes and John McDowall were also well to the fore, setting a fine pace and a commendable example in cross-party co-operation by sharing a brolly.
Paying tribute to everyone involved in supporting the event organised by the Girvan & District Attraction and Entertainment Association - particularly the town's police who turned out in force to escort the parade - Betty McQuiston had a special word for the Aileen Robertson Dancing School..."and the mums for bringing their children along even though they weren't able to dance because it would have been unsafe to do so in the rain".
There were, of course, compensations, including a free bouncy castle for the little ones, the car boot sale outside the swimming pool, with fundraising stalls, raffle and tombola (held a week earlier than stated in last Thursday's Gazette - sorry] and the Youth Trust's hours of non-stop music just along the seafront at Stair Park.
She revealed there had been a winner of the prize hamper - Mrs Sloan, from Todd Street.
And there would be more to come during the week, with the annual pet show and pensioner's party.
Tonight, Thursday, sees the start of the treasure heart, setting off from the harbour at 6 o'clock.
