Sun shines on Stromness Shopping Week opening ceremony

The sun shone, the tall ships alongside in the harbour watched on, and hundreds of locals and visitors lined the streets this morning as Stromness lifeboat coxswain, Captain Freddie Breck, opened the 63rd Stromness Shopping Week, and Lara Hourie was crowned queen.

Eighteen-year-old Lara, from Sandwick, escorted by Sergeant Gordon Deans, was piped from the pierhead to the small marquee next to the Stromness Hotel, accompanied by her attendants Ailsa Green and Rachel Blair, Captain Breck, pageboys Aaron Flynn and Keith Isbister, and flower girl Holly McLennan.

Also accompanying the opening party, was the captain of the visiting Tall Ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl, Jarle Flateboe.

Addressing the large crowd Captain Breck said: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, towns folk and visitors – it’s good to see you here today.

“The Monday blues are not true every third Monday in July. One and all, young and old – welcome.”

Captain Breck went on to pay tribute to the queen and her attendants.

“These three lasses show just how much talent we have in our town,” he said.

He also thanked the town’s businesses, the Stromness Royal British Legion Pipe Band, and the officers and crews of the tall ships, before declaring Shopping Week 2011 officially open, to the cheers of the gathered crowd.

Lara, thanking her attendants and the Shopping Week committee, said: “I know I will look back on this week with fond memories.

“I hope everyone has a great shopping week and enjoys everything Stromness has to offer.”