3. Launching a Centenary - all in a Day's Work for Lord Mayor at The Gothenburg in Prestonpans

Undaunted after The Busiest of Schedules: that's the Stuff Lord Mayors are Made of in Sweden

Lord Mayor Jorgen Linder simply asked to see as much as he could of our progress since 2003 and to meet as many of those involved as possible. We asked him also to Launch Our Centenary Celebrations. Whatever .... a very busy schedule was put together that met everyone's wishes we are sure.

The day saw him receive his new Gothenburg tartan at 11 am; Officially open Pat Fox's Burriss Bursary Exhibition at 11.30 am; watch the Puppetry History of The Pans from The Meanwhilers at 1.15 pm; Walk the Battlefield of Prestonpans at 2.45 pm; Visit the Fowler's Ales microbrewery & taste Sweden's first whisky [to be launched in Scotland at The Goth mid-August] at 3.30 pm; and still to be ready for an evening at Provost Sheena Richardson Civic Reception ending with fireworks at 10 pm - which alas ran later than planned triggering an overnight apology to the neighbouring families who were clearly considerably disturbed.

The schedule was published in the East Lothian Courier and East Lothian News so that as many Panners as possible could meet with Jorgen Linder. The advanced notice of Centenary Goings On in 2008 was also published as shown below.

On his return to Sweden the Lord Mayor immediately emailed: "Our stay in Prestonpans and Cockenzie was the very best of a great week in Scotland. Thank you for the great generosity and very good arrangements. I was so inspired with our new Gothenburg tartan that I bought a Prince Charlie jacket in Edinburgh and will certainly let you know about the occasions when I wear it. Finally, I apologise that we all got so carried away in discussion at the final Civic Reception that we ran late with the excellent fireworks display".

click on cuttings and images to enlarge


Charles Belfield IV

The glacial boulder which the Lord Mayor named [unseen] as Charles Belfield IV at high tide on Sunday evening is shown here on the sea shore with Jorgen Linder next day after the tide receded. It will be playing a significant role in the forthcoming Prestonpans Pottery Exhibition and its concluding Greek Plate Throwing Party later on in September!