Election taking place for Honest Lass for 2022 Musselburgh Festival

Residents will go to the polls after a two-year gap due to the Covid-19 pandemic to vote for Abby Pickles, 19, or Amy Rooke, 21, tomorrow (Friday).

The Honest Lass plays a key role during the annual Musselburgh Festival, which takes place at the end of July, and also represent the town at common ridings in the Scottish Borders.

The polling station at the Brunton Hall concourse will be open from 10am to 7pm and online voting will also take place during that time, with more information available at musselburghfestival.org

The result will be announced on the steps of the Brunton Hall later the same day at about 8pm, but there will be no parade round the town this year.

There will be no election for Honest Lad on Friday, as there is no candidate standing for the position.

READ MORE: Election of Musselburgh's Honest Lad is shelved

The Kirkin’ and Sashing ceremonies for this year’s festival will take place on Sunday, July 24. following by the traditional Crusaders’ Chase on Monday, July 25. The junior ride is planned for Tuesday, July 26, with the festival football tournament scheduled for the same day. A presentation night is on Wednesday, July 27, and a tea dance and the festival concert will both be held on Thursday, July 28. The fancy dress parade will take place on Friday, July 29, ahead of Festival Day on Saturday, July 30. It is hoped Harbour Ceremony Sunday will be held on Sunday, July 31, but confirmation is awaited.

Abby Pickles

Image: Stefanie Talac

Abby was born and raised in Musselburgh. She spent a great deal of her childhood with her gran and grandad, who played a big part in her decision to stand for Honest Lass this year.

She went to Loretto RC Primary School and still fondly remembers the yearly assembly where the Honest Lad and Honest Lass would attend and represent the town.

She recently got her own horse, Oliver, and loves to spend as much time with him as possible. She has ridden since “before she could walk” and completed her first Musselburgh Festival ride aged five.

She “loves” being outdoors and goes on many walks with her family, who are “quite competitive” and often like to get their street involved in games of rounders.

Abby also highlighted her “love” of meeting new people. She works at Equikro, an equestrian store near the airport, which gave her plenty of opportunity to mention the Musselburgh Festival to people.

Abby has a “long history” with the festival and has been involved since a young age, both taking part and supporting others in the ride out. She also took part in the Riding of the Marches, which was “extremely important” to her as her uncle was town crier for that year. She said she had “many amazing memories” of festival week, as they were such “special family moments” for her.

The main reason she is standing this year is due to her gran, as Abby remembers telling her she wanted to stand for Honest Lass one day, and that it was “a great opportunity and honour” to be able to represent her town. Abby said her gran passed away nearly two years ago and being in the position to stand for Honest Lass this year “meant the world to her”.

Amy Rooke

Image: Stefanie Talac

Amy has lived in Musselburgh all her life with her mum, dad, brother Andrew and cockapoo puppy Harvey.

She attended Stoneyhill Primary School and Musselburgh Grammar School, where she studied until sixth year. She enjoyed school and got “lots of experience” from her place on the events committee, working with people and organising events for all age groups.

In her spare time, she volunteered at Horse’s Yard in Port Seton & Macmerry Stables, where she helped manage and care for many types of horses, some with health and psychological conditions.

For as long as she can remember, she has been “passionate” about horses and has stayed “dedicated and determined” to pursue her passion as not only a hobby but as a lifestyle and career too. She has raised and trained two horses herself, something that is “a great source of pride” for her. During her spare time, she enjoys socialising with her friends and family, and getting to know new people.

She has her dream job at East Lothian Livery, where she works full time. Her work has allowed her to develop “important skills” with people, horses and business. She “takes a lot of pride” in the responsibilities she is given at work and has a “lot of ambition” within her field.

Amy said she was “extremely proud” to stand for Honest Lass this year. From a young age, she has been “mesmerised and inspired” by the festival. She has taken part in several ride outs, her first being when she was 10 years old. She fondly remembers the Honest Lad and Honest Lass visiting her primary school and wondered if she might be able to do that one day.

Amy added that it was “a true honour” for her to represent her home town this year.