In
common with many Border towns, the Royal burgh of Annan enjoys an annual
Riding of the Marches when a cavalcade of horse perform an inspection of
the town’s boundaries. There was extra joy in the town’s celebration
last Saturday as Annan had featured widely in the Scottish media – all
thanks to Scotland’s favourite sport, Football. On Thursday 3 July 2008,
the local East of Scotland side Annan Athletic , founded in 1942 as part
of the Dumfries and District Welfare League, took a major step forward
with entry to the Scottish Football League. “Where is Galabank?” will be
the question on the lips of many football fans, especially those in the
current Scottish Third Division. The answer is simple as Galabank, the
3,500 capacity home of Annan Athletic and its successful social club,
lies a short 15 minute walk from Annan Railway Station. En route you
will pass the town’s museum, well worth a visit, the excellent chip
shop, Café Royal, on the site of the building where Robert Burns wrote
‘The Deil’s Awa Wi The Exciseman’, and the Blue Bell Inn, where a
splendid pint of Real ale can be enjoyed.
The demise
of nearby neighbours Gretna FC , following a roller-coaster funded by
English businessman Miles Brookson, led to the SFL having to fill a vacancy
in the Third Division. After three rounds of voting, Annan Athletic beat off
the challenge of three fellow East of Scotland sides – Spartans, Edinburgh
City and Preston Athletic – and Highland League champions Cove Rangers to
gain a foothold in Scottish senior football. Ahead in every round, Annan in
the final vote gained 17 votes to Cove’s 12. Annan will kick-off life as a
SFL side away to Clyde in the Challenge Cup on Saturday 26 July 2008 at 3pm,
and Galabank will host its first-ever home Third Division league game on
Saturday 9 August 2008 when Stenhousemuir, The Warriors’, will be the
visitors.
Annan is
the third largest town in Dumfries and Galloway, with a population of some
10,000, and now join the largest town Dumfries and second largest Stranraer
in Scottish senior football. This well-run club makes an interesting
addition to the towns on the SFL circuit. Apart from football Annan is well
worth a visit. A Royal Burgh standing near the mouth of the River Annan
where it enters The Solway, since at least the days of James V, King of
Scots, has much to offer any visitor. Famous folk from Annan include the
noted preacher Edward Irving, a statue to him stands in the old churchyard,
and the blind poet Thomas Blacklock, whose friendship and approval helped
dissuade Robert Burns from emigration. Any visit to the Borders is not
complete without a slice of Scottish Border Tart along with a fly cup.
Scottish Border Tart
Ingredients:
225g (8oz) Shortcrust Pastry; 140g (5oz) Mixed Dried Fruit; 50g
(2oz) Butter; 50g (2oz) Dark Soft Brown Sugar; 25g (1oz) Walnuts,
chopped; 25g (1oz) Glacę Cherries, chopped; 1 Egg, beaten; 110g (4oz)
Icing Sugar; 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
Method:
Pre-heat oven to 190°C: 375°F: Gas 5. Lightly grease a 7 inch round
baking tin. Roll out the pastry on a floured surface and line the baking
tin. Gently melt the butter and sugar together in a saucepan. Remove
from the heat and allow to cool. Add the dried fruit, walnuts and
cherries. Stir in the beaten egg. Place the mixture into the prepared
baking dish. Bake for 25 to 30 min or until the pastry is slightly
browned. Allow to cool. Mix the icing sugar and lemon juice together.
Spread over the top of the tart, allow to set before serving.
Serves 4
