Under the blanket at Mary's
Under the blanket at Mary's
Days gone by at the the Blanket Preaching, above left; The Rev Sam Siroki conducts the service, above; and former Valley minister Bruce Lawrie gives the blessing, left
It's a throwback to the times of the Covenanters when the Protestant faithul were forced to hold their services hidden in the hills.
But why is the annual Blanket Preaching service in the ruin's of St Mary's Church at the head of the Yarrow Valley so named? Local Church of Scotland minister Samuel Siroky explains ...
It is the name by which the annual service at St Mary's has, for years and years, been generally known.
The name always excites the curiosity of visitors as it did me when I came to Yarrow. When I heard the name I thought that things have to be really bad when people not only sleep during worship, but also bring their blankets.
The explanation, though, is perfectly simple.
In order to provide a centre for the congregation as well as to shield the preacher from sunshine, breeze and showers, a kind of a tent used to be erected on the occasion.
Two farm flakes (gates) were planted upright in the ground and a horizontal paling bar was laid and nailed across the top. Over the top a blanket was thrown, leaving an opening in the front.
The blanket in particular seems to have caught the fancy of those who attended and lingered in their memories. Hence the traditional and popular name.
The Blanket Preaching is celebrated every year on the fourth Sunday in July (25th this year) at 3pm, followed by teas in the Cappercleuch Hall. It is an unusual experience and worthwhile making the trip.
In any case, if the sermon is boring there is always the enthralling beauty and solemnity of the surroundings, and some wonderful home baking to make up for it. I hope you will be able to join us.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Selkirk
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
