Vintage Rally Commentating all part of the story telling of Scottish heritage
My commentating journey
I stumbled into commentating at vintage rallies like many other commentators. It was with these words from one of the committee “ were stuck and we know you can speak”. To that came the Doric response of dinna be silly I ken nithing aboot auld things Im nae a collector. Twenty one years and over 100 rallies later the season starts all over again.
Commentating is entertaining people
A commentator brings more than descriptions and stories about Scotland’s past to a rally. He or she brings a bit of their personality also. However, they are not the main event in the ring. They must try to present the exhibits content, owner and context in as best a way as possible. Their exhibit represent the authentic culture of Scotland. Most rallies today have developed their offer to cover many aspects of Scottish heritage. This includes vintage steam engines in all categories from ploughing engines to miniature steamers. Tractors, stationary engines, classic cars, commercials, models, tools and artefacts of a past Scottish life in various forms. These can be working exhibits like the farmers threshing mill. The Clydesdale horse ploughing. Wood cutting and many more collectables.
Stall holders
Adding to the day there are the stall holders with their own brand of entry. bringing exposure for them and offers opportunity to buy for the visitor. The children are not forgotten about with many activities for them to enjoy also. All this is supported with the traders who supply food, drinks and all sorts of products and produce. Showcasing our rich culture and heritage. All of these contributors to a rally need to be introduced to the visitors.
Diverse visitors to the rally
Visitors may be local day trippers or people visiting our region. They could be people in search of their Scottish routes and their Scottish ancestors or those interested in their own past identity.
Me commentating from a Fergie 35
Over the years I have been a commentator each rally has its own identity and style created by the chairman and his/her committee and the theme/ programme they wish to portray either purposefully or by chance. Today we see many more young people being part of the rally scene both as exhibitors, committee members and as a visitor. I am also pleased to see more ladies being part of the scene. This is essential since ladies have made a huge contribution to Scotland’s rich past. The skills, talents and personality they bring to an event adds to its success. Of course, no event would be without its fare share of children getting involved as exhibitors or helping dad/mum or grandad/grandma.
Finding out about their past
The popularity of these rallies reflects the desire for people to find out about their own ancestors past way of life and by doing so feel a closer connection to how they lived their past lives in Aberdeenshire and Scotland. As many of the exhibits are over 50 years old and many are over 100 years old the engineering featured within these Scottish artefacts and exhibits is far removed from todays approach to throw out the old and fit a new one. Much of the repair and maintenance is done either by the owners themselves or by specialist suppliers. All this adding to what rallies provide for various people in Scottish society. Our past and present have very strong links to how we live our lives today. Rallies and the work of the commentator helps to bring the past alive and connects the past with today’s society.
By popular demand
Over the years I have been a commentator each rally has its own identity and style created by the chairman and his/her committee and the theme/ programme they wish to portray either purposefully or by chance. Today we see many more young people being part of the rally scene both as exhibitors, committee members and as a visitor. I am also pleased to see more ladies being part of the scene. This is essential since ladies have made a huge contribution to Scotland’s rich past. The skills, talents and personality they bring to an event adds to its success. Of course, no event would be without its fare share of children getting involved as exhibitors or helping dad/mum or grandad/grandma. The popularity of these rallies reflects the desire for people to find out about their own ancestors past way of life.
Aberdeenshire vintage rallies are major events
By doing so feel a closer connection to how they lived their past lives in Aberdeenshire and Scotland. The rally scene is very much an entertainment scene. All rallies have static stances and show rings where a programme of events take place from 10 am to 4 pm. When a show ring is part of the rally it is essential that a programme of inputs is scheduled throughout that time for the seated visitors to enjoy. A great asset for the commentator is to have strong links with the committee members and rely on the ring master to bring different exhibits into the ring to entertain the crowds of thousands of people who are fascinated by Scotland’s rich past and what helped to make Britain Great Britain.
Scottish education today looks back to our recent past way of life as mainstream inputs for the Curriculum for Excellence. As a Scottish educational and heritage film maker much of my footage captures aspects of what vintage rallies aspire to present to the general public. Both rallies and Scottish education help present and future generations to understand and enjoy finding out about their past and for a while enables them to walk in the footsteps of their own ancestors.
A great day out for all
So ladies and gentlemen boys and girls if you have not visited a vintage rally to date you should give it a try. It is more than just a day out it is a day visiting YOUR Scottish past. This provides you with the opportunity to meet your ancestors. You will find out about their way of life both physically and emotionally. The rally commentator will help you on that exciting journey.
See you there over the summer.
Don Carney
Carney Heritage Productions Ltd
www.scottishheritage.co.uk
info@scottishheritage.co.uk
