Sponsored by
Rail boss will be town's chieftain
The 42nd Chieftain of Corby's Highland Gathering has been unveiled as rail boss Tim Shoveller.
Mr Shoveller will preside over activities at the gathering on Sunday, July 11.
The 36-year-old from Kettering is managing director of East Midlands Trains and was at the helm of the rail company when Corby's new direct rail link to London opened last year.
He rose to his position just 16 years after starting his career on the trains as a volunteer.
Now he has agreed that East Midlands Trains will be one of the sponsors of the Gathering and has been rewarded with the Chieftain title.
Organiser, Mark Pengelly, said: "Because of the financial problems at Corby Council this year we have done our best to go to outside organisations to get sponsorship so that we only have to take a 3,000 grant from the council.
"Tim agreed to get involved and he is quite local so we thought he would make a good Chieftain.
"Lots of other local companies have also been very kind, despite the recession, so it should be a good Gathering this year."
Previous notable chieftains include Jimmy Kane OBE and hurdler Colin Jackson.
The first ever chieftain was Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Mclaren and the first female chieftain was the president of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Scottie McLean, who officiated in 1994.
The coveted title is decided upon by a committee of volunteers who dedicate many weeks each year to organising the Gathering.
The role is now an honorary one but it was traditionally used to honour the head of an old Scottish clan.
Originally, some of the events which now comprise a Gathering would be organised to determine positions in the Chieftain's clan.
Winners of some traditional Gathering sports were offered positions in the clan army.
This would have been a great honour to the individual who would then enjoy a much better standard of living.
Corby is believed to be the only town in England with an annual Highland Gathering, apart from London.
This year's event will take place at the Charter Field in Corby Old Village and its highlights are expected to be the highland dancing competition and pipe band contest.
Dancers from as far afield as Ireland and Australia are believed to be attending the Gathering to take part in the competitions.
The activities begin at 9am when the preliminary rounds of the contests start.
But most of the other activities, including live music, will start from 11am.
Entry for adults is 2 and children get in for free.
Community groups which want to run a stall can call Mr Pengelly on 07760 434896.
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Weather for Kettering
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
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