DATE: Saturday 19th July - VENUE: West Princes Street Gardens -
EVENT: Installation of a statue of San Diego's beloved Town Dog BUM
St Cuthbert's Church Hall is the assembly point where at 12 noon the preliminaries (speeches etc) will take place. The parade, to the unveiling site, will commence at approximately 1230 led by the Skye Terrier Association in period dress and their dogs. We welcome everyone, especially youngsters, to bring their dogs along and join in the fun.
Unfortunately dogs are not allowed within the Church, anyone who wants to listen and see the opening ceremony will have to arrange to have their pet cared for outside.
As I said earlier Bum's final resting place would not have been my choice, but the more I see it the more like the venue. All I have spoken to and those who have seen the site have been very positive in their comments. The statue will be protected at night within the closed gates of the gardens, the area has undergone considerable refurbishment and looks very attractive. Instead of the two dogs being together they are situated at either end of Greyfriars Bobby's traditional patch which of course was the Grassmarket and that particular locus has also received a massive makeover that will attract not only Edinburghers, but the many thousands of tourists who visit this city every year. Yes, it is walking distance between the two dogs but rest assured, Bum will get plenty of attention.
The success of this venture has been the collaboration of many individuals talents in both Edinburgh and San Diego, but I want in to thank in particular the support and assistance of Elaine Ballantyne Edinburgh Council's External Relations Manager who co-ordinated meetings with the City of Edinburgh officials without whom the event would not have taken place. My sincere appreciation to them all.
