Scottish Community Drama Association

SCDA & Pitlochry Festival Theatre
remember Ros Lane

The Saturday of the Scottish Finals saw a departure from the usual format for the day. Instead of the traditional civic reception, many members of SCDA gathered at the Festival Theatre, in the morning, to witness the unveiling of SCDA's tribute to Ros Lane, our Adviser, who died in May, last year. Districts, Divisions and individuals contributed to Ros's memorial fund, which General Council decided to use to commission an individually designed seat, to be placed in the Explorers' Garden which has been set up in the area to the west of the theatre.

We were welcomed to Pitlochry by Mike Cheesewright, Chairman of Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council, who is himself involved with the management of the Explorers' Garden. John Durnin, the Artistic Director of the theatre said in his speech of dedication that it was only fitting that the seat be placed in the garden, as this reflected one of Ros's other loves and passions (apart from the theatre) - gardening.

The choice of Pitlochry was also fitting, in that Ros spent one of her early years as an actress in Pitlochry - when in 1962, she performed in three plays at the fledgling theatre in the town - Pygmalion, The Man of the World and The Magic Bed.

After the short reception, around 50 members of the Association, along with Ros's family, walked some distance to the site of the seat, where Terry, Ros's husband thanked the members for their tribute to Ros, and Benita Wylie unveiled the seat. We were honoured that Terry had come from Italy for the ceremony, and Eleanor and Robin, Ros's children were also present, along with her grandchildren. In glorious sunshine, Benita revealed the seat, which was designed in sycamore and steel, by artist and craftsman, David Wilson.
It is situated in a shady area of the garden, just below the Douglas Pavilion. The garden itself, which reflects the collections of plants, brought to Scotland by various plant hunters and explorers over the centuries can be accessed from the theatre car park. Those of you who were unable to be at the Finals must make the effort to visit the gardens and if you get the chance, rest a while on the seat and take time to appreciate the beauty of the garden and the surroundings. Take some time also to remember Ros. The commemorative plaque is inscribed with a quote from Cymbeline, Act 4: Scene 2

'Thou thy wordly task hast done Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages.'

Ros's worldly task included, for many years, SCDA, and it is fitting that her many friends can now remember her in a setting and in a way which I'm sure she would have appreciated, even if she would have had something to say about all the fuss. She herself was certainly worth it.

Richard Mackintosh

Some images from the day:-