Former Salmon Queens sought to mark 80th crowning

Festival organisers are trying to trace local women who previously held the role of Tweed Salmon Queen, as part of plans to mark the 80th annual crowning.

The tradition began in Berwick-upon-Tweed, in Northumberland, in 1947 - with the title intended to reflect the historical significance of salmon to the town's economy.

Traditionally, the Salmon Queen would have been rowed across the Tweed in a fishing coble, but nowadays the boat is towed over Old Bridge before the new queen is crowned.

Mayor of Berwick, John Robertson, said: "We want to find as many past Salmon Queens as possible, as well as their attendants, to record their experiences for our archives."

Salmon net fishing on the River Tweed can be traced back to the 12th Century, and the industry continued to employ hundreds of local men until the 1980s.

"The Salmon Queen Festival came out of the Tweedmouth Festival which dates back centuries," said the mayor.

"It reflects how important salmon was, and still is, to the community in Berwick."

In the past, the coronation was held on a Thursday and was preceded by a procession through the town, but this year, the crowning has been moved to Friday 17 July, with a parade marking the end of the festival on Sunday 19 July.

Elizabeth Patterson, who was crowned in 1960 at the age of 18, recalled feeling "shocked and pleased" to be chosen as the Salmon Queen.

"There was a parade with lots of floats. It was an enormous thing then because there was no health and safety," she said.

"There was such a lot of fishing then - although I don't really like salmon myself!" she added, laughing.

Patterson is thought to be the oldest living former Salmon Queen and will crown whomever is chosen for the honour this year.

Amy Campbell was 15 when she was crowned in 2000, and remembers it being "a big thing".

"You had to wear white - so I borrowed my auntie's wedding dress," she said.

More than 25 years later, Campbell has a one-year-old daughter and would love her to take up the role one day.

"I used to always bring it up in job interviews because it showed I could speak in public and be confident," she said.

Kate Nicholl, 16, who was crowned the Salmon Queen last year, said the role had "opened up many opportunities".

She said she feels "honoured to continue the tradition".

As Salmon Queen, she has helped raise money for a cancer charity, she said, and has received "so much support from the people of Berwick".

The mayor stressed the Salmon Queen role is "definitely not a beauty contest".

"These days we're looking for someone who is confident and can be a real ambassador for their community - be it Tweedmouth, Spittal or Berwick," he said.

But he said there are no current plans for a Salmon King.

"Before the war there were Tweedmouth Feast Kings apparently, but there was quite a lot of drink involved I understand," said Robertson.

"That's not something we would want to replicate."

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