PROFILE of Captain John Rorison
Wife -
Ayley;
Family -
Anne, Janet, John, David, Laura, Amber, Donna and Ryne.
Employment - time-served panel-beater and spray-painter
Hobbies - Walking, cycling and horse-riding
What being Captain means to John: He writes:
Having participated in every aspect of Marymass for many years - dressing horses, horse-racing, fancy dress and stewarding, riding as fiscal for many years - it was an honour to be voted Captain of the Society. This was the icing on the cake.
During my time as captain, I have received numerous invitations to different functions which I attended and can honestly say I enjoyed each and every one.
I have also met and enjoyed the company of lots of different people - most of whom all work hard to maintain community spirit and fund-raise for many worthy causes.
Marymass has and always will have a special place in my heart and I truly believe I am not alone in this, as it is attended by upwards of 50,000 people every year.
I extend an open invitation to one and all to come along and join with me in the celebrations of Marymass 2007.
Thank you. Capt. John Rorison
2008 MARYMASS MESSAGE from 2005-08 Captain John Rorison
Well August is here once again and to many Irvinites and visitors it can only mean one thing, ‘Marymass’, when family and friends re-unite to celebrate the festivities as they have done for hundreds of years.
My Committee and I have worked hard throughout the year to make the 2008 Marymass a festival to remember. This year brings the introduction of a Friday night race meeting (with free admission) this will in turn give Saturday a well-needed increase in horse entries for the races at the Moor.
There is something for everyone at Marymass with around 120 events taking place. A lot of these events are organised by an army of volunteers who work very hard and to whom I thank. Last year we tried very hard to make Marymass more family orientated. With drinking alcohol limited to a designated beer tent on the Moor and with the co-operation and assistance from Strathclyde Police this was achieved. The same arrangements will be in place this year but hopefully without the rain. So come along and enjoy Marymass 2008.
My thanks once more go to North Ayrshire Council, Strathclyde Police, Irvine Carters’ Society, Strathclyde Fire Brigade, Ambulance Service, First Aiders and everyone else who works behind the scenes to make Marymass the great success it is. A special thanks you to all participants in each event without whom we would have no Marymass.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome this years Queen Elect Kerri-Ann Murdoch and her Marys Megan Joyce, Carly Diamond, Beth Ingram and Rachael McCallum, who I am sure will be pretty excited by now, "Welcome to Marymass 2008 girls".
I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday 23 August.