The minister wore a tinsel halo, decorations adorned the cattle pens, the choir sat on straw bales – and Forfar Mart echoed to the sound of farmers belting out Christmas carols.
After a year of difficult weather and poor prices, it was a feelgood community event that saw the market mobbed by around 200 working farmers and their rural neighbours as well as retired people and small children, all of whom went on to tuck in to stovies, mulled wine and mince pies.
The Rev Maggie Hunt, who conducted the service from the salering rostrum, said while the farming community were good neighbours to one another, working in agriculture could be an isolating and lonely existence.
“In the cold, dark winter months some farmers around here may not see anyone for days or even weeks, other than maybe a seed salesman or a postie bringing a bill,” she said.
“That’s why we wanted to get everyone together, invite our neighbours and friends, and be light in the darkness for one another.”
Forfar Mart auctioneer Daniel Johnson said the event highlighted the role of marts as a hub of the community.
“Obviously I’d like to see crowds like this around the ringside every Wednesday, but it’s great everyone has come together away from the humdrum of everyday life and the pressures of farming in 2019 to forget about the farm and just have a good time and some refreshments.”
The event was free, but donations were made to Scotland’s rural charity, RSABI. Charity chairman Ewan Pate said the extra funds were welcome but added: “I’m just as delighted so see everyone in really good form having the first carols at the mart at Forfar.”
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
