The Muckle Toon enjoyed some moon magic on Friday to mark the 50th anniversary of a major event in its history.
Mission Commander Neil Alden Armstrong – the first man on the moon – visited Langholm half a century ago on March 11 because of his ancestral roots to the town.
He became the first Freeman of the Burgh of Langholm with the occasion staying long in the memory of those who were there.
And he was especially remembered on Friday – exactly 50 years on – with a popular after“moon” tea, a plaque unveiling at the Buccleuch Centre and an evening commemoration at Langholm Parish Church by the Centre Stage Community Theatre.
Claimed as a famous “son” because of his Armstrong ancestry, the American astronaut had been sent a family crest and burgh plaque – plus the offer of a welcome mat – by the Langholm town council after residents were among 530 million worldwide TV viewers to see him make his “giant leap” on July 20, 1969.
Town clerk, Eddie Armstrong, wrote in August, 1969, inviting him to visit and – rather slower than the mission to the moon which began with the launch of Apollo 11, Saturn V Rocket, at 2.32pm UK time on July 16, 1969, with Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins on board — he received a reply on February 10, 1972 with the exciting news that the space pioneer and his wife, Janet, would come on March 11.
The visit, timed to coincide with him delivering the Mountbatten Lecture at Edinburgh University, included seeing Gilnockie Tower at Canonbie, the seat of Clan Armstrong, and a stay with the Duke of Buccleuch.
Depute town clerk at the time Grace Brown said the visit was an occasion the town has never forgotten despite the invitation being “a shot in the dark” and she found him to be “an unassuming man”.
Recalling how “packed” the town was with people, bunting and the town and pipe bands, she said: “He was very quiet and didn’t want to talk an awful lot about his exploits. He was more interested in the town and the people.”
Grace remembers him being met by the town clerk at the toll bar and he came down the street in a “fancy car“ to the town hall for coffee.
He came out to a horse and carriage waiting for them and the provost to ride to the freedom ceremony in the church which was “the biggest place at the time”.
Recalling that it was “bitterly cold but with clear blue skies,” Grace said: “I was introduced to him and shook his hand – I didn’t wash it for about a week after. It was certainly the highlight of my career.”
At the ceremony he was presented with a burgess ticket – officially granting the freedom the burgh – housed inside a casket fashioned by hand in seasoned walnut into the shape of the Armstrong chieftain, Johnny Armstrong’s stronghold at Gilnockie – which the astronaut also visited.
Today, the Clan Armstrong Centre at Gilnockie has The Armstrong Air and Space Museum which features artefacts from his 1972 visit including spacesuit patches and letters from Neil.
Although the prize exhibit is an imprint from his moon boot – “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” – which was donated by the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC.
Fifty years ago, when Armstrong made his oath of allegiance as an honorary burgess, he said: “This is not a day for speeches but I do want to indicate my sincere pleasure at this unique honour for me.
“My pleasure is not only that this is the land of Johnnie Armstrong, rather that my pleasure is in knowing that this is my home town and in the genuine feeling that I have among these hills, among these people.”
And the feeling was reciprocated in Langholm on Friday with the unveiling of a plaque outside The Buccleuch Centre and the special after”moon” tea which included music from Jamie Telford, photos and film clips from the day.
The event was attended by Dumfriesshire Lord Lieutenant, Fiona Armstrong and Grace Brown and included a talk from space historian, Dr Ken MacTaggart, who is co-editor of The Apollo 11 Flight Journal – NASA’s official record of the mission.
A memorial plaque was erected in Langholm after Armstrong’s death in 2012 and there are several displays about him in the town hall and tourist office.
Langholm’s celebration continued on Friday evening with a spectacular sound and light production by Centre Stage Community Theatre in Langholm Parish Church recalling the historic visit with film footage and pictures, music of the time and interviews with locals.
There was also a much-appreciated contribution from the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Professor Catherine Heymans
FRSE.
