Last updated at 15:22, Monday, 24 May 2010

PIEL Island was the scene of an historic ceremony at the weekend.
GRAHAM DIXON joined the throng to witness the ordination of three new knights

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IT was not quite the butcher, baker and candlestick maker over on Piel Island at the weekend.

But a builder, Baroness’s daughter and council bigwig were all honoured in an ancient ceremony that dates back centuries.

Mike Furness – who once rescued a vicar from drowning – was the only new male knight to be ordained for services to the island by The King of Piel, Steve Chattaway.

However, Jackie Clements – whose mother Joan Cleasby was similarly honoured in the 1980s by the then ‘King’ Ron Warburton – and Ann Taylforth, Barrow town centre and festivals manager, both became baronesses.

All three were genuinely taken aback to be singled out of the large crowd by Queen Sheila and Princess Nicola and undergo a ceremony that involved swearing allegiance and having beer poured over their heads.

It was all lapped up in glorious sunshine by around 500 visitors, who had arrived on the island either by ferry or on a walk across the sands from South Walney led by local tour guide John Murphy.

There was a village carnival atmosphere as young and old set up camp, enjoyed the bouncy castle or castle ruins and even viewed seals basking off shore.

Each visitor was also given a complimentary drinks ticket as they arrived, which, as Queen Sheila explained, would be paid for by the new knights.

She said: “Anyone who sits in the king’s throne traditionally has to buy everyone on the island a drink so instead of them standing a great big round, when we haven’t told anyone they’re being knighted, we give everyone a ticket, they all get their free drink and we give the bill to whoever is knighted.”

King Steve, who changed from burger seller into period costume, entered to a fanfare from a sea cadet bugler.

He said that all three fully deserved to be knighted for their unstinting support of life on the historic island.

Mr Chattaway said Ann Taylforth had been invaluable in promoting the island as a “true jewel in the Furness crown”.

He said that Mike Furness had saved people from a watery grave – one of them a vicar – and had great kindness and a boundless passion for the island.

Mr Chattaway praised the unwavering lifelong commitment of Jackie Clements to the island – and said it was the first time a mother and daughter had become baronesses. Mrs Clements, 44, who works in administration at Walney School, has been in the family holiday cottage on the island since she was one.

She said: “It is the end one and when Steve said I was like a security guard he meant nosy.”

Mr Furness, a builder and yachtsman, said some boatsmen have been caught out by the strong currents, especially after a day drinking on the island. He said: “It tends to be people from away. There was a vicar who got in trouble once in a dinghy, I’ve never seen him here again.

“This is our island, everyone come here and enjoy it, it’s a great place to be.”

Mrs Taylforth had earlier in the day told The Evening Mail of the unique qualities and heritage of Piel.

And she later admitted she had been totally “gotcha’d” to find out she was one of those being honoured.

Mrs Taylforth said: “I’ve not been drowned in beer before. This is a great honour, the stories that Steve told me to get me here today.”

• Among future events on Piel are a banquet night on Friday, June 25 and a Piel’s Got Talent Day on Sunday, July 4.

First published at 11:04, Monday, 24 May 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk