Jimmy Savile stunt Borders on the ridiculous
A misjudged Jimmy Savile stunt in which a group of men dressed up as the disgraced DJ and a group of schoolgirl victims for a float parade has provoked outrage in the Borders community of Lauder.
The bad taste fancy-dress float was part of the Lauder Common Riding celebrations and drew a swift response from a local MP Christine Grahame, who branded it ‘distasteful’ and ‘not a good idea’ – despite it winning third place in the Best Vehicle category of the event.
Others were less measured in offering their opinions however with one visitor, Gregory Kynoch from Edinburgh writing on the parade’s Facebook page: "One of your floats thought it would be 'funny' to do a cover of the theme tune from Jim with Fix it, and thought this would be seen as humour? Am sorry, in light of the events surrounding that programme and the revelations since it I feel that was a step WAY over the line.”
Another attendee, Margaret Ryles, added: "I feel there was no respect for those who were abused by this very sick sick man...and I think it was in very bad taste, offensive and insensitive."
In response to the criticism the common riding organisers said in a statement: “Our fancy dress parade is only one element of our week and is a long-standing tradition. We have never censored anyone who has entered the event. It is up to the individuals who enter and their conscience to decide how they wish to express themselves and approach the event.
"People spectate and take part of their own free will. This year we did not receive any complaints about any of the entrants.
"We are obviously dismayed and understand that people are upset by the coverage one of the entries has received; however, we would reiterate that the committee does not condone or condemn the individual's right to enter the parade in their own way."
The Jim’ll Fix it float was the brainchild of the local Twenty 10 club.