First name makes history

The ceremony is an alternative to christening

Fife Council has become the first local authority in Scotland to offer a "naming ceremony" service.

Emmé Marshall celebrated her first birthday by taking part in a ceremony at Falkland Palace, Cupar, the Fife home of the Stuart kings and queens.

Naming ceremonies are conducted as alternatives to a religious christening.

The civil ceremony allows parents to welcome a new child, of any age, into the family.

They can be conducted in virtually any venue chosen by the participants and in a format suitable to them.

Emmé's parents Paula and John Marshall, from Cluny near Kirkcaldy, said their daughter took her historic role in her stride.

Engineer John, 29, said: "She doesn't realise the significance of the event really, she's just enjoying all the attention and climbing and running about."

'Ideal for us'

Paula, 28, said because neither her nor John were religious, they did not feel a christening would have been appropriate.

"We wanted to do something to celebrate Emmé becoming part of the family with all our friends and family around us," the primary school teacher said.

"When we heard about the naming ceremonies we thought it would be ideal for us. It will also give us something to remember."

The ceremony included readings of poetry and John's cousin and his wife were appointed as "supporting adults", or godparents to Emmé.

Jennifer Millar, a registrar and employee of Fife Council acted as celebrant for the occasion.

She said: "I am delighted that the Marshalls are the first family in Fife to use this new service.

"These ceremonies offer people the opportunity to make a special pledge in a unique ceremony which is entirely personal to them."