Border Telegraph | News | Selkirk Common Riding gallops on

Published: Thursday, 19th June, 2008 12:00

Selkirk Common Riding gallops on

By David Knox

GUY BLAIR entered the realms of local history last Friday morning as he accepted Selkirk’s standard on the balcony of the Victoria Halls.

The 29-year-old former captain of the town’s rugby team realised every young Souter’s dream by becoming the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer of Selkirk.

And throughout a glorious morning he led by example – with an assurance and calm that could only be admired.

As the first delicate notes from the Flute Band floated over the sleepy town the festivities began.

An early lowland drizzle failed to dampen the mood of this celebratory town but only helped invigorate the drowsy from their Night Afore the Morn parties.

The hills may not have been tipped with gold…but the silver lining that cast its light over Peat Law was an adequate alternative.

From a’ the airts they came…dozens…hundreds…thousands, to honour their past and look to their future.

Silence descended upon the War Memorial where a customary Act of Remembrance wreath was laid to honour the fallen.

But the songs of Selkirk soon rang out once more as the Silver Band sounded the First Drum.

And arm-in-arm the young, the old, the locals and the visitors embraced a tradition that goes back more than three centuries.

Provost Jim Henderson and his wife Irene, who bussed the town’s flag, welcomed Standard Bearer Blair high above the adoring eyes of Souters of all ages at the Victoria Halls.

He was challenged to check the boundaries of the Royal Burgh’s lands and return the flag unsullied and untarnished.

Between Standard Bearer Blair and the adoring masses stood the solitary bronze figure of Fletcher…still clutching the banner he brought back from the bloody battlefields of Flodden.

The poignancy and significance of the solitary soldier’s bravery, where he marched back from war to cast his flag before dying, have not been lost over the past 495 years.

And it was with that sense of pride that Standard Bearer Blair held firm the town banner as he mounted Winston, his chestnut stallion, and led the massed cavalcade.

His able attendants – Craig Monks, James Cheyne, Keiran Riddell and Darren Miller – were never far behind.

The town’s pipe and silver bands stirred the emotions further with melodies from everyone’s youth.

Early drizzle and cloud eventually broke to allow the sun to cast its own part on proceedings as thousands marched and skipped through the narrow streets.

The incorporations with their own selected men at the front paraded their own banners. Many of the trades are almost gone…but the traditions and crafts live on with these small but proud incorporations.

Rob Munro led the Fleshers, Brian Hinnigan carried the Weavers’ banner, John Smail marched at the head of the Merchants, and Ruairaidh Riddell held the Hammermen’s flag proudly.

Colonial Standard Bearer Alistair Scott from South Africa represented the thousands of Souters who have made their lives overseas in far off lands.

And Ex-Soldiers’ Standard Bearer David Myatt marched for the many more thousand who gave their lives on far off battlefields.

With all its colour, tradition and tune Selkirk made its way to the Ettrick Water.

Hundreds lined either bank of the gently flowing river to witness Standard Bearer Blair lead his 343-strong cavalcade towards the Linglie Glen and onto the Marches they all hold so precious.

And across they calmly progressed…Safe Oot.

Over those glorious hills the mounted procession galloped to check the Royal and Ancient Burgh’s boundaries.

In the town…they waited.

From the Market Square the crowds, dignitaries and incorporations congregated once more.

And to the Toll they marched.

Again arm-in-arm, singing their hearts out to When You and I Were Young Maggie and The Boys of the Old Brigade.

And at the Toll they waited.

The first dim cheers stirred from down the Gala Road at exactly five minutes past ten. The roar generated up the quarter mile stretch of The Toll as quickly as Standard Bearer Blair could gallop his trusted stead.

Brief smiles interrupted a solid look of concentration as he brought home the town’s flag.

Mum Sally, sister Emma and Standard Bearer’s lass Hailey White looked relieved as they waited to congratulate the man of the moment.

The four attendants arrived in line a brief spell later.

And for the next twenty minutes, in small clusters, the rest of the cavalcade came home…Safe In.

There were one or two who didn’t make it round the testing Marches…but they’ll be back next year to do it all again.

Standard Bearer Blair took a fleeting few moments out of the saddle to accept the deserved adulation from officials, and also a special riding crop to mark his big day from retiring Clerk of the Common Riding Trust, Allan Douglas.

It had been a job well done…but not yet finished.

Selkirk’s tradition of honouring Fletcher’s return with the banner has distinguished it from all other festivals.

And the poignant Casting of the Colours always stirs the emotions of every Souter lucky enough to witness the annual ceremony within the Market Place.

Standard Bearer Blair led, as he has done all morning, by example.

He was greeted with a hero’s reception as took to the town’s new red stand.

And to the strains of Up W’i the Souters he cast his flag with a determination and passion that only a Standard Bearer can muster.

A simple wave to his mother, standing proudly above on the Town Hall balcony, is all that was needed as he climbs down from the stand to show he had done well.

One by one the supporting standard bearers followed by casting their own flags.

A youthful Ruairidh Riddell defied his age by also delivering a perfect cast of the Hammermen’s Flag. Relief and exuberance spread across the young tradesman’s face as he left the podium.

Their minute or so high above an appreciative audience will be the most nerve-wracking minute of their lives.

But all Weaver Brian Hinnigan showed was sheer joy. He enjoyed every second of his cast and as the final notes of Up Wi’ The Souters flew away you would have been forgiven for thinking he had just scored the winning goal in Euro 2008.

Rob Munro was calm and collected as he rolled his Flesher’s Flag with authority around his head. As his fellow bearers had done before, the cast was impeccable.

South African Alistair Scott floated around the podium effortlessly with a huge smile as he waved the distinctive yellow Colonials’ Flag into the contrasting grey skies.

Former newspaper editor John Smail is used to coping with pressure and he gave a nerveless and accomplished cast. There was no celebration from the Merchants Standard Bearer, just a huge sigh of relief as he climbed down from the stand.

And to the Ex Soldiers.

Up Wi the Souters was slowed down for David Myatt’s touching cast before he dipped the Union Flag and brought it to rest on the blood-red podium. His head bowed as he led the impeccably observed minute’s silence.

Until the gentle tones of The Liltin break the stillness.

Flags fluttered and memories returned as the poignant tones drifted high above the bunting and towards those hills, so cherished by generations.

There were tears and there were smiles.

Former soldier David Myatt proudly saluted as he left the podium.

Standard Bearer Blair returned the Royal and Ancient Burgh Flag to Provost Jim Henderson – unsullied and untarnished.

Three cheers rang out for the Standard Bearer, for the Royal Burgh, for Her Majesty the Queen, and for the Provost.

For Guy Blair, who has just ridden the Marches for the twentieth time, it was a morning he will never forget. He told the Border Telegraph: “If any Standard Bearer said they weren’t nervous they would be lying – you just hope everything will go alright.

“It was everything thing I expected and more -– coming in at the Toll was a highlight and so was the Casting.

“The last few weeks have been like standing in the changing rooms before a rugby game and today was like finally getting on the pitch.

“Everyone has been excellent. I thought every Standard Bearer did a great job – nobody made a single mistake.”

With the untimely death of Guy’s father, Ian, in an accident earlier this year the entire occasion was even more emotional for his mother, Sally, and wee sister, Emma.

Mum Sally told us: “There have been mixed emotions all morning.

“I thought Guy did extremely well and I’m very proud of him.

“Seeing Guy come in at the toll was great, it was a huge relief to see him safe in.

“It has been an emotional morning but it has also past so quickly – too quickly.”

Sister Emma, 27, missed out on riding round for the twentieth time to cheer her brother. She said: “I loved watching Guy lead everyone in at the Toll. I’m used to riding in myself so it was great to see it the other way this year.

“Guy wanted everything to go well and it did. I’m so proud of him and so pleased for him.”

Jim Henderson is now in his second year as Provost of Selkirk Common Riding Trust, and he’s enjoying every minute of the post. He explained: “This is my second common riding as Provost and it has been another fantastic day.

“I couldn’t believe how big the crowds were – they were a testament to how popular Guy is. He is a very popular young man.“I thought Guy was fantastic and all of the other Standard Bearers also did exceptionally well.”

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