TWEEDBANK celebrated the start of a summer of festivities at the weekend.

Primary seven pupils Charlie Bashford and Carmen Paterson-Benton were unveiled as the 2015 Tweedbank Lad and Lass during the appointment night in the community centre on Friday.

They will lead this year’s gala week programme from May 23 to 30.

And they will be supported by their Attendants - Murray Anderson (Lad’s First Attendant), Paul Boggs (Lad’s Second Attendant), Abbi McCormack (Lass’s First Attendant) and Kyla La Grange (Lass’s Second Attendant).

Congratulating the Principals on their appointments, Tweedbank Fair chairman Rob Goudie said: “It’s a busy calendar again. We’ve got here with limited numbers but there is a full programme on for the week and hopefully it will be as well supported as it was last year.

“The Principals were great tonight - young Cameron’s expression there was a million dollars - so hopefully the kids will enjoy it.

“The feedback we got last year was that everything seemed to be a success and was well supported. We are making some contingency plans for the fancy dress in case of bad weather but otherwise everything just falls into place.” He added: “This time next year, we’ll have the railway, so there is a lot to look forward to in Tweedbank and the Fair has to play a part in that. And, if we get a good turnout, we could do more things next year.” The event has been organised by a small group of volunteers and, with a number of them expected to stand down following this year’s event, local residents are being invited to offer their support to ensure the Fair continues to go from strength to strength.

Rob explained: “We’ve got some extra volunteers to help this year but we haven’t got any extra on the committee.

“Going forward this year there are going to be people stepping down because they will have done their turn so numbers are going to really dramatically drop and we need to replace these guys or else there will not be the programme there is at present.” Highlights of this year’s festivities include the Adult Night which will bring down the curtain of this year’s event in the Community Centre on Saturday, May 30, with local band the Skebabs performing alongside two comedians and a disco.

The Round the Pond Race also returns following its revival last year and this year is being run in conjunction with Gerry Moss from local running club, Gala Harriers.

The Fair kicks off with a football tournament at Tweedbank Sports Complex in memory of former Tweedbank Lad Chris Doyle the Saturday before Fair Day, May 23.

And it will culminate with the Fruit and Flower Parade and Fun Day at the primary school on Saturday, May 30.

The Braw Lad and Lass from Galashiels will attend the Investiture Night in the Community Centre on Tuesday, May 26, from 6.45pm Other highlights in the programme include the car treasure hunt (Sunday, May 24), fancy dress (Wednesday, May 27) - when the Melrosian will visit - indoor bowling tournament (Thursday, May 28) and adults bingo (Friday, May 29).

When asked how she felt to be appointed Tweedbank Lass, Carmen, summing up the programme, added: “Amazing!”