KELSO is counting down to kick off their 80th Civic Week.

And the honour of representing the town as Kelso Laddie for this anniversary year is 22-year-old Craig Logan.

The tradesman will be joined by right hand man Ian Whellans and left hand man Fraser Hastie.

Craig will take up his place as laddie when the Civic Week returns, from July 15 until July 22.

Rebecca Peddie and Maisie Wight from Broomlands Primary School, plus Rachel Wemyss and Zara Currie from Edenside Primary School will be the lady bussers for 2017.

This year’s 25th and 50th anniversary celebrants are the 1992 Laddie Graham Sweenie, plus the late Len Stevenson, the 1967 Laddie.

Inaugurated in 1937, Kelso Civic Week includes a raft race, sports, gymkhana, concerts and ride outs to neighbouring villages.

Among the main features of the week, the Colour Bussing will take place on Wednesday, July 19 and the Common Riding (Yetholm Ride) will take place on July 22.

2017 Programme of Events

Saturday, July 15

  • 11am: Clay Pigeon Shoot at The Roxburghe
  • 1pm: Civic Week Tennis Challenge at Orchard Park (registration at 12.45pm)
  • 1pm: Senior Five-a-side Football at Woodside Park
  • Kelso Golf Club Gents Open

Sunday, July 16

  • 1pm-4pm: Family Day at Shedden Park
  • 11am: Kelso Crawlers 10K Run (Registration 9.30am at Kelso Rugby Club)
  • 1pm: Junior 5-a-side Football at Shedden Park (entries from noon). Entry £1 per team.
  • 6.30pm: Laying of Wreath at War Memorial at 6pm followed by Kirking of the Laddie in Kelso North Church

Monday, July 17

  • 1pm: Children’s Pet Show in the Tait Hall, including Raffle.
  • 1pm-5pm & 7pm-9pm: Art Exhibition in Town House. Opening Ceremony performed by John Lamont MP
  • 3.45pm: Whipman’s Ride and Ride to Heiton, Roxburgh and Springwood leaves Woodside park (Return at 9.30pm approx)
  • 6.50pm: Gymkhana Show Jumping at Friars Haugh (approx time)

Tuesday, July 18

  • 10am-5pm & 7pm-9pm: Art Exhibition in Kelso Town Hall
  • 4pm: Ride to Stichill, Hume and Ednam leaving from Springwood Anna (Return to Square at 9.30pm approx)
  • 7.30pm: Final of Men’s and Women’s Darts competitions in the Royal British Legion
  • 8.30pm-1am: Karaoke in Royal British Legion Downstairs Bar

Wednesday, July 19

  • 10am-5pm & 7pm-9pm: Art Exhibition in Town Hall 
  • 1.30pm: Children’s sports in Poynder Park
  • 2pm: Baby Show at Kelso Rugby Club Commences
  • 6.30pm-7pm: Kelso Pipe Band play in The Square
  • 7pm: Installation of the Kelso Laddie and Colour Bussing in The Square
  • 11pm: Laser Light Procession leaves Mayfield
  • 11.15pm: Fireworks Display at The Cobby (Sponsored by PLEXUS and local businesses)

Thursday, July 20

  • 10am-5pm & 7pm-9pm: Art Exhibition in Town Hall 
  • 1pm-3.30pm: Children’s Fancy Dress in the Tait Hall
  • 4pm: Ride to Floors Castle leaving Woodside Park (Return to Square at 7.30pm)
  • 4pm: Children’s Fun Cycle Run through Floors Castle Grounds leaving Woodside Park
  • 8pm: Open Pool Competition at Kelso Bowling Club. All welcome.
  • 8.30pm-4.30am: Grand Civic Week Ball in Springwood Park Function Suite, Springwood Park. Grand March at midnight.
  • (taxis for hire available after the ball to ferry people home)

Friday, July 21

  • 10am-5pm & 7pm-9pm: Art Exhibition in Town Hall 
  • 1.30pm: Fun Swimming Gala Kelso Swimming Pool
  • 7.30pm-9.30pm Kelso Laddies and Lady Bussers visit Slater’s Funfair at Croft Park

Saturday, July 22: Yetholm Ride

  • 8.30am: Kelso Laddie and his supporters will leave The Square to carry out the official ride to Yetholm, returning to The Square at 4.45pm
  • 10am-4pm: Art Exhibition in Town Hall 
  • 2pm-4pm: Blackthorne Ceilidh Band in Kelso Square.
  • 6.15pm: Fancy Dress in Tait Hall 
  • 7pm: Fancy Dress Procession leaves Tait Hall (sponsored by Phil Stewart)
  • Presentation of cups and return of Kelso Standard at conclusion of the procession in The Square
  • 8.30am-1am: Greeting Party in the Tait Hall. Over 18s disco - Tickets from Principals and Committee Members.

Details of all events with rules, categories, entry requirements, routes etc, can be found in the official souvenir programme, available (£4) from newsagents in Kelso, Hector Innes Photography, WH Smith, RS McColl and Gorgeous Hair and Beauty Salon.