INNERLEITHEN has toasted the 190th St Ronan’s Border Games in traditional style.

Following an action-packed week, guests and townsfolk from across the Borders were welcomed to the highly-anticipated Cleikum ceremonies in the Memorial Hall on Friday evening.

In his final year in office, President of the St Ronan’s Games, Keith Belleville installed Dux Boy of St Ronan’s Primary School, Drew Lobb as Patron Saint, before the President’s wife Caroline Belleville installed the Dux Girl Anna Leckie. 

Lady Busser, Bryony Patterson, bussed the crozier and staves, ably assisted by the Dux Girl.

The Principal Guest, and stalwart of the games for many years, Ex-Standard Bearer Norman Scott highlighted the many groups in the town, before presenting the Duxes with their medals.

He said: “We have a St Ronan’s junior band, the pipe band, Piping Association, the opera, a world-class mountain biking centre, many sports clubs – tennis, bowling and football. 

“There are dozens of other clubs, groups and interests on offer. 

“I believe that we don’t celebrate or recognise the amount of talent we have here. It’s a fantastic community and we should give ourselves a pat on the back – everyone’s doing a superb job.”

The return of the blue banner by the 2016 Standard Bearer Ross Brown to the President, marked the handover to 2017’s representative, Liam Card.

Following his installation, Liam said: “It is a great honour for me to be chosen as Standard Bearer of my native town. As Standard Bearer for 2017, it will be my earnest endeavour to honour the memory of the founders of St Ronan’s Border Games by carrying the Blue Banner of St Ronan’s for the ensuing year. 

“My thanks to the President, my Right and Left Hand Supporters and to you, ladies and gentlemen for the reception you have accorded me.”

After leaving the hall, the mood turned sombre as the service for the fallen was led by the newly-installed Standard Bearer and Rev Jim Benton-Evans of St. Andrew’s. 

Events then moved up the hill for the short ceremony at St Ronan’s Wells, and after a short break, the Masonic Ceremony took place at Innerleithen Parish Church.

On Saturday morning, St Ronan’s Silver Band led the Flower Parade through Innerleithen, followed by around 400 flower-bearing children.

The finale of Games Week held in the evening was marked with cheers and applause for the Burning of the De’il and the fireworks display at the top of Curly Hill