Braw Lad and Lass unveiled in Galashiels

Ally McGilvray • Published 22 Apr 2010 14:39 4 Comments

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IT is regarded as the town's best-kept secret.

But, last week, Greg Borthwick and Katie Scott were unveiled as this year's Braw Lad and Lass at the launch of the 2010 Braw Lads' Gathering in Galashiels.

Hundreds of well-wishers of all ages, young and old alike, turned out to show their support as President Colin Playfair announced their appointment from the balcony of the Burgh Chambers on Friday night.

The festival celebrates the history of the town and culminates with a week-long series of celebrations in the last week of June.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph shortly after his appointment on Picking Night, Greg, aged 22, of Larkspur Court, Galashiels, said: "I can't take it all in.

"I've been following the Braw Lads' Gathering since I was in a pram and, as a kid, I used to play at being Braw Lad by pretending to ride horses in the street."

But he added: "I've known since February and it's the hardest thing I've ever had to keep quiet - I was that happy I just wanted to jump up and down and tell everyone."

The mechanic, who works at Dalgleish's garage in Langlee, has strong family connections to the Gathering. His sister Tracy was Braw Lass in 2005 and, for the past five years, he has followed the festival as a drummer with Galashiels Ex-Service Club Pipe Band.

Greg, a former pupil of Langlee Primary School and Galashiels Academy, said: "I'm really looking forward to it. I was immensely proud of my sister. We hadn't really seen behind the scenes of the Braw Lads' Gathering until she was appointed Braw Lass and it just made me fall in love with it even more.

"I've marched up Scott Street with the band before, with all the crowds lining either side of the road, and thought that was excellent. But it will be something else when I have got the flag in my hands."

He added: "I rode last year for the first time but I am really just a novice rider and kept falling off so I suppose I'll have to spend every night at the stables until I get sorted."

The Braw Lad and Braw Lass, who will be supported by previous Principals Jamie Hind (Bearer of the Stone), Lauren Horsburgh (Bearer of the White Roses), Chris Mackenzie (Bearer of the Sod), and Amy Gunter (Bearer of the Red Roses), will fly the flag for Galashiels on July 3 - when they will lead a cavalcade of horses around the boundaries of the town to celebrate the annual Gala.

Katie, a manager at town centre restaurant Quinn's, was once a member of Scotland's show jumping team and has been following the festival on horseback since she was six-years-old. She is a former pupil of St Peter's Primary School and Galashiels Academy.

Katie, aged 22, of Netherbank, Galashiels, said: "I'm really excited. I can't wait until the summer. I've followed the Gala Day since I was a really little girl and I have always wanted to do this." And she added: "Greg is really excited as well so it's good to have someone else that is just as excited as me."

The night began with music from Galashiels Ex-Service Band and St Ronan's Silver Band. Primary seven pupils Larrissa Purves, of St Margaret's Primary School, in Galashiels, and Rachel Noble, of Tweedbank, presented the Braw Lass with a bouquet of flowers following her appointment at the weekend.

The six Principals then joined local schoolchildren to dance the Dashing White Sergeant in the street despite the rain, which failed to put a dampener on the occasion, before the Declaration Night ball in the Volunteer Hall brought the night to a close.

David Houston, chairman of Braw Lads' Gathering, said: "It's a little bit nasty weather but it's great to see so many people out. The festival means a great deal to the town, especially when it comes to Gala Day itself and thousands of people come out to support us, which we hope they will do again this year."

But he added: "When I meet the Principals for the first time I tell them it's their year. It's a great honour for them to represent the town and I hope that they enjoy it as much as we do."

The position of Braw Lad and Braw Lass are advertised in the Border Telegraph each year. And, this year, it emerged there had been "a vast amount of interest" shown in the positions.

Congratulating Greg and Katie on their appointments inside the Burgh Chambers in Galashiels on Friday night, Braw Lads' Gathering President Colin Playfair told them: "Tonight is just the beginning of what is going to be a very special and enjoyable year."

The full list of schoolchildren who danced with the Prinicpals on Picking Night was as follows - Balmoral: Sarah Turner, Bethany Calum, Hannah McVay, Logan Todd, Fraser Gowans, Arix Ross, Sean Dodds, Rhona Gowans. Burgh: Amy Headspeath, Amy Guthrie, Robyn Ballantyne, Gareth Williams, Daniel Headspeath, Lewis Swaney, Stacey Moir.

Caddonfoot: Emma Gordon, Rachel Spence, Claire Cowell, Jack Wilson, Robbie Cairns, Eleanor Scott, Marissa Cove. Glendinning: Abbie Hood, Shannon Moffat, Thomas Caldow, Aarron Jamieson-McDermott, Rebecca Gray, Alexander Selkirk, Lauren Fallas.

Langlee: Mark Watkins, Glen Frizzell, Toni Dodds, Gemma Turnbull, Chloe Bell, Rachel Elliot. St Margarets: Meghan Callaghan, Niamh Doyle, Monica Riddell, Cory Duffy, Mark Hall, Elspeth MacKinnon, Larissa Purves.

St Peters: Taylor Johnston, Jamie Allan, Tyler Jeffrey, Chloe Fowler, Katy Millar, Teigan Duncan, Rebecca Frankland. Tweedbank: Robert Miller, Thomas Lowes, Martin Jeffrey, Hannah MacRae, Alannah Fox, Jayde Cooper, Ellie Stenhouse.

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Bill Arnott
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Apr 23, 10:08
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I thoroughly enjoyed my first Braw Lads Gathering in over 50 years last year, as a visitor. I particularly enjoyed catching up with some old friends from school days at the overseas guests reception, but the whole week was just great

Well done to the organisers and principals of last year's event, and best wishes to their successors for 2010.

Bill arnott

Perth, Western Australia

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Louise Hogg
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Apr 23, 11:40
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I'm getting all excited already.

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******
Apr 23, 22:37
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******
Apr 23, 22:38
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William Brown
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Apr 24, 07:53
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what a spectacular night shame about the rain trying to dampen it good luck this summer

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William Brown
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Apr 24, 07:55
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at least it wasnt let out of the bag by a silly councillor who couldnt keep it secret till the night

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