THE 500th anniversary of one of the most significant events in the history of the Scottish Borders – the Battle of Hornshole - was celebrated in Hawick by around 1,800 children from the town and surrounding area.

The event heralds the start of this year’s Scottish Borders Common Ridings and Festivals, which begin with Hawick Common riding on June 6.

The focus of the Battle of Hornshole commemorations is a reenactment of the historic clash where, in 1514, a group of Hawick youths successfully defended the town from an English raiding party. The Battle is a central element of the town’s annual Common Riding celebrations, one of 11 events taking place across the Borders which showcase local legend, history and traditions and include the riding of the boundaries, often featuring over 300 horses and riders, providing an amazing spectacle for visitors.

Following the disastrous Battle of Flodden in 1513, where all Hawick’s menfolk between the ages of 16 and 60 were killed, the Earl of Surrey had left half his army in Scotland to raid and plunder. On hearing that a raiding party was approaching, the young men of Hawick decided to defend their town. They surprised and defeated the invaders who had camped at Hornshole, taking their banner and riding triumphantly back to town. Although small in scale, the victory was a huge boost to the town’s pride after the Flodden defeat.

Thursday’s reenactment included a spectacular fight sequence featuring 22 boys aged 14 from Hawick High School who played the part of the victorious youths of the town. The reenactment also included an appearance on horseback by the Hawick Cornet, the Principal in the town’s Common Ridings festival, his Right Hand Man and Left Hand Man. It was watched by around 2000 children aged four to 13 who dressed in period costume and took part by both singing “Teribus”, the Hawick song, and dancing the Hawicka – a specially commissioned dance created for the occasion.

Later in the day, a new bronze statue, which marks the anniversary and which has been created by Borders-based Beltane Studios, was unveiled in the town.

The reenactment is part of Hawick’s Vision 2014 project, the final part of a four-year community initiative based around raising the ambitions and aspirations of young people in the Hawick area. It involves all of the Learning Community Primary Schools and Hawick High School and has representatives from partner agencies, local businesses, members of the local community and local councilors.

Janice Chapman, Chair of the Vision 2014 Steering Committee, said: “Commemorating the proud history and traditions of Hawick in this milestone year in such a dramatic way is the experience of a lifetime for the children here. Our Vision 2014 project has provided a range of events and activities for all of the children in the town and surrounding areas in order to engender a sense of excellence and ambition for the future and we are delighted that the whole community has come together to help mark this important anniversary in such a memorable way.” The Big Return is one of over 800 events celebrating Homecoming Scotland and is the perfect precursor to both the forthcoming Hawick Common Riding, in the year that marks the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Hornshole, and the other Ridings festivals that will take place across the Borders this summer.

South of Scotland MSP Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, said: “I am sure the new statue will be much admired both by Teries and visitors to Hawick alike, and, as someone who has traced my own Turnbull roots to the Hawick area with the help of the Heritage Hub, it is inspiring to see so many young people also re-connecting with town’s past. It is a reflection of the important role these events play in keeping the region’s and thereby Scotland’s heritage alive and attracting visitors to the area from all over the world.” The main rideout in the Hawick Common Riding takes place on Friday, June 6. For more information on the local festivals visit www.returntotheridings.co.uk