A POPULAR Edwardian festival in Selkirk has been saved from the history books.

A lack of organisers and volunteers over the past couple of years had thrown the future of Scott’s Selkirk in doubt.

And the few remaining members of the committee indicated last month that they intended dissolving the 15-year-old winter weekend celebrations.

But encouraging numbers at an emergency meeting this week has led to a U-turn.

A total of 21 concerned supporters attended the Scott’s Selkirk summit on Monday evening.

Chair of the organising committee, Edith Scott, told us: “It was encouraging to have so much support and there was a lot of positivity within the room.

“It was agreed to continue Scott’s Selkirk although it will likely be held on a different weekend from the December weekend that we have always used.” Since the Scott’s Selkirk festival was established to celebrate the millennium, tens of thousands of visitors have flocked to the town to enjoy historic re-enactments, street theatre, a town centre market, carriage rides, concerts, and a fireworks finale.

During Monday’s meeting the organising committee was boosted from seven members to ten.

Pledges of further support were also offered from the Haining Volunteers and also the Selkirk Youth Club Parents.

Although further meetings are planned for next month to finalise changes for the 2015 Scott’s Selkirk, many parts of the original festival will remain.

Mrs Scott added: “Scott’s Selkirk will keep its Edwardian theme and it will still celebrate Sir Walter Scott’s association with the town. We are looking at combining the festival with other events held in Selkirk and that will hopefully be sorted out within the next month or so.

“We are thankful to the Haining Volunteers and also the Youth Club Parents - if it wasn’t for these groups we probably wouldn’t have had a Scott’s Selkirk last year.

“Although we have new committee members and people offering to help there is still a need for more. If anyone, especially younger people, would like to help us they would be more than welcome.” The new committee will investigate broadening its current stage- and gazebo-hire fundraising, which is used by festivals and amateur operatic societies across the Borders, as well the its own charity shop in the town’s Market Place.

Scott’s Selkirk will hold its AGM on Thursday, March 26.