THREE Borders dancers cannot wait to get involved in this month’s Haka Hawick celebrations.

Claire McCulloch of Earlston and Hawick’s own Andrew Shields were among eight dancers from the Borders who performed as part of the closing ceremony at the last Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, in 2010, while Stichill’s Sophie Douglas will be making her dancing debut.

The trio, who have all worked with the Performing Arts team at the Scottish Borders Council (SBC), will now take part in The Big Parade as part of Haka Hawick, a free evening of entertainment to mark the arrival of the Queen’s Baton Relay in the town on Wednesday, June 18.

Alongside The Big Parade – which will see over 300 local schoolchildren carrying all 71 Commonwealth countries’ flags and dance their own Haka - there will be free concerts from a host of performers throughout the event. Haka Hawick is supported through the Games for Scotland programme, managed by EventScotland and a key part of Legacy 2014.

Claire, 22, said: “I am very excited about taking part in something locally in Haka Hawick. Being able to celebrate with the local community, friends and family will be great.

“I had the privilege of being chosen to take part in the closing ceremony for the Commonwealth Games in India. It involved a month’s training in which I was taught how to work within a mass group, followed by four days in Delhi including rehearsals and the final performance.

“It was an unbelievable, eye-opening experience that allowed me to meet an amazing group of talented individuals as well as groups of people from a vast array of different cultures.” Alongside The Big Parade there will be a sold-out performance in the Hawick Town Hall by Teri favourites Scocha while the big noise drums of Clanadonia will be heard all the way along the High Street. Traditional African group Kakatsitsi will offer rhythm and colour to the High Street and dance group Dudendance will provide a performance exploring the meaning of borders.

A dance showcase in Hawick High School - bringing together young and old from across the region - will complete the evening. Kakatsitsi will also be performing a free show at The Heart of Hawick on Monday, June 16. To reserve your free tickets for these events, phone 01750 726400 or email artservice@scotborders.gov.uk Olivia Roper, Performing Arts Co-ordinator at Scottish Borders Council (SBC) which is organising the event, said: “Eight of our dancers went to Delhi and we have five of them involved in the Big Parade as part of Haka Hawick.

“Delhi was a massive opportunity and it is great that they are still involved. A number of them have been working with the Performing Arts team at the Council since they were eight or nine years old and I am delighted they are giving something back to our community.

“Haka Hawick will be a creative and colourful addition to the final leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay in the Borders, and recognise the region’s twinning with Tonga.” Haka Hawick schedule for Wednesday, June 18, is: Clanadonia (4.50pm, High Street); The Big Parade (5.15pm, High Street); Kakatsitsi (6pm, High Street); Dudendance (7pm, High Street); Scocha (7.45pm, Hawick Town Hall); Dance Showcase (7.45pm, Hawick High School).