MELROSIAN Donald Crawford admitted he was living every young boy’s dream after being appointed to represent his town during the Common Riding season.

The 22-year-old student, who is studying Finance and Investment management at Northumbria University, officially began his term in office by being presented with his Melrosian’s Rosette in front of crowds of well-wishers at the Corn Exchange on Friday evening.

He follows in the footsteps of his father, Michael Crawford, who was Melrosian in 1984.

However, having not ridden much over the last decade, the keen sportsman, who will lead this year’s Melrose Festival, revealed his “pretty unorthodox riding skills” were being put to the test.

Addressing the audience at the weekend, Donald, who will be supported by his Right Hand Man Fraser Anderson and Left Hand Man Sam Thomson, said: “It’s a privilege and honour to be standing here as the newly-elected Melrosian for 2015. It is without doubt every young boy’s dream to be chosen to represent the town during the Common Riding season and I’m honoured to have been chosen to do so for Melrose.

“Being Melrosian is not a task I take lightly and I am aware of the responsibilities and expectations required to conduct my duties, not only in Melrose but when visiting other town’s festivals and maintaining the high standards set by previous Melrosians.” And he added: “I’d like to thank the ex-Melrosians for nominating me for this pretigious position and I look forward to creating some lifelong memories over the summer.” The evening, which included music by St Boswells Concert Band, got underway with the retiral of the 2014 Melrosian who was congratulated on the exemplary manner in which he had carried out his duties last year.

Fraser, who assumes the role of Right Hand Man, was joined on stage by 2012 Melrosian Graeme Crawford who, it was revealed, will deputise for 2013 Melrosian Sam Thomson, currently training with the British Army, when work commitments prevent him from carrying out his duties as Left Hand Man.

They then carried him shoulder high three times round the Market Cross, as tradition dictates, to introduce him to the people of Melrose and begin the countdown to a summer of festivities.

Thanking everyone for the support he received before returning his sash of office, Fraser said: “I’d just like to say how much of a privilege and an honour it has been to have been Melrosian for 2014.

“To be engrained into a town with such a rich history is something truly special and something I will never forget.

“The experiences that have come with this honour are more than I ever could have imagined and it is with great sadness that I stand here, at the end of my term in office.

“My ex-Melrosian’s badge will be worn with pride at all times and will be a constant reminder of the year I got to represent our town.” And, turning to this year’s Melrosian, he added: “I hope you have a wonderful year and make some memories you will never forget.” As well as confirming Donald’s appointment, the Melrose Festival also unveiled the names of this year’s Festival Queen and Court - who will also play an important role in this summer’s festivities.

They are as follows: Festival Queen - Robyn Mackay; 1st Attendant - Maddie Thomson; 2nd Attendant - Charli McGeever; 1st Courtier - Ben Sloan; 2nd Courtier - Oliver Ewing; Herald - Luke Blackwood; Herald - Andrej Berlansky; and Train Bearers - Ella Moore and Maisie White.