MELROSIAN Donald Crawford admitted leading his town’s festivities was a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

However, he revealed riding up the High Street behind the pipe band during the only rideout of the Melrose Festival is a memory he will never forget.

The 22-year-old student, elder son of 1984 Melrosian Michael Crawford and his wife Debbie of Pavilion, led a procession of townsfolk and visiting dignitaries around neighbouring villages during the Tour of Ceremonies on Saturday - the climax of a week-long series of events to celebrate the abbey town’s history.

Donald, along with his Right Hand Man, Fraser Anderson, and Left Hand Man, Sam Thomson, were supported by Melrose Festival Queen Robyn Mackay and her Court: 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.

They visited Newstead, Trimontium, Gattonside, Abbotsford and Darnick on their tour.

And, as the cavalcade passed, well-wishers lined the route to show their support.

Reflecting on the Melrose Festival week during his Installation ceremony on Thursday evening, Donald said: “Tonight in this beautiful and historic abbey I stand here as Melrosian for 2015, something I always aspired to be since I was a young boy.

“It means so much to me to see so many friends and family here tonight and the support shown from the people of Melrose and the rest of the Borders (at the Melrosians Rideout) on Monday night at the bike ride last night and again tonight is overwhelming.

“And it’s safe to say that leading the horses up the High Street, behind the pipe band, is a memory I will never forget.” The Melrosian revealed he followed the Common Riding in Hawick and Selkirk ahead of his hometown festivities. And he revealed the summer of celebrations will continue when he represents Melrose at the Braw Lads’ Gathering in Galashiels this weekend.

“Standing on this platform wearing this sash fills me with pride and I hope I have represented this town to the standard expected of the Melrosian,” he continued.

“The past couple of weeks have offered me the chance to represent Melrose at other Common Ridings and festivities, having visited Hawick and Selkirk so far. Many people told me how great these two Common Ridings were beforehand but to experience them first hand was surreal.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of meeting new friends and getting to experience the various different ceremonies.” And he added: “I’m really looking forward to the rest of the festivals and Common Ridings in the next few months and I’m sure there will be plenty more memories to be made.” As well as the Melrosians Rideout, which attracted a record turnout, other highlights of the Festival included the community bike ride and family barbeque, which sold out all 450 burgers in half an hour, fancy dress parade and Festival Ball - and every event was well supported.

James Marjoribanks, in his final year of his three year term as chairman, told the Border Telegraph: “This year has been absolutely great and the Principals have been absolutely fabulous.

“It’s a community festival and that’s what it’s all about, folk in Melrose got together and made it a really special occasion.

“On Thursday it was a bit cold for the wonderful ceremony in the abbey but everyone was given a very warm welcome. It was just lovely to have it there rather than the church. And I think everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed it.” But, as he prepares to hand over the reins to Michael Crawford, he added: “I have behind me an absolutely fabulous executive committee; we start now preparing for next year.” It was a week of mixed emotions for 2013 Melrosian Sam Thomson who was forced to miss most of his final year in office due to work commitments.

He is currently training with the British Army but made an 830-mile round-trip from his camp in Dorset to make it home in time for the ball on Friday.

Following the Tour of Ceremonies on Saturday, Sam said: “It was a bit of a rush to get up the road, I’m down training in Dorset just now so I didn’t get up for most of the week. But it was good to get up for the ball and support Donald today.” Sam revealed he plans to join the Blues and Royals - one of the British Army’s most senior regiments and part of the Household Cavalry, whose duties include guarding the other Queen in London.

“I’m currently in Dorest and then I’m going to riding school in August and after that I will be doing guard duty in London on Horse Guards Parade and doing Trooping the Colour,” he explained.

Reflecting on his final year in office, he added: “It is sad because I’ll never be in the front three again coming up the High Street but the past three years have been amazing, I’ve met some great folk from other towns and to get the opportunity to do it has just been brilliant. I couldn’t have asked for any more at all, it has just been fantastic.” Ex-Melrosians Graeme Crawford and Ruaridh Nairn have stepped into the breach when Sam was unable to get away.

And Fraser, the 2014 Melrosian, revealed they had all done the town proud.

“Everything went smoothly and it’s been a great week,” he said. “We’ve been very lucky with the weather, it’s not been the sunniest but it’s kept the rain away and brought everyone out.

“Seeing the smiles on the kids faces and your family, it’s a feeling you can’t describe.

“We’ve done some serious bonding this week. Donald has done the town proud.”