A COUPLE who have had Selkirk at their heart for decades were rewarded at the weekend with being named citizens of the year.

Husband and wife, Alison and Derek Brown, were presented with the James Oliver Memorial Award during the Selkirk Merchant Company Winter Function.

The couple, who appropriately met at a Scout disco, have been leading lights in both the Scout and Guide movements for close to half a century.

While Alison has been instrumental in local Brownies, Girl Guides and Venture Scouts, Derek has been Badge Secretary of Selkirk Scouts for the past 45 years.

As well as their work with Scouts and Guides the Browns have both contributed to a huge variety of community activities which include local sports clubs, Selkirk Common Riding, catering, theatre productions and the historic Yarrow Show.

Derek has been involved with Selkirk Opera for 28 years, during most of that time as Stage Manager, and was made a Life Member in 2016.

Alison has spent much of that time on Front of House duties.

And they have both also made stage appearances to great critical acclaim in Scout Shows and the Selkirk Christmas Panto.

In sports Derek has been on the centenary committees of Selkirk Football and Rugby clubs and was part of the 150th anniversary committee of Selkirk Cricket Club where he used to turn out for the Seconds.

He was also scorer at Philiphaugh and also scored for the South a few times.

Alison was an endurance swimmer, and taught many of the town's youngsters how to swim during her years at Selkirk pool.

She has also become a keen bowler at Ettrick Forest reaching a couple of finals this year.

Derek and Alison lived up the Yarrow Valley for many years.

And during that time Alison was an active member of the Rural while Derek became the first non-farmer, non-landowner to be President of the Yarrow Show in 2013 and 2014.

Alison has been Ladies Committee Convener on the same committee for two years.

Derek went to work in Gardiner’s Mill in Common Riding week 1969 as a knotter and drawer - he’s now a warper with Selkirk Weaving Company.

He was Weaver’s Standard Bearer in 2000 and Alison was his Lady Busser.

He also served as Deacon from 2005 to 2010 and during this time he helped the Incorporation to mark and celebrate its 400th anniversary in fitting style.

Ahead of making the presentation on Friday, Master of the Merchant Company Alistair Pattullo praised the couple for undertaking all their activities with real commitment and generosity of spirit, working away quietly and together getting things done and done well.

He added that they are a real team and that if ever there were two people who deserved to share the recognition bestowed by the James Olive Memorial Award it was Alison and Derek.

They were also presented with a certificate by 2019 Merchant’s Standard Bearer Bruce Riddell.

The James Oliver Memorial Award has been presented since 2000 to an individual, or now couple, who is recognised as having given outstanding service to the community.

The award is presented by the Merchant Company but it is acknowledged by the people of Selkirk that the recipient is being recognised for their services to the whole town and community.

Ahead of Friday's presentation in the County Hotel, the Company enjoyed dinner as well as a performance by John Nichol of Dr John Stewart Muir: The Beloved Doctor.