Hawick Callants’ Club1998

FOREWORD TO 1983 EDITION

For many years the Club has sponsored an Essay Competition in the Primary Schools in the town on the history and traditions of the Common-Riding. It has long been thought that the Club should produce a booklet for the instruction of school children in these subjects. This was taken up by Mr William Turnbull in early 1982 at the beginning of his Presidency. He visited the headmasters of all the primary schools in the town to discuss the ideas mooted by the Club. During his visits he discovered that Mr Ron Taylor, headmaster at Burnfoot School, was quite independently working on the same theme as part of a course of further training in his profession. The reception and encouragement given to Mr Turnbull by the headmasters and his fortuitous meeting with Mr Taylor has resulted in this project for use in the town’s six primary schools.

The production of a project such as this has involved a great deal of work by very many people and I wish to record our thanks to Mr Ron Taylor, Mr William Turnbull, Mr Jim Coltman, Mr Adam lngles, A.T.C.L., Mr Jim Crawford, Messrs Aitken & Turnbull, Mr R. E. Scott, Mr W. P. McLaren, M.B.E., Messrs Scott & Paterson Ltd., Mr Don Cottrell, Mr Alan Hill, Mrs Rita Moody, Mrs Nan Brunton also the members of Hawick Archaeological Society and our own Club who read the proofs.

We have also received generous financial support towards the cost of the project from Roxburgh District Council, Borders Regional Council Education Committee, Hawick Common-Riding Committee, The Mosstroopers’ Club, Hawick Archaeological Society and the 1514 Club. I acknowledge with thanks their contributions.

Finally, although the project has been prepared for children in the primary schools I am sure that it will be read with interest and perhaps enlightenment by their seniors. By imparting information in a modern and readily understood manner it will add to the general interest in and preservation of the ancient customs and institutions not only of the Common-Riding but also of the town. It is therefore with special pleasure that I commend it to you.

McDONALD LUNN,President.

FOREWORD TO 1998 EDITION

Since this project was originally published in 1983, changes have taken place to some Common-Riding procedures and to Hawick, including reorganisation of local government.

The Club wishes to record its thanks to Frank Scott, a past president of the Club and General and Civic Secretary of Hawick Common-Riding Committee, for revising the text where affected by change. The Club also wishes to acknowledge the service provided by the staff and students of Borders College, Hawick, in publishing and printing the project and the generosity of their supplier for providing the paper.

G MALCOM MURRAYPresident

Hawick Callants’ Club

THE HAWICK COMMON-RIDING

SUMMARY

The Hawick Common-Riding is the first of the Border festivals and celebrates both the capture of an English Flag in 1514 by the youth of Hawick at a place called Hornshole and the ancient custom of riding the marches or boundaries of the common land.

The Cornet for the year is elected at the beginning of May, well in advance of the festival proper, when the Provost’s Council, on the recommendation of the two previous Cornets (called the Right and Left-Hand Men) invites a young man to act as Cornet. The Halberdier, accompanied by the Drum and Fife Band, carries an official letter of invitation to the nominated Cornet. Invitation accepted, the Officer is rewarded with a new “shilling” and asked to carry the Cornet’s letter of acceptance back to the waiting Council. Afterwards the Cornet with his two predecessors walk round the older parts of the town before attending a congratulatory Smoker. From then until the festival is over the Cornet is an honoured figure in Hawick. The first recorded Cornet was in 1703 and other than the World Wars there has been an unbroken line to the present day.

In the weeks preceding the actual Common-Riding, on each Saturday and Tuesday, the Cornet and his supporters are out on their ride-outs in the course of which they visit surrounding villages and farms. The main ride-out, however, usually two weeks before the Common-Riding weekend, is the twenty-four mile ride to Mosspaul and back.

While returning from the rideout on the Saturday before the Common-Riding the principals visit the Hornshole Lest We Forget Memorial to salute the memory of the youth of 1514.

On the Thursday evening of the week preceding the Common-Riding, the first of the Cornet’s Chases takes place up a hill called the Nipknowes on the way to St. Leonards Farm where a local caterer is asked to prepare the customary dish of “curds and cream” in readiness as a refreshment during the actual riding of the marches. This marks the end of the preliminary procedure.

The Common-Riding proper takes place in June on a Friday and Saturday. It had been the invariable practice to hold the riding of the marches on the last Friday in May, but the adoption by this country of the Gregorian Calendar, which removed eleven days from the year, forced the festival into June.

This important week begins on the Sunday with the Kirkin’ o’ the Cornet during a service in the church of which he is a member. This is preceded by the Cornet’s Church Parade in which the principals, together with the followers, walk from the Council Chambers to the church.

In the afternoon the Cornet’s Lass with the Lasses of the two previous Cornets travel to the Hornshole Memorial and lay a wreath.

THURSDAYFollowing Chases on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings of Common-Riding week the second

major Chase takes place on the Thursday morning when the Cornet carries the unbussed Flag for the first time. After breakfast the Principals visit the local schools where, after a rapturous welcome, the Cornet requests the Head Teacher to proclaim a holiday for the rest of the day and the next. This is of course granted and the children and assembled parents join with the riders in singing the festival songs.

During Common-Riding Week large numbers of “exiled Teries” return to their home town from all over the world to join in the festivities and renew old friendships. To mark the occasion the Council hold a reception where they are officially welcomed by the Provost and the Cornet and are entertained.

One of the most impressive and colourful of all the festival ceremonies, the Colour Bussing, takes place on the Thursday evening in the Town Hall. The Provost and Magistrates are played into a packed Hall by the Drum and Fife Band. Then come the Lasses with the Maids of Honour. The Cornet’s Lass carries the Flag to the front of the Hall. She mounts the platform with her attendants and “busses” the Flag by tying ribbons of blue and gold to the head of the staff. This is symbolic of the days when women, as a sign of affection, bedecked their loved ones before going off to battle. The Lass then hands the Flag to the Provost.

THE HAWICK COMMON-RIDING

SUMMARY–Continued

The Cornet with the Right and Left-Hand Men, who have been guarded by halberdiers in 18th century dress, now come forward. The Provost, after congratulating the Lass, passes the Flag into the Cornet’s keeping, reminding him that it is “the embodiment of all the traditions that are our glorious heritage”. The Cornet is charged to ride the marches of the commonty of Hawick according to ancient custom and return the Flag “unsullied and unstained” at the conclusion of the ceremonies. There follows an oration by a distinguished guest and song-singing.

Immediately following the Colour Bussing the Halberdier appears on the balcony of the Town Hall and reads to the crowds below the Proclamation calling on the burgesses to “ride the meiths and marches of the commonty”.

Then begins the Cornet’s Walk round the town with his supporters, preceded by the Saxhorn and Drum and Fife Bands. He first makes his way along the main street to the “Horse” where he busses the flag of the equestrian statue commemorating Hornshole, as a tribute to his centuries old predecessor, in front of dense, enthusiastic crowds.

FRIDAY At 6.00 a.m., the following morning, Common-Riding day proper, the Drum and Fife Band set off to rouse the town. Presently a large crowd assembles at Towerdykeside for a curious ceremony called the Snuffin’, when snuff is dispensed from an old horned mull amid much jostling and pushing. After the melee, packets of snuff are thrown from a window; the crowd soon dispersing to the surrounding hostelries for the traditional refreshment of rum and milk before breakfast.

The Cornet and his supporters, married and unmarried, breakfast together in a local hotel, while the Provost entertains colleagues and guests to breakfast in the Town Hall. Afterwards oak leaves are distributed and this is followed by the singing of the “Old Song” at the door of the Tower Hotel, each of the Principals taking it in turn to sing verses.

Afterwards the Principals, followed by a huge number of followers - sometimes as many as 300, mount their horses and set off in a procession round the town and on to the Nipknowes where the main chase of the festival takes place. Firstly the Acting Father followed by the married supporters gallops up the hill. The Cornet, with the Flag held high, gallops up the hill followed by the unmarried supporters. At its conclusion the Cornet’s Acting Father in his capacity as Acting Senior Magistrate takes the Flag and carries it to St. Leonards to the song and toast session in the Hut–the Curds and Cream Repast.

The Chase could represent the youths of Hawick returning in triumph from the battle of Hornshole proudly following the captured Flag to the cheers of the local people. Alternatively it could symbolise the townspeople chasing off unauthorised users of the Town’s Common.

After leaving the Hut and singing “Teribus” in front of the farmhouse the riders set off via Williestruther Loch and Acreknowe Reservoir for the serious business of riding the marches making their way to the extremity of the Common–the corner of a field where the Cornet dismounts and ceremoniously “Cuts the Sod” to mark the boundary as ancient custom demanded.

They then make their way to the race-course where the Cornet rides the course and then places the Flag on the roof of the committee room before being presented with a riding-crop as a memento of his term of office. After a programme of horse-racing the company remounts and proceeds by way of Crumhaughhill to Myreslawgreen to complete their riding of the boundaries. At Myreslawgreen the riders receive refreshments and wait while the Principals proceed to the Coble Pool in the River Teviot, where they enter the water. The Cornet lowers the staff of the Flag three times into the water to mark the ancient boundary of the Burgh.

THE HAWICK COMMON-RIDING

SUMMARY–Continued

On their return to the main party the procession moves to Millpath where a proclamation is made to the effect that the marches have been duly ridden, without interruption or molestation of any kind. This is followed by an enthusiastic rendering of “Teribus” which gives this ceremony its name - the Song Singing. The Drum and Fife Band play the party on foot back to the Town Hall where the Flag is returned temporarily to the Council Chambers, where it is displayed from the balcony.

Later in the evening the Cornet attends the Common-Riding Dinner and is presented with his official Cornet’s Medal, commemorative of his year in office, and the spirit of the Riding is renewed in toast, song and story. An honoured place is given to a toast “The Memory of Drumlanrig”, the generous donor of the “Common” which every Hawick Callant along with his “rights” will surely “aye defend”. The climax of the festival has been reached.

Then on to the Common-Riding Ball. Reels and country dances are prominent and at midnight the Cornet’s Reel, which is confined to the Cornet, ex-Cornets and the Lasses, is danced with considerable enthusiasm. The dancing continues through the night. As dawn approaches the revellers, headed by the Cornet, climb to the summit of the Moat Hill to greet the rising sun with another rendering of “Teribus”. On returning to Tower Knowe the Principals dance a final reel before getting some well earned rest.

SATURDAY The Saturday proceedings bring the festival to a close. The town is again roused by the Drum and Fife Band and by 9.30 a.m. the riders are once more saddled and bridled for another procession. They ride first to Wilton Lodge Park where after standing in their stirrups and singing “Teribus” at the end of the Avenue, the principals lay wreaths of remembrance on the town’s War Memorial. The procession then heads for the Moor where horse races are again held.

On the Cornet’s return, his official duties end when he ceremoniously returns the Flag to the Provost in the Council Chambers. The Provost accepts the return of the Flag, congratulates the Cornet on his conduct and thanks him for the satisfactory carrying out of his duties. The Cornet finally displays the Flag on the balcony overlooking the High Street and the Saxhorn Band play a hymn-like tune called the “invocation”. The mounted supporters stand in their stirrups as if to attention to mark the successful conclusion of another Common-Riding.

In the evening there is the Greeting’ Dinner - an informal occasion when the company bid farewell to the Left-Hand Man, who as Cornet of two years ago, is wearing his uniform for the last time. Afterwards the guests and principals make their customary tour of the fairground in the Haugh.

“It’s no’ in steeds, it’s no’ in speeds, It’s something in the heart abiding; The kindly customs, words and deeds, It’s these that make the Common-Riding.”

REFERENCE BOOKS AND SOURCES

The Hawick Tradition of 1514—R. S. Craig and A. Laing (1898)

The Story of Hawick—W. S. Robson (1937)

Hawick Place Names—W. S. Robson

Annals of Hawick (1214-1814)—J. Wilson (1850)

Upper Teviotdale and the Scotts of Buccleuch—J. R. Oliver (1887)

A Land of Romance—J. Lang (1930)

The Silver Bough, Vol. 4—M. F. McNeill (1968)

Hawick in the Early Sixties—J. Edgar (1913)

Brave Borderland—H. D. Gauld

Hawick and Its Old Memories —J. Wilson (1858)

Pictures from the Past of Auld Hawick—J. J. Vernon and J. McNairn

Transactions of Hawick Archaeological Society

Newspaper Files—”The Hawick News “

THE COMMON RIDING

Written and Produced by

Ron Taylor and Hawick Callants’ Club

Sketches by Jim Coltman

Map of Common by Aitken & Turnbull, Architects

CONTENTS

1. The Common 9. The Colour-Bussing 2.TheCharter 10.TheSnuffin’

3. The Common-Riding 11. The Chases

4. The Division of the Common 12. Riding the Marches

5. Hornshole 13. Social Functions

6.TheFlag(TheColour) 14.TheKirkin’andWreathLaying

7. Choosing the Cornet 15. Returning the Flag

8. Ride-Outs 16. The Drum and Fife Band

8a.Mosstroopersofold;Mosstroopersbadgeoftoday 17.TheSongsofHawick

THE COMMON RIDINGTHE COMMON

What is a common ?Acommonisapieceofopenland.Itisusedincommonbythepeopleofa

townorvillageforgrazingcattle,growingcrops,collectingfuel,etc.Sometimesthelandwasownedbythepeople.Inotherareasthecommonwasownedbyaneighbouringlandownerbutthepeoplehadtheuseofit.

What is the Common-Riding ?This is the ancient custom of riding round the boundaries (or marches) of

thecommonland.Thiswastomakesurenoonehadencroachedonitandalsothatthepeopledidnotforgetwheretheseboundarieswere.InEnglandthiscustomisknownas“beatingthebounds“.

What are the origins of Hawick’s common ?VerylittleisknownoftheancientpeoplewholivedinTeviotdale.Theylived

byhuntingorherdinganddressedinskins.Theystayedinsmallsettlementsprotectedbyaditchormound.ThesepeoplewerenomatchfortheAngleswhentheyinvadedthiscountryinthefourthcentury.TheAnglesfoundedthekingdomofBernicia.Theoriginaltribesweredrivenout.

TheAnglesformedasettlementwheretheSlitrigandTeviotriversmeet.Thiswasprobablybecauseitwasaneasilydefendedsite.Theriversontwosidesandahillock(orknowe)onthethirdformedanaturalenclosure.Indeedonetheoryastotheoriginofthename“Hawick”isthatitcomesfromtheOldEnglishwords“haga“whichmeansaplaceofsafetyorenclosureand“wic”adwelling.OvertheyearsHaga-wicbecameHawick.

Inthosedaystheideathatpeopleshouldowntheirownlanddidn’texist.Insteada groupof familieswould settle onanunoccupiedpieceof land.Eachfamilywasgivenaplotforahome.Alltherestwasusedincommonandconsistedusuallyofafertilemeadow.Thewoodsorwastelandaroundthemeadowwasalsoheld incommon.Thosewerecalledthe“marks”orboundariesItisfromthiswordthattheword“marches”isderived.

Hawick’scommonisthereforeaninheritancefromtheAngles.Anothergiftfromthosefarofftimesisthoughttobeawarcry.AftertheAngleshad

drivenoutthenativetribestheywereoftenatwarwiththeScotstothewest.In603forinstanceAidan,theScotsking,withagreatarmymarchedagainstAngles.ApproachingbyLiddesdaletheymovedintoTeviotdale.ThekingoftheAngles,Aethelfrith,hadbeenwarned.Hecollectedalargearmyonthewesternborderofhiskingdom.HemarchedintoLiddesdaleandafierceandbloodybattle tookplace,aboutelevenmiles fromHawick. It resulted inavictoryfortheAngles.ItispossiblethatthecircleofstonesontheNine-StaneRigwasbuiltbytheAnglestocommemoratetheirvictory.

Itisbelievedthatthewar-crythesewarriorsusedastheyrushedintobattlewasacrytotwoofthegodstheybelievedin,ThorandOdin:“Tyrhaebbeus,YeTyryeOdin“whichmeantmayTyrhelpus,bothTyrand0din.Today’stownslogan—Tyr-ibusyeTyryeOdin—isthoughtbysomepeopletohavecomefromtheAnglo-Saxonwarcry.

As timepassed thereweremanychangeswhichaffected thecommonlands.Thekingbecametheownerofallthelandinthekingdom.Largepiecesweregiventoloyalfriendsordistinguishedwarriorswithoutbotheringwiththewishesofthepeoplewholivedthere.Manyvillagesandtownsbecamesubjecttopowerfullordsandmanyofthe“commons“inthecountrydisappeared.

EarlyinthetwelfthcenturytheHawicklandswereinthehandsofafamilycalledLovel. Later,because theLovelswereclosely linkedwith theKingofEngland, the landsweregiven insteadto theDouglasfamily. ThiswasconfirmedinacharterbyKingJamesI.in1412.Thischarterwasrenewedin1511.ItgrantedthelandsandBaronyofHawicktoSirWilliamDouglasofDrumlanrig for gallant servicesagainst theEnglish. ThelandsincludedalargepartoftheSheriffdomofRoxburgh.ThischartercontainedsectionswhichgaveDouglastherighttogivepartsofthelandawayifhewishedHowever,onlytwoyearslaterattheBattleofFlodden,Douglas,alongwithmanyofHawick’smen,waskilled.

1

THE COMMON RIDING 2THE CHARTER

TheTownCharterof1537istheoldestdocumentinHawick(Acharterisanywrittenrecordwhichconfirmsthegrantingoflandorthegivingoftitlestopeople).ItwasgrantedtothetownbySirJamesDouglas.HewastheseventhBaronofHawickandthesonofSirWilliamDouglas(Drumlanrig).ThisChartergranted“particates“orsmallpiecesoflandtoalargenumberofpeoplewhoarementionedbynameItalsograntedtheCommonMoorofHawickandtheCommonHaughforthebenefitanduseofthetown.Therewasroughgroundforgrazing,goodlandforpastureandpeatforfuel.

“’TwasthenDrumlanrig,generousdonor, Gave (immortal be his honour)WhatmightsootheHawick’sdiredisaster,Landfortillage,peatsandpasture

ItisthoughtactuallythatSirJamesisnotthe“generousdonor“mentionedin“Teribus“AlsotheChartermaynotbethefirstonetograntthecommontothepeopleofHawick.Itisbelievedtobeare-grantofanearliercharterwhichwasgivenbyhisfather.Thisonewasprobablylost,stolenordestroyedinaraid.SirJamesDouglasmayhavegrantedhischartertohonourthememoryofhisfather.HealsowantedtorelievethepovertyofthepeopleofHawickbyconfirmingtheirownershipoftheland.AtoasttothememoryofDrumlanrigismadetothisday.

Here is a list of surnames of the particate holders named in the Charter. SomearecommoninHawicktothisday.Thesearenodoubtthedescendantsoftheoriginalones:

Scott Chapman Blair MorleyBrown Short PaisleyAngusYoung Fair Henderson WhiteTurnbull WaughWylie MartinChalmers Douglas Alison PattersonGladstone Hepburn Storie MortonStewart Deans Wilson

Butthereareotherswhosenamesarealsogivenandwhicharenowalmostunknowninthearea.Thefamiliesmayhavediedout.Somemayhaveemigratedtoothercountries.

Rutlech Connel Benkis HowbumPlendergaist Rawcastill Lidderdale CessfordFarnelaw Fowlaw

AmongthosegivenlandwasJohnDeans,whogotagrantoftwoparticates.HeislikelytobethesameJohnDeanswhosetombstoneisstillinSt.Mary’sChurchyardwiththisinscription:

“HEIRLYISANEHONESTMAN,JOHNEDEANIS,QVHAVASTENANTKYNDLIEOFHAVIKMILNANDSLANINDEBAITOFHISNICHTBOURISGEIR,THEZEIROFGOD,MDXLVI.”

DEBAIT-defence;NICHTBOURIS-neighbours;GElR-goodsorcattle(Hewaskilledwhilerescuinghisneighbour’scattlefromraiders).

AtthetimeoftheCharter,Hawickappearstohaveconsistedof110housesincludingthemanorhouse,churchandmill.Toruntheburghweretwobailiesandthirty-onecouncillors.By1861therewerefourbaiIies,tencouncillorsandoneprovost(InScotlandabailiewasthetitleofamagistratewhositsinacourt.Heiselectedbythecouncilfromamongthecouncillors.Tobecomeacouncilloronehadfirsttobeaburgess,aleadingcitizenofthetown.(TodaybaiIiesandmagistratesarehonoraryposts).TodaytheCommonisownedbytheCommonGood.ThisisrunforthepeopleofHawickbytheScottishBordersCouncil.ByagreementwiththisCounciltheCommonGoodFundisusedforthegoodofHawickandisn’tusedoutsideHawick’sboundaries(CommonGoodisthepropertyownedbyatowninScotland).

THE COMMON RIDING 3COMMON-RIDING

AtthetimeoftheCharter,landownershadtohavetheirlandmarkedwhereit“marched”withthepropertyofaneighbour.Landinthosedayswasopen,unfenced.ThiswasthesamewithHawick’sCommon.Soridingroundthemarches,thecommon-riding,wasaveryimportantduty.Ithelpedtokeeptheboundaries fresh in the minds of the people. The land had also to be visited tomakesurethatneighbourswerenotusingittograzetheiranimals,etc.Theywouldhavetobechasedoff.

Theboundarylinewasusuallyanaturalfeature,suchasavalley,aditchorburn.Sometimesitwasmarkedbypilesofstonesormoundsofturf.Turfor“sods”werecutandplacedontopofthosecutonpreviousvisits.

ThedutyofridingthemarchesattheannualCommon-RidingbecameanimportantandcolourfulceremonyAproclamationorannouncement,wasmadeattheMercatCrossatthefootofCrossWynd:

Proclamation at Cross“ThesearetogiveadvertisementstoallBurgesseswithintheBurgh

andTownofHawick,andBurgessesoutwiththesame,thattheBailiesandCouncilaretoridetheMarchesofthecommontyofHawickuponFridaythe...............dayofJuneinstant,ashatheverbeenusual.

“Thereforewarningall thesaidBurgesses toattend theBailiesandCouncilthatdayintheirbestapparelltotheendaforesaid.”

Thisdutywastakenveryseriously.TherewastroubleifanyBurgessfailedtoturnupwithoutgoodreason.

Considerthis1640rule:“item,quhatsumeverpersownethatbeisnotpresentyeirlieat

thecommownerydingandsettingffairissallpayfourtieschillingis,tatiesquoties,andwarditwithoutlicenseoranylacuhfullexcuse”

and this 1645 incident.

“May26—The said day,AllaneDeanes, travellaur, being

accusitfornotbeingattherydingandmarchingofthecommowneupown the24ofMay, 1645, compeirand confest hewasat theWatch-Know,thairfairassailzeithimofthepenaltieandfyne,andactithimself ifeverhedo the lyikhesallpay thedowbleof thepenaltie,conformetotheact,anddowblepunisment.”

OnthedayoftheRidingtheBailies,accompaniedbycouncillors,ledaprocessionoftownspeople.Somewereonhorse,othersonfoot.TheBailieswerearmedwithpistols.Theotherswerearmedwithclubsoranysuitableweapon.Theywerequitepreparedtodriveoffsheeporcattlebelongingtoneighbouringlandownersandtodefendtheirlandfromthem.Itwastheonlywaytomakesurethelandwaskeptfortheirownusebecausetherewerenofencesinthosedays.

Theprocessionwentroundthetownmarchesandthentothemarchesofthecommon.WhentheyreachedtheAuldCa’Knowetheyhadameal.Theyprobablyhadbarleybannocks,abitofbraxieandsome“soordook”towashitdown.There,oneofthemostimportantdutiesofthedaywascarriedout.Thiswas“TheCallingoftheBurgessesRoll”.Wehaveseenhowseriouslythisdutywastaken.

FromtheAuldCa’KnowetheymadetheirwaytoMyreslawgreenandontotheCommonHaugh.Theboundaryhereisthemiddleoftheriver.Itwasmarked,astoday,byplungingthestaffoftheFlagthreetimesintothewater

TraditionhasitthatwhentheyreachedtherivertheyweremetbytheLairdofLanglands.Heownedthelandtothenorth.TheLaird,dressedforbattlewithdrawnsword,watchedtheproceedings.Hewantedtoshowthatwhilehewouldnotbotherthemarch-ridershewasreadytofightiftheymeddledwithhimorhisproperty.

Leaving theriver thegroupmarked themarchesoftheCommonHaugh.Therestofthedaywasgivenovertoracing,dancingandcelebrating.

THE COMMON RIDING

THE DIVISION OF THE COMMON

Thenext200yearssawmanychangeswhichaffectedthecommon.Inthe1700sdisputesarosebetweenthepeopleofHawickandneighbouringlandowners.TheseconcernedtherightsthepeoplehadovertheCommon.Somethoughtthatthetowndidn’townthelandafterall.Thewholematterwaseventakentocourt.Thecourtbattlelastedseveralyears.

TheDukeofBuccleuchbecametheBaronofHawick.Hegainedthistitlefrom theDouglas family. TheDukeandothersclaimed that theCommonshouldbedividedbetweenHawickandhimself.HebelievedthatallthelandsoftheBaronyshouldbehis.Afteralong,bitterargumentaneutralpersonwasaskedtodecide.AsaresultofthisHawicklostsix-twentiethsoftheCommontoBuccleuch.ThispartoftheCommonincludedtheAuldCa’Knowe.Thisended the custom of calling the Burgesses Roll.

SoontheTownCouncilenclosedtheremainderoftheCommonwithdykesandfences.Thiswasdonesothatthelandcouldbebetterusedbyfarmers.Asaresult,theneedforridingthemarches,theCommon-Ridingwasended.

Indeedin1794,itwasdecidedbytheCouncilthatnoCommon-Ridingbeheldinthefuture.Thisdecisioncausedaterriblerowinthetown.WithintwodaystheCouncilhadtochangeitsmind.Theancientceremonieswhichweallenjoytodayweresaved.

In1911theHawickCallantsClubbuiltacairnattheAuldCa’Knowe.ThiswastomarkthespotwheretheRollwascalled.LaterthelandaroundthecairnandapathleadingtoitweregiventothetownbytheDukeofBuccleuchsothatthepeopleofHawickcouldstillvisitthefamousspot.

MapofCommon-showingboundariesbeforeandaftertheDivision

4

THE COMMON RIDING 5

HORNSHOLE

It isnotknownexactlywhentheflagwasintroducedintotheCommon-Riding.Theflagismentionedfirstin1703.However,itwascertainlyusedlongbeforethen.Thestandard-bearer,orCornet,wasayoungman.HewaschosentomarkthebraveryoftheyouthsofHawickatabattle.Thebattletook place at Hornshole in 1514.

InthosedaysEnglandandScotlandwereseparatecountries.Theywereoftenatwarwitheachother.In1513theScottisharmyunderKingJamesIVsuffered a terrible defeat at the Battle of Flodden.

KingJamesputhisarmyinagoodpositionatFlodden(FloddenisaboutsixmilessouthofColdstream). HisbackwastoScotlandandhis face toEngland.TheEarlofSurrey,wholedtheEnglishArmy,marchedroundtheScots.Hedrewhisarmyupbehind.ThisforcedtheScotstoturnroundinordertofightandmadeitimpossibleformanytoescapebacktoScotlandiftheyweredefeated.ItwasaverydaringthingtodobecauseifSurreywasdefeatedhealsocouldonlyretreatintoenemycountry.

Thebattlebeganat4p.m.on9thSeptember.Itcarriedonwellintothenight.AlthoughtheScotsfoughtwithgreatbraverytheyweredefeated.Inthis terriblebattle theKinghimselfdied. Alsoanarchbishop, fourabbots,twelveearls,seventeenlords,400knightsandabout17,000menwerekilled.ThiswasmorethanaquarterofthewholeScottishArmy.Inacountryofonlyaboutthreequartersofamillion,almosteveryfamilyinScotlandhadsomeonewhowaskilled.

SirWilliamDouglasandalmostallofHawick’sfightingmenwereamongthedead. Thiswasmostof theable-bodiedmenof thetown. There isafamousScottishlament,asongofmourning,forthosekilledatFlodden-“TheFlowersoftheForest”.

ThelossofsomanyfightingmenmeantthatthewholeBordersareawasleftwithnorealdefenceagainsttheEnglish.TheEarlofSurreyrealisedthis.Althoughhetoohadlostmanymenhesplituphisremainingmen.Almosthalfofthetroopswenthome.Theothersorganisedraids(“AfterFloddenwas

decided,Surreyhadhistroopsdivided”).TheseraidswerecarriedouttomakesurethatthepeopleoftheBorderscouldcausetheEnglishlittletrouble.LordDacre,whosetitlewasWardenoftheMarches,sentsometroopstoTeviotdale.Withgreatcrueltytheyplundered,burnedandkilled.Theyleftfamineanddestructionbehindthem.Townsandhouseswereburned.Cattleandsheepweretakenbythehundredandcropsdestroyed.

Some of these soldiers stopped at Ashkirk after raiding the surrounding area.TheydecidedtheyhadgonefarenoughfromtheirbaseinEngland.OntheirwayhometheyhaltedatHornshole.HornsholeisonlyabouttwomilesfromHawickandwasaconvenientstoppingplacebeforecrossingtheborder.HeretheRiverTeviotnarrowsintoadeep,darkpoolandtheEnglishcampedonthesteep,shadybanks.

Whennewsof theirpresencewasbrought to thepeopleofHawickthethoughtthatapartyofEnglishraiderswasadvancingtowardsthetown,burninganddestroyingallintheirpath,musthavecausedgreatalarmandfear.ThenumberandstrengthoftheEnglishwerenotknown.So,withgreatbravery,theyouthsofHawicksetofftomeetthem.Theycarriedwhatweaponstheycouldfindsuchasspears,halberts,swordsandclubs.TheymettheEnglishnearHornsholewheretheysoundlydefeatedtheenemyandcapturedaflag.ProudlycarryingtheflagtheyreturnedintriumphtoHawick.Thismusthavecheeredthepeoplegreatlyinthosehard,sadtimes.

ThiseventbecamepartoftheCommon-Ridingceremoniessoonafterwards.Aflagisproudlycarriedbytheyoungman(theCornet)chosentohonourhisfamous predecessor.

One interesting thought about the original Cornet is that hecouldhavebeenSirJamesDouglas.Wearenotcertainwhathisdateofbirthisbutsomepeoplebelievehewasbornin1498.IfthisissothenSirJameswouldhavebeensixteenin1514.SohewouldmostcertainlyhavebeenamemberoftheHawickparty.IndeedwithhisfamilybackgrounditisverylikelythathewouldhavebeentheonewhotooktheflagandcarrieditproudlybacktoHawick.

THE COMMON RIDING 6

THE FLAG (THE COLOUR)

TheFlag isan importantpartof theeventsat theHawickCommonRidingtoday.ItisproudlycarriedbytheCornetatallthemajorceremonies.ThisflagisacopyoftheancientflagwhichwascapturedatHornshole.Theoriginal has been long lost.

In1707theTownCouncilnoticedthattheflagbeingusedhadbecometornanduseless.Theyorderedthatitbereplaced.Itisjustpossiblethatthereplacedflagwastheoriginal.However,itwasnotpreservedwhenthenewflagwasbought.The1707flagisstillinexistenceandmaybeseenintheMuseumatWiltonLodge.

Theflagisbluewithacrossofgold(“ABannerAzurewithSaltireOr”).Ithasthedate“1514”ingold.Theletters“HC“wereaddedlater.Theystandfor“HawickColour”.Inthelate1800sstudiesofpastflagsshowedthattheshapeoftheflagshouldnotbesquareorrectangular.Itshouldinsteadbeintheshapeofa“pennon“.Apennonisalongnarrowtriangularorswallow-tailedflag.ThisistheshapeoftheFlagusedtoday.

ItisbelievedthatthefirstflagbelongedtothePrioryatHexham.IndeedweknowthatmenofHexhamhadbeeninDacre’sforceintheareaaroundHawick.AfewyearsagothepeopleinchargeofHexhamAbbeyaskedtheHawickCouncilforacopyoftheirflag.Thisrequestwasgranted.ThecopytheyreceivedstillhangsonawallintheAbbey

In themid eighteenth century other flagswere carried during theCommon-Riding.SchoolsandguildswererepresentedintheCommonRidingprocessionbymountedstandard-bearers.Arguments,however,aroseoverwhichflagsshouldcomefirst.In1747thefollowingorderwasagreedbytheCouncil.FirstwastheTownFlagfollowedbytheGrammarSchoolFlag.ThencametheEnglishSchoolflagandlastlythe‘PrenticeColour.TwoyearslatertheCouncildecidedthatinthefuturethereshouldbeonlyoneflag:

1749 “May 26-Thewhich day the Bailies andCouncil have

unanimouslyresolvedthatintimecomingnoColourorStandardshallbecarriedon theCommon-Ridingdaysexcept theTown’sColourorStandard.”

ThisrulewasnottoostrictastheGrammarSchoolflagwasstillcarriedtillabout1777.Sincethen,however,onlyoneflaghasbeencarriedattheCommon-Riding.

TheHawickColour

THE COMMON RIDING 7

CHOOSING THE CORNET

TheCornetfortheyearischosenwellinadvanceoftheactualCommonriding.Lastyear’sCornetandtheCornetfromtheyearbeforehavespecialtitles.TheyarecalledtheRight-HandManandtheLeftHandMan.TheyselectayoungmanwhomtheyconsiderworthytosucceedthemandgivehisnametotheProvost’sCouncil.

Toqualifyforthishonourtheyoungmanmustbea“Teri”.Hemustalsobeunmarriedandindeedmustremainunmarriedforthenexttwoyears.IthasbecomeexpectedthathewillhavebeenamountedsupporterofpreviousCornetsforseveralyears.

IftheProvost’sCouncil,agreetheHalberdierleavestheTownHallandtakesalettertothehonouredyoungman.Ittellshimthathisnamehasbeenput forwardandaskswhetherhewantstobecomeCornet. TheOfficer isaccompaniedbytheDrumandFifeBandandalargecrowdofexcitedchildrengathersroundtheCornetElect’shouse.Hereheiswelcomedbytheyoungmanandhisfamily.Asamementoheisrewardedwithanew“shilling“or5ppiece(“pieceofsilver”).TheHalberdierisgivensomerefreshmentandaskedifhewouldtakealetterofacceptancebacktothewaitingCouncil.TheyoungmanisthencongratulatedbyhisfriendsasthenewCornet.

ThenewCornetisgreetedwithmuchcheeringasheleaveshishouse.AftertheanticipatedstrivewithitsscrambletheCornet,withtheRightandLeft-HandMen,walksroundtheolderpartsofthetown.Theyvisitthesiteoftheoldtollorgate,wherepeoplewereadmittedtothetown,furthestfromhishome.ThentheyvisittheTownHallwhereacongratulatorymeetingorsmokerisheldinhishonour.Aneveningofsongandstoryisenjoyed.DuringthisheispresentedwithhisCornet’sBadge.FromthentilltheCommon-RidingisoverheisanhonouredfigureinHawick.

ThefirstrecordedCornetwasin1703:“May17—ThesaiddaytheCommon-Rydeingwasordainedto

beuponFrydaythetwenty-eightofMay,JamesScott,calledLaird,wasvotedtocarrythepencell.”—FromtheAnnalsofHawick.

AlthoughthisisthefirstrecordedmentionoftheFlagandtheCornetitisclearfromotherentriesthataFlagandaCornetwereinvolvedformanyyearsbeforeintheCommon-Ridingfestival.

TheelectionofaCornethasnotalwaysbeenthehappyeventitistoday.Inthepasttherehasbeensomedisputeandcontroversy.Forinstancein1856anelectiontookplacebuttheyoungmanchosenbythecouncillorsdidnotaccept.AtthenextmeetingoftheCouncilitwasdecidednottoelectanotherone.ItwasalsoagreedtolettheyoungmenthemselveschoosetheCornetsinfuture.ThiswasbecausesomecouncillorsdidnotwanttohaveanythingtodowiththeCommon-Ridingbecauseofbadbehaviouranddrunkenness.

However,atapublicmeetingthenextyearitwasagreedthattheCouncilshouldelecttheCornet.Apetitionwasdrawnup.ItdemandedthattheCouncilchangeitsmind.ManypeoplewereafraidthatthewholeCommon-Ridingwouldbeindanger,soimportantistheCornettothefestival.

TheCouncildidchangeitsmind.However,thisargumentcarriedonforsomeyearsbeforeitwasdecided,happilyfortheCommon-RidingthattheCouncilshouldplayapart,notonlyinthechoiceoftheCornetbutalsointheorganisationofthefestivalitself.Inthiswayitwouldbeconductedinapropermanner.TodaytheCommon-RidingCommitteemakessurethateverythingiswellorganisedfortheenjoymentofall.

OF TO-DAY

THE COMMON RIDING

RIDE-OUTS

IntheweeksleadinguptotheactualCommon-RidingtheCornetandhissupportersareoutontheirride-outs.ThesetakeplaceoneachSaturdayandTuesday.Duringthecourseoftheseride-outstheyvisitmanysurroundingvillages and farms.

Themainride-outhowevertakesplaceusuallytwoweeksbeforetheCommon-Ridingweekend.Itconsistsofatwenty-fourmileridetoMosspaulandback.Riderswhosuccessfullycompletethisdifficultridemaybeeligibletobecomemembersofthe“AncientOrderofMosstroopers”.

TheTuesdayafternoon ride-outswere originally intended for shopworkers,asearlyclosingonTuesdaysgavethemthechancetotakepart.TheSaturdayride-outsgivethosewhocan’tmanageonTuesdays,suchasschoolchildren,thechancetoseeorjointheCornetandhisfollowers.

These ride-outsarenotpartof theofficialCommon-Riding festival.However,theyareenthusiasticallysupportedbyyoungandoldriders.Theride-outsgiveneighbouringcommunitiesthechancetowelcomeandcongratulatethenewly-electedCornetaswellasprovidinggoodexerciseforthehorsesfor the important riding of the marches to come.

SeePage8a—MosstroopersofOld;Mosstroopersbadgeoftoday

8OF TO-DAY

THE COMMON RIDING

Mosstroopers of Old

Mosstroopersbadgeoftoday

OF TO-DAY

THE COMMON RIDING 9

THE COLOUR-BUSSING

Oneofthemostinterestingandcolourfulceremonies,theColour-Bussing,takesplaceon theThursdayeveningof theCommon-RidingWeek. Thiseveninghasbeencalled“theNichtAforetheMorn,”thelastnightbeforethebigday.TomanypeopletheCommon-Ridingproperbeginsat6pm.onthisThursdayevening.ItisatthistimethattheDrumandFifeBandmarchroundthetowntotheTownHallfortheColour-Bussing.

TheHallisfilledwithexcitedTeries,delightedtohavebeenluckyenoughtogettickets.ThebalconyiscrowdedwiththeCornet’ssupporterswhosesinginggetseveryoneintherightmood.

TheProvostandmagistratesareledintotheirplacesonthestagebytheDrumandFifeBand.ThencometheLasses.TheCornet’sLassisayoung,unmarriedladychosenbytheCornettoperformherimportantduties.SheisaccompaniedbytheLassesofthetwopreviousCornetsandtheMaidsofHonour.Theyalllookveryprettyintheirsummerdresses.TheCornet’sLasscarriestheFlagtothefrontofthehall,leavingitwiththeRightandLeftLassesasshemountstheplatform.She“busses“theFlagfromtheplatformbytyingribbonsofblueandgoldtotheheadofthestaff.Thisisjustasinoldentimeswhenwomendecoratedtheirmenasasignofaffectionandgoodluckbeforetheywentofftowar.

TheLassthenhandstheFlagtotheProvostsayingthatshehopeshefindsit“wellandtrulybussed”.Thishedoesandaftercongratulatingherhepresentsherwithamedalliontoremindherofthisoccasion.

TheCornetwearshisofficialuniformforthefirsttimeforthisceremony.TheCornet and his Right and Left-HandMen have been guarded byHalberdiersineighteenthcenturydress.Theynowcomeforward.TheLassgivestheCornethiscrimsonsashofoffice.TheProvosthandshimtheFlagforsafekeeping.HeinstructstheCornetto“ridethemeithsandmarchesofthecommontyofHawickaccordingtoancientcustom”.AttheendofhisdutieshehastomakesureheretumstheFlagtotheProvostintheCouncilChambers“unsulliedandunstained”.TheCornetthenrepliespromisingthatwiththehelpofhismountedsupportershewillcarryoutthisimportantduty.

Attheendofthispartoftheceremonythechiefguestspeakerfortheyearmakesaspeech.Thisisfollowedbyaprogrammeofsongsingingendingofcoursewith“Teribus”.

TheColour-Bussingwasnotalwaysconductedinthisway.Inthel860s,for instancetherewasnopublicceremony.Thebussingtookplaceinthehouseofthechiefmagistrate,alsosometimesinlocalbars.TheFlagwasdisplayedfromoneof thewindows. While thecelebrationscarriedontheBurghOfficers,dressedinlongcoats,kneebreeksandSundayhats,paradedthestreets.Theycarriedhalbertsandmarchedwiththebands.Theywereannouncing the beginning of another Common-Riding. At certain houses theyhalted.Theyputdowntheirweaponsandweregivenrefreshmentsfromayounglady.Shewasdecoratedwithflowersandribbons.AfterwardstheyhadsomesnuffattheAuldBrig,whichwasthecustominthosedays.ThentheymarchedtotheTownHalltowaitfortheCornet.

In1887theCeremonialCommitteewasformed.TheColour-BussingwasmovedtotheTownHall.Tenyearslaterthepublicwereallowedtoattendanditbecamethepopularandimportantceremonyitistoday.

ImmediatelyaftertheceremonyintheTownHalltheHalberdiermakesanofficialproclamationfromabalconytothepeoplewaitingoutside:

“ThesearetogiveadvertisementtoalltheburgesseswithintheBurghandTownofHawick,andBurgessesoutwiththesame,thattheProvost,BailiesandCouncilaretoridethemarchesoftheCommontyofHawickuponFriday,the.........dayofJuneinstantashatheverbeenusual.ThereforewarningallthesaidBurgessestoattendtheProvost,BailiesandCouncilthatdayintheirbestapparelto the end aforesaid.

ThenbeginstheCornet’sWalkaroundthetown.HeisprecededbytheSaxhornandDrumandFifeBandsandfollowedby the supporters all on foot. They stop at the“Horse”,the1514Memorial.HeretheCornetclimbsaladdertopaytributetohiscenturiesoldpredecessorby“bussing”thebronzeflagonthestatueThiswasintroducedin1923andisnowwatchedbylargecheeringcrowds.

OF TO-DAY

THE COMMON RIDING

THE SNUFFIN’

OntheFridaymorningfollowingtheColour-BussingtheDrumandFifeBandwakenthepeopleofHawick.TheysetoffwhentheclockofSt.Mary’sChurchchimesthefirststrokeof6.00a.m.PresentlyalargecrowdgathersatTowerdykeside.Whenthebandarrivesthestrangeceremonyof

the“Snuffin’“takesplace.

Amancarriesalargehornedmullfilledwithsnuff.Heisprotectedbytwostrongbodyguards.Alargenumberofpeople,mainlyyouths,trytowrestlefreesomeofthesnuff.Thereismuchpushingandjostlingforsomeminutes.Thewatchingcrowdcheers,amazednooneishurt.

AfterwardslittlepacketsofsnuffarethrownfromthewindowsoftheTower.Thesetooareeagerlyscrambledfor.Thepacketsaremuchprizedasmementoes.ManyaresenttoexiledTeriesinmanypartsoftheworld.

InformertimestheSnuffin’wasnotapublicceremonyastoday.OnlytheBurghOfficersandmembersoftheabandstookpart.WhilemarchingroundthetownearlyonFridaymorningtheyusedtostopattheAuldBrig,Theofficersputdowntheirhalberts(spear-likeweapons)andtookapinchofsnuff.Thisprobablycomesfromthetimewhenitwasasocialcustomtopassroundasnuff-boxduringahaltinmeetings.Itcouldalsocomefromthetimewhenitwastraditionalfortroopstoreceivesnuffpriortobattle.

AftertheAuldBrigwasremovedthisceremonywasstopped.ItwaslaterrevivedbyWilliamKennedy.Heusedtomeettheofficersnearthespotwheretheceremonyusedtobeperformedwithalargemullofsnuff.

SincethattimetheSnuffin’hasgrowninpopularity.ThehornedmullprovidedbyMrKennedy,whichisnowthepropertyoftheProvost’sCouncil,isstillinuse.TheSnuffin’usedtotakeplacealsoonThursdayeveningsbutisnowconfinedtotheFridaymorning.

Horn Mull

OF TO-DAY

THE COMMON RIDINGOF TO-DAY

THE CHASES

ThefirstoftheCornet’sChasesoccursontheThursdayeveningoftheweekbefore theCommon-Riding. TheChases takeplaceupahillcalledtheNipknowes,onthewaytoSt.Leonard’sFarm.Itispartofaninterestingceremonycalledthe“OrderingoftheCurdsandCream”.Atthefarmalocalcaterer is asked to prepare the traditional dish of curds and cream. This dish willactasarefreshmentduringtheCommon-Ridingthenextweek.

Theactual“Ordering”beganin1886.However,itisnotknownwhenthefirstcurdsandcreamwereeatenduringtheCommon-Riding.Formany,manyyearsthedishwaseatenbypeopleinScotland.ItwasalsothedishmostoftengivenbyfriendlyfarmerstoCornetswhentheywereridingthemarches.YearsagotheCornetandtheRightandLeft-HandMenwerealonewhentheyvisitedthefarthestpointofthecommonland.Therewasnoceremonywhentheycalledonthesefarmers.ButovertheyearsthenumbersofpeopleridingwiththeCornetincreasedanditbecameaCommon-Ridingcustom.

Nowadays,themanwhowillactastheCornet’sFather(theActingFather)isalsopresentedwithhisbadgeofoffice.TheActingFatherischosenbytheCornet.He,alongwiththeCommon-RidingCommittee,helpstheCornetperformhisdutiesandkeepuptotime,etc.HealsoactsasSeniorMagistrateduringtheCommon-Riding.BeforethecompanyheadbacktoHawicktheysing“Teribus”infrontofSt.Leonard’sFarmhouse.

FollowingtheChasesontheMonday,TuesdayandWednesdaymorningsofthenextweek,thesecondmajorchasetakesplaceontheThursdaymorning.TheCornetcarriestheFlagforthefirsttime.TheFlagis“unbussed”.ItisnotofficiallyhandedtohimtilltheColour-Bussinglater.ThisChase,however,marksthefactthatsomeyearsagothemarcheswereriddenontheThursdayinsteadoftheFridayastoday.

Atapproximately8.45a.m.ontheFridaymorningthePrincipals,i.e.,theCornet,theRightandLeft-HandMenandtheActingFathermounttheirhorses.Theyarefollowedbyalargenumberofsupporters-sometimesasmanyas300-andtheyallsetoffinprocessionroundthetown.AftertheHighStreettheyrideuptheLoantotheNipknoweswherethemainChasetakesplace.

AfeatureoftheChasesisthattheridersaredividedintotwogroups-theunmarriedriders,nearlyallyoung,andthemarriedriders,mostlyolder.FirstcomestheActingFather’sChase.ThemarriedridersgallopupthehillbehindtheActingFather.Then,withtheFlagheldhigh,theCornetdashesforward, hisRight and Left-HandMen spurring furiously at his heels. Ahurricaneofunmarriedridersfollows.Thereareringingcheersfromthecrowdsontheslopesastheythunderpast.

TheChasecouldrepresenttheyouthsofHawickreturningintriumphfromtheBattleofHornsholeastheyproudlyfollowthecapturedFlagtothecheers of the local people. The Chase could also represent the Bailies and localpeople“chasing”intrudersfromthecommonlands.Veryoftentheywerechasedinthedirectionofotherlairds’’property.

At the end of the Chase the Cornet hands the Flag to the Acting Father in his role as Senior Magistrate. The senior bailie received the Flag in olden times.HecarriesittotheHutatSt.Leonard’s.HeretheridersarerefreshedwiththeCurdsandCreamorderedtheweekbefore.Theyarejoinedbyfriendsandguests.Afterabriefrestspentintoasts,speechesandsongthePrincipalsagainsing“Teribus” infrontofthefarmhouse.ThentheridersremounttofollowtheCornetontheimportantdutyofridingthemarches.

ManyyearsagotheChaseswereanimportantpartoftheCommon-Ridingastoday.However,theystartedatthebottomoftheLoan.InthosedaystheLoanwasopencountryandtheroadwassurroundedbyfields.ButasHawickgrewlargerandhouseswerebuiltintheLoantheChasesbecamemoredangerousbecausecrowdsofsightseerslinedtheroad.Therewereindeedaccidents.In1876someonewaskilled.TheCornetandsomeofhissupporterswereactuallyarrested.ThisledtotheChasesbeingmovedtotheNipknowes.

THE COMMON RIDINGOF TO-DAY

RIDING THE MARCHES

After theChase, toastsandsongson theFridaymorning theridersmounttheirhorsesoncemore.OnleavingSt.Leonard’stheyproceedtoridethe marches of the common land.

TheridersproceedtothefarthestcorneroftheCommon.TheyridepastWilliestrutherLochandontotheAcreknoweReservoir.Thehorseswalkinsinglefilealongbothsidesofthereservoir.Forsomepeoplethisisthefinestsight of the Common-Riding.

Intheoldendaysthemenwhorodethemarchesfollowedamuchlongerroute.TheyfollowedtheboundaryoftheCommon.AtonepointatWhitlaw,theboundary linepassed throughahouse.Half thehousewas inHawickCommonandhalfwasintheneighbouringproperty.Atfirsttheboundarywasmarkedherebytheplacingofaturfordivotontheroof(rigging).Later,whentheFlagwasintroducedintotheCommon-Riding,itwashandeduponesideofthehouse,acrosstheroofanddowntheotherside.

TodaytheCornetandhismountedsupportersridefromAcreknowetothecornerofafieldwherethe“ThreeLairdships”meet.Landwhichbelongstothreedifferentownersmeetsatthispoint.HeretheCornetdismounts.Heceremoniouslycutsandturnsasod(pieceofturf).InthiswayhemarkstheboundaryoftheCommonforanotheryearasancientcustomdemands.

Todayitisnotnecessarytoridethemarchestodriveoffneighbours’sheep.Norisitnecessarytoconfirmtheboundarylineinpeople’sminds.ThedivisionoftheCommonandthelatererectionofdykesandfencessawtothat.NoristheAuldCa’Knowevisited.Nevertheless,“Cuttingthesod”is one of the most important of all the Common-Riding ceremonies as it commemoratesthetimewhenridingthemarchesorcommonridingwasvitalforthepeopleofHawick.

After cutting the sod the riders move on to the Race Course. Here the CornetandhissupportersgalloproundtheCourseandtheyaregreetedbycheeringcrowds.TheCornetthenplacestheFlagontheroofoftheCommitteeRooms and receives his traditional present of a riding-crop.

Attheendoftheprogrammeofhorseracingtheridersremount.TheygobythewayofCrumhaughhilltoMyreslawgreen.HeretheCornetandtheRightandLeft-HandmenandActingFatherleavethefollowersandridetotheCoblePoolintheRiverTeviot.Thethreehorsemen,excludingtheActingFather,enterthewaterandtheCornetlowersthestaffoftheFlagthreetimes.Thisistomarkthespotthatonceformedpartoftheoldmarchofthetown.

OntheirreturntothemainpartytheprocessionmovesofftoMillPath.Here a proclamation is made. It announces that the Marches have been ridden andmarkedforanotheryear.“Teribus“issungoncemore.

Thisceremonyisusuallycalledthe“Song Singing”.Ittakesplaceonaspeciallybuiltplatform.Until1859theSongwassungfromthetopof“TibbytheFiddler’s”houseinMillpath.ThiswasalowthatchedcottagewhichstoodontheboundaryoftheburghlandandthatoftheDukeofBuccleuchatapointwheretherailwaybridgenowcrossestheroad.Thecottagewasdemolishedtomakeroomfortherailway.TodaytheSongissungfromaplatformasnearto the old site as possible.

WhythisceremonyshouldtakeplaceinMillpathatallissomethingofamystery.ThestreetisinnootherwayconnectedwiththeCommonRiding.However,thegroundwhereAllarsandSlitrigCrescentsare,usedtobealevelgreenhaugh.ItwasknownastheDeidhaugh.Archerycontestsusedtobeheldthere.OthermilitaryexerAcises,gamesandsportsalsotookplaceandthese became part of the Common-Riding celebrations.

Inlesswar-liketimeshorseracingwasintroducedandthelargerfieldattheCommonHaughwasusedinstead.TheSong,however,wasstillsungatthespotwhereithadalwaysbeenduringtheevents-inotherwords“It’sayebeen”.

AftertheceremonyoftheSongSinginginMillpaththeCornet,nowonfoot,carriestheFlagtotheTownHall.Thesupporters,alsoonfoot,gowithhim.AttheTownHalltheFlagisdisplayedfromthebalconytoshowthatithasbeensafelyandhonourablycarriedroundthemarchesforanotheryear:

“SafeOot,SafeIn..”

THE COMMON RIDINGOF TO-DAY

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS

OnThursdaymorningaftertheChase,theCornetvisitsthelocalschools.Heis joinedbytheRightandLeft-HandMen,hisLass,theRightandLeftLassestogetherwiththeActingFatherandhiswifewithsomeofthesupporters.Theytraveltotheschoolsinabus,visitingfirsttheschoolatwhichtheCornetwasapupil.AttheSchoolstheprincipalsaremetbyalargecrowdofexcitedpupilsandparents.AfterbeingentertainedbythesingingofthepupilsandreceivingpresentstheCornetaskstheHeadTeacherifhewouldgrantthepupilsaholidayfortherestofthedayandthenext.Ofcourseheagrees.AmidwildcheeringtheCornetmovesontothenextschool.

OnFridaymorningtheCornetinviteshissupporterstobreakfastwithhim. Meanwhile at theProvost’sBreakfast in theTownHall, theProvostentertainstheMagistrates,Councillorsandotherinvitedguests.Attheendofbreakfast,sprigsofoakleavesaredistributedtoallthosepresentandarewornwithpride.TheoriginsofthisareunknownbutisbelievedtodatebacktotheancienttribeswhousedtoliveinTeviotdale.Theybelievedinheathengods-theoakleaveswereperhapspartofsomereligiousceremony.

AfterbreakfasttheCornetandhisRightandLeftandActingFathergatherinfrontoftheTowersteps.HeretheOldCommon-RidingSongissunginfull.Eachoftheprincipalstakesitinturntosingverses.Thisisthe“Mounting”song.IthasalwaysbeenconnectedwiththemountingoftheCornetandhissupportersbeforesettingofffortheday’swork.Before1921itwasconductedatanopenwindowinaroomintheTowerHotel.

As soon as the horsemen are mounted a procession is formed. It consists oftheProvost,Magistrates,officialsandtheguestsincars,toaccompanytheCornetroundthetowntotheCornet’sChase.

At the end of theCommon-Riding day theCornet attends the officialDinner.TheProvostpresides.DuringaneveningfilledwithsongsandtoaststheProvostpresentstheCornetwithhisofficialCornet’sMedal.Itisgoldandinscribedwithhisnameandyearofoffice.AnhonouredplaceisgiventoatoasttothememoryofDrumlanrig,thegenerousdonorofthecommon.

ImmediatelyaftertheDinnertheCornetgoestotheTownHallfortheCommon-RidingBall. Here,withhisLass,he leadsoff theGrandMarch.Reelsandcountrydancesareprominent.

AfeatureoftheBallistheCornet’sReel.ThisisconfinedtotheCornet,ex-Cornets,theLassesandtheActingFather.IndeedtheCornet’sLassisgiventheCornet’ssashtowearduringthisdance.Thisusuallytakesplaceimmediatelyaftermidnight.

Thedancingcontinues through thenight. Asdawnapproaches thePrincipals and their fellow revellersmake theirway to theMote.TheygotogreetyetanotherCommon-RidingSaturdaysunrisewiththeSong.Thisceremony isalso thought todateback to theseancientpeople’s religiousceremonies.ThecompanyreturnstotheTowerKnowewhereanotherreelisdanced.ThistimeitisdancedbytheCornetandtheRightandLeft-HandMenonly.Thentheygohomeforanhourortwo’shardearnedrestbeforetheSaturdayfunctionsbegin.

OntheSaturdayevening,afterthehorseracingandthereturnoftheFlag,thelastsocialfunctiontakesplace–theGreetin’Dinner.Thisisaninformaloccasion.Prizesarepresentedtothesupporterswhoweresuccessfulattheracemeetings.ThisisalsotheoccasionwhenthecompanybidfarewelltotheretiringLeft-HandMan.HewastheCornetoftwoyearsago.ItisasadeventforheiswearinghisGreenCoatasamemberofthe“BigThree“forthelasttime.TheCornettooisnowfreetoenjoyanhourortwoofleisurebeforegettingawell-earnedrest.AfterwardstheguestsandPrincipalsmaketheir usual tour of the fair in the Haugh.

THE COMMON RIDING OF TO-DAY

THE KIRKIN’ AND WREATH LAYING

TheCornet,alongwithhisRightandLeft,paysatributetohiscenturiesoldpredecessorattheLestWeForgetMemorialatHornsholeillustratedhere.Ontheirreturnfromtheride-outwhichtakesplaceontheSaturdaybeforeCommon-Ridingweek,theysing“Teribus”andstandintheirstirrupsasiftoattention.

TheCommon-Ridingweekbegins on theSundaymorning. This iswhentheKirkin’o’theCornettakesplace.TheCornetisaccompaniedbyhisRightandLeft-HandMenandtheActingFather,allinformaldress,andthesupportersonfoot.TheywalkinaprocessioncalledtheCornet’sChurchParade.TheywalkthroughthetownfromtheCouncilChamberstoachurch.ThechurchusedistheoneatwhichtheCornetisamember.HeretheyattendaservicewiththeLassesandalsotheProvost’sCouncil.Duringtheservicethe custom of Kirking the Cornet is performed. The Cornet is presented withaBible.FromtheservicetheLasses,alsoinformaldress,jointhefourprincipals.Togethertheywalkbacktoalocalhotelforlunch.

TheCornet’sLass,accompaniedbytheRightandLeft-HandLasses,alsopayatributetotheyouthsoftheHornsholebattle.TheylaywreathsattheLestWeForgetMemorialatHornshole.ThisceremonytakesplaceontheSundayoftheKirkingceremonyintheafternoon.

OneoftheceremonieswhichcomesattheendofCommon-RidingweekisthelayingofthewreathattheWarMemorialontheSaturdaymorning.Thepeopleareagainrousedby theDrumandFifeBand. TheBandmarchesroundthetown.By9.30am.theridersareoncemoresaddledandbridledforaprocessionsimilartotheoneonFriday.Thistime,however,theyridetoWiltonLodgePark. In theavenueclosetotheLaurieBridgetheridershalt.Thefourprincipals,standingintheirstirrups,eachinturnsingversesof“Teribus”withspectatorsjoininginthechorus.

FromheretheyproceedtotheMuseum.HeretheLasses,theCommon-RidingCommitteemembers anda crowdof townspeoplewait to see theCornet,RightandLeft-HandMenlaywreathsontheWarMemorial.WhilethishappenstheActingFatherholdstheflaginaloweredposition.InthiswaythePrincipalspayatribute,onbehalfofthepeople,tothosemenofHawickwhodiedintheWorldWars.

THE COMMON RIDINGOF TO-DAY

RETURNING THE FLAG

AfterthewreathlayingceremonyattheWarMemorialonSaturday,thehorsemenproceedinprocessionroundthetown.OnceagaintheyrideuptheLoanandontotheMoor.Attheracecoursethereisanotherprogrammeofhorseracing.Largecrowdsoftiredbuthappypeopleenjoytheirpicnicsoncemoreastheywatchtheraces.

Intheafternoon,aftertheraces,thesupportersfollowtheCornetbacktoHawickforthelasttime.TheyrideviaCrumhaughhilltotheTownHalltoreturntheFlagtotheProvost.

ReturningtheFlagisaveryformalceremony.IttakesplaceintheCouncilChambersoutofsightofthecrowdswhoarewaitinginthestreetoutside.TheProvost,magistratesandcouncillorsaregatheredtoawaittheflag.TheLassesandtheparentsofthePrincipalsarealsopresent.

TheCornetenterstheChamberscarryingtheFlagaccompaniedbytheRightandLeft-HandMen.HeaskstheProvosttoacceptthereturnoftheFlag.TheProvostacceptstheFlagandcongratulatestheCornetonhisconductduringthepastweeks.Healsothankshimforthesatisfactorywayhehascarriedouthisduties.The“meithsandmarches”haveagainbeenriddenasfor“hundredthsofyearspast“andthe“emblemgrand“whichwent“safeoot”tothefarthestpartofthe“commonty”isnow“safein”“withitshonour“unsulliedandunstained“.

TheProvostthenaskstheCornettohandletheFlagforthelasttime.TheCornettakestheFlaganddisplaysitfromthebalconyoftheTownHalloverlookingtheHighStreet.TheSaxhornBandplaysasadhymn-liketuneknownas“TheInvocation”. TheCornet lowers theFlagandthemountedsupportersstandintheirstirrupsasiftoattention.Manyatearisshedastheend of another Common-Riding is reached

THE COMMON RIDING OF TO-DAY

THE DRUM AND FIFE BAND

IntheoldendaysHawick,likemosttowns,hadapiperandadrummer.FormanyyearsthesetwoontheirownplayedthemusicattheCommonRiding.Overtheyearsthepiperwasreplacedbyafifer.Afiferisfirstmentionedinthetownrecordsin1797.Thenextyearhewasregardedasaburghofficial.Shoesforthefiferwereboughtatacostofsevenshillings.Also,alongwiththedrummerandtheHalberdier,hewasgiventheusualCommon-Ridingpaymentofoneshilling.ThisisstillpaidtotheHalberdiertodayonthenightoftheCornet’selection.FromthisbeginningtheDrumandFifeBanddeveloped.

AfamousdrummerfromtheBandismentionedinthe“BorderQueen.”HisnamewasWalterBallantynebuthewasknownas“WattheDrummer“.Hejoinedthebandin1823andservedinittillhisdeath1881.That’sanamazingfifty-nineCommon-Ridings.HisnephewandgrandnephewscontinuedtheBallantyneassociationwiththebandandtheCommon-Ridinguntil1946!

ThebandwhichisalsoknownastheCornet’sBandhasthehonourofmarching immediately in front of theCornet in all ceremonialmarchesattheCommon-Riding.However,itwasoncesuggestedthattheSaxhornBandshouldhavethispositiononthereturnfromtheMoor.WhenWattheDrummerheardaboutthisheinsistedthat“abrassbandtaeplaeinfronto’theCornetwadneverdae.Yon’snaemusicforhorses”. TheDrumsandFifes kept their place and have become one of the most important parts of the Common-Riding.

Theroutesusedbythebandandthetunesplayedarekeptthesamefromyeartoyear.OntheThursdayeveningatthefirststrokeof6pmonStMary’sclock,thebandstartsfromtheKirkWyndandproceedsuptotheTollintheLoan.FromtheTolltheymarchdowntheLoan,DrumlanrigSquare,HowegateroundbySandbedandalongBuccleuchStreettotheGrapesInnClose.Theyplay“Teribus”overthewholeroute.

Later,startingfromtheSandbed,theyproceedviaSilverStreetalongtheHighStreet,upO’ConnellStreettoBroughamPlace.Finally,startingatOliverPlace,theyproceedroundCroftRoad,TeviotCrescentandupWalter’sWynd,againplaying“Teribus“.ThisendsthefirstroundoftheoldTolls.

WattheDrummeroncegrewannoyedatthesuggestionofayoungmemberoftheband.Hisideawasthatanothertuneshouldbeplayedaswellas“Teribus”forvariety.Watissupposedtohavesaid,“ifeewastaeplaeonyothertunebut‘Teribus’,thetoono’Hawickwadrise,foritwadnastandit.”

AttheColourBussingtheDrumandFifeBandplaythemagistratesandtheColourintothehallandaftertheceremonytheCornet,theRightandLeft-HandMenandmagistratesareplayedoutofthehallfollowedbytheMaidsofHonour,alltothestrainsof“Teribus”.OntheCornet’sWalkstartingattheTownHall,theHawickSaxhornBandplaytotheHorseMemorialwheretheCornet ties ribbons on the staff of the statue.

FromtheHorsetheDrumandFifeBandplays“DumbartonDrums”afterwhichthetwobandsplayalternativelyastheymarchbyBridgeStreettoPrincesStreet.ThenexttunefortheDrumsandFifesis“Rumblin’Brig”whentheygoviaSandbed,BuccleuchStreettoGrapesInnClosewheretheyturnbacktomarchuptheHowegateandLoantotheTollplaying“Hazeldean”and“PawkiePaiterson”.Onthereturnmarch“Rumblin’Brig”isplayedalthoughattheTownHalltheCornetandfollowersareplayedintotheHailtothestrainsof“Teribus”atapproximately9p.m.TheCornetisplayedfromtheTownHalltotheTowerbytheSaxhornBand.

OnFridaymorningat thefirststrokeof6am; theDrumsandFifesaccompaniedbytheHalberdiersmarchroundtheOldTowntoawakenthepeople.TheyfollowthesamerouteastheThursdayevening.“Teribus”isplayedoverthewholeroute.ReturningtoKirkWyndthebandsmenreceivetheirrefreshmentofrumandmilk.Atthefirststrokeof7a.m.theyproceedfromKirkWynduptheLoantotheTollplaying“DumbartonDrums”whichisalsoplayedonthereturntotheHorseMemorial.

TheBandthenmakesitswaybacktoKirkWyndandat7.30a.m.proceedsfromthereroundDrumlanrigSquarefountain(theoldMidRow)downtheHowegatetotheTowerplaying“JockPatterson’sMareRidesForemost”.

AftertheCornet’sBreakfast,wherethebandsmenjointhe

Cornet’sguest’s,andthesingingoftheOldSong,thebandagainformsuptojoinintheprocession.ThebandfollowstheLasses’cartotheHaughBridgeplaying“DumbartonDrums.”AttheendofCommercialRoad“Teribus”isplayeduntil

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alltheridershavegonepast.ThebandsmenaretakenbybustorejointheprocessionalongtheHighStreetwhere“Rumblin’Brig“isplayed.’DumbartonDrums“,“Hazeldean“and“PawkiePaiterson”areplayedduringthemarchuptheLoantoThorterdykes.Here“Teribus“isplayed.Finally“JockeytotheFair“isplayedbeforetheChase.

OntheirreturnfromtheMoorandtheCoblePooltheCornetandthesupportersaremetbytheBandatDrumlanrigSquare.TheBandleadsthemtoMillpathviatheHighStreetandCrossWyndplaying“Rumblin’Brig“.TheCornetdismountsand“Teribus“isplayedashewalksdownMillpathtotheSongSinging.AftertheproclamationisreadthebandleadsthecompanytotheTownHallplaying“Rumblin’Brig”.“Teribus”isplayedattheTownHalluntilthe Cornet and supporters enter

When theCornet displays theColour the bandplay twice through“Teribus.”OnemergingfromtheTownHalltheCornetisplayedtotheTowertothetuneof“RumblinBrig’.

OntheSaturdaythebandmeetattheWestPortat7.45am.Atthefirststrokeof8am.onStMary’sclock,theyproceeddowntheLoanandalongtheHighStreettotheHorsetothetuneof“DumbartonDrums”afterwhichtheyhavebreakfast.

Meetingat9.45am.theBandwaitfortheCornetattheHorseandmarchintheprocessionplaying“DumbartonDrums“,“Rumblin’Brig““Hazeldean“and“PawkiePaiterson”.AtDrumlanrigPlace“Teribus”isplayedtillalltheriders have gone past.

On the return from the Moor the band meets the Cornet at the top of theLoan. “TheGirl ILeftBehindMe”and “Cockof theNorth”areplayedtoDrumlanrigSquarewheretheychangeto“Rumblin’Brig”.AttheTownHall”Teribus” isplayedtill theCornetenters.WhenheemergeswiththeColour“Teribus”isplayedtwicethrough.ThentheSaxhornBandplaysthe‘’Invocation”.

TheCornetisplayedtotheTowertothetune“Rumblin’Brig.”Theprincipalsarecarriedonthebandsmen’sshoulders.

TheCornet,RightandLeft,andActingFatherthendancetheBullReeltothetunes“Stumpy“and“KateDalrymple“.ThisendsthedutiesoftheBand for the Common-Riding.

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THE COMMON RIDING OF TO-DAY

THE SONGS OF HAWICKAdeeploveofHawickandtheCommonRidinghas,overpastgenerations,

inspiredsomepeopletoexpresstheirfeelingsinverse.Musiciansheardandreadthesepoems.Theylikedmanyofthemenoughtosettunestothepoemsandsogaveusthesongswehavelearnedtolove.

“Teribusis,byalongway,theoldestofoursongs.ThewordswrittenbyJamesHogg,datebackto1819.Butthetunedatesbackto,atleast,thesixteenthcentury.WhenHoggwasaskedaboutthis,hereplied,“it’sair’seternal”That’swhyitisoftenreferredtoas“TheEternalAir“.ActuallyHoggnamedthesong“TheColour”butitisbetterknownnowas“Teribus”.AnoldcopyofthetuneispreservedintheLibrary.However,itonlyvaguelyresemblesthetuneusedtoday.JamesHoggdiedat14Loanin1838andaplaquetohismemorycanbeseenthere.Therewasalsoanoldversionofthissong.ThiswaswrittenbyArthurBalbirnieandwastheofficial“Common-RidingSong”forabouttwentyyearstillJamesHoggísversionwaspublished.Theoldsongisstillsungtoday.TheprincipalseachsingversesfromiteveryCommon-RidingFridaymorningaftertheCornet’sBreakfast.

“TheBorderQueen” and another very popular song “UpWiíTheBanner”werewrittenbyJamesThomson.Hebecamequitefamouswithasongcalled“Staro’RobbieBurnsî.Hediedin1888andwasburiedintheWellogateCemeterywhereamemorialwaserectedtohim.Thewordsof“TheBorderQueen“wereatfirstsungtoseveraltunes.Buttheyhadlittlesuccess.However,whenthepresenttunewaswrittenspeciallyforthewordsthis changed. Indeed the song became a great success. It has been sung at everyCommon-RidingsincetheColour-Bussingof1887.

“UpWiAuldHawick”waswrittenandcomposedforJohnBell,alocalsinger,andwassungbyhimattheColour-Bussingof1902.ThewordswerewrittenbyThomasCaldwelland the tunewascomposedbyAdamGrant.Grant,bornin1859,contributedmorethananyoneelsetothetown’sheritageofsong.Hewroteagreatdealofmusic.Hesetorarrangedmusictonofewerthan twelveofoursongs. Granthadamusicshop inBridgeStreet,nearthePostOffice.CaldwellandGrantalsowrote“OorAinAuldToon”whichisdedicatedto“allHawickCallantsinexile”.“Hawick”isanotherofAdam

Grant’stunesandwasfirstusedattheColour-bussingof1910.

“TheMosstrooper’sSong”wascomposedin1931byAdamMcL.Colledge.FormanyyearshewasmusicteacheratHawickHighSchoolandorganistattheOldParishChurch..Thewords,intheHawickdialect,werewrittenbyex-CornetJ.E.D.Murray.HewasborninHawickin1858andwasagreatsupporter of theCommon-Riding. “Jed”Murraywrotemanyof the town’sbest-lovedpoemsandsongs,includingtwogreatfavourites,“Clinty’sSong”and“Meda’sSong“.

“TheBannerBlue“wasfirstsung in1911.ThewordswerewrittenbyJohnIngliswhodonatedtheproceedstowardsthebuildingofSt.John’sChurch.Inglis,formanyyearscuratoroftheHawickMuseum,camefromaninterestingfamily.HismaternalgrandfatherwasthelastferrymanattheCoblebefore theTeviotBridgewasbuilt. Inglisalsowrote thewordsof “HawickAmongtheHillsî.

Oneoftheoldestofoursongs,“PawkiePaiterson”waswrittenaboutthesametimeas“Teribus”.Itwaswrittenbya“Soapy”Ballantyne.HewasacousinofWattheDrummerwhoismentionedinaverseof“TheBorderQueen“.ItisoftensungattheCommon-Riding.

ManyotherofHawick’sSongsareverypopularandareoftensungattheCommon-Ridingfunctions.SomeofthempraiseHawicklikethesentimental.“I likeAuldHawicktheBest”byTKer.Thissongisdifferent inoneway.Ithasadifferent chorus foreachverseunlikeother songswhichhaveonlyonechorusforalltheverses.Thissometimesleadstoconfusionwhentheaudiencejoinsin.

OthersongspraisetheBorderlandsuchas“TheSoftLowlandTongue”.ThiswaswrittenandcomposedbyW.Sandersonwhoformanyyearseditedthe“BorderMagazine”andwrotemanypoems.ThissongissungatmanyoftheBorder Common-Ridings and is often included in Scottish song books.

A humorous song, “KinlyStick”,waswritten byW.

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Eastonwhohadatalentforwritingaboutsomeofthecharactersoftheday.Anotherofhishumoroussongs“TheAnvilCrew”tellsthestoryofagroupofwellknownlocalladswhoplayedwithapuntontheRiverTeviot.

“Theinvocation,”ahymn-liketune,waswrittenby‘’Jed”MurrayandAdamGrant. Itwaswritten to bea fittingend to theHawick “QuaterCentenaryPageant”(June2,1914).Thesongwasintendedtobesungintheopenairbyalargeaudience,accompaniedbytheSaxhornBand.“TheInvocation”nowclosestheceremonialpartoftheCommon-Riding.ItisplayedbytheSaxhornBandoutsidetheTownHallontheSaturdayafternoonwhentheCornetreturnstheflagtotheProvost.Themountedsupportersstandtoattentionintheirstirrups during this time.

FinallyitisinterestingtonotethatatallCommon-RidingsocialfunctionstheCornet’sToastisalwaysrecognisedbytheverseof“Teribus“-”Annualsince,ourFlag’sbeencarriedî.ThetoasttotheActingFatheristheverse“Magistrates!Befaithfultrusteesî.ThetoasttotheRightandLeft-HandMenis“TheyareJollyGoodFellows”.Insteadofendingwith“AuldLangSyne”“Cornet’sUp” isused. Here thewholecompanystandswhile theCornet,RightandLeftandallex-Cornetspresentstandontheirchairs.Eachinturnsingsa verseof “Teribusî. On someoccasionsanofficial singermaybeappointedtosingtheverses.InverysmallcompaniestheCornet,RightandLeftandActingFathersingaverseeach,theCornetendingwith“Peacebethyportion,Hawickforever!“

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