ST Ronan’s Games Week kicked off with the annual football fives competition last weekend.

It was organised by Berwick Rangers midlfielder Steven Notman, an Ex Standard Bearer, and won by Biggar side, Sparkafag Moscow.

A total of 22 teams - including two ladies teams - took part in the sun-kissed competition at Victoria Park on Saturday.

Steven said: “It’s a friendly tournament and everyone seem to enjoy it. It was really busy, there was plenty of locals involved and breaks up the day with the ball at night.” A record turnout attended the formal dance in the St Ronan’s Marquee, at the primary school, later that evening.

And the sun continued to shine for the Kirkin’ Service at Innerleithen Church of Scotland the following day - with the upstairs of the recently refurbished building having to be fully opened to accommodate the large turnout.

It was conducted by the Rev Janice Faris, with the praise led by St Ronan’s Silver Band. And the Lessons were read by Standard Bearer-Elect David Forrest and 2014 St Ronan Alexander Paterson.

Following the service, the parade halted at the Memorial Hall where the Dux Boy, Ally Norman, raised the Town Flag.

He became the 18th Dux Boy and representative of St Ronan to raise the community flag in Innerleithen. Following the Kirkin’ Service, Community Council Chairman Paul Faris invited Alex to raise the Town Flag outside the Memorial Hall.

The flag will fly outside the Memorial Hall during the whole of Games Week except for Friday when it will be raised on the flagpole at St Ronan’s Wells, so that the Union Flag may fly during the service “For the Fallen”.

The parade then returned to Hall Street where it disbanded. The Principals then made their customary visit to St Ronan’s House where they entertained the residents with renditions of local songs and, in turn, received hospitality from the staff of the home. John Brown gave the vote of thanks.

Reflecting on the start of this year’s festivities, outgoing Standard Bearer, Robbie Scott said: “I’ve mixed emotions, this week is bitter sweet.

“The Cleikum was the highlight for me last year; it will be different emotions this year handing it (flag) back. But David will do a good job.

“Last summer feels just like yesterday. It goes in a flash and the last few days have just been a blur.” But he added: “It’s been a good year, I’ve enjoyed it - it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.” The Kirkin Service heard how the story of St Ronan was as relevant today as it was when the Games first began.

Popular folklore suggests the town may have been founded by a pilgrim monk called St. Ronan in A.D.737, who came to Innerleithen via the River Tweed in a coracle.

When asked what the Games Week meant to Innerleithen, Rev Faris said: “It’s a time for coming together to celebrate all there is about this community and to have a good time and enjoy themselves. It’s important, it’s special to all of them.

“When you think of all that is going on in the world today with all those people who are setting sail for a new life then there is a lot we have to think about and work out what to do.” In late 1995 Innerleithen, Traquair & Glen Community Council was offered the opportunity to have the town’s Coat of Arms put on to a new community flag. This offer came from former Innerleithen police officer, the late Alex Collins who served in the community for a number of years. Mr Collins had an enthusiastic flag and heraldry interest. The offer was keenly accepted and the flag duly commissioned. During Games Week 1996 Alex was invited to raise the flag for the very first time and it flew for the duration of Games Week that year. The following year, Dux Boy Gregor Caine became the first in that role to raise the community flag. Each Games Week since that time the flag has flown outside the Memorial Hall. On Games Friday (Cleikum Night) it is transferred to St. Ronan’s Wells.

The flag design, lifted from the Community Coat of Arms granted by the Lord Lyon, and commissioned by the Community Council depicts St. Ronan in his boat with his crozier in his hand. The sojourn through life is depicted by the boat and the crozier represents the support and protection of faith. The words 'Watch and Pray’ heralded below tell something of the life of St Ronan in those early days when Christianity first developed in this area of the Borders. Also represented in the flag are the inverted black crescent and the silver star of local baronies who in earlier days provided much employment and provision for many families in the area.

The original town flag was stolen during Games Week 2002 and as this was never recovered, the Community Council raised funds to have a replacement made and this was received in time for `Games Week the next year