HE’s famed for his gardening - and one of this year’s leaders of the Beltane Festival is confident that the town’s summer gala will continue to blossom.

Eric Gilmour, a gardener at the Haystoun Estates for the past 25 years, came in for praise as he was formally appointed the Warden of Neidpath.

The Beltane chairman Keith Brunton said: “Over the years Eric has involved himself wholeheartedly in many aspects of Peebles life.

“A few weeks ago my wife Yvonne and I dropped Eric off at his house in the Haystoun Estates. He was kind enough to show us his gardens and they truly show the measure of Eric and the dedication he brings to everything he is involved with.

“You can hear in his voice the absolute pride and enthusiasm he has for those gardens - it’s the same pride and enthusiasm he has brought to his roles in Peebles over the years.” Eric’s first task in his new role was to give the Warden of Neidpath’s address in the magnificent setting of the ancient Neidpath Castle.

He told the audience, including the Principals, that it felt like “I have climbed the highest mountain and stand on top of the world.” During his speech Eric stressed his belief that the Beltane would continue to prosper. “I have every faith that our present custodians will ensure that the March Riding and Beltane Queen Festival will continue just like the oaks strong and majestic with its future well assured,” he said.

“It may need some slight changes just in the same way that plants suffer from the elements if not cared for and nurtured.” Eric is steeped in the fabric of Peebles, having lived in the town all his life and been a member of the Beltane committee for 30 years.

He regaled the audience with tales of Peebles from the old days when many of the townsfolk were millworkers.

“I remember the bus drivers and their clippies with their ticket machines. When I asked them where they were going they said to far off lands called Glasgow, Edinburgh and Innerleithen!” he said.

“I was very envious of them because the furthest I had travelled was Hay Lodge Park.” He also related memories of the childhood he shared with seven brothers and sisters.

“My mother was a great delegator and on Saturday mornings we were all given jobs in the house from cleaning bedrooms down to dusting etc,” he said. “My first job was polishing the linoleum which covered most of the downstairs of the house. My mother gave me a quick demo, then it was my turn.

“The polish was purple and supposed to smell of lavender. After two square feet she declared me the best floor polisher in the world.

“But after three hours I managed to turn the downstairs of the house into a deathtrap. The only way to get into the lobby was on your hands and knees. I was stripped of my world title and never allowed to polish the floor again.” Eric paid tribute to war veteran and a former Warden of Neidpath Colonel Aidan Sprot, who was celebrating his 96th birthday on Wednesday. Eric, aged 15, was one of the first people Col Sprot met when he came to Peebles.

The Warden of Neidpath welcomed the new Cornet and told him: “Make a grand display, Safe In, Safe Oot!”