St Ronan's debut for Steven and Kirstie
David O'Leary • Published 13 May 2011 09:30
1 Comment
JUST as the season draws to a close, one local footballer has been left relishing the prospect of a glittering date with destiny come July.
But it'll be an Innerleithen Standard Bearer's sash Steven Notman will be pulling on not a football kit.
Local lad Steven, who plays midfield for Berwick Rangers, was announced as Standard Bearer-Elect at the traditional ceremony in the town's Memorial Hall last Friday night.
Alongside him the other names of the 2011 St. Ronan's Games Week principals were also announced.
The 24-year old will proudly carry St Ronan's blue banner along with his Lass-Elect, Kirstie Evans at the Cleikum Ceremonies on July 15.
Steven, an ex-pupil of St. Ronan's Primary and Peebles High School, began his football career with Leithen Vale Sports Club, before spending eight years at premier division side, Hibernian.
He then made his move to Shielfield Park and Berwick Rangers in 2009.
Steven's Lass Kirstie, is a Peebles girl who works at Murray's hairdressers in her home town.
The honour of announcing Steven fell, as tradition dictates, to St. Ronan's Border Games chair, Alan Patterson.
In accepting his appointment, Steven said: "It shall be my earnest endeavour to carry out the duties of the office of Standard Bearer to the satisfaction of my fellow townspeople. On behalf of my Lass, Kirstie, and myself, I thank you, Mr Chairman, for your kind remarks and you ladies and gentlemen for the reception accorded to me this evening."
To cheers and whoops from the packed hall, chairman Alan then presented Steven with his Standard Bearer-Elect sash.
Speaking afterwards Steven said: "I was a monk once wy back in primary school so to be awarded this honour is fantastic.
"Both Kirstie and myself are really looking forward to the installation night. I'm going on holiday to Turkey soon and when I get back I'll be right into the festival season. It should be great fun, the other Standard Bearers have already told me that it'll be the best day of my life.
"I've attended the Cleikum a number of times in the past but I wish I had paid a bit more attention now."
Whilst other towns and festivals rely on past kings, queens and battles for inspiration the Cleikum concentrates on the greatest battle of all; that of good versus evil.
Almost 1300 years ago, it is said the 'de'il' attempted to pass through the Leithen Valley only to be 'cleikt' by the hind leg at the hands and more specifically crozier of St Ronan who thus drove evil out of the valley.
Other principals introduced on Friday were the Principal Guest and the Lady Busser. The 2011 Principal Guest is former Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale MSP, Jeremy Purvis. Mr Purvis served the constituency between 2003 and 2011.
Jeremy will deliver the main speech during the Cleikum Ceremonies on Friday, July 15 and is well qualified for the role having taken a keen interest in Games Week and the other Border festivals during his time as MSP.
He said: "I am truly honoured to be this year's Principal Guest. I was very keen to attend my annoucement last Friday even though I was rather tired after the election count the night before.
"Innerleithen is a fantastic community and I've always admired and looked forward to the Cleikum Ceremonies each year so I'm more than glad to be part of it."
Eilidh Hughes, who was Dux Girl in 2006, will buss the Crozier and staves at this year's festival of the Cleikum. Eilidh is a fifth year pupil at Peebles High School, currently undertaking her Highers.
Following the Introduction Ceremony, Innerleithen Pipe Band led the principals and townsfolk round the town and back to the Memorial Hall where a large crowd watched the official party dance a very energetic Standard Bearers' Reel.
A reception was then held where visiting principals from Peebles, West Linton, Penicuik, Musselburgh, Lockerbie and Edinburgh as well as other invited guests, were entertained.
St. Ronan's Primary School Headteacher Keith Belleville will now introduce St. Ronan, the Dux Girl, Monks, Sash Girls and Lantern Bearer on Friday May 27, completing the line-up for this year's celebrations.
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 13 May 11
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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bexters87
Unregistered User
May 14, 12:59
Report commentI have found this article quite informative about the forthcoming games week. However, am very disappointed, surprised and left wondering why there was no picture of the Lady Busser published in the newspaper article. The article had pictures of all other principles of games week but fails to show the busser, and this as far as I am aware is the first time her picture has been left out of the games week spread. Why is this?
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