EVERYONE from young to old let their hair down at Walkerburn’s Festival Concert.

On a clear evening, piper Bruce Gillie led the procession of schoolchildren, fronted by Festival Lass Skye Houston and Essay winner Rosie Mitchell, through the streets to the hall, picking up stragglers along the way.

An especially big cheer was raised as Skye passed her home, although at first the two girls hid shyly behind the piper.

Once in the public hall, concert special guest Nicola Sewell was introduced to the large audience. Miss Sewell said: “How honoured I am to be invited here to install Walkerburn’s Festival Principals.” Healthy Living Network leader Miss Sewell, 39, from Melrose, who has worked tirelessly on Walkerburn initiatives since 2003, admitted that when she took her post through the NHS, Walkerburn and Selkirk were last on her list of choices.

Miss Sewell talked about projects in which she has been involved such as the allotments scheme.

She said: “There is so much I could tell you about the time I have spent here, a lot has changed and Walkerburn is home to some of the most wonderful people I know and is a very resilient community.

“I have learned so much form so may people in Walkerburn.” Skye Houston was installed as Festival Lass and presented with her trophy before village elder, and Festival patron Mollie McIntosh stepped up to the microphone. Miss McIntosh, now in her 90s, admitted that each time she is asked to officiate at Festival events she wondered if it would be her last.

“After reading Rosie’s essay perhaps we could be looking at a future J K Rowling,” Miss McIntosh told the audience. “I was rather lazy academically at school much preferring the games field in particular hockey.

“I have much pleasure in handing over this dictionary,” Miss McIntosh said, “As even in these days of computers young people still love to look up spellings.” Rosie reminded the audience that it was still her wish to see an ice-cream shop in the village. Skye presented a bouquet of flowers to Miss Sewell and together with Rosie made a special bouquet presentation to Morag Miller and Sheila Somerville for their voluntary catering efforts in the village and during the festival.

Tots from the nursery took over the stage followed by Primary 1-3s who got things swinging with a rendition of “Always look on the Bright Side of Life” complete with actions.

They finished with a big bow and Walkerburn school’s: “Best wishes to all at the Festival.” Primary 4-7 took us on a Tour of Europe with songs about Germany, France, and Spain. And three pupils donned chef outfits to sing about spaghetti and meatballs from Italy. They finished by unfurling a Saltire and singing: ‘Flower of Scotland.’ The evening’s main act was The Tweeddale Singers who took the audience through a medley of popular songs including Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Cecilia’.

Retired teachers Peter Waller and Norman MacLeod set a tough 34 mile car treasure hunt for Tuesday evening which was sadly under supported. Scores were given out of 100, Smarty and the Burnies 1st with 98/100, 2nd The Bus 93/100 and 3rd Festival Lass Skye Houston’s family “The Ravens” including her three brothers enjoyed the going to record 80/100.