A born Standard Bearer

St Ronan’s Border Games were the brainchild of renowned poet and novelist James Hogg, best known as the Ettrick Shepherd.

And this year his great, great, grandson Bruce Gilkison, from New Zealand, will be a special guest at the event in Innerleithen.

He is also expected to take part in one of the oldest events on the 10 day programme, the Race Roond the Toon, following in the footsteps of his illustrious ancestor who was also an active participant in the Games in his day.

The festivities got underway last night (Thursday) with the Senior Citizen’s Social in the Memorial Hall and culminate with the Burning the De’il next Saturday, July 18.

This weekend kicks off with the annual five-a-side football tournament at Victoria Park on Saturday, July 11, from 12noon, with a total of 20 teams taking part. And that will be followed by the Standard Bearer’s Ball in the Marquee from 7pm, which has long since sold out.

And, on Sunday, July 12, the Kirkin Service will be held in Innerleithen Parish Church at 11.30am, with the procession leaving Hall Street at 11am.

Other highlights include the Children’s Sports and Treat in Victoria Park on Tuesday, July 14, from 6.30pm; the fancy dress competitionm with judging getting underway at Victoria Park on Thursday, July 16, at 7pm; the Cleikum Ceremonies, commencing in the Memorial Hall on Friday, July 17, at 7pm; and the Children’s Flower Parade, which leaves Hall Street, on Saturday, July 18, at 11am; which is followed by the Sports in Victoria Park at 2pm.

Speaking to the Peeblesshire News this week, Keith Belleville, chairman of St Ronan’s Border Games, said: “We’re looking forward to another good year.

“We had a great start with a huge demand for ball tickets, up by another 50 to 400 this year, which is testament to the popularity of the event.

“It’s not a huge community but we are so well supported. The annual turnover of the festival is massive because of the events that we put on but obviously associated to that are huge costs for us so we are always looking for patrons and we could always do with more collectors. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help can contact Norman Scott on 01896 830621.” Standard Bearer Elect David Forrest and his Lass Shannon Knox will lead this year’s festivities.

The Principal Guest is Dr Robert Cumming and his wife Ethne, while this year’s Lady Busser is former Dux Girl Ellen Frost.

And the children who will represent St Ronan’s School in the Cleikum Ceremonies are as follows: Dux Boy Ally Norman and Dux Girl Ruby Finn; Lantern Bearer Ian Campbell; along with Monks and Sash Girls from each year group - Primary Three: Sash Girls - Eilidh Irvine and Grace Turnbull; Monks - Aaron Glendinning and Taylor McMorran; Primary Four: Sash Girls - Sasha Lamb and Leah Currie; Monks - Aaron Currie and Ross Wood; Primary Five: Sash Girls - Holly Carr and Hallie Murray; Monks - Elliot Brydon and James Reynolds; Primary Six: Sash Girls - Lauren Hamilton and Robyn Keddie; Monks - Arron Blake and Angus Milne; Primary Seven: Sash Girls - Eleanor Smith and Anya Wilson; Monks - Alastair McNeill and Robbie Norman.

Having already represented Innerleithen at the Whipman in West Linton, Beltane in Peebles and Braw Lads’ Gathering in Galashiels, in both his role as chairman of St Ronan’s Border Games and a member of St Ronan’s Silver Band, Mr Belleville, headteacher at the local primary school, admitted excitement was building.

And, with the public being invited to nominate the Principals for the first time this year, he revealed he expected them to do their town proud.

“David Forrest is a great guy”, Mr Belleville said. “I think he was a born Standard Bearer. He’s really enjoying himself. He’s always been really involved in the Games all his life so he’s really relishing his opportunity this year.” When asked how the Games Week compared to other Borders festivals, Mr Belleville said: “I think it is different; obviously it’s not horse or Common Riding based and it has its roots in St Ronan’s Games which were started by James Hogg in 1827, so it is quite unique.

“And we’re creeping towards the bicentenary so Hogg must have got something right because it’s still going.” And he added: “I just love seeing it all come together. I think we’ve got a fantastic mix of ages involved between the Standard Bearer and the young Principals. I think it’s really good for bringing all the age groups in the community together.” St Ronan’s Games week - Saturday, July 11: Football Fives in Victoria Park (Rovers Pitch) from 12 noon. Annual Ball in a specially-erected marquee at St Ronan’s Community School.

Sunday, July 12: Kirkin’ of Principals - The procession will leave Hall Street at 11am for the Kirkin’ Service at the Parish Church at 11.30am. All Ex-Standard Bearers are requested to meet at Hall Street at 10.45am to march to the Games Kirkin’ Service in Innerleithen Church. This will be followed by lunch at 856 Social Club. Programme of music from 3pm on the High Street.

Monday, July 13: Car Treasure Hunt with cash prizes. All competitors are invited to report to the entrance foyer of the Memorial Hall, Leithen Road, between 5.30pm and 6.30pm to collect their clue sheets. Entry is £5 per car.

Explore the little used byways to discover those secret corners in our beautiful Borders landscape and face the challenge and excitement of solving cunning clues.

Aware of rising fuel costs and time constraints the length of the route has been reduced this year – and that’s the only hint you’re getting! At the end is a convivial social gathering in the Memorial Hall where refreshments are provided, the answers revealed and the generous cash prizes awarded.

The Car Treasure Hunt will be compiled on behalf of St Ronan’s Border Games by Adrian Keddie, with assistance from Sheila Keddie and Ted McKie. The Cissie Barnett Trophy and prizes will be presented by Standard Bearer Elect David Forrest and his Lass Shannon Knox Tuesday, July 14: Childrens’ sports and treat. The children’s sports starts in Victoria Park at 6.30pm. There are a variety of track events for children from nursery age to S1. The programme has been arranged again in school classes for the year just ended. Children must run in the event for the class that they have been in up to July 2015. All children residing in Innerleithen, Traquair & Glen are eligible to take part. A treat will be served up midway through the programme for children 3-15 years. Following the sports there will be a disco in the Memorial Hall for 8-13 year olds (8.15-9.45pm) and a magician in the Vale Club for 4-7 year olds (8.15pm to 9.30pm ). Entry is by collection for both events and there will be juice and crisps on sale at the disco.

Thursday, July 16: Fancy dress parade. All competitors choose own classes and assemble in Victoria Park for judging at 7pm .

The classes for the Fancy Dress Parade have been revised for this year as follows - Individuals: 1. Boys – Under 7 years; 2. Girls – Under 7 years; 3. Boys – 7–15 years; 4. Girls – 7–15 years; 5. Adults – 16 years & over. Couples: 6. Couple – Under 7 years; 7. Couple – 7–10 years; 8. Couple – 11–15 years; 9. Couple – 16 years & over; 10. Couple – Open (mixed ages). Groups (three or more) 11. Group - Under 7 years; 12. Group - 7–15 years; 13. Group – 16 years & over; 14. Group - Open (mixed ages). Vehicles: 15. Best Characters on Cycles; 16. Best Non-motorised Vehicle; 17. Best Motorised Vehicle (decorated); 18. Best Dressed Shop or Business Premises; 19. Best Dressed Dwelling House.

Competitors must select own classes in advance of the parade. Assemble in Victoria Park for judging at 7pm. Classes 16 and 17 assemble in Hall Street. Parade starts 7.30pm. All prize money has been increased significantly. The committee requests that only those being judged stand in the areas sectioned off for competitors.

Parade Marshalling and Collecting: The Games Committee would greatly appreciate assistance with the stewarding and collecting at the Fancy Dress Parade (Thursday, July 16, Hall Street, 7pm ) and the Flower Parade (Saturday, July 18, Hall Street, 10.30am).

Friday, July 17: Cleikum Ceremonies. The Cleikum Ceremonies will begin in the Memorial Hall at 7pm. Doors open at 6.15pm and close at 6.55pm and entry is on a first-come, first-served basis. This is followed immediately by the service “For the Fallen” at the War Memorial, then the ceremony at St Ronan’s Wells at 8.30pm. The final part of the Cleikum is the Runic Cross Ceremony in the Parish Churchyard. The procession to the Church leaves Hall Street at 10.15pm. Following this the procession will move to the home of the Dux Boy in Plora Terrace.

Saturday, July 18: Flower Parade. The Flower Parade will be marshalled by the Games Committee and Ex-Standard Bearers’ Association. The order of the procession will be as follows - St Ronan’s Silver Band, The De’il, Principals, Children, Innerleithen Pipe Band, Children, Peebles Burgh Silver Band (sponsored by 856 Social Club), Children, Peebles Ex-Service Pipe Band (sponsored by Innerleithen Union Club), Floats. Parents are reminded that this is the children’s parade.

Race round the town and opening parade. The Games programme opens with the Race Round the Town from Hall Street at 1.30pm. As well as the traditional toun race for over 17 years, St Ronan’s Border Games will again present a youth version of the popular event. The youth race is open to 14 to 16-year-olds from Innerleithen, Traquair and Glen district. Cash prizes will be paid for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place with a prize also for the 1st placed girl. The race will take place just before the adult race. The races will be closely followed by a massed bands parade from The Batty to Hall Street to mark the opening of the 188th Anniversary of St Ronan’s Border Games.

188th anniversary of St Ronan’s Border Games. The oldest organised sports meeting in Scotland gets underway in Victoria Park at 2pm. There are various track events and two hill races to enjoy as well as ice cream, hot snacks, a beer tent and a children’s entertainer.

Beating the Retreat. Innerleithen Pipe Band and St Ronan’s Silver Band will Beat the Retreat on the High Street at 7pm.

Burnin’ The De’il and Fireworks Display. A torchlight procession will leave from outside the Vale Club at the top of The Batty at 10pm for Curly Hill where there will be a bonfire and fireworks display.

The Patron Saint will set alight the bonfire, burning the effigy of the De’il and ridding the town of evil for another year. Following this the procession will move to the home of the Dux Boy in Plora Terrace.

Fireworks Regulations (Scotland) 2004: Dispensation has been granted by Scottish Borders Council for a firework display to take place after 11pm on Caerlee Hill, Innerleithen on Saturday , July 18, as part of the St. Ronan’s Border Games Week celebrations Torch Bearers: Parents of youngsters, over the age of 12, who are willing to act as torchbearers on Games Friday and Saturday should give names to Stewart Wilson (07912848009). Parents should accompany their children. Younger children may take part, but this must be done under the close supervision of a parent/carer.