If you think you could be Peebles Beltane Festival’s main man and lead a cavalcade around the royal and ancient burgh then you had better saddle up now.

The Burgh Standard was placed in the hands of Andrew Napier who carried it with pride back in June, but it will be passed onto another worthy young man in 2020.

But before the new Cornet-Elect is announced next April, Chairman Keith Brunton explains just how the committee select the principal.

He said: “The question on how the Cornet is chosen is one of those questions which, because it has gone on for so many years, you forget that perhaps not everyone knows the selection process.”

There is a selection sub-committee which is made up of five people. The Chair, the Vice-Chair and three general committee members. Those three members stay on for a three year period with one dropping out each year and a new one coming in.

Mr Brunton added: “The new person coming in is voted for at the AGM each year and over the years there has been keen competition to be on the selection committee. Also attending the sub-committee meetings is the Beltane Secretary, the Secretary has no vote but is the person to whom all nominations are sent.”

A call for Beltane Principal nominations is put in the Peeblesshire News early each year.

“We ask for all nominations to be in writing to the Secretary,” said Mr Brunton. “This is not because we are behind the times, instead what we want is people to stop, think and consider what they want to write. There is little to be gained by just a name posted on social media.”

The closing date for nominations tends to be around March 1 and anyone can nominate.

“The person can even put themselves forward. Indeed we are keen when they do. It can be their family and friends. It can be all of them together. Local organisations also put forward nominations,” added Mr Brunton.

The selection committee meets on a number of occasions shortly after nominations close to select the Cornet-Elect and other principals.

“What they are looking for from the nominations is just who the person is. That may seem obvious but sometimes the nominations which come in don’t give that information.”

Here are the five W’s of the Beltane Committee.

• Why would that person make a good cornet?

• Who are they, their age, and their circumstances?

• Would their job allow them the time to be Cornet?

• Why do they want to be Cornet?

• What is it about them that would make a good Cornet?

And those who want to be hailed as the Cornet for 2020 are being asked to consider the commitment. “We do point out to any potential Cornet position is not just for a week. At a minimum it’s a four-year commitment to the Beltane and to Peebles. It will take up their next four summers. Indeed our ideal Cornet is one who after their period in office becomes a fully involved member of the ex-Cornets and joins the Beltane Committee.

“The selection committee take into account all that has been written about the candidates. We will look at the potential mix with the current Cornet and supporters. We will sometimes meet with the candidates face to face to explain what the role entails and, if knowing that, would they would still want the honour of being Cornet.”

And there’s also the small question of whether or not you can ride a horse.

“There is only really a six-week period from introduction night to the Beltane which in horse riding terms is not long enough. Some non-riders take to it easily, others less so, and there is no real indicator beforehand of which anyone will be.”

Anyone who is interested in being a future Cornet or knows a resident of the town who would fit the bill is encouraged to speak to the Beltane Secretary, Chair or Vice-Chair – or better still, speak to a past Cornet.

Mr Brunton added: “If you want to be the person who in 2020 carries our Burgh Standard around our town and you are not a rider then getting on a horse now may stand in your favour above a non-rider. I have yet to meet a Cornet who isn’t proud of being a Cornet. Next year that could be you.”