Issue 17 October 2017

www.selkirkmerchantcompany.co.uk

Fellow Members Firstly can I say that I cannot believe six months have passed since I was ap-pointed Master. It has been a very busy and enjoyable six months and as I said at the dinner it is a tremendous honour that you have bestowed upon myself, and my wife Merle, and I feel very humbled and privileged to be given the opportunity to serve as Master of this ancient Com-pany. The year began in March when we held our AGM and Dinner at Selkirk Rugby Club. We had a large turnout of numbers to see our new Standard Bearer Stuart Hogarth installed. Stuart was an excel-lent choice as Standard Bearer and he received an enthusiastic welcome from all attending the dinner. Merle and I managed to join Stuart at the various functions over the Common Riding period along with many mem-bers, which is always encouraging for our Standard Bearer. Stuart was ably assisted by his Right and Left Hand men David Amos and David Nichol and I must thank both of them for their efforts. The weeks from the Dinner passed very quickly with Stuart committed to the flag practices at both Viewfield and Pam

and Stuart Kemp’s on a Sunday. On be-half of the Company can I extend our grateful thanks to Pam and Stuart for continuing to host these practices. Our Annual Bussin’ was another great success and it continues to go from strength to strength since we moved it back to the Victoria Hall. We had a tre-mendous turn out of members and friends to support Stuart and his Lady Busser Isabel. Common Riding day dawned with blue skies and a good few members along with the Standard Bearer and Master attending the laying of the wreath at the war Memorial at 5.30 am. Stuart had an excellent following “doon the green” and the Committee thanks all the members for supporting our Standard Bearer who performed his duties to the highest standard and proved to be a first class appointment. Yet again we had an excellent Foy held in the offices of Heard Hamilton and I once again thank my business partner Julia for her patience over the six week period of the Common Riding when our office become Merchant Company HQ. Once again we had visits from Provost and his Ballies and of course the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer, his attendants and Burleymen. Thanks also to my wife Merle and her very good friend Susan Wood who pro-vide the much welcomed buffet, also to our entertainers who make the Foy a great success. Long may it continue. Over the summer months the Company has been very active with another suc-cessful golf day held at Minto Golf Club. The winner of the Lindsay Henderson Trophy was Tug Wilson with David Nichol retaining the David A. Heard Cup. Congratulations to both of them.

We held our annual bowling match against the Ex Standard Bearers at the Ettrick Forest green in August which we narrowly lost. This was followed by our annual bowls and quiz night again at the Ettrick For-est green. The bowls were won by Merle Heard, Graeme Wood and Grant Kinghorn and the quiz winners were Andy Moyes, Andrew Proudfoot, Rona Munro and Judith Thompson. No sur-prise with the quiz winners as the team consisted of two former teachers. We had a record turnout for this night and I must thank David and Alison Nichol for their continued hard work with this, thanks also to David for or-ganising all the other sporting events. The next few months will see further events taking place such as the curling, “roond the stick bowling” and the ar-chery. Our Winter Function will once again be held in Selkirk Rugby Club on Friday November 10th when we will announce the winner of the Jim Oliver Memorial Award. Can I urge our members and friends to support this event and make it a suc-cessful evening. Can I also ask our members to support the Company on Remembrance Sunday in November when our Standard Bearer will lay the Company Wreath at the War Memorial after the church service. Before we know it winter will be over and we will be heading to our next din-ner and AGM in March. Finally can I express my sincere thanks to the Committee Members for their continued hard work and to you the members for your support so far.

David A. Heard Master.

SELKIRK MERCHANT COMPANY WINTER FUNCTION 2017 Friday 10th November SELKIRK RUGBY CLUB

An evening of entertainment

from FARENHEIT Presentation of Jim Oliver Award

Tickets £13.00 (includes supper) Each member may bring a guest

Master’s Report

Having the Standard Bearer, ex-Standard Bearer and past Master, and 2 times Lady Busser round the table at the same time is an invitation to be bombarded with memories and regaled with tales of their recent Common Rid-ing experiences. And very enjoyable it was to meet up with the Hogarth family: this year’s Standard Bearer Stuart, his mum and Lady Busser Isabel, who also bussed his father’s flag in 1988, and dad Dougie. Also in the company was Stuart’s part-ner at the Ball and all the other func-tions, Jen Craig. The stories and the memories flowed as freely as the wine! Dougie admits to being particularly moved at the Dinner in March when, as one of his last duties as SMC Master, he presented Stuart to the Company as 2017 Standard Bearer. Isabel described how it felt for her “You hope to buss your husband’s flag but it’s really unexpected and a great privi-

lege to also buss your son’s flag.” In-deed the Bussin’ was especially emo-tional for them all. One special memory that all the Ho-garths treasure is that Stuart’s aunty Clare had been able to see him cast the flag. When asked about the highlights Stu-art’s memories just come flooding out. He really appreciated the Sunday morn-ing casting practices (and traybakes) at Pam & Stuart Kemp’s.

The Casting Party, hosted by Viv Ross, has a special place in his memory, the words of advice and support from Bill Ainslie; the sight of his predecessors getting a shot of the flag again and do-ing their best in spite of stiff joints and aged limbs; and the joint cast with dad Dougie “Great timing even if we did crash flags!” He loved the school visits, especially the first ever visit by Standard Bearers to

Kirkhope School. He was impressed by the way the youngsters are all well versed in the Common Riding songs, thanks to the singing club, where they also had a great visit despite all the flags getting knocked to the floor. The bond between all of the 2017 Standard Bearers seems to be particu-larly strong, friends made for life they have kept in close touch since the Com-mon Riding. Jen had her own reflections on what

was a very different Common Riding for her. Previously she has always ridden the Marches so she appreciated being able to experience the morning from a different perspective, especially taking part in the procession. She really en-joyed her time spent with the Merchant Company. Stuart was overwhelmed by the abun-dance of support from members and from the Master and his Right and Left Hand Men, the 3 Davids (Heard, Amos and Nichol). Of the day itself Stuart says he has virtu-ally no recollection of anything from Fletcher, where the procession pauses before heading to the Market Place, until he went in to the weigh-room at the Rig in the afternoon. He has flashes of the events that followed the Casting, the Foy, where all members are invited to join the Master, drink a toast (or two), recall the events of the morning and join in a right good sing-song; the Rig; and of course the Ball, the final great hooray to wrap up the most mem-orable of days.

Common Riding 2017

Master Dougie Hogarth congratulates Stuart Hogarth on his appointment as

Selkirk Merchant Company Standard Bearer 2017

The top table at the Bussin

Stuart casts the Company Flag in fine style

MEMBERSHIP NOMINATIONS

All proposals for membership in 2018 must be in the hands of the Secretary or Master by 31st December 2017

www.selkirkmerchantcompany.co.uk

THE CHAMPIONS Top: team Clapperton wins the curling Above: David presents the Shawburn Trophy to exRBSB Gary Guthrie Left: Winners of the bowling Below left: Winners of the quiz (aka the clever ones!) Far left: Tug with the Lindsay Hender-son Trophy and David with the Scratch Cup

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2017-18

Sunday 12th November 2017

REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADE

Assemble in the Valley 9.45am

Early February 2018 (tbc)

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

Friday 2nd March 2018

AGM & DINNER - Philiphaugh

Tuesday 12th June 2018

MC BUSSIN’ - Victoria Hall

Friday 15th June 2018

SELKIRK COMMON RIDING

New Members

At the Dinner in March, Donald Francis and Alisdaire Lockhart joined the Company, pictured here with outgoing Master Dougie Hogarth and newly appointed Master David Heard.

FIRST AND LATEST 2017 Standard Bearer Stuart receives a few quiet words of encouragement from Bill, the first man to cast the Merchant Company Flag in 1968

Editorial Team: Alistair Pattullo & Judith Thompson

Thanks to members for their contributions and permission to use photos www.selkirkmerchantcompany.co.uk

Winter Function & Jim Oliver Award

John Nichol was chosen by Selkirk Merchant Company to be the recipient of the James Oliver Memorial Award for 2016 and it was presented to him at the Win-ter Function, held in early November 2016. The award recognises the exceptional and varied con-tribution John has made to the Selkirk community over the years, not only as a tal-ented entertainer and writ-er, but through his work with local schools on historical

projects and by his continu-ing involvement with the Haining Charitable Trust. Before presenting him with the James Oliver Shield, Mer-chant Company Master Douglas Hogarth told mem-bers and guests how John “had always gone the extra mile” for the Selkirk commu-nity, was a born entertainer, and was one of the best-known figures in the town. John, who was Selkirk Mer-chant Company Standard Bearer in 1994, also received

a commemorative framed certificate from 2016 SMC Standard Bearer, David Amos. John was born in Selkirk and attended Knowepark Primary and Selkirk High Schools. He graduated from Edin-burgh University with a de-gree in ecological science, and after a short spell teach-ing in Dundee returned to the Borders to take up a post at Jedburgh Grammar School, where he taught biology for the next 30 years. He took to the stage at an early age, becoming a promi-nent member of both Selkirk Amateur Operatic Society and the Selkirk Players. He went on to play many leading roles for the Rowan Tree Theatre Company, be-fore founding his own per-forming group, the IDEOMS Theatre Company. He and his fellow actors and musicians regularly tour pop-ular Burns shows around the Borders, take part in ‘Scott’s Selkirk’, and stage produc-tions at the Edinburgh Fringe, the latest being

John’s critically acclaimed “Soddin’ Flodden” play, which they performed be-fore a select audience of Selkirk Merchants at our 2013 winter function. After the ceremony, John said it was a great honour to receive the award, which on a personal level had a special poignancy. “Jim Oliver was a superb help to me when I was the Company’s Standard Bearer, and a great many other people have supported and assisted me along the way. “The award means a great deal to me, and I would like to thank Selkirk Merchant Company members for all their good wishes.” John didn’t have long to rest on his laurels however, for within minutes he was up on stage singing for his supper performing his self-penned, quirky and local-themed songs, later joining forces with fellow entertainers Gael Force to create an unfor-gettable night of song and laughter.

Master Dougie Hogarth presents John Nichol with the James Oliver Memorial Shield

Selkirk Merchant Company Events 2017 Golf The Lindsay Henderson Golf Trophy, held at Minto in July, was won by Tug Wilson with David Nichol taking the Scratch Cup. Tug is the first person to win The Lindsay Henderson Trophy twice so should expect a severe handicap cut next year. Shawburn Trophy The Ex RB Standard Bearers won the Shawburn Trophy for the first time in three years with a hard fought 3-1 victory. Master David Heard presented the trophy to Gary Guthrie of the Ex RB Standard Bearers Bowling & Quiz Night Selkirk Merchant Company Bowling and Quiz night was held once again at Ettrick Forest Bowling Club. A good turnout of 47 members and family attended. The bowling was convincingly won by the rink of Merle Heard, Graeme Wood and Grant King-horn. The winning quiz team was Andy Moyes, Andrew Proudfoot, Rona Munro and Judith Thompson. I think the handicappers will be out in the quiz next year as Judith Thompson is finding the quiz too easy over the last few years. Ettrick Forest Archers Outing This takes place on 21st October Curling The Curling Competition turned out to be one of the closest for many a year. The final even went to the last stone of the last end. Well done to Team Clapperton defeating Team Heard in an excellent final. Winning Team – Ian Clapperton, Stuart Davidson, Donny MacLeod and Ian Pretswell Runners Up –David Heard, Merle Heard, Kenny Scott and David Mitchell. Summer Bowling League and Round the Stick No results available at the time of going to press.