Coldstream Guards join Battle of Flodden commemorations during Borders town's Civic Week
Last updated 8th Aug 2024
Communities on both sides of the Scotland-England border came together today (Thursday) to remember one of the bloodiest battles ever fought between the two countries.
Around 14,000 men, mostly Scots, died in the Battle of Flodden - which took place in fields near the village of Branxton - on September 9th, 1513.
They included the King, James IV, and many of the nobles and bishops who made up the Scottish parliament of the day.
While a small ceremony takes place on the official date of the tragedy, Coldstreamer Jake Kerr laid a wreath at the Flodden Memorial as a mark of respect during the town's Civic Week programme, before leading a gallop over Branxton Hill.
WATCH: Click on the link below to view our video from the day...
More than 160 horses and riders took part in the procession, and they were supported by soldiers from the Coldstream Guards - the oldest continuously serving regiment in the British Army, which can trace its origins back to the border town.
The Reverend Alun Hurd and the Very Reverend Susan Brown then conducted an open-air service of commemoration, where ex Hawick Cornet John Hogg gave the oration.
Derek Balmbro, chairman of Presenting Coldstream Association, told Greatest Hits Radio: "This is always the highlight of the year for Coldstream, and marks the end of the border Common Riding season as well. So we do get a lot of support from all the other towns round about and it's fantastic to see them all.
"This is obviously Flodden Field, so we do like to come and commemorate this every year. It forms the centrepiece of our Civic Week, and it's to the brave of both nations; it's a fitting tribute at the end of the Common Riding season to do that."
It's been a memorable year for local lad Jake Kerr, who has flown the flag for Coldstream during a summer of festivities, following his appointment as Coldstreamer 2024.
When asked to sum up leading today's procession, he replied: "Unbelievable! Everything I've ever dreamed of just happened right there. It was so good; the horse was unbelievable from the start to the finish, just totally amazing.
"I'm an accountant by day but this is something I've dreamt of for years, for as long as I can remember. To finally come up the field with the flag is something I will never forget."
By Jake's side was his Right Hand Man Aaron Lunn and Left Hand Man Harry Shepherd. And crowds of well-wishers lined the route to show their support - among them friends as far apart as Berwick, Peebles and Galashiels.
While the event brings down the curtain on a summer of festivities, Mr Balmbro says it's important they continue.
He added: "Some of these Common Ridings have been going for hundreds of years, and we've been around for quite a while ourselves now as well.
"But I think it's tradition (that keeps us going), and being able to pay our respects to those who have gone before us."
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