Crowds converge on centre of Hawick to show their support for Cornet ahead of main Common Riding day
Last updated 6th Jun 2024
Crowds converged on the centre of Hawick last night (Thursday) to show their support for this year's Cornet ahead of the town's main Common Riding day.
Excitement's been building since Ryan Nichol was appointed to the role in May.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio following his unveiling, the former Drumlanrig Primary and Hawick High School pupil said: "It's an honour.
"It's probably going to be after the Common Riding that it really hits home what's being going on, but it's great to see so many people out.
"I think I followed my first Cornet when I was three. My dad was an Acting Father, he was big on the Common Riding. I had a little white pony at the time.
"Hopefully the weather shines and everybody stays as happy as they were tonight and I'll be happy."
Principals from other Borders towns and beyond joined the Cornet on his walk around town following Thursday evening's Colour Bussing ceremony, in one of the highlights of a series of events celebrating Hawick's history.
Among those attending was Musselburgh's Honest Lass from this year and last, Eilidh Bonthron and Ellen Brown.
They've been telling us what makes the event so special.
"Just all the women," Ellen said. "I didn't even expect them, they're beautiful. It's just like the community comes together. There's so many people wherever you go, you don't get that in a lot of towns."
And Eilidh agreed. "It's been really good. It's just quite good to come down and see all the different dresses - they've been lovely - that I've seen on everyone. And learning the town's traditions, it's been great."
Joining them was the 2024 Duns Reiver's Lass, Rachel Gray. When asked, how much she's looking forward to the summer ahead, she said: "I've been looking forward to it all year, since being Attendant last year.
"I think for me it's family. It's been through the generations right back to my papa and great grandparents, even from other towns we're all involved in this sort of thing; it's just family and community all brought together."
Hundreds of horses and riders are set to follow the Cornet on the annual riding of the town's boundaries on Friday.
The festivities get underway when the Drum and Fife Band sets off from Kirk Wynd at 6am, and will continue long into the weekend.
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