The 10th Copshaw Common Riding, took place on
Saturday the 5th of July, where the 2008 Tub, Philip Hedley
performed his duties with extreme enthusiasm. The day started with the annual Hound Trail, generously
sponsored by local painter and decorator Les “Don’t call me Slippy, it’s Skippy”
Calvert, this years trail was won by Summer Venture, although one member of the
committee failed to awake in time to see this!! no names but he’s married to
Melissa!! Thanks also to Elliot Borthwick for organising the trail. Following the Hound Trail, some much needed refreshments
were taken at the Trap, where Ann had run a sweep on the winning dog’s time,
this was won by one of our own committee men, Craig, that £50 will never see
the light of day again!! The committee then proceeded to the Tub’s house to collect the
main man and escort him and his left and right legged men, Martin “Jarvis”
Pearson and Stuart “Butch” Elliotto the
fountain, where an enormous crowd had gathered, both riders and non-riders, to
see the Tub receive the flag, and also to learn who had won some of the
competitions which had been taking place. Margaret Imrie judged the best turned out prize for the 10th
year running, and decided that 2 young men on a home made machine, were the
deserving winners, the Tub presented the prize to Ian and Nellie, and also the
prize to the best dressed window, and that must have been a difficult decision,
this year’s winners for the second year in succession were Thompson’s newsagents;
Brenda and Nick are great supporters of the Common Riding and will be trying
for the hat-trick next year!! Many thanks are due to Tommy and Elizabeth at Costcutters
for providing the prizes for the Best window and best dressed, again they have
been great supporters of the Common Riding over the past few years, and their
support is much appreciated. The Tub led the chase up to the “shed” followed by the cavalcade,
it is not certain how many riders there was this year as we were going to fast
to be counted!! This years Tubs chase was won by someone on a bike. Again we
had people in the shed from as far apart as Italy,
Peebles, Jed, Selkirk, Hawick and a special visitor from Dubai, “shake ma hand”! We had the first
Peebles cornet attending and he gave us a rendition of the Peebles song,
although he should have sung, “on the trail of the lonesome pine” as he was the
double of Oliver Hardy! The standard of songs and jokes were higher than ever this
year, although most would make Mary Whitehouse turn in her grave!! The day proceeded with the ancient traditions of the Sod
cutting and snogging, this years Sod was a particularly good vintage, the
Tequila compliments the earthy tones of the sod giving an intriguing blend of
sweet and sour flavours, if you haven’t tried it, then come along next year,
you won’t be disappointed! Then to the Barley Fadge and Kipper ceremony, this years
emblem bearers being James Martin and Kevan Foster, many thanks are due again
this year to the Olive Tree, for providing the emblems and also for feeding the
gathered crowd, it is much appreciated, and well done to Ryan on his first
crying of the kipper journey. Then on to the Toblerone and Whisky ceremony, again this
year presented by Chinky, amusing to
note that Ian got this nickname, because of the average Chinese mans lack of
stature!! If anyone is unaware of the origins of the Toblerone ceremony, please
visit our website, where all is revealed. Then to the official Common Riding watering hole of the
Trap, where anyone suffering from dehydration is quickly healed, this years
visit to the watering hole was punctuated with a visit to Deeve and Bab’s new
shed, which was opened in regal style by the Tub, although I don’t think the
Queen has ever been covered in Stella when naming a ship!! This years “Touching Cloth” ceremony took place in front of
the Fred’s corner on the newly christened healing stane, the stane has special
powers and legend has it that if you stand on it, in the right wind direction
and with the right amount of rain on your face, you will never take badly!! It
was great to have Fred there as well, although he did suffer an incident with
his new gnashers!! Then new Ancient
tradition of the Gilly Fraser historical reading, written by ex Tubs Vicky and
Shaun, and read by Vicky in front of the Legion, some questioned who Gilly is,
but we soon put them right by stating that she was the daughter of Mad Frankie
Fraser the well known hard case and friend of the Kray’s, funnily enough, there
were no more questions about Gilly. This years 3rd boundary at Dykehead, generously hosted by
the Holm’s most eligible bachelor Thumbie, was as usual a lot of laughs, more
of the staple diet of Lager and Bacon, was again consumed, and a good time was
had by all!! Then followed the procession through the streets of the
Holm, thanks to everyone who gave us a cheer along the way, although I don’t
think the visitors in the Caravan site knew exactly what was taking place!! We then had our first Garden Party fun day down at the
Polysport, and even though the weather had turned a wee bit nasty, it couldn’t
dampen our spirits, we had a great time, and all the kids seemed to enjoy
themselves, which was the main thing, there were several kids sports events,
and some adult ones too, I never thought I’d see Mick Rick in an athletic
event, but it’s Copshaw Common Riding and strange things happen! The Tub and the committee were invited to join the Selkirk
contingent, who have a mini common riding come Burns supper down at Whitaugh
pool, this must go down as one of the strangest events we have ever attended
and we have been to a few!! Roll on next year!! In the evening we were joined again by the Jedburgh Pipe
band, to open the festival concert and to pipe us to the fountain, the marching
ability of some of our follower’s leaves a lot to be desired, but Pee Wee did a
great imitation of Captain Mainwaring or was he Pike!! We got a standing
ovation in the concert and that was before Jarvis sang the Tub’s song!! After the crying of the fair, Philip handed his flag back
and gave an emotional speech mainly consisting of the words Copshaw!! Well done
Philip you did yourself and us proud!! The 10th Common Riding will go down as the “best
yet” and we must thank all of the people who help make this happen, we really
do appreciate all of your support. Finally thanks to the members of the committee, who put in a
heck of a lot of work this year, we hope everyone enjoyed themselves and will
be back next year to follow Tub 2009.
