NEW NOMINATION PROCESS FOR STANDARD BEARER & PRINCIPAL GUEST
St. Ronan’s Border Games Committee has, this week, announced new nomination procedures for the important positions of Standard Bearer and Principal Guest, two of the leading players in the town’s annual celebrations. The committee is, for the first time, inviting nominations from the general public to assist the selection committees in making their appointments for Games Week 2015.
“We agreed as a committee to invite nominations this year to give the public the chance to take part in the selection process,” explained Games Chairman Keith Belleville. “We have always been very lucky in Innerleithen in that we have excellent support for our festival and no shortage of people willing to take on these important roles, however, we felt that we were maybe missing a trick in not inviting the ideas of the wider public,” he said.
Nominations are open now and will close on Sunday 1 March after which no nominations will be considered. Nominations should be made in writing to the Secretary, Stewart Wilson at the postal address of 34 Rennie Court, Kelso, TD5 7JY. Nominations must include the full name and address of the person being nominated, the post that they are being nominated for (Standard Bearer or Principal Guest) along with an explanation for the reason for the nomination. The nomination must be signed and have the full name and address of the proposer.
STANDARD BEARER
The Standard Bearer of Innerleithen is introduced in May (8 May 2015) and installed during Games Week (9-18 July 2015). He carries the Blue Banner of St. Ronan’s and plays a leading role throughout Games Week. He is the representative of the Burgh and travels with his Lass and Supporters to neighbouring towns as they celebrate their own festivals during the summer months. The Standard Bearer goes on to be right and left hand supporter and retires from the flag party three years after his own year in office. The Standards Bearer is expected to take an active part in the work of the Games Committee during his term of office and beyond.
PRINCIPAL GUEST
The Principal Guest is invited to give the main address during the Cleikum Ceremonies (17 July 2015) and presents St. Ronan and the Dux Girl with their medals. He or she is involved throughout Games Week. The Principal Guest is often someone who has been associated in some way with the town through his or her activities or interests or who has shown a commitment to the life and work of the community. Equally, he or she may have less current links with the area, but through some association, have an interest in the affairs of Innerleithen or St. Ronan’s Games. Principal Guest is a one year, honorary appointment.
“We agreed as a committee to invite nominations this year to give the public the chance to take part in the selection process,” explained Games Chairman Keith Belleville. “We have always been very lucky in Innerleithen in that we have excellent support for our festival and no shortage of people willing to take on these important roles, however, we felt that we were maybe missing a trick in not inviting the ideas of the wider public,” he said.
Nominations are open now and will close on Sunday 1 March after which no nominations will be considered. Nominations should be made in writing to the Secretary, Stewart Wilson at the postal address of 34 Rennie Court, Kelso, TD5 7JY. Nominations must include the full name and address of the person being nominated, the post that they are being nominated for (Standard Bearer or Principal Guest) along with an explanation for the reason for the nomination. The nomination must be signed and have the full name and address of the proposer.
STANDARD BEARER
The Standard Bearer of Innerleithen is introduced in May (8 May 2015) and installed during Games Week (9-18 July 2015). He carries the Blue Banner of St. Ronan’s and plays a leading role throughout Games Week. He is the representative of the Burgh and travels with his Lass and Supporters to neighbouring towns as they celebrate their own festivals during the summer months. The Standard Bearer goes on to be right and left hand supporter and retires from the flag party three years after his own year in office. The Standards Bearer is expected to take an active part in the work of the Games Committee during his term of office and beyond.
PRINCIPAL GUEST
The Principal Guest is invited to give the main address during the Cleikum Ceremonies (17 July 2015) and presents St. Ronan and the Dux Girl with their medals. He or she is involved throughout Games Week. The Principal Guest is often someone who has been associated in some way with the town through his or her activities or interests or who has shown a commitment to the life and work of the community. Equally, he or she may have less current links with the area, but through some association, have an interest in the affairs of Innerleithen or St. Ronan’s Games. Principal Guest is a one year, honorary appointment.
