Provost’s praise for Fleshers’ optimism
FLESHERS were reminded of the proud history of their ancient Incorporation as their flag was well and truly bussed.
Tributes were paid by, among others, local businessman Paul Tomlinson who proposed the toast to the Royal and Ancient Burgh and by Provost Les Millar in his reply.
The banner – emblazoned with the emblems of the trade of the Fleshers – was bussed in magnificent style by Lorraine Robertson, wife of Standard Bearer Kenny.
Mr Tomlinson said that 300 years after being founded, and despite a few hiccups along the way, the Incorporation of Fleshers continued to contribute to the wellbeing of the town.
He told the company: “They epitomise a strength of optimism, an ability to weather storms, to reinvent themselves when required to meet the needs of the day and have always shown an ability to think outside the box.”
The speaker declared that the Selkirk community was one of which they could be proud – but agreed they could do more to improve it.
Mr Tomlinson went on: “Modern life runs so fast that we never seem to get off the treadmill and take time to reflect.
“Some areas of the town are tired and in much need of an uplift. The local authority needs to loosen the purse strings.
“Some people talk a good game, but never seem to come up with the goods. I believe our town’s population has the ambition and the motivation to drive my concerns and ambitions forward.
“In these troubled economic times, we must close ranks and stay focused. We still have much of which to be proud.”
He highlighted the old Co-op buildings at the junction of High Street and Chapel Street and the closed-down pubs as areas of particular concern.
Provost Millar described the Fleshers as a progressive and flexible organisation.
He went on: “Progressive in that you have a desire to keep alive the traditions of your craft well into the future and flexible in your approach to achieving that aim.
“It is a difficult task to ensure that incorporations like these remain interesting and popular, but the Fleshers of Selkirk have more than achieved that and are not afraid to engage new and different strategies in order to ensure a successful future.
“This is worth bearing in mind for us all and although we tend to protect our Common Riding customs, ensuring that they are carried out in a traditional manner, we also need to embrace new initiatives of a beneficial nature towards the event in order to maintain a keen interest.”
He highlighted changes that have taken place – some popular, some less so to some people.
But the Provost stressed: “We cannot afford to sit still and simply let things happen. We do not want to see things gradually, over the years, becoming stale. We need to keep things fresh and interesting. We have traditions in Selkirk that under no circumstances would we touch and we all know what they are. But it’s only right and proper to make the changes necessary to encourage the people of this town to support our Common Riding and all of its associated events.”
He said he was certain that the people of Selkirk had the will and the desire to push ahead with new initiatives.
The evening’s proceedings were in the capable hands of Deacon Keith Laurie.
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Weather for Selkirk
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 2 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 5 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
