He told the Victoria Halls audience: “This is and has always been an important night for Selkirk. It is the start of the Common Riding celebrations of 2008.

“And when Standard Bearer Guy Blair and his Attendants ride our marches on June 13 and when our Crafts and other Standard Bearers parade their banners throughout the town in the time-honoured fashion, what is it that we are celebrating?”

And he answered his own question: “Certainly not the defeat and despair of Flodden, though, of course, we commemorate that as part of our Common Riding tradition.

“It is the reaffirmation of our traditional values; it is the strong and vibrant nature of our community; it is our history stretching back over the centuries long before Flodden; it is the granting of our Royal Charters and it is the fact that – notwithstanding all the difficulties Selkirk has faced over the years – we still have our Burgh lands, the Marches we proudly ride.”

Provost Henderson added: “And when our colours are cast in the market place; when the Liltin’ is played and when we observe that poignant two minutes of silence, what is it that we are commemorating?

“Of course, the sacrifice of Selkirk men and women in conflict down the years. But more than that – we remember all those who have gone before, all those Selkirk folk who, through honest toil and steadfast endeavour, have ensured that our cherished heritage and traditions have been safely handed down. We remember all of those to whom we owe a heavy debt of gratitude for this great Common Riding tradition of ours.

“Remembrance is one means by which communities survive and prosper, by which traditions are perpetuated, and remembrance is at the very heart of Selkirk’s Common Riding.”