Hawick Common Riding - Social Functions

On Thursday morning after the Chase, the Cornet visits the local schools. He is joined by the Right and Left-Hand Men, his Lass, the Right and Left Lasses together with the Acting Father and his wife with some of the supporters. They travel to the schools in a bus, visiting first the school at which the Cornet was a pupil. At the Schools the principals are met by a large crowd of excited pupils and parents. After being entertained by the singing of the pupils and receiving presents the Cornet asks the Head Teacher if he would grant the pupils a holiday for the rest of the day and the next. Of course he agrees. Amid wild cheering the Cornet moves on to the next school.

On Friday morning the Cornet invites his supporters to breakfast with him. Meanwhile at the Provost's Breakfast in the Town Hall, the Provost entertains the Magistrates, Councillors and other invited guests. At the end of breakfast, sprigs of oak leaves are distributed to all those present and are worn with pride. The origins of this are unknown but is believed to date back to the ancient tribes who used to live in Teviotdale. They believed in heathen gods-the oak leaves were perhaps part of some religious ceremony.

After breakfast the Cornet and his Right and Left and Acting Father gather in front of the Tower steps. Here the Old Common-Riding Song is sung in full. Each of the principals takes it in turn to sing verses. This is the “Mounting” song. It has always been connected with the mounting of the Cornet and his supporters before setting off for the day's work. Before 1921 it was conducted at an open window in a room in the Tower Hotel.

As soon as the horsemen are mounted a procession is formed. It consists of the Provost, Magistrates, officials and the guests in cars, to accompany the Cornet round the town to the Cornet's Chase.

At the end of the Common-Riding day the Cornet attends the official Dinner. The Provost presides. During an evening filled with songs and toasts the Provost presents the Cornet with his official Cornet's Medal. It is gold and inscribed with his name and year of office. An honoured place is given to a toast to the memory of Drumlanrig, the generous donor of the common.

Immediately after the Dinner the Cornet goes to the Town Hall for the Common-Riding Ball. Here, with his Lass, he leads off the Grand March. Reels and country dances are prominent.

A feature of the Ball is the Cornet's Reel. This is confined to the Cornet, ex-Cornets, the Lasses and the Acting Father. Indeed the Cornet's Lass is given the Cornet's sash to wear during this dance. This usually takes place immediately after midnight.

The dancing continues through the night. As dawn approaches the Principals and their fellow revellers make their way to the Mote. They go to greet yet another Common-Riding Saturday sunrise with the Song. This ceremony is also thought to date back to these ancient people's religious ceremonies. The company returns to the Tower Knowe where another reel is danced. This time it is danced by the Cornet and the Right and Left-Hand Men only. Then they go home for an hour or two's hard earned rest before the Saturday functions begin.

On the Saturday evening, after the horse racing and the return of the Flag, the last social function takes place–the Greetin' Dinner. This is an informal occasion. Prizes are presented to the supporters who were successful at the race meetings. This is also the occasion when the company bid farewell to the retiring Left-Hand Man. He was the Cornet of two years ago. It is a sad event for he is wearing his Green Coat as a member of the “ Big Three “ for the last time. The Cornet too is now free to enjoy an hour or two of leisure before getting a well-earned rest. Afterwards the guests and Principals make their usual tour of the fair in the Haugh.