The Lauderdale News (Scottish Borders) Winter edition

CORNET, CHRIS PURVES, REFLECTS ON HIS EXPERIENCES THIS YEAR
Wow! What a year this has been so far, I cannot and will not
ever be able to explain the sense of pride and honour I had
when I was selected as Lauder Cornet 2019, to represent the
town and community of the great Royal Burgh of Lauder!
I’ve followed the Common Riding for many years and as
a young boy I always dreamt of being Cornet but I never
believed this dream would come true.
The excitement began on Picking Night, standing behind
the closed door of the Lauderdale Post Office door to then
hearing my name read out and being carried high on the
shoulders of Right and Left hand men, Chris Rodgerson
and Hagen Steele. The speech was concerning me as I have
never liked public speaking, it is a little bit out of my comfort
zone, not being much of a person to read out speeches this
was all new to me, but I knew this was once in a lifetime
opportunity so I decided to take a breath swallow hard
and go for it.
Threepwood Rideout was my first official Lauder Ride, I
had ridden this previously with my sisters and Mum but
cantering up the hill I took a moment and turned to look
back, and it really hit and I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, this
is real - I really am Lauder Cornet!’
Life was completely taken over for the next few months
with the many rideouts and balls in the local towns, being
ably assisted by my Right and Left hand Men Chris and
Hagen. I had been told that I would never have to drive
but strangely enough I seemed to often end up as the
designated driver! Accompanied by Lauder Lass, Zoe Bruce,
I have never dressed up as much or had so many clean
white shirts in my life being used to working on vehicle
recovery or as mechanic at family business, Adam Purves
& Son ltd in Lauder.
I thought it was a long run up to Lauder Common Riding
but attending all other local festivals and Common ridings
gave me an insight to other towns’ festivals. I met so many
people and made lots of friends for life. I have even learned
to dance!
Finally... the big day was here! When I got up in the morning
and looked out I didn’t think the weather looked good as
I live at the top of the hill in Blainslie all I saw was thick
fog, but on arrival in Lauder I was relieved to see it was
clearer there.
It is so difficult to explain all the emotions and excitement:
everyone told me I would be so nervous on the day, and
although when I woke up that morning I felt strangely calm,
when I marched down the street in the morning with the
Excornets and the Selkirk silver band, I felt it was all totally
surreal and I only just managed to hold myself together
when I saw everyone. Being presented with the flag to carry
on horseback I felt such an overwhelming sense of pride
and I just couldn’t stop smiling!
I remember every single second of it, but for a moment
when I was riding up over the hill I was thinking it was like
being in a movie, I had to keep pinching myself - especially
when I was up on the hill and could see the cavalcade of
horses and riders following as well as hundreds of people
following on foot.
Stopping at the Watering Stane, with Excornets and
Lauderdale riders and the many supporters, was amazingand
it was unbelievable to see so many more riders and
spectators rising out of the mist.
On approach to the town I cannot begin to describe how I
felt; I really thought my heart was going to burst with pride.
29
Riding through the town carrying The Royal Burgh of Lauder
Flag supported all the way by Chris and Hagen was very
nerve wracking and at the Memorial, although I held myself
together pretty well, there were many moments that made
me very emotional.
Everyone had told me to take in every minute as it goes by so
fast and so it did... I’d love to relive every minute of it again!
It has been a once in a lifetime privilege and opportunity to
represent The Royal Burgh of Lauder as Lauder Cornet 2019.
The people I met, the whole experience and the way the
whole of Lauder comes together as a town was wonderful.
I cannot thank everyone enough for the amazing support,
guidance and organisation with a special mention going
to the Lauder Excornets Committee, their Chairman Ian
Middlemas and Ian Fallas for answering my daily questions,
all the towns-folk of Lauder and, of course, Zoe Bruce as
Lauder Lass for attending every function with me and also
for managing to surprise us all by riding the Common Riding!
Thanks, too, to Chris and Hagen who helped and pointed
me in the correct direction, most of the time! Friends
for life! Finally, thanks to my parents, sisters Auntie and
Grandparents and my fiancé, Amy, for all their following
and support.
I would like to wish All the Best my friends and everyone
who lives in the Royal Burgh and across Lauderdale - have
a Great Christmas, a Happy New Year and here’s to 2020!
Chris x
u
u
u
ADAM PURVES LTD
Open 7 days a week
u MOT Station class IV and VII
Courtesy car available on appointment
Collection & delivery of vehicle available
We offer a full SERVICE and REPAIR
on ALL makes of vehicle
u Not just a 24hr Recovery Service!
WINTER SPECIAL
MOTS only £40
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Tel: 01578 722228 - 24hr 07071 700800
Unit 1 Whitlaw Industrial Estate
(first left after petrol station)
photo - Kenny White