Ron Smith: Frank Scott - Common Riding 2014

President Scott Elliot welcomed two visitors to last week's meeting of the Rotary Club.  Harold Wilner, Kingston-upon-Thames Rotary Club is a regular visitor and Alan Oliver, President of Polmont Rotary Club, who both have holiday homes in and near Hawick.  The speaker was Frank Scott, Secretary of the Common Riding Committee and he outlined the plans for the big event in Hawick in May/June this year to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the battle of Hornshole.  He is the co-ordinator of the many groups arranging events and is being ably helped by a large group of people in bringing it all together.  It has been underway for a few years and many innovative and once-in-a-lifetime events will be held.  Amongst these are the erecting of statues, viewpoints placed around the town, a "big return from Hornshole" and especially the involvement of children in the celebrations and a commemorative visit to Hexham Abbey.  It's a simple case of "all hands to the pumps" and Frank paid tribute to the tremendous support he had received from many quarters.  Many questions followed after which Ron Smith gave the vote of thanks and hoped Frank didn't have too many sleepless nights until it all passed successfully.