Christopher Ritson was announced as the 2013 Hawick Common Riding Cornet at a ceremony in the Town Hall last night.
In May every year, the Provost’s Council, on the recommendation of the two previous Cornets, the Right and Left-Hand Men, invites a young man to act as Cornet.
The Halberdier, accompanied by the Drum and Fife Band, carried an official letter of invitation to the nominated young man at his home. Invitation accepted, the officer was rewarded with a new ‘shilling’ and carried the letter of acceptance back to the waiting council.
Afterwards the Cornet with his two predecessors walk ed round the older parts of the town before attending a congratulatory smoker.
The 23- year- old former Drumlanrig Primary and Hawick High School pupil, who lives at Roberton Place, is the eldest son of Jimmy and Susan Ritson, and works at Chemist T.N. Crosby in North Bridge Street.
Christopher is the first recorded Cornet with the surname Ritson, in an unbroken line of Cornets since 1703. His mount to carry the Banner Blue will be his own horse: a 16-year- old, 17 hands chestnut gelding called Troy. The proud Teri is a keen rugby player, having played for almost every club in the Grey Auld Toon, and currently for Hawick Harlequins.
The Cornet’s Lass is 19-year- old Heather Amos of McLagan Drive, born on Common Riding Friday in 1993 to Tam and Karal. Heather, the youngest sister to Cheryl and Shaun, and cousin to 1992 Ex-Cornet Craig Niblo, was educated at Trinity Primary and Hawick High School, and she is now close to completing her apprenticeship as a hand sewer at Hawick Cashmere.
The Cornet’s Acting Father and Mother this year are Stuart Hunter and his wife Julie of Longbaulk Road.