Gardener Lyle Caine is the young man with the honour of carrying the Blue Banner of St Ronan’s in Innerleithen this summer.
Chairman of St Ronan’s Border Games, Keith Belleville, introduced the 24-year-old as Standard Bearer-Elect to the townsfolk in a packed Memorial Hall on Friday .
Accepting his appointment, Lyle said: “It shall be my earnest endeavour to carry out the duties of the office of Standard Bearer to the satisfaction of my fellow townspeople.”
Lyle, an ex-pupil of St Ronan’s Primary and Peebles High School, is a keen sportsman and started his football career with Leithen Vale Sports Club, before playing for Leithen Rovers, Tweeddale Rovers and Linton Hotspur.
He now concentrates on golf as his main sport. Lyle’s brother, Gregor, was Standard Bearer in 2007. Lyle’s Lass is his fiance Zoe Taylor who works for Peebles’ chocolatier, Cocoa Black.
The pair are looking forward to Games Week and to representing the town around the Borders.
Other principals introduced on Friday were the Principal Guest and the Lady Busser.
The 2013 Principal Guest is Ex-Peebles Cornet Allan Beveridge. Mr Beveridge, joint secretary of the Beltane Society, will deliver the main speech during the Cleikum Ceremonies on Friday, July 19, and is well qualified for the role having taken a keen interest in Games Week, helping out on many occasions.
Hannah MacDonald, who was Dux Girl in 2008, will buss the colours at this year’s festival of the Cleikum. Hannah is a fifth year pupil at Peebles High School, currently undertaking her Highers.
Following the Introduction Ceremony, Innerleithen Pipe Band led the principals and townsfolk on a circular route back to the Memorial Hall where a large crowd watched the official party dance a lively Standard Bearers’ Reel. A reception followed, attended by visiting principals from Peebles, West Linton, Penicuik and Musselburgh and other invited guests.
Mr Belleville will introduce St Ronan, the Dux Girl, Monks, Sash Girls and Lantern Bearer on Friday, June 14, completing the line-up for this year’s celebrations.