There could hardly have been a better week for St Boswells to hold its annual festivities, as the sun shone almost the whole time.
The first of many events kicked off a week past Saturday with the inaugural 10km race, won by Jonathan Taylor and Liz Taylor, and concluded with the annual village race and sports on Sunday.
Kate Warner, chairperson of the Village Week committee, told TheSouthern: “It was yet again another fantastic week, bringing together young and old, fur and feathered.
“Whether people played sports, dressed up, performed on stage or just enjoyed the sun and atmosphere, this was the best Village Week St Boswells has seen in years.”
Mrs Warner added: “The Village Week committee would like to thank all the groups and organisations for the events and activities, and to everyone who supported those events.”
There was a packed programme throughout the eight days, ranging from coffee mornings to a tennis fun day and guided walks to live music.
And – no doubt boosted by the fabulous weather – a number of the annual events reported attendances at record levels. A large number of villagers also enjoyed a talk by Atlantic rower Leven Brown at a special event in the middle of the week to launch the Village Hall Refurbishment Project.
Ongoing fundraising efforts and money raised on the night have taken the running total to £100,000. It is hoped that other funding will be found from various sources, but much of this will need to be match-funded, so the push is on in the village to raise as much as possible towards the works.
A number of the village’s clubs and organisations took the opportunity during the week to hold their own fundraising and membership events, with both the golf and tennis clubs putting on special family-friendly afternoons of sport, and the cricket club hosting the rounders competition and a barbecue.
The good weather was also a huge bonus for the outdoor church service on Sunday, and for Melrose Pipe Band beating the retreat on the Green on Thursday evening.
fancy Dress (Theme - Something beginning with B)
Pre-School – Zak Williams (Bob the Builder); Primary 1-3 – Harris Fox-Robertson (Basil Brush); Primary 4-7 - Melissa Taylor (Bertie Basset); Others - Louise Taylor (Barbie); Pairs - Mimi and Panda Pitman (Bubblewrap Ballerinas); Group and overall winners - Jordan and Emily McEwan, Nicola Ferrier, Ellie Anna, and Sadie and Tilly Clapperton (Boswells)
St Boswells’ Got Talent
Judges’ choice – Mimi Pitman singing Skyfall; People’s choice – William Taylor, Ross Taylor and Christian Townsend as WRC ‘Football Rappers’
Potted Sports
Under-8s - Matthew McRae; 8-11 - Ryan Mann; 12-15 - Luke Todd; Overs-16s - Malcolm Pow
Village Race
Male: Under-8s - Jack Murray; 8-11 - Callum McGowan; 12-15 - Ruaridh Campbell; 16-40 - Russell Hunter; Over-40s - Steven Martin (Overall Champion)
Female: Under-8s - Emily Tweddle; 8-11 - Amy Shepherd; 12-15 - Isobel Folan; 16-40 - Lisa Dalgleish (Overall Champion); Over-40s - Margot Black
Pet Show
Large dogs - Callum McGowan (Lucy); small dogs - Oliver Dalgleish (Lottie); fur group - Hannah Low (guinea pigs Holly and Poppy); feather group - Fletcher Falconer (Ginger - chicken); other - Harry Riddell (Albert - lamb); obedience/agility - Peter Warner (Badger); Overall winner - Oliver Dalgleish (Lottie)