FORMER abattoir worker, electrical mechanical engineer Kenny Robertson, is the Incorporation of Fleshers Standard Bearer for this year, writes Sally Gillespie.
The enthusiastic Common Riding supporter is delighted to have been voted into taking the leading role at the Incorporation’s AGM on Friday.
The honoured new Standard Bearer, 52, said: “It’s an opportunity not to be missed and, forgive the pun, something to be grasped with both hands.
“My son is a typical teenager and said ‘oh right’. My wife’s delighted – she can’t wait. I think she’s even more excited about it than me!”
Originally from Huntly in Aberdeenshire, Kenny moved to Hawick where he attended school before gaining an apprenticeship at textiles company Wright’s of Trowmill, Hawick as a loom tuner. At the same time he also attended college in Galashiels on block release, becoming an electrical mechanical engineer.
From there he moved to Exacta Circuits for 18 months, moving on to Signum Circuits for 12 years where, latterly, he was the operations manager.
He then worked at Mansfield Engineering in Hawick for four years, moving to the abattoir in Galashiels where he remained for more than two years.
And finally, he moved Anderson and Wilson Engineers in Galashiels four years ago, where he still works today.
Kenny also fits in being a part- time gamekeeper at The Yair.
“It takes up a considerable amount of my time at weekends,” he said. The move came about when the gamekeeper hurt his back and Kenny offered to help: “I couldn’t help myself – my grandfather was a gamekeeper. It must be in the blood!”
His other hobby is motor cycling. But for now excitement is centred on the Common Riding. He told us: “There are so many things to look forward to. I’m really looking forward to casting the flag. I have seen many castings and I’m always in awe of the boys doing it and now it’s my turn.
“I’m also looking forward to the celebrations before and after, the whole thing.”