Cornet handles difficult conditions with aplomb
Published at 21:38, Wednesday, 27 July 2011
RAIN was falling steadily when the riders started to muster in the Market Place and Cornet Park was given a tremendous reception as he appeared with his Right and Left hand men.
Then, preceded by Langholm Town Band, the Cornet led his followers round the town. The cavalcade included this year’s Cornet and Cornet’s Lass from Annan, the Honest Lad and Lass from Musselburgh, Cornet Aitken, Hawick and Cornet “Chip” Murray of Selkirk.
Round the Square pump, down to the Townfoot and back to the Market Place the Cornet led his followers.
Then followed one of the major thrills at the Common Riding when Cornet Park led his mounted supporters in a helter-skelter gallop up the steep Kirk Wynd on route to the Castle Craigs, the furthermost of the boundaries.
While the Cornet and his men were on the hill, the townspeople were not entirely idle and a large crowd went to Townfoot gardens to witness the addition of the Thistle and the Crown to the Common Riding procession.
The procession then proceeded via the Wynd, Drove Road, and the Bar Brae to the Kilngreen where the customary sods were cut by the spade bearer, who obviously has assumed the mantle of his illustrious predecessor, “Wull Dick” as some of our older readers will no doubt recall that Wull invariably disdained using the wooden bridge over the Ewes and simply waded across the river fully shod.
Well and truly did Cornet Park fulfil this spectacular duty and straight and narrow, with the burgh flag now heavy and sodden with the rain. This important duty done, the Cornet and his followers made for Milntown where Cornet Park led off the Cornet’s chase, and despite the rain, the Cornet and his men made a right thrilling sight as they galloped round the course. The afternoon was devoted to horse racing and athletic games and here again a large crowd braved the elements and were treated to an excellent programme.
Promptly at nine o’clock, Cornet Park and his Right and Left Hand Men made their appearance at the Lodge Gates for the closing ceremonies. Fortunately by this time the rain had ceased and the crowds in the streets must have been the largest ever. To the tune of Auld Lang Syne and preceded by a large crowd and the banna, thistle and crown, the Cornet made for the Kilngreen for the first polka.Restarting the procession the crowd made back for the Market Place.
Here, amid the cheers of a large assembly Cornet Park returned the flag to the Provost who complimented the Cornet on the admirable manner he had carried out his duties under the most adverse circumstances.
Then we had Billy’s reply – how he had looked forward to being a Langholm Cornet all his life and how he hoped that all his friends now serving in the Forces would be back for next year’s Common Riding.
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