Best wheel forward for Common Riding!
Published at 21:34, Wednesday, 27 June 2012
DOZENS of cyclists will be lining up behind Tub Barry Jackson this Saturday for the annual Copshaw Common Riding.
Tub Jackson will cycle the boondaries to keep Copshaw safe for another year and everyone is asked to gather at the fountain at 9.01am to take part in the ancient traditions, including snog the sod, cheer the Toblerone, sup the tequila and enjoy kipper and fadge.
Barry, whose Flake is Lyn McNeill, will earlier attend the hound trail at the White Gate and, after the gathering at the fountain, the prizes will be presented to the hound trail winner, along with the best-dressed adult, best-dressed child under 16 and for the best-dressed window.
The Copshaw Common Riding fair will be cried, after which the Tub will receive the flag, followed by the Tub’s Chase for the Mick Rick tankard.
The Olive Tree is the venue for the kipper and fadge and the Holm Brig for the Toblerone and whisky ceremony.
In the evening Jedburgh pipe band will march from The Trap, the official watering hole, to the village hall for the opening of the music festival concert. Marchers will go on to the fountain where the flag is handed in.
On Saturday, June 16 rain did not stop play at the Ride Oot Bye which started from The Trap and stopped at The Shed where the Battle for Kershopefit Brig was valiantly re-enacted, followed by a speech of Pure Bunkum which was warmly applauded. There was also a very moving address to the crowd in the form of an ode to Susan, the Copshaw Common Riding Hen and her demise at the hands of White Van Man.
The Tub said a few words but was almost overcome with the excitement of anticipating the receipt of his bicycle clips at the evening do.
There was an auction at the Clip do when ex-Tub Peter Jackson’s chopper bike went for £255. Five Common Riding hens’ eggs minus poor Susan’s went for £14, an Adidas football coach’s jacket for £25 and an old-style racing bike donated by DJ Ian Nichol for £40. In total it raised £425 for local causes. There was also a quiz, made easier than usual because some Langholm folk were invited.
This year’s Common Riding song was unveiled and Tub Jackson II’s traditional bike clips were presented.
Published by http://www.eladvertiser.co.uk
