Common Riding 2023 Newsletter
A Common Riding of smiles and sunshine. Everyone seemed so happy, and we had a Royal Burgh Standard Bearer who never stopped smiling.
This newsletter is to share with Edinburgh and Lothian Souters’ Society (ELSS) members who were not fortunate enough to attend the 2023 Common Riding, and for those members who were able to do so, to allow them to enjoy the memories from the photos and stories included.
I have covered the Common Riding events for which I have photos.
- The Flag Showing
- The Colonial Bussin’
- The Ex-Standard Bearers Wreath Laying Ceremony
- The Merchant Company – Andrew Anderson
- Crossing the road at the Linglie.
- At the Three Brethren
- The Casting
Note: We did not receive invites this year, to the Provosts Breakfast or the Reception in Town Hall after the Casting of the Colours.
Thank you to Andrew, Hazel, Rob and Brenda for the photos.
The Flag Showing
As the name suggest the Flag Showing is about the seven flags cast every year at the Common Riding. The various organizations take the flags round the schools in the town and the Valley’s and introduce the pupils and students to the History of the Flags and the associations/societies.
For the first time in the history of the ELSS, we attended the Flag Showing, along with the Ex Standard Bearers, the Colonials, the Hammermen, the Fleshers, the Merchant Company and the British Legion.
Margo, Brenda, and I represented the ELSS, and Brenda very kindly brought along her great Grandfather Medallion which is 120 years old (Tommy Kerr’s fathers’ medallion.)
The students had not heard of the ELSS and some did not know what a Souter was. They knew the RBSB wore a sash but had no idea who presented the sash. They were fascinated with the 120-year-old medallion, asking how much it would have *cost. Whilst we were not able to tell them the cost. We do know (from the archive) that the 1983 medallion was £69 and the 1999 medallion was £132. (This year’s medallion was six times the cost of the 1999 one)
There were a few students who showed a genuine interest and that was great.
We took a board with photos of the sash, a list of the dates of the sash presentations, copies of the ELSS Flyer and the Medallion presentation from 2022.
The flags were cast in the playground at the end of the Flag Showing.
The Colonial Bussin'
As requested, ELSS members waited outside the Hall to have a group photo taken.
From left to right
George, Margaret, Hazel, Susan, Susan R, May, Margo, Brenda, Rob, John and Arlene
Alison and Mary were in the hall and sadly missed the photo shoot.
I made the speech on behalf of the ELSS and Susan pinned the medallion. It was an absolute privilege to present Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Thomas Bell with his ELSS Medallion.
The Merchant Company (MC) and ELSS member Andrew Anderson
Andrew is the Company Officer for the Merchant Company which means he is responsible for all the Merchant Company regalia including the flags.
A lovely photo of Andrew with his daughter-in-law, Carly with Andrews grandsons Archie and Rory. Here is seen here parading with the ceremonial Halberd
The Ex Standard Bearers Wreath Laying. 8pm on the Nicht’ Afore the Morn.
The Ex -Standard bearers March to the Fletcher statue in the order of the year in which they were Standard Bearer. The wreath was laid, and then the flowers (In memory of Ex Standard Bearers who died recently) by Ex Standard Bearers Paul Tomlinson (Chairman), Mic Craig and David Mitchell and then the Ex-Standard Bearers marched in order round the Fletcher statue.
The Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Crossing the Linglie Road.
The Three Bretheren
Worth every step of the way – even better than last year, with glorious sunshine and little wind. A view from the Three Brethren with the Eildon’s in the distance
Royal Burgh Standard Bearer, Thomas Bell wearing his ELSS medallion and sash & Bell with his attendants – Thomas Stanners, Mathew Stanners, Sam Coltherd and Fraser Easson.
The Casting of the Colours
The Edinburgh and Lothian Souter’s Sash
Proud Father and Son!
Returned from safe hands to safe hands.
Originally published in the 2023 CR Newsletter. Written by May Stark.