The Flag Showing which takes place at the High School on the Wednesday of the Common Riding week is one of the many ways the Ex Standard Bearers Association and representatives of the Towns Crafts and Associations actively try to ensure the future of the Common Riding.
On the build-up to the Common Riding, the Ex Standard Bearers spend time with the students at the primary schools in the town and up the valleys, and at the High School, giving talks on the history of the occasion. It is a wonderful opportunity for the younger generation to learn about the traditions and see the seven flags which are cast every year, in the Market Place on the Common Riding Day.
The Ex Standard Bearers are joined by the Standard Bearer and his Attendants, and the Standard Bearers from the Crafts and Associations and their Officials at the High School event.
All Selkirk seven flags are taken to the High School
- The Royal Burgh Flag
- The Incorporation of Hammermen
- Selkirk Corporation of Weavers
- The Incorporation of Fleshers
- Selkirk Colonial Society
- The Merchant Company
In presenting the Medallion and the Sash the Edinburgh Souters play their part in ensuring the future of the Common Riding. As was eloquently put in this article from the Southern Reporter and in the letter regarding the Sash.
Extract from the Southern Reporter 1912. Handsome Gift from the Edinburgh and Lothians Souters’.
Medallion for the Standard Bearer.
Mr Robert Sword ELSS Secretary wrote ‘At a ELSS meeting it was resolved to send a medallion in gold to the Standard Bearer, as a memento of the occasion, and as additional inducement to young Souters to strive after the position of Standard Bearer at the Common Riding.
The Edinburgh Souters are to be heartily congratulated on hitting on such an original idea. It will almost certainly help to increase the keenness of the competition for the much-coveted post and will afford a beautiful and tangible memento of a memorable time.’
June 1900: Letter to Robert Sword from Provost James Russell, inviting representatives of the ELSS to present a Sash, to the Selkirk Town Council, to be worn by the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer at the Common Riding.
Dear Sir
We Souters in Edinburgh, wishing that the Royal Burgh be not behind their neighbours at its annual celebration, and thinking that the Standard Bearer should have some distinctive mark from other riders, have much pleasure in providing a sash to be worn by the Standard Bearer annually. The Colour of the sash is scarlet with the Burgh Arms in Blue and the intention is that Standard Bearers’’ names be sewn on it every year thereby bringing out the Burgh Colours, scarlet and blue. As to the presentation of the sash, the form it should take, we would prefer to leave to hear what you suggest.
Robert Sword
Honorary President
Recognising the part the Edinburgh Souters’ play in ensuring the future of the Common Riding in presenting the solid gold medallion to the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer very year, and in gifting the Sash to the Town for the Standard Bearer to wear on the Common Riding Day; The Society requested that the Edinburgh Souters attend the Flag Showing to ensure the younger generation learn about the Sash and Medallion and the part they can play in ensuring the future of the Common Riding by possibly becoming a member of the Edinburgh and Lothians Souters Society in years to come.
And so, in 2023 the Edinburgh Souters took part, in the Flag Showing event for the first time in the Society’s history.
Members of the Society let the students see a ELSS Sash, which is proudly worn by the RBSB on the Common Riding Day and a Gold Medallion which is presented to the RBSB as a memento of his year in office. Students were shocked to learn that the medallion is solid gold!
2025 Flag Showing
2025 Standard Bearer Darren Knox with his attendants and the Senior Burgh Officer Graeme Bell showing the students the Royal Burgh flag.
At the end of the event which takes place in the High School Assembly Hall, the flags are taken out to the playground, where the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer (RBSB) and the Standard Bearers of the Crafts and Associations cast the flags.
The Edinburgh and Lothians Souters’ thank Ex Standard Bearers Scott Thomlinson and Mick Craig and David Main, Deacon of the Hammerman for the opportunity to attend the Flag Showing.
We are delighted to say that the Flag Showing is now an annual event on our event calendar.