A historic Society recorded through time...
The first Annual General Meeting of the Society was held on 2nd March 1928.
This report of the first Annual General meeting in 1928 was published in the Southern Reporter.
Extracts:
Membership is around 150
‘It is hoped that the 150 members might come together in a social capacity once a month at minimum expense’.
‘Reinforcements to the ranks of a society in the shape of increased membership has the same stimulating effect as had reinforcements to an army in the field of battle’
We are fortunate to have two very old but very comprehensive minute books. Recording Committee Meetings and Annual General meetings from 1927 to 2001.
At a meeting on 5th April 1929 the eligibility of membership and the constitution was first discussed.
Extract from the minutes:
“After very fully considering the question of eligibility it was agreed that membership of the society should be confined to
1. Natives of Selkirk or District
2. Husband, wife, son or daughter of a native of the town or district
3. Such person who, on account of long residence in the town or district, or other reason deemed to be sufficient should in the opinion of the Committee be held eligible.
The Annual subscription was fixed at the nominal sum of one shilling.
It was up to the President to draw up something in the nature of a ‘Constitution’ and submit it to the formed subcommittee for approval. Mr Gibson undertook to do this and as a donation to the terms of the Society to ‘have it penned in the form of a part of Membership’.
And so, the formal Edinburgh and Lothian Souters Society was formalised.
We must always remember that whilst this group of enthusiastic Souters were very keen to keep close links with the town, the group was formed as a social Society, and from the minute book we see many references to the Programme of social events
- Whist Drives, Dances, Burns Supper, musical programmes and outings
- Page 14 A Victoria Day outing to Selkirk.
- Page 9 The Braw Lads Burns Supper
The Society has been very generous over the years and numerous donations are noted in the minute book:
- A donation of £2 and 2 shillings to the Selkirk Hospital
- 1929 The Selkirk Cottage Hospital 5 guines
- - the JB Selkirk Memorial
Donations recived:
- £2-2/- from Provost in 1931
ELSS Sash and Gold Medallion
The Sash
In 1900 the ELSS members decided that the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer (RBSB) should have something to distinguish him from the other Riders on the Common Riding Day. And so, the tradition of presenting a Scarlet Sash with the Royal Arms in blue, to the town, began.
Every year the RBSB’s name is embroider on to the Sash. New sashes have been presented over the years when there is no space left for the Standard Bearers names.
Standard Bearers wear the ELSS Sash on the Common Riding Day and have done so since 1900.
Senior Burgh Officer Graeme Bell with the ELSS Sash
The ELSS Gold Medallion
In 1912 the ELSS members expresses a feeling that the RBSB should have a permanent memento of his year in office. It was decided that the memento should take the form of a medallion in gold, with the Selkirk seal on the face and suitably inscribed on the back.
Read more about the Sash and the Annual Medallion Presentation in our History section.
Society members have ensured, to this day, that these treasured traditions continue, by working tirelessly to raise funds through membership subscriptions and by holding events.
Hammerman Hall Brick
We are delighted to have an Edinburgh and Lothian Souters Society Brick in the Hammerman’s Hall in Selkirk.
We thank Hammermen Deacon Davie Main and past Deacon Kevin Fairbairn for their help in organising this for the ELSS.
