Alan was elected at the recent public meeting and takes over from Keith Belleville who has now completed the maximum five years in office.

Alan Patterson has served over the past year as vice-chairman and was Standard Bearer of Innerleithen back in 1995. He was the unanimous choice for the post at the public meeting and will be no stranger to the position as his dad, Douglas, served as chairman from 1993-1997.

Alan's first big duty will be to introduce the 2008 Standard Bearer and other principals in May.

In opening the public meeting, Mr Belleville praised the 2007 principals on a job well done.

"To Gregor and Sandi, Henry and Naomi and all of the other principals – well done and thank you for keeping our traditions alive for another year. Also, well done to Bob Heaney, our principal guest, who has now, surely fulfilled every role possible at Games Week," Mr Belleville said.

The retiring chairman also took the opportunity to acknowledge financial support through patronage, street collections, donations and the many businesses that sponsor events.

"As always, the people of Innerleithen supported all of our events through their participation and through financial contributions. We also held a number of other fund-raising events outwith Games Week, which generated much-needed income and I would like to thank all those who organised these functions," Mr Belleville said.

"In making my final chairman's report, I would like to pay tribute to the hard working Games committee for all the help and support over the last five years. I feel that we have a very good team organising the Games, from committee members through to the army of helpers we have around the town. As the committee looks ahead to 2008 with a new chairman, I wish my successor good luck and best wishes and trust that they will receive the same excellent support that I have enjoyed since 2003," he added.

In her review of the year, secretary Dorothy McKie also reported on a very successful year.

"Last year was another great Games Week with everything going off well. Every event was well attended, and the Cleikum Ceremonies went off very successfully.

"It was our pleasure to present Marlen Jones and Johnstone Cox with life membership of the committee for 20 years of dedicated work on the committee. The flower parade had 476 children this year and it's great to see the children from the new families in the town joining in the festivities.

"Lastly, I would like to thank all the committee members for all the work they have given to the Games this year and especially Keith, our retiring chairman, for his excellent leadership over the past five years.