Kelso Laddie Sean leads first civic week rideouts

Kelso Laddie Sean Hook with his right and left-hand men Craig Logan and Ian Whellans at the war memorial on Sunday.

Taking the reins at each event is this year’s Kelso Laddie, electrician Sean Hook, 24, who was officially installed at the kirkin’ on Sunday.

On Monday night, he took to the head of a cavalcade for the first time, leading the whipman ride which, with a new route, paid its first visit to Sprouston since the 1960s.

There he danced a reel and laid a wreath at the war memorial before continuing to Friars Haugh, where he cut his initials into the sod at the trysting tree after hearing an oration by Davie Scott.

Kelso Laddie Sean Hook lays a wreath at the war memorial.

Tuesday’s visit to Stichill, Hume and Ednam was followed by last night’s colour bussing, and tonight he’ll lead a cavalcade to Floors Castle, leaving Woodside Park at 4pm alongside the bike ride.

A ball follows at 8pm in Springwood Park.

Saturday’s Yetholm ride leaves the square at 8.30am and arrives at Yetholm war memorial at 11.15pm, when the Kelso Laddie lays a wreath.

The cavalcade leaves Yetholm at 1.30pm and returns to the square at 4.45pm.

The Blackthorne Ceilidh Band play in the square from 2pm to 4pm. A fancy-dress parade leaves Tait Hall at 7pm, and the presentation of cups and the return of the Kelso Standard concludes civic week right afterwards.