St Boswells the place to be for travellers

It’s a custom that has taken place for almost 400 years, with that quadricentennial set to be marked next year.

However, it came as a bit of a surprise to some locals that it happened this year, given current lockdown restrictions.

Charles Strang, secretary of the town’s community council, said: “It all seemed to go all right.

“There were quite a lot more there than there has been in recent years, possibly because of their annual gathering in Appleby being cancelled due to the coronavirus.

“I didn’t see too much in the way of social distancing going on between them, but they may have been one big family group.

“I was quite surprised to see the traditional parade with the horses and carts take place on the main road, though.”

Mr Strang added that there was one moment of “slight awkwardness”.

He said: “There were two vans parked at either side of white lines at the far end. I walked between them and was accosted by a couple of men as they don’t like that.

“I told them that they shouldn’t really park there, and they sort of said they had been coming here before the lines were there and they can park where they like.

“I guess we’ll have to be ready for even more next year as it’s the 400th anniversary.”