AS THE countdown to this year's eagerly anticipated Common-Riding weekend gathers pace, there's one man who knows more than most just what's required to make sure the celebrations run smoothly.
That's Ex-Cornet John Hope, master of ceremonies for the last five years and a man whose attention to the smallest of detail is matched only by his passion for the Common-Riding.
And it's that passion that drives John, who proudly carried the Banner Blue in 1963, to ensure that proper prodecures are followed in time-honoured fashion. From the moment the Cornet-elect receives his letter on Picking Night, right up until the big weekend itself, John has one eye on the clock and the other on what's unfolding before him.
Clearly still thrilled to have been given the the chance to play his part in upholding the town's traditions over the last few years, John is happy to admit that he's "always on duty" during the Common-Riding. And duty calls now at this most hectic of times in the Hawick calendar.
So, we'll let you get on, John. But with you at the helm, this year's celebrations are sure to be the best of a'!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
THERE'S never a dull moment down Albert Park way, with sackings, resignations and heavy deafeats commonplace at the perennial strugglers. So much so, the impact of yet another manager calling it a day would, normally, really only be felt by those closest to the club.
But this week's bombshell news that newly-appointed boss Derek Hanock has quit after less than a week in the hot seat has sent shockwaves round local footballing circles.
Apparently, Hancock has been let down by several Hawick-based players who, he claims, have decided against joining the Albert after originally pledging to do so.
Okay, so a few of his player targets are not so keen to sign up after all. But isn't that part and parcel of the game? And one could argue that players whose commitment appears to be some way short of what is required weren't worth bothering about in the first place.
I just can't help thinking that Hancock, no stranger himself to dragging struggling clubs out of the mire, was THE ideal man for the Albert job. With his track record of success, I'm sure he could still have brought in the quality needed to get the Albert on the right track. But now we'll never know.
But this week's bombshell news that newly-appointed boss Derek Hanock has quit after less than a week in the hot seat has sent shockwaves round local footballing circles.
Apparently, Hancock has been let down by several Hawick-based players who, he claims, have decided against joining the Albert after originally pledging to do so.
Okay, so a few of his player targets are not so keen to sign up after all. But isn't that part and parcel of the game? And one could argue that players whose commitment appears to be some way short of what is required weren't worth bothering about in the first place.
I just can't help thinking that Hancock, no stranger himself to dragging struggling clubs out of the mire, was THE ideal man for the Albert job. With his track record of success, I'm sure he could still have brought in the quality needed to get the Albert on the right track. But now we'll never know.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
LAST Friday the Royal Albert brought the curtain down on what has been the worst season in the club's history. And although the 1-0 defeat to Vale of Leithen saw the Hawick side turning in a decent performance, the end result was the same. Defeat.
And without a win to their name throughout the 2008-09 campaign, and coach 'Prof' Blaikie failing miserably to find a winning formula on the pitch, it was inevitable that there would once again be changes in the coaching set-up.
Out goes 'Prof', who has somewhat surprisingly been installed as the new Kelso United manager. The Tweedsiders choosing to ignore the latter's abysmal record at Hawick.
And in comes former Gala Fairydean manager Derek Hancock, who now has a massive job on his hands to revive the Albert's fortunes. But to his credit, he has already pledged to get Royalists playing good football and, more importantly in some people's eyes, to sign up local players to bolster a confidence-shot squad.
"There are some very good players in the town," said Hancock this week. That's true, but the difficulty has always been prizing them away from their Border Amateur League sides.
Just how Hancock aims to do this remains a moot point, and one which could make or break his bid to get the club moving in the right direction.
And without a win to their name throughout the 2008-09 campaign, and coach 'Prof' Blaikie failing miserably to find a winning formula on the pitch, it was inevitable that there would once again be changes in the coaching set-up.
Out goes 'Prof', who has somewhat surprisingly been installed as the new Kelso United manager. The Tweedsiders choosing to ignore the latter's abysmal record at Hawick.
And in comes former Gala Fairydean manager Derek Hancock, who now has a massive job on his hands to revive the Albert's fortunes. But to his credit, he has already pledged to get Royalists playing good football and, more importantly in some people's eyes, to sign up local players to bolster a confidence-shot squad.
"There are some very good players in the town," said Hancock this week. That's true, but the difficulty has always been prizing them away from their Border Amateur League sides.
Just how Hancock aims to do this remains a moot point, and one which could make or break his bid to get the club moving in the right direction.
Friday, May 8, 2009
AFTER more than 30 years of service, Hawick's community council has this week been forced to admit defeat in its efforts to attract new blood. Apathy has won the day, and although I'm sure a lot of Teries want a community council, they are simply not prepared to form a part of it.
And there will no doubt be those who are more than willing to lay the the blame for the community council's demise at the door of townsfolk. But one needs to delve a bit deeper to establish why such a lack of interest in Hawick's affairs has taken root.
Ask yourself:
Have your views and opinions ever been sought by the community council?
Have you ever been encouraged to attend coummunity council meetings?
Do you feel that the community council best reflected the spectrum of interests in Hawick?
Have you ever received a newsletter from the community council?
Do you feel the community council has done enough to counter growing apathy over the last few years?
Now, I'd wager a bob or two that a majority of you reading this will have answered no to all five questions.
In all honesty, I don't think that Teries felt the community council affected them, or could make a difference. Those are the sad facts of the matter.
And there will no doubt be those who are more than willing to lay the the blame for the community council's demise at the door of townsfolk. But one needs to delve a bit deeper to establish why such a lack of interest in Hawick's affairs has taken root.
Ask yourself:
Have your views and opinions ever been sought by the community council?
Have you ever been encouraged to attend coummunity council meetings?
Do you feel that the community council best reflected the spectrum of interests in Hawick?
Have you ever received a newsletter from the community council?
Do you feel the community council has done enough to counter growing apathy over the last few years?
Now, I'd wager a bob or two that a majority of you reading this will have answered no to all five questions.
In all honesty, I don't think that Teries felt the community council affected them, or could make a difference. Those are the sad facts of the matter.
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