Borders goes all out to celebrate Queen's jubilee weekend

Leading up to the weekend, beacons were lit in a number of locations, including at Smasha Hilla, above Hawick and at Bowhill.

On Thursday night both fires were lit in celebration of Her Majesty's 70 years on the throne.

Guests at the jubilee garden party hosted by Cornerstone in Galashiels. Photo: Cornerstone Borders

Selkirk residents celebrated further on Saturday with a Fancy Dress Parade from Mungo Park to Philiphaugh Rugby Club for Party on the Pitch – an afternoon of music, food and activities for locals of all ages before a disco which lasted until midnight.

Villagers in St Boswells marked the occasion on Sunday, combining its Village Week celebrations with the jubilee.

From the community club the village gathered for fancy dress, a fete and fun day.

The afternoon tea at the Focus Centre. Photo: Galashiels Community Council

Samantha Brennan from the Village Week committee said: "Yesterday [Sunday] was awesome.

"The kids loved it and the whole week went well."

Ahead of the bank holiday, the Duke of Buccleuch unveiled a commemorative lamp above the doors of St Boswells Village Hall, created by Mark Fox.

The jubilee beacon on Smasha Hill above Hawick. Photo: Walter Johnston

The light for Queen Elizabeth II mirrors a lamp which was created in 1902 to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII.

Alistair Minnis, on behalf of the hall committee said: "Duke Richard remarked that the erection of a light was a highly appropriate way to mark this occasion, since Queen Elizabeth II has been a constant source of illumination throughout her long reign.

"In his follow-up speech the hall committee’s chair Douglas Oliver congratulated local craftsman Mike Fox for his superb work in making this light, expressed his gratitude to architect Mark Douglas for helping to devise its location, and thanked the Scottish Borders Council for the grant from the Platinum Jubilee Fund which defrayed the costs of the enterprise.

"Now we have a light over the 2014 door which echoes the two which were erected in 1902 to commemorate King Edward VII’s coronation, and showed people the way in and out of the doors at the Main Street side of the building."

The commemorative lamp at St Boswells Village Hall. Photo: Allan Drummond

In Galashiels, Cornerstone – a charity which supports people with disabilities and additional needs – held a garden party to mark the jubilee bank holiday on Saturday.

The party saw volunteers decorating the gardens at Live Borders on Melrose Road and guests enjoyed a sunny afternoon of cakes and a barbecue.

Andrew McInnes, Cornerstone branch leader in the Borders, said: “It was with great pleasure to welcome so many people to our Jubilee party on Friday. It was great to be able to come together as a branch team to enjoy our Connects Garden. The event was an opportunity for new and old friends to meet up after such a long time of restrictions.

"The sun stayed out for us all day too which was an added bonus! I would like to thank the teams for all their hard work in preparing for the event and all the local businesses for donating such amazing raffle prizes.”

Everyone enjoying the sunshine at Drygrange with Greener Melrose. Photo: Francine Hardwick

At the Focus Centre, 80 visitors were welcomed by volunteers, including some from Branching Out, the teenage section of BANG (Borders Additional Needs Group).

As well as celebrating Her Majesty with an afternoon tea, the event, organised by Galashiels Community Council, had entertainment from Lucy Corbett and a visit from the head stitcher of the Great Tapestry of Scotland.

Jubilee beacon at Bowhill House near Selkirk. Photo: Colin Wilson

A spokesperson said: "We were entertained by a song from Lucy Corbett, and the highlight of the afternoon was a visit by Susie Finlayson, head stitcher of the Great Tapestry of Scotland.

"Susie is also in charge of the Borders Railway Community Partnership tapestry panel, which, when completed, will hang in the Galashiels Interchange.

"Anyone who wished to could put a stitch in the panel and thus become a little part of history."

Beltane Queen Elena Chrystie planted a jubilee tree at Peebles Tesco community garden. Photo: Helen Barrington

In Melrose, Greener Melrose organised a jubilee party at their forest garden in Drygrange.

And elsewhere in the Borders, Peebles Beltane Queen Elena Chrystie planted a jubilee tree at the Tesco community garden and at Dovecot Court care home where she was invited as a special guest.