Fordy on a Friday - Graham Ford's Blog...
May 2010
28 May 2010 - Email: fordy@hawickonline.co.uk
IN less than two weeks Hawick will welcome Teries back to the town for the ever popular Exiles Night. A special evening held in the Town Hall on the Wednesday night before the Common-Riding.
But nowadays it seems every night I switch on my laptop I enjoy my very own Exiles Night. At the click of a button I open up my Facebook account, and very quickly I am presented with a list of people from all around the world. It is a great thing. And what makes it all the more special is that people from beyond the oceans can often tell me news about the Grey Auld Toon before I have even heard a whisper. And tonight at the stroke of 12 (Thursday) techno-geeks will gain access to another new gadget giving them another accessory to communication. The launch of the i-pad will generate a wave of excitement as people learn about new more new innovative applications.
But the one item that will always be vital is the opportunity to converse with people from all around the World. I spent five summers working with people at US Summer Camps. Many of the other international staff who worked at these camps were from Australia and New Zealand. I have never been to either country, but I am still in frequent contact with these people through the wonders of Facebook etc, I love when these people post photos of their hometown etc, and their families.
I also experience the same 'the world is a small place' sensation when I am presenting my TD1 Radio slot each Wednesday night. I love receiving requests from people from various time zones. Just last night for example I had emails and messages from Italy, Canada, Hong Kong and New York. While I also received requests from various parts of the Scottish Borders and Edinburgh. Its so easy to communicate in so many different ways these days. The fun with the likes of Facebook is that you never know who you are likely to bump into next. People from your past can suddenly become part of the present. And that special few minutes with that person can do so much to brighten up your day.
Well it's now time to switch from the virtual world to the real world as I get my coat and head to the real pub. And when I get home later I will be able to share my evening. Have a great week, and for anyone lucky enough to get a new i-pad, please get in touch with me and tell me all about it. You know how to get in contact.
21 May 2010 - Email: fordy@hawickonline.co.uk
THE future of the Common-Riding has never been in better shape.
The ride-outs so far this year have seen record numbers lining up to follow Cornet Greg Easton on the various rides so far. The Saturday cavalcades have been testament to the popularity of this years Principals, and to the loyalty of people keen to show their support to our age old traditions. Cornet Easton has also led huge entourages on the two Tuesday rides, this weeks ride to Lilliesleaf attracting an incredible 160 followers. This sort of number would have been seen as a good result for a Saturday ride-out a few years ago.
But it seems the enthusiasm for our great annual spectacle is at an all time premium. That enthusiasm is helped in no small way by the excellent characteristics of our Cornet who is truly a great choice. He is ably supported by his wonderful Lass Stacy Brand, and his Acting-Father and Acting Mother, Gordon and Evelyn Jackson who are just lovely people who thoroughly deserve this honour. Of course not forgetting the other Principals who do a wonderful job guiding this year's charge.
People talk about Hawick Common-Riding as an event that is steeped in tradition, but it is also an evolving spectacle that continues to improve every year. Many of the ancient customs and traditions are vital, but moving with the times is equally important. And this week was no different with the introduction of a kids ride-out. Hundreds of youngster afforded the opportunity to follow their Cornet. The idea came from Sally Niven who has looked after the Cornet's horses over the years, and it is clear from the immediate impact of the inaugural ride, that this event will also quickly become a tradition. But thats the thing with the Common-Riding, the Ride-outs and all the various concerts etc. The preparation surrounding these events is meticulous. So many people beavering away for months prior to the event, to ensure it is a success.
And of course the Hawick public who support these events. With some hugely popular Ride-outs still to come and of course the main event itself, it is clear that Common-Riding 2010 really could be the Best of Aw.
14 May 2010 - Email: fordy@hawickonline.co.uk
WELL I am almost at the end of what has been another incredibly busy week, and the next few weeks show no signs of changing.
But I wouldn't want it any other way, I love being active and being involved in so many exciting groups and projects. I am buzzing tonight (Thursday) after the second rehearsal for the THATS ENTERTAINMENT event which will be held in August during the Hawick Summer Festival. Tonight I was setting the BLIND DATE scene, a scene that was first performed on the Hawick Town Hall stage in 1999. I never saw this scene, and it was weird updating a script I had never seen before. But after selecting people from the Hawick Pantomime Group to play the roles, I was thrilled to see this script come to life, actually it was better than thrilling it was just excellent. Thats two scenes pieced together, quite a few still to go. And I know that this has the makings of being one of the best shows I have put together. Remember the date August 19th, this will be a one night only show. To raise funds for the Hawick Welcome Hosts.
I attended the AGM of the Welcome Hosts on Wednesday afternoon, and before I knew it I was roped on to the committee. But I have no problem with that because I am proud to be associated with a group of people who do huge things to brighten the good name of Hawick. They meet and greet tourists to our town, and send them on their way feeling good about their visit. Hopefully the August show will be a sell-out and I can donate a substantial amount to this organisation and ensure its future for another year.
Another group I am involved in is TD1 Radio. Have you ever logged on to listen? This is a community based radio station in Galashiels. It boasts no fewer than 17 presenters, including yours truly, and it is a radio station that hasn't been polluted by commercialism and doesn't have wall-to-wall advertising. All the presenters come to the radio station with a diverse taste in music which works brilliantly. This means you can tune in at any point of the week and enjoy an individual selection of music, not a set playlist dictated by the bean counters who only care about making as much money as possible. The station is on the cusp of something quite special, and could go from being an internet based radio statio, to a FM radio station over the next 12 months. I want to be part of this. Feel free to listen in on my station every Wednesday night from 8-10pm on www.td1radio.co.uk.
Looking ahead to next week I will be meeting up with other committee members of the Hawick Summer Festival, this huge event is looming ever closer, and as Organising Secretary my workload will begin to increase over the next two months. While my work as Match Secretary of Hawick Golf Club is also at a premium as some big tournaments are scheduled over the next few weeks.
So any hope of a quiet life for the foreseeable future is highly unlikely. But if I can continue to experience the buzz of seeing some great projects come to fruition, then I for one wont be complaining.
7 May 2010 - Email: fordy@hawickonline.co.uk
THE Hawick Darts Association certainly hit the bullseye last weekend.
The darts exhibition that took place at the Old Baths last Saturday night attracted hundreds of darts enthusiasts, who were there to cheer on two of the top professionals in the game, namely Gary Robson and Daryl Fitton. But the organisers had a trick up their sleeve that would have had Paul Daniels blushing, when they welcomed none other than Paul O'Shea to the venue, a secret that had been under wraps for several days.
O'Shea and his fellow professionals were absolutely brilliant as they mingled with locals and showed no signs of being full of themselves. Unlike prima donna professionals from other sports who often appear more interested in the money rather than their sport. Robson, Fitton and O'Shea were more than happy to pose for photos, sign autographs and have fun with the crowd. This ensured that the crowd quickly warmed to them as the evening also attracted darts players from across the Borders.
I was at the event as the music maestro playing all the entrance songs for the professionals and the multitude of challengers who were hoping for a moment of glory, beating a pro over one leg of darts. Quite a few of them achieved their dream, others were thrilled to throw a 180, while some were just chuffed to share the stage with the top stars. The whole event was a major plus point for the town and I have to say brilliantly organised. And such dedication was rewarded during the night when the Hawick crowd were party to a historical moment.
The fun loving Daryl Fitton threw an incredible 9-dart leg as the whole arena went bananas, it was only the sixth of his career and an incredibly rare event. Rarer than a 147 in snooker and almost as rare as a hole-in-one at golf. But it was the reaction from the crowd that set the moment apart. As soon as Fitton's ninth dart found its target the crowd invaded the stage to salute his achievement, the stage creaking under the weight of the celebrations, and the three pro players were quite simply taken aback by the adulation. They quickly realised the passion eminating from the Teri crowd, and were quick to promise a return to Hawick next year. I for one will be back to watch the re-run of what was a great night, and next time the trio are playing darts on TV I will certainly be rooting for them. I am sure a number of other Teries will be doing the same.