5.45 p.m. The Official Party and the Principles, who have assembled at the Quadrangle, Chambers Institution, are headed by the Cornet-Elect and his Supporters, marching in procession to the Cross Kirk. Peebles Burgh Silver Band, Ex-Servicemen's Pipe Band, Procession Order: Principals, Beltane Queen and Court, Beltane Committee, Ex-Cornets, Cornets' Lasses, Crowning Ladies, Callants, Councillors, and the various Youth Organisations also march in procession to the grounds of the Old Cross Kirk for a non-denominational open-air Service.

6.00 p.m. After the Installation of the new Warden by the Retiring Warden, the Warden of Cross Kirk conducts the Service assisted by other local clergy. The Readings are by the Warden of Neidpath and the Cornet-Elect. The collection is in aid of a local good cause. The public and visitors are cordially invited to attend the Service, after which the bands accompany the procession back to the Chambers Institution.

In the event of inclement weather, the Service will be held in the Old Parish Church. The Church bell will toll at 5pm, (or around 5.45 pm in the event of a late decision), if the Service will be held in Church.

6.00 p.m. Children's Disco in Community Centre (Drill Hall).

• Primary 3-5 (only). 6.00pm - 7.15pm
• Primary 6-7 (only). 7.30pm - 9.00pm

After the Disco, the children, led by local Band, will escort the Beltane Queen around town centre area, accompanied by the Lasses and Beltane Committee members.

6.45 p.m. A full programme of races for children of all ages. Music by the local band.

5.55 p.m. The Cornet's Mounted Followers depart from Kingsmeadows Car Park on The Cornet's Canter.

5.45 p.m. The Official Party, Guests and representatives from other towns, assemble at the Quadrangle, Chambers Institution and, headed by the Bands, at 5.55 p.m. march in procession to the steps of the Old Parish Church. The March Riding Committee Chairman then installs the Cornet and his Lass. The Cornet's Lass pins the Cornet's Ribbon to the Burgh Flag, ("Bussing the Colours"). The Supporters are installed. The Cornet, Supporters and Lasses join the Cornet's Canter to Ride the Marches.

Official Route
Kingsmeadows Car Park, Kingsmeadows Road, Glensax Road, Glen Road, Haystoun Estate, Bonnington Farm road, Bonnington Road, Springhill Road to Tweed Bridge, being joined by the newly-installed Cornet, then ~
High Street, Eastgate, Innerleithen Road, Hydro Drive, Soonhope Road, (Proclamation of Boundary and Right of Way). Innerleithen Road, Eastgate, High Street, Cuddy Bridge, Old Town. [Cornet and Immediate Supporters go direct to Neidpath Castle.] Remainder of mounted followers via Young Street and Rosetta Road to Hamilton Hill, Jedderfield, Golf Course, rejoining the Cornet via Jedderfield Farm road. Neidpath Road, Old Town, Cuddy Bridge, Port Brae, Tweed Bridge, Caledonian Road, Edderston Road, Morning Hill, returning to South Parks via right of way for Fording Tweed. Hay Lodge Park, Neidpath Road, Old Town, Young Street, Rosetta Road, March Street, Edinburgh Road, Dalatho Street, Fording Eddleston Water (The Cuddy). Kingsland Terrace, Rosetta Road, Eliot's Park Farm Road to Race Course. Return via Rosetta Road, March Street, Montgomery Place, Cross Street, Elcho Street Brae, Cuddy Bridge. Official Party to Tontine Square. Mounted Followers to Kingsmeadows Road Car Park to disband.

NB. Participants in the Beltane Horse Races must take part in the full Official Route of the Cornet's Canter. Led horses and ponies only to be led by horse riders, NOT by people on foot.

7.15 p.m. At Neidpath Castle, after the arrival of the Cornet and his Supporters, the Warden of Neidpath is installed by the Chairman of the March Riding Committee. This is followed by the Warden's Welcome to the Cornet and the Warden's Address to the assembled guests and public. The Cornet replies to the Warden's Address, followed by votes of thanks by the Vice-Chairman of the Committee. The Cornet and Supporters continue their Riding of the Burgh Marches, re-joining the cavalcade at Neidpath Road.

8.30 p.m. FORDING TWEED - The Cornet and Supporters ford the River Tweed from South Parks above Fotheringham Bridge, to Hay Lodge Park before proceeding to the Race Course beyond the Golf Course for the Horse Races, including the Scamper for the Beltane Bell. [Local Bands play at Hay Lodge Park before the Fording.]

9.00 p.m. (approx.) HORSE RACES - will be held at the Race Course beyond the Golf Course, for the following Trophies:

• The Ex-Cornet D. B. Wright Memorial Trophy for Peebles Cornet and Supporters and Peebles Ex-Cornets only.
• The Stewart Smith Trophy for the Junior Riders Scamper, open to male and female riders under 18 years of age.
• The George H. Irvine Memorial Trophy for male and female riders 16 years old and under, and eligible members of Peebles March Riders Association only.
• The Bill Scott Principal Chase for The Bill Scott Principal Trophy, confined to eligible Principals.
• The lan Buick Rosebowl, confined to male and female riders aged 18 and over from Peeblesshire only.
• The Ladies Scamper for The Royal Burgh of Peebles Callants' Club Trophy, for female riders aged 18 and over only; and The Beltane Bell Scamper for The Beltane Bell and The March Riding Centenary Trophy, restricted to male and female riders aged 18 and over only.

*Please Note: entries for races close at 5.45 p.m.* Riders must register to enter (for participation in one race only) and must comply with the Rules of the Races, including Riding the Official route of the Cornet's Canter. The decisions of the Judges will be final.

10.15 p.m. CORNET'S REEL - The Cornet, Supporters and Lasses dance the Reel on High Street, followed by the offer of the Australian Stirrup Cup. The Horse Race Trophies are presented at Tontine Hotel Square.

5.45 p.m. Riders to assemble at Kingsmeadows Road Car Park.

6.30 p.m. Novice Ride leaves Car Park.

LED Riders must be led by an appropriate, competent person ON FOOT.

The route will be Kingsmeadows Road, Glensax Road, Victoria Park Drive, Kingsmuir Crescent, Glen Road, Springhill Road, Tweed Bridge, High Street, Eastgate, Innerleithen Road, Edinburgh Road, March Street, Montgomery Place, Cross Street, Elcho Street Brae, Cuddy Bridge, High Street, Tweed Brae, Tweed Green, Port Brae, Tweed Bridge, to Kingsmeadows Car Park.

7.00 p.m. Judging of characters and decorated floats on Tweed Green.

7.30 p.m. Cornet, Supporters and Marshal, together with the Bands, lead the Fancy Dress Parade through the town. Please note: during the Judging, and when the Parade is off High Street, entertainment is provided on High Street by members of Peebles Rugby Club and by the YM Dancers.

PARADE ROUTE - Tweed Green, Tweed Brae, Eastgate, High Street, Cuddy Bridge, Old Town, Young Street, Rosetta Road, March Street, (Parade splits), pedestrians into Northgate - vehicles via Edinburgh Road and Dean Park - to rejoin and proceed up Northgate, High Street, Port Brae, to disperse on Tweed Green.

NB. In the event of severe inclement weather, the Parade route may be curtailed without notice.

NB. NO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION PERMITTED BY PARTICIPANTS DURING THE JUDGING OR THE PARADE.

NB. STRICTLY NO FACE PAINTING PERMITTED - BY COMPETITION ENTRANTS OR FOR ANY ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES, OR - PARTICIPATION IN THE PARADE.

** See Guidance to Participants on the use of Make-Up at Festival Activities **

7.45 a.m. Beltane Rideout. Riders assemble at South Parks Industrial Estate.

8.30 a.m. Cornet's Mounted Followers Ride, organised by Peebles March Riders' Association, departs and returns to join the Grand Procession at the foot of Springhill (approx. 11.35 a.m.) Riders must be competent in all aspects and should note that open hill riding is involved. Visiting Riders are welcome to join the Ride. No walking-led horses or ponies. If a horse or pony needs to be led, it should be led from another ridden horse.

9.00 a.m. Children's Procession. The procession of around six hundred children dressed in colourful costume - historic, romantic characters, folks of fairy rhymes, soldiers, sailors, archers, representatives of foreign lands, etc., departs from Halyrude School led by Peebles Ex-Servicemen's Pipe Band, via Rosetta Road, March Street, Northgate

9.20 a.m. PROCLAMATION OF BELTANE FAIR. Simultaneously, the Official Party will have assembled at the Chambers Institution and, led by Peebles Burgh Silver Band, will march to The Mercat Cross, where the Proclamation of the historic Beltane Fair will take place.

The Chairman of the Beltane Festival Committee presents the Cornet's Medal. The Official Party and Guests will then view the Children's Procession which passes on to, and along, High Street to take their places on the steps of the Old Parish Church.

9.40 a.m. After the Procession has passed, the Cornet and his Supporters, accompanied by the Massed Bands, lead the Official Party and Guests along the High Street to the Old Parish Church.

When the Official Party and Guests are seated, the Crowning Lady's car advances and she alights at the Church Steps, to take her place at the dais. Thereafter the Cornet and Supporters escort the Queen's Carriage to the Church Steps, followed by the Maids' Carriage.

10.00 a.m. The Crowning Lady performs the Crowning of the Beltane Queen, followed by the Proclamation of the Beltane Queen's Royal Will and Command.

Bracelets are presented to the Beltane Queen and Chief Maid of Honour. The First Courtier and Second Courtier receive Medals.

The Beltane Queen's Bouquet is presented to the Crowning Lady. During the proceedings "The Beltane Festal Song" and "The Coronation Ode" will be sung, and the public is invited to join in the singing. The Cornet and Supporters will advance to salute the Beltane Queen.

Thereafter, the Queen and Court, Official Party, and the Children depart to prepare for the Grand Procession. While the Children embark on the decorated floats, the Cornet and Supporters escort the Official Party, including the Queen's and Maids' carriages, round the south side of the town, during which the Burgh Bounds are proclaimed.

ROUTE (Official Party) - Kingsmeadows Road, Glensax Road, Victoria Park Drive, Kingsmuir Crescent, Glen Road (Proclamation of Bounds and Right of Way at Glen Road/Springhill Road), Springwood Road, Bonnington Road, Craigerne Lane (Proclamation of Bounds and Right of Way at Edderston Road/Sware road), Edderston Road, Caledonian Road; (Queen's Carriage and decorated floats), Kingsmeadows Road, Glensax Road, Victoria Park Drive, Kingsmuir Crescent, Glen Road, Springhill Road, Tweed Bridge.

11.45 a.m. The Cornet and his Supporters, with the Mounted followers and Peebles Burgh Silver Band, lead the Grand Procession of the Official Party and Guests, The Beltane Queen, her Maids and Pages, the Courtiers, Standard Bearer and Heralds, and the long line of gaily decorated lorries conveying the costumed children (the Characters of the Beltane Festival), interspersed with many visiting pipe and silver bands, around the town, during which the Burgh Bounds and Rights of Way are proclaimed.

ROUTE - Tweed Bridge, High Street, Eastgate, Innerleithen Road, Edinburgh Road, Station Road, Northgate, High Street, Cuddy Bridge, Old Town, Young Street, Rosetta Road, Eliots Park, Connor Street, Kirkland Street, (Proclamation of Bounds and Right of Way at Rosetta Road/Kirkland Street); Rosetta Road, March Street, (Proclamation of Bounds and Right of Way at foot of Northgate/old Sand Bridge); Edinburgh Road, Station Road, Northgate, High Street.

The Beltane Queen and Court plus Official Party alight at Chambers Institution to view the Procession which then continues along High Street, - Port Brae, Tweed Green, to disband at the allocated areas of Tweed Green.

* PERSONS COLLECTING CHILDREN FROM FLOATS SHOULD READ THE FOLLOWING SAFETY NOTICES *
* CHILDREN ARE NOT TO ALIGHT UNTIL THE LORRIES ARE FULLY STATIONARY AT THE ALLOCATED STANCES. *

** DO NOT THROW SWEETS TO THE CHILDREN ON LORRIES **

PARENTS, RELATIVES, FRIENDS and OTHER SPECTATORS watching the Grand Procession should REFRAIN FROM THROWING SWEETS OR OTHER OBJECTS TO THE CHILDREN ON DECORATED FLOATS.

IN THE INTEREST OF THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN, THIS PRACTICE MUST BE DISCOURAGED IN VIEW OF THE RISK TO CHILDREN, WHO MAY BE STRUCK ON THE EYES BY THROWN OBJECTS.

THROWING SWEETS ALSO ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO LEAN OVER THE SIDES OF LORRIES WHICH IS DANGEROUS, AND ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO RUN CLOSE TO LORRY WHEELS TO PICK UP SWEETS.

PARENTS/PERSONS COLLECTING CHILDREN FROM LORRY FLOATS MUST NOT PARK CARS IN TWEED GREEN, TWEED BRAE OR WALKERSHAUGH.

PLEASE - WALK DOWN TO COLLECT CHILDREN (at areas advised through schools) and
DO NOT ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO ALIGHT BEFOREHAND FROM THE LORRIES.

* CHILDREN ARE NOT TO ALIGHT UNTIL THE LORRIES ARE FULLY STATIONARY AT THEIR ALLOCATED STANCES. *

The Beltane Festival Committee acknowledges with grateful thanks the use of Lorries provided for the decorated floats, - and is indebted to the volunteer drivers for taking part.

** CAR PARKING - PROCESSION AND DIVERSION ROUTES **

The Committee appreciates the difficulties of car parking, but requests that the PROCESSION AND OFFICIAL DIVERSION ROUTES ARE KEPT CLEAR OF PARKED VEHICLES on FRIDAY EVENING and THROUGHOUT SATURDAY MORNING.

This enables the police to operate traffic diversions, helps the Processions run to time and, of prime importance, assists in the safe conduct of the Processions. HIGH STREET AND EASTATE to be kept clear in advance of Bands Beating Retreat on Saturday evening.

1.15 p.m. (approx.) Immediately after the Grand Procession has passed, the Beltane Queen and Court together with the Official Party and Guests retire to the Chambers Quadrangle, where a Service of Remembrance takes place at The County War Memorial. Wreaths are placed at the War Memorial by the Beltane Queen, the Cornet, the Crowning Lady, the Warden of Neidpath and the Chairman of the Beltane Festival Committee. The Piper plays the Lament, and the Bugler plays 'Last Post' and 'Reveille'.

The Official Party and the Beltane Queen, Courtiers, Chief Maid and Guests thereafter depart for the Official Luncheon, at which the Chairman of the Peebles March Riding and Beltane Queen Festival Committee presides. At the Luncheon, the Chairman presents the Crowning Lady and Warden of Neidpath with Commemorative Plaques and a Brooch is presented to the Cornet's Lass.

7.00 p.m. A Band or Bands Beat Retreat on High Street, in the presence of the Official Party.

The Salute will be taken by the Chairman of Peebles March Riding and Beltane Queen Festival Committee.

A Fairground will operate in Victoria Park from Wednesday to Saturday.

The traditional entertainment on High Street on Friday evening and again on Saturday morning, will be provided by members of Peebles Rugby Club, who perform in Tontine Square, and by the "YM Dancers", who perform on various sections of High Street.

The Beltane Committee warmly acknowledges the continued support of both groups.

Very surprisingly, in 2020, the Peebles Beltane Festival became a target of a social media campaign wrongly indicating that the Beltane Festival was racist. The Beltane Festival Committee disputed these accusations and issued a statement outlining our position.

Our statement pointed out that we had been asked to review cultural misappropriation of Children's Character Costumes, and the use of makeup which adjusts ethnicity. We were also asked to review the blackening of faces and skin which had been reported as part of the Friday Fancy Dress Competition and the Beltane Festival Grand Procession.

The Peebles Beltane Festival Committee will not condone, or tolerate, anyone - having used make-up or other item to blacken the face - taking part in our Festivities, in particular entertainment shows, our Fancy-Dress Competition and Parade, or our Grand Procession.

The Peebles Rugby Club show, together with the YM Dancers routine, are part of our great traditional components making our Festival so unique.

Every event which takes place during Beltane Week has a huge reflection on the Beltane Festival's reputation. Therefore, we must insist that all participants adhere to the guidelines we have outlined for Parades plus other linked activities.

When performing a 'show' routine, or appearing in a Fancy Dress costume for the Competition or our Parades we insist that you refrain from the use of makeup which changes ethnicity appearance or natural colour.

Thank you for your co-operation. Together we can ensure that this year's Festival as well as future Festivals are remembered for all the right reasons.