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Selkirk Scotland |
 Provost & Mrs Jim and Bunty Newlands.Enlarge |
James Nichol Newlands can trace his family history in Selkirk back to 1730.
Educated at Selkirk High School and then Napier University, he trained as an engineer, but switched to teaching in the early 1960s. He was a college lecturer before being appointed Principal Teacher of Technology Education at Selkirk High School, from which he retired in 1996.
The author of two books on local history, Jim played rugby in his younger days and captained Selkirk RFC in 1960. He cast the hammermen flag in their tri-centenary year of 1981 and became deacon in 1983.
As Provost of the Selkirk Common Riding Trust in 1997, he signed the official twinning with Plattling in Bavaria. His family are hammermen from Golspie " Sutherland, and his great great grandfather was a Burgess of Selkirk. A 'man of the Burgh', he was permitted to practice a trade.
Provost Newlands was installed as an Honorary Sheriff of Selkirk on 9 April 1999. After two sittind with Sheriff James Paterson (who is well known for his judgment that the Governments' "Beef on Bone" legistation was "manifestly absurd"), Sheriff Newlands will preside himself on local court cases.
Jim and his wife Esther (Bunty) have two married children, Jane and Gordon, who have both ridden the Marches. Jane is with accountants KPMG, currently based in Zagreb, Croatia. Gordon was Attendant to the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer in 1984 and 1985 and cast the Fleshers flag three years later.
Provost and Mrs Newlands' two granddaughters are Lynsey (9) and Emily (3). Lynsey rode the Marches two years ago, and at 7, was the youngest rider.
Esther Newlands bussed the Hammermen flag and also bussed the Burgh Flag as the wife of the Provost. No other woman has done this.
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1999-05-21 BorderNet