Tsunami Fund Raising Event in Selkirk

During the first weekend in December the Border town of Selkirk plays host to hundreds of people who flock to the town to do Christmas shopping, enjoy a feast of free entertainment, and to soak up the atmosphere of an Edwardian Christmas. During these two days Selkirk transforms itself into an Edwardian town with many people dressing in period costume, the shopkeepers too enter into the spirit of things by decorating their shops in a traditional fashion.
This is all done to celebrate the close links between the town and the 19th century author Sir Walter Scott, who wrote such adventure stories as Ivanhoe & Waverley. He was also Sheriff of Serkirkshire and for many years dispensed justice from the Court House in Selkirk.

It was at one of the many venues in the town on Saturday 2nd December that Jean & Bill Murray (tsunami fund raisers) from Galashiels decided to hold their final event of the year. Besides having a stall at which tablecloths, toys, and bags ,made by the widows in Sri Lanka were sold, they sold hundreds of raffle tickets because the draw for the big raffle was to be made by Sir Walter Scott himself at 1.30 pm. Sir Walter duly arrived at a packed hall in a horse drawn carriage preceded by the town crier who acted as Master of Ceremonies whilst the three winning tickets were drawn. The first for £1000 the Second for £500 & the third for £150.
All three winners are elderly and live in the Borders, so apart from Jean, Bill and their many willing helpers raising money for Sri Lanka ( the final amount raised has yet to be advised) they have made it possible for three pensioners to have a really good Christmas. Well Done.