The Compromise

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Hawick Common Riding celebrates the history of the Scottish Borders town

One of Scotland's most beautiful historic summer festivals will be prompted to reform amid allegations of sexism and intimidation.

Hawick Common Riding thousands of pounds worth of the funds could lose after a series of complaints about the behavior towards Women .

you are also claims That Some of the female participants faced discrimination, scorn and hostility at The Event .

Festival organizers said they had held a "constructive and positive" meeting with senior Council officials.

organizers said they were to "clarify The Situation " after complaints 9,300 Grant from the " Scottish Borders Council has led to the withholding of €.

The row comes after More Than 20 years ago, two Young Women first defied Convention and Hawick entered the Common Riding .

Women no longer face physical barriers and protests, But a small group of local "lady riders" and claim That you can't still enjoy unrestricted access to enjoy Men .

according to this Year 's Event , the Scottish Borders Council 29 E-Mail complaint of 12 persons, in relation to the behavior of female participants.

The allegations are:

The Local authority is withholding an annual Grant until they are satisfied, The Committee dealt with The Matter .

In E-Mails received by the BBC in Scotland under the Freedom of Information laws, The Council 's chief legal officer, Nuala McKinlay, outlined the problems.

"That is the concern. Women were tolerated in Some cases, But more often ignored or even mocked," she wrote to the Common Riding Committee.

, she asked That they publish a "Very positive outcome" greet all The Women at The Festival .

An E-Mail dated 30. July 2019 said That eight complaints were outstanding.

Hawick Common Riding is? In recent years, the hut was exclusively of Men , The First of a series of similar events across The South of Scotland every Year in the summer, Hawick Common Riding celebrates The Capture of an English flag in 1514, shortly after the battle of Flodden - of The Youth in the city, with the horn hole.

It also marks the ancient custom of riding the marches or boundaries of the common land.

the choice of The Cornet - a young, unmarried, local man - in may marks the beginning of a five week schedule of ceremonies, ride-outs, re-enactments, rituals, and picnics.

For many locals, it is the highlight of the Year , the importance is not easily explained to outsiders.

Lisa Mackay says she takes part in the Common Riding , "the glory and create history".

"It is a real privilege, on top of The Hills , on a horse, and this is probably the main reason That I do it," She Said .

Women "problem," Ashley Simpson and Mandy Graham attended the common journey in 1996, Despite a predominantly male occasion in The Past , Women drivers took part in the early 1900s. You were only banned after 1931, when a woman fell from her horse and broke her leg.

When Ashley Simpson, 23, and Mandy Graham, 21, made it clear to connect your intention to The Men of Hawick on the horse's back in 1996, you faced the protests and the anger in her home town.

But you are a court battle, and finally, The Woman driver of a compromise - would you drive A Number of preliminary ride-outs, But would not follow the Cornet in ceremonial trips, or participation in events, such as the "picking Night " smokers, or the celebrations at St. Leonard's hut.

The Common Riding dinner and ball, the colour bussing ceremony and banished Night - a reception for former residents of Hawick - has always been open to Men and Women .

"traditionalists" blocked The Lady driver of participation in the Common Riding in a high-profile protest in 1996, The Compromise held up well for almost 20 years, until in the Year 2018, The First Women were chasing part in The Thursday Night . It has been filmed.

As a registered Association and the recipient of public funds, the Common Riding Committee, prevents a ban on That protected groups - such as Women - from taking part in its events.

In addition, it must promote to eliminate both direct and indirect discrimination, bullying and harassment, equality of opportunity and foster good relations between groups.

What is happening this Year ? Gillian Morgan is a vocal supporter of Women entitled to equal access to the Common Riding . The Video spread on Social Media , was booed and threw torn paper to her while she is on the left of the colour bussing ceremony.

"I didn't know, there was nothing But surprise me," she told the Bbc Scotland . "I think I'm so used to this kind of abuse, I don't particularly Like , But I sit back and think, I'm not going To Let That get the better of me. "

Gillian Morgan, a Common Riding baillie, was The Target of abuse in the color Büssing, It came in The Night after the Cornet and Cornet 's lass were presented with a controversial gift from Hawick community Council. To commemorate, instead of the traditional jewelry pieces, your experience, a donation was made in their name to the Scottish Borders rape crisis centre.

move an outcry, and Ms Morgan, as the then Chairman of The Local Council, has been the focus of Some trouble. It was aimed at the colour bussing ceremony, while a local crowd-funding appeal raised More Than £1,300, paid for gifts for The Most important couple of and A Number of other donations in your name.

"I knew it was different, But I didn't really expect the response That it was," Ms Morgan said. "I think you have it recorded, As If we bat with a page on The Men - and That was not the case. "

Another Woman , who is part of the ride-outs Bbc Scotland said she was abused while on horseback outside of Hawick Town Hall . The police said That a 75-had stood-Year -old man, and the subject of a report to the Procurator would be fiscal.

The Woman , who asked not to be named, said the intimidation of Mrs Reiter was a "far more subtle" than it has been in The Past , and you had to feel the hands you feel Like a "second-class citizens".

you said it had caused cracks Between Friends and families.

'not just about equality' Lisa Mackay was one of The First Women to take part in the solemn Chase in 2018 Lisa Mackay complained That the Cornet recognize the achievements of Women - including their 15-Year -old Daughter , completed by one of The Most grueling challenges of the Common Riding .

She Said , he read The Names of only The Men and boys, completed the Mosspaul ride out, during an Event in St. Leonard's hut.

"It's not just about equality," She Said . "Not to mention a child who's been there and ridden the 30 miles For You , it's going to be a decent, neighbourly man. "

you said your entire experience of the Common Riding was better than last Year , when she received a threatening phone call after participating in a ceremonial ride-out.

"There's a lot of things to complain about, But this is a great city, with great people and - this Year - Very , Very good to me," She Said .

The vet added: "I love the life here. The Village has raised my children, I have a great life, a well-paid job, and the people in Hawick it to me, That the life-style.

"But if it forget to the Common Riding , it's all easy. You are on your own, out on a limb.

"I wish folk could actually talk the talk, But there is no mediation, there is no willingness to debate, to take it forward. "

What's next? The reluctance of £Grant 9,300 festival is unlikely That The Future of the Hawick Common Riding endanger - in the Year 2018 it had.

But it is a symbolic blow to The Committee , which consists of "everyone is welcome" to The Festival , the community calls on his "manners and customs".

activists want to see The Women welcomed active events such as the " congratulations-smokers who celebrate a traditionally male-only party, The Selection of the new Cornet .

Some Women are selected to serve as "principal Women " and on certain events, the spill in the Common Riding , the neighbors and The Local school children on the road to see the Cornet taken from his house to The Event - But are not expecting his female relatives to accompany him for the occasion.

is One of a handful of Women , the Convention broke up, to be at this Event , said: "When others wouldn't in his life is his mom here? His P1 Teacher? Everyone who meant something over The Years ? Who's excited?"

the Scottish charity regulator, OSCR, said it was also due to concerns about the issues of equality in the Hawick Common Riding .

Scottish Borders Council said That it has suggested instead a "positive" meeting with the Common Riding Committee on Wednesday and The Local authority, a "possible solution".

What it means to say, the Common Riding Committee? A small number of Women have started to go to St Leonard's hut - Once reserved strictly for Men

hawick, women, sexism, scottish borders council

Source of news: bbc.com