Jethart's Here

Jethart = Jedburgh, the little town in the Scottish Borders where we live. The name was changed in the 1400s, when the town became a Royal Burgh. But the locals still call it Jethart. What's 600 years in the great scheme of things? It's Aye Been, as they say round here.

The Abbey was founded in 1138, and was a target during the centuries of fighting between England and Scotland.  The Reformation finally drove the monks out

But, being then in need of a parish church, the canny townsfolk made one in the western end of the wreckage, calculating that, were the tower to fall, it would just miss them in there.

But it didn't fall, it's still standing. There's a moral there. 

We were in town today, having ventured down to post a birthday card. There was hardly a soul to be seen but we met a friend out walking her dog. I asked if she needed any help with shopping, and she said she's been overwhelmed with offers. It's such a lovely wee town, she said. We could only agree.

'Jethart's Here' is the chorus of our Common Riding song. We won't be singing it in the Market Square this year, but life goes on, next year, hopefully ......