Yellow and Blue for Ukraine (and Hawick)

We went to Hawick this evening, to see 'Belfast'.  Across the road from the cinema is this sculpture commemorating an incident which took place in 1514, on the edge of the town. Students of Scottish history will know that in 1513 the Scots army had been crushed at the Battle of Flodden.

Old men and boys took up arms to defend the town the following year, and succeeded in capturing an English banner, and chasing off the attackers. 

This story became part of the town's history and is remembered at the Common Riding. The colours became the town's colours, blue and gold, and the ribbons that are hung remain all year round. They were hanging rather limply in the rain tonight, but still a timely reminder of what people will do to defend their freedom.