To say that excitement is mounting in Hutton over the Jim Clark 'Reivers (ugh)' Rally may be an overstatement but the Rally organisers are doing their bit to raise the temperature. Every householder has received two pieces of paper-a map of the area with the rally routes marked and a sheet of paper with all the timings for each stage of the event from 8 to 10 July. Villagers are earnestly reminded that it is 'required' for all 'parked cars and other articles' to be removed from the carriageway so even the special Rally ready Zimmer frames will be kept indoors for the 4 hours that Hutton will be sealed off from the outside world and the competitors roar through twice on Whiteadder One and Whiteadder Two. A stage of 4.81 miles which will presumably take them less than 5 minutes to complete assuming 60 MPH around Hutton Bridge corner and across the Blue Stane Ford and 120 mph through the village itself thus comfortable beating the existing record held by the No 32 Bus travelling too fast to notice that for the first time for weeks there was a would be passenger waiting in the bus shelter. Villagers are advised to keep pets indoors and I will do my best to restrain Cocky from limping up Kirk Lane in search of the buzz. It is also an offence, 'even as a pedestrian' to use the' closed section of the carrageway' so any one wanting to cross the village street between 12-30 and 4.30 for a chat with a neighbour is looking at life if he/she has a previous conviction for jay walking or attempted suicide. Otherwise the fuzz may be content with slapping on an immediate ASBO.
Full report will follow plus blurred photos. If I am spared, of course.
