Selkirk Common Riding 2014. Riders ford the Ettrick River. Standard Bearer Greg MacDougall in front with flag.
If the loss of more than 4,000 fundraising letters has a serious financial impact on this year’s Common Riding, organisers may seek compensation.
So says Common Riding Trust clerk, Johnnie Thomson, commenting on the disappearance of 4,011 appeal letters.
Each year, every domestic and commercial address in the TD7 postal area receives a letter seeking donations towards the cost of running the Common Riding.
This year the letters were due to be delivered during the week commencing April 27, but instead mysteriously vanished.
Mr Thomson stressed the town’s local postal staff was not responsible for the blunder, with the finger of blame being pointed squarely at the Royal Mail centre in Edinburgh.
“The letters were either lost or shredded within the Edinburgh Mail Centre’s system and our annual appeal has been seriously delayed by two weeks,” said Mr Thomson.
He says the Royal Mail agreed to pay for the reprinting of the appeal letters, which were now being delivered to local homes and businesses this week.
“We’re hoping it doesn’t have a serious impact on our appeal,” Mr Thomson said.
“It is certainly hoped this important source of income continues to be well supported by the good folks of Selkirk and the surrounding valleys and villages.”
The appeal raises enough to cover 50% of Common Riding administrative costs.
Mr Thomson continued: “I don’t want to appear mercenary, but I think Royal Mail should be considering some sort of gesture to make up for this.
And he warned: “Once the wider picture becomes clear, if it looks like there’s been any adverse impact on fundraising, then we might seek compensation.”
Donations from anyone not receiving the letter will be received and acknowledged by Mr Thomson. They should be sent to him at 19 West Port, Selkirk, TD7 4DG, and cheques made payable to Selkirk Common Riding Trust. Donations may also be handed in to Rodgerson’s or McCudden’s newsagents.
Royal Mail spokeswoman Ronit Wolfson confirmed the organisation had reprinted the missing letters at its own cost and was carrying out an internal investigation.
“We would like to apologise to the customer for the inconvenience that this has caused,” she added.