These words are part of the classic song 'I Like Auld Hawick'.

Put them together along with 'Que Sera, Sera, What ever will be, Que Sera, Sera' from the popular Doris Day number 'Que Sera, Sera', in the film 'The Man who knew too Much', and the wonderful line of 'Tomorrow is another Day', from Scarlett O'Hara in 'Gone with the wind' and you may think you have three very contrasting pieces.

They all blend together, though, for Hawick lady Zandra Elliot. For despite coming from different angles they are all favourites of hers, and have, in their own way, she says, helped give her a message in her life.

A life that has seen Zandra emerge a well-known figure in Hawick, ranging from being an established businesswoman and town provost to a string of other activities.

Zandra was born in the war-time days of 1940, as Alexzandra Pringle Hogg. Her first home was in Carnarvon Street, but for six years it was a home without a father. "My dad was in the army," says Zandra. "The war was on, and he was away on duty. He only got home once during the war and that was on compassionate leave.

"I was two at the time and quite ill in the Royal Infirmary Hospital in Edinburgh and my dad was sent for. It was the first time he had seen me. I can't remember seeing him, though, and it wasn't until I was six and the war had ended that I recall first meeting my father.

"Things were a bit strange to begin with but we all soon settled into family life. I also had a young sister now, for when dad came back on compassionate leave – the result was the arrival of my sister Anne – nine months later!"

With the family moving house to Mansfield Gardens, Zandra attended Trinity Primary School. However, she then became a West Ender with a shift to Cheviot Road. Firstly being educated at the now long-gone primary branch at Hawick High before going to the High itself.

Zandra enjoyed her schooldays and in particular loved being involved in the various Border school festivals of that period which featured verse and poetry.

Reflecting on those times Zandra says: "I was greatly encouraged by my papa Sandy Pringle. He was a great Robert Burns man as well as a great man. I learnt a lot from him in many ways. Thanks to his help, I managed to do quite well at the festivals and won a few prizes. I just loved being in the festivals and reciting poetry, and I am sure that speaking out at such an early age helped me a lot for what was to happen in the years to come."

Zandra's Cheviot Road upbringing was not laced with luxury, though. "Like many families of that time we did not have two pennies to rub together," says Zandra. "There was no television and no central heating. But we were still happy and I have great memories of the family sitting round the fireside and listening to radio programmes such as 'The Man in Black' which was a big favourite of mine. I also read a lot and I am a great believer in the saying the more read, the more you learn".

On leaving school Zandra began working in the office at Pringle of Scotland. She did shorthand and typing, but a move was soon to be on as she switched from the desk to the catwalk.

Taking up this story, Zandra says: "I was asked If I would like to be a model for Pringle's. It was something completely different for me but I had always been ambitious and went for it.

"Due to my mother having been a very good dressmaker, I had a great interest in clothes and so being involved in fashion was quite fascinating.

"I was trained at a top modelling agency in London. The knitwear industry was booming and the garments were beautiful and of a real top quality.
"I was only 17 when I started (modelling] and I was introduced to a different world as I did a bit of travelling in going to shows. I met a lot of interesting and nice people and enjoyed my days on the catwalk."

When a 16-year-old Zandra met her husband-to-be Ian Elliot, their paths first crossed by saying good morning to each other as Zandra walked to her work at Pringle, while Ian was heading for his employment at architects Aitken and Turnbull.

The pair of them duly started dating and Zandra recalls: "It was so very different for young people in those days as it is now.

"The money was not there but we still had great times. We would go to the pictures and go to cafes like the Cadora which was Taddei's on the High Street and Nardini's up the Howgate. A coffee would last you all night, and if you had a little extra you could play the jukeboxes."

Zandra and Ian were married at St Mary's Church in 1962 and their first home was in Teviotside Terrace.

Career changes were now afoot. Ian was with the family building firm of J. and R. Elliot and Zandra duly joined him. She continued: "It was a real culture shock moving from Pringle to the building trade as well as a great learning curve.

"I did not go into the business to be a pen pusher, though. I wanted to learn everything about the industry. I wanted to have site meetings with architects, learn how to make estimates and take measurements for jobs. I managed to do this and I have always enjoyed this sort of involvement."

Zandra certainly did learn and is still very much at the helm of running the established Hawick building firm, even since Ian's death in 1990.

She has travelled many other avenues as well, however, that have taken her in many directions in Hawick life.

And looking at some of these roads, Zandra tells us: "I have always been interested in politics and the community and was keen to get involved in local government. Ian encouraged me and I went on to do just that."

Zandra firstly became a councillor in the seventies, a position she put a lot of hard work into.

She later became Hawick provost for two years. It was not exactly a period of bliss, though, explains Zandra: "I was greatly honoured to be provost and I took great pride in what I did.

"But I have to admit for certain reasons it became a little stressful and it was overall a somewhat turbulent two years."

Time has marched on since then, matters have changed and Zandra is now back in her role as provost. A role in which she emerges as a splendid ambassador for Hawick through her dignified ways.

"I always try to promote Hawick even in the smallest way," she says. "I have a great love for the town and although it may have its troubles, Hawick has a lot going for it.

"It's a difficult job at times, but I have had a lot of help from my friend and former provost Myra Turnbull and other people. However, it's a job I really enjoy doing.

"You cover a lot of ground as provost. The Common-Riding and the many activities and ceremonies play a big part in things, and it's wonderful that these traditions are kept in the way they are.

"I love my involvement but it's not all about the Common-Riding. I get a lot out of having the honour of leading the Remembrance Day parade – seeing those men march so proudly in it is something special."

Zandra and Ian had no family. She says with great affection though that she has had a son and daughter in her niece and nephew Sandie and Christopher.

And in her role of provost she has an extended family, the town of Hawick.