When the Community Council met on 3 June, the first items on the agenda included formalising Gala in Bloom and Friends of Gala Policies as official sub-committees of the Community Council. I’d like to extend my thanks to all the volunteers in these sub-committees who give up their time to keep our town looking braw!
Our secretary has set up a new website, on which details of our meetings and notes from those meetings are available. Our new website address is https://www.galashielscommunitycouncil.com/
We are still in discussions about various ongoing issues, specifically flower planters, Christmas lights and a Christmas tree for the town.
The Town of Culture working group, led by BID for Galashiels worked on the design of a town postcard requested by the judges. We are keeping everything crossed that we make it through the first stage.
Tour-de-France – Discussions are at an early stage about how we can make the most of any opportunities linked to this huge event – the biggest annual sporting event in the world and the eyes of the world are going to be on Galashiels!
One new suggestion from a local resident was about tidying up some of the street furniture in Market Square. We are exploring how this could be done and are awaiting a response from the Parks and Environment team at Scottish Borders Council. I have also raised the issue of weed management around the town with our four elected members.
Scottish Borders Council members, on 21 June, voted to agree recommendations to review parking charges across the Borders – meaning that charges across 14 car parks in 6 main towns are likely to be standardised at £1 per hour. I wrote to Scottish Borders Council outlining our concerns about the standardisation of these charges, as did BID for Galashiels. Although our concerns were noted, the vote still passed. I do not yet have any details about when the parking charges will be standardised. I have been assured by David Robertson, Chief Executive, that as Scottish Borders Council move forward with the next stages of their work on pay parking (both off street and on street) they will “endeavour to ensure that communities across the Region, including Galashiels, are aware of and consulted on this review work.”
June would not be complete without a mention of the Braw Lads Gathering. Along with thousands of other people, I watched the Fancy Dress Parade and return of the Torwoodlee rideout on Wednesday evening in Bank Street. I was delighted to represent the Community Council at both the Civic Reception and the Investiture Concert. As for Saturday, well, what a sight it was to see so many people, the horses, as well the pipe band and town band. The weather, the people, the atmosphere…it was our town at its best. Well done to Braw Lad Ruraidh Anderson and Braw Lass Chloe Logan, and their Attendants. On behalf of the Community Council, I would like to congratulate and thank everyone involved with arranging and supporting the delivery of another hugely successful week.
On Monday 29th, I joined a town centre walkabout arranged by Cllr Euan Jardine. Also present was Cllr Hannah Steele, Natasha Stockton from Parks & Environment and Lewis Roden, Chair of BID for Galashiels. Concerns about weeds, street cleanliness, maintenance of street furniture, litter and parking were discussed, with specific areas pointed out and photographed for consideration of further action. In the meantime, let’s all play our part in keeping our town looking good – and follow the example of our local Guides who do a litter pick or weed busting evening once a month when the evenings are light enough and Stow Disrupters, who came to Channel Street to do a bit of a spruce up ahead of the Braw Lads Gathering on Saturday. Well done to both groups, and to others, who regularly clean up different areas in the town.
If you would like more information about what we are doing as your Community Council, or if you have an issue you think that we might be able to help with, please get in touch by emailing galacommunitycouncil@gmail.com
Angela Crow
