Not A Gala Man!

One of the things that always excites me about living in the Borders is our proud history and culture. Just the feeling of being different! I, like most folk, have joked about the “Pail Merks” the “Japs” and the” Teris”. I have joked about “posh” Melrose and Royal Gattonside, always in fun, harmless fun if not strictly politically correct! Coming from Stow I had to suffer the jibes of “Jungle Jim” Gray the geography teacher at the Academy, but I knew it was a joke, I took no offence. But some people seem to take their local loyalties a bit far!.

Since I was elected to the council in May of this year, to represent Galashiels and District, I have been told many times I am not a Gala man! This has been said, quite seriously, by some apparently intelligent people as if they were describing somebody of a much lower intellect! Because of this defect, they consider that I, therefore, cannot represent Gala properly and do not understand the needs of Gala.

I have three fine sons whose partners or wives all come from Gala. They, like me, attended Stow Primary School before Galashiels Academy. I played rugby at school. I have played football at the “Vickie” the “Scott” and the “Public” parks. I ran round the gas works for Jim Shearer and I got the belt from most of the teachers at the Academy. I’ve had chips from Vlada’s and sweeties from Ernie White’s. I’ve bought spam from Low’s and butter from the Ayrshire Market, bread from Tod’s and steak pies from Hogg’s, haggis from Findlay’s and steak from Headspath’s. I’ve danced at the Palais (badly), I’ve cuddled in the Playhouse and snogged in the “Piv”. Drank in the Auld Mill, Salmon and Railway, and slept in the bus station. I’ve bought wallpaper from Mill’s, a newspaper from Frater Davidson and nails from Webster and Thomson. I’ve bought shoes from Rogerson and kilts from Lochcarron. I’ve drank Noble’s juice and Forte’s milk shakes. I’ve bought cigarettes from Walker Brown’s and pies from Dalgetty’s. I’ve cheered the Braw Lad and admired the Braw Lass. My first date was at Gala Sports, when it was sensibly on the Saturday, and had my first real kiss at the shows at night. I’ve left from the railway station and come back again months later. I’ve bought cars from Purves and McQueen and toys from Dick’s. I’ve banked in Gala and my lawyer was A.T.Little BUT I was born in Stow – I am not a Gala man!

Whenever I hear this I think back to when I was at Leith Nautical College, a while ago now! I and my mate, Jock Aikman from Gorebridge, used to walk round the docks at dinner time (midday to posh folk who have lunch then!). I loved the beauty of ships, I still do. I have no difficulty calling them “she”, because they are as varied and lovely as any lady. On approaching a large trawler called “Explorer”, there were three officers in uniform at the top of the gangway. Unusual for a trawler but this was a government research trawler so sailor suits were “rig of the day”. We stopped at the bottom of the gangway and one of the officers shouted “Which one of you is the galley boy?” I replied “Oh that’s me” and we were asked to come aboard. I began to sense there was a problem when the officer asked me “Where’s your gear?” I then had to explain that I was not the “galley boy” but a boy from “Gally”. He did not understand, an explanation would have taken too long! We left quickly. Lucky escape, she was off fishing at Iceland and Greenland for 3 months, I doubt I could have explained that to my mother!

I passed my exams eventually and did go to sea. Jock though, did not and he joined the army, the Royal Signals. I lost touch with Jock as we went our separate ways. I heard about him again years later in the newspapers. Sergeant John Aikman of the Royal Signals was killed, shot by the “heroes” of the IRA. A bitter sweet tale!

I, like my three colleagues, will do our best for the people of Gala and the whole of the Gala Water. We took on the commitment when we stood for election. If we fail it will not be because we live elsewhere!

I’ve been to, and seen, a lot of places but there is nowhere I would rather stay than in the Gala Water. I want it to be Utopia just as much as any Gala man or woman. Meanwhile each time I hear the jibe I think of Jock Maybe some good in that.

Sandy Aitchison