Border Telegraph | News | Volunteers out to make a splash for Gala's waterways

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Wednesday, 16th April, 2008 09:00

Volunteers out to make a splash for Gala's waterways

By Ally McGilvray

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Gala Waterways Group chairman Ian Purves with a draft copy of the new leaflet at the fountain in Galashiels.

GALASHIELS was built on a river which was once described as one of the most polluted in Scotland.

But now a green-fingered bunch of volunteers are making waves to restore the Gala Water to its former glory.

The Gala Waterways Group, a sub-committee of Galashiels and Langlee Community Council, cleans up the streams and mill lades in an effort to encourage more visitors to the area.

It was awarded £250 from community council to print 1000 leaflets promoting local beauty spots, which will be available throughout the town later this year.

Chairman Ian Purves told the Border Telegraph: “Galashiels wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the river.

“The tweed industry, on which it was built, relied on the water and we think it’s something that should be kept going.

“We think there are great possibilities for the waterways, including installing information boards along the routes for example, to attract more visitors to the area.”

The Gala Waterways Group, which was formed in January 2006, revealed the name of the town’s river derives from the Old English “Gwala”, meaning full stream.

The leaflet also makes a splash by revealing the town was once home to what was believed to have been only the world’s second wire suspension bridge at Buckholmside Dam, but which was later destroyed by a flood in 1839.

It states: “A report (1906) by the Royal Commission for Sewage Treatment stated that ‘it would be impossible to find a river more grossly polluted than the Gala as it passes through Galashiels’.”

But it adds: “Eventually sewers were constructed and a wastewater treatment works completed at Galafoot in 1912.”

Mr Purves said: “The group was formed with a view of encouraging the people of Galashiels to take an active interest in the waterways.

“What we plan to do is take on some major projects, like the fountain - which I think this is the jewel in the crown – and clean up, and maybe look at improved lighting.

“In addition we want to tidy up the mill lades, and encourage people to take walks along the Gala Water. With all the new stores in Galashiels, we want to encourage shoppers to stay and have a look around.”

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