Gathering is what makes our town special

But this week is even more significant – and nerve-wracking - for the 61-year-old who, with his pal John Gray, has jointly penned the first definitive history of the local festival which dates from 1930.

The 160-page illustrated volume was officially launched at Old Gala House on Thursday with all proceeds from sales being donated to the Gathering and its organisations.

“We’ve been working on it for two years, meeting up every week in the library to compare our research and spending many hours at the regional archive centre in Hawick,” said Gordon.

“For many years John and I had been giving talks, at schools and clubs, about the history of our town and its festival.

“The talks were getting longer and longer as we acquired more and more information and we finally decided: 'We’ve got to write this all down’.

“I have to admit it’s a fascinating story.” It is the latest example of a labour of love willingly undertaken by a son of Galashiels whose contribution to his community over many years has been acknowledged this week with the award, from Scottish Borders Council, of a “golden ticket” for Gordon and his wife of 41 years Morag to ride on one of the first trains when the Borders Railway opens in September.

Gordon Keddie, who still lives in the Fifth Ward of his childhood, was educated at Glendinning and the Academy before starting an apprenticeship as a carding engineer at Laidlaw & Fairgrieve’s Ladhope Mill.

“It was a bustling part of the town in those days,” he recalled. “My memories are of the incessant noise of the mills and the passing trains and a real buzz about the place. Apart from the pub and post office, we had a bakers and even a chip shop.

“Hopefully, the railway will inject some of that life back into Galashiels.” Gordon was working at Gibson & Lumgair in Selkirk when he was offered a job as an insurance rep with the Co-operative Society.

It was a career move which suited his gregarious nature – “I guess I’ve always liked meeting people” – and it lasted over 30 years until he retired, aged 52, after the operation moved to Edinburgh with the emergence of on-line insurance sales.

Sport always figured largely in Gordon’s life. He met Morag at Shielfield Park in Berwick when the pair were following the speedway fortunes of Berwick Bandits and, as a keen golfer weaned on Ladhope’s hilly terrain, he earned a respectable handicap of five (it’s now 11!).

He played rugby for the Gala YM, joined the committee in 1976 and was appointed president in the 1990s.

Although never turning out for the Maroons, Gordon was asked, after leaving the insurance business, to take over as the part-time events and marketing manager at Netherdale.

“It was not long after the demise of the ill-fated Border Reivers and the club game in the Borders was at a bit of a crossroads,” he recalled.

“I was tasked to put the club on a solid financial footing by bringing in sponsorship and exploiting the income potential of hospitality and special events.

“My approach was along the lines of many a mickle makes a muckle – that the club was better served by having many smaller sponsors, with a community and well as financial stake in the club, rather than being dominated by one or two major backers who could walk away and leave us floundering.” The success of his efforts was acknowledged by Gala RFC president Scott Dalgleish at the club’s recent presentation night when Gordon announced his retirement and was given a heartfelt standing ovation.

A lifelong Heart of Midlothian fan, Gordon is a founder member and past chairman of the Borders branch of the supporters club.

A member of Trinity Church, he was an officer in the Boys’ Brigade for over 30 years and is currently treasurer of the Scottish Borders Battalion.

For the past two decades he has also been involved with the Right Angle Theatre Company, both as cameo performer and production stalwart for the annual pantomimes in the Volunteer Hall, Galashiels.

In a life filled with public service across such a wide spectrum, it is the Braw Lads’ Gathering which elicits most enthusiasm from Gordon Keddie.

“Being Braw Lad still rates my proudest moment and greatest achievement,” he told us, a reference to being appointed in 1972 at the tender age of just 18. He remains the youngest ever to have fulfilled the role.

He went on to serve as chairman of the executive for an unprecedented five times and, in 2006, was appointed president of the Gathering of which he is now a life member. He is also a life member of the Ex Braw Lads’ and Lasses’ Association.

“The Gathering and what it represents – the warmth and cohesion of our town – is a wonderful asset which I, and many others, do what we can to preserve.

“The crowds supporting it are getting bigger than ever and I’ll be there in Scott Street on Saturday to share the celebrations. It’s what makes our town special.”