Angel of Peace to fly again in Galashiels
Ally McGilvray • Published 7 Nov 2011 09:30
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GALASHIELS will be plunged into darkness this weekend in a special tribute to the town's war dead.
The lights will be switched off in the streets surrounding the war memorial - regarded as one of the best in Britain - on Friday, November 11, at 8pm.
It has been organised to help highlight the so-called Angel Wings which can be seen when light is shone onto the figure of Peace from either side of the plaques which carry the names of the 635 men from Galashiels who died in World War One.
And the local community is expected to turn out to pay its respects.
As local Councillor Sandy Aitchison explained: "Galashiels has one of the country's most impressive war memorials and, after its construction, one of the accidental characteristics seen by people in the town was the 'Angel's Wings' effect.
"This effect is rarely seen now, due to the very strong street lighting which is such a feature of the area around the war memorial."
But he added: "Mr Murray Dickson, President of the Old Gala Club, has asked if it would be possible to switch the street lights off just once to see this effect again. And this year seemed the most appropriate to me since it is the year of that unique date - 11/11/11."
Armstice Day marks the date when the guns finally fell silent along the Western Front after four years of carnage had cost the lives of millions during the First World War
Scottish Borders Council has confirmed that streets around the war memorial in Galashiels - Albert Place, Market Street and Paton Street - will be closed, or partially closed, to allow the ceremony to take place next week.
Councillor Aitchison told the Border Telegraph: "Since this was first mentioned I have been amazed at the enthusiasm of organisations within Gala wishing to be part of this very special event.
"Albert Place, part of Market Street and part of Paton Street will be closed for safety reasons during the event because many of the lights will have to be switched off."
But he added: "It had to be at night to create the light effect. The timing of eight o'clock is also appropriate because that is when the bell in the clock tower plays the first few bars of local anthem Braw Braw Lads."
The local Territorial Army unit and the Royal British Legion will be represented at the event, which will include music from the Galashiels Ex-Service Pipe Band and the Galashiels Town Band.
And council convener Alasdair Hutton, the local authority's veteran's champion, is expected to give a short speech on the history of the war memorial which was officially opened by Field Marshal Earl Haig in 1924.
Councillor Aitchison went on: "One very special part of the service is that a piece of music, 'Requiem for Heroes', written by an exiled Galalean, Royal Marine Bill Elliot, will be played by the combined bands. This will be the first playing of this music in public and we are honoured that Mr Elliot will be present."
The Braw Lad and Lass, Lewis Playfair and Suzanne Henry, are also expected to lay a poppy cross at the war memorial during the special service.
Councillor Aitchison said: "This special remembrance service does not replace the normal Service of Remembrance which will take place the following Sunday - November 13.
"It is all dependent on weather and we are all hoping for a lovely moonlit night to remember those who gave their lives for all of us and continue to do so today."
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 07 Nov 11
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