Braw reception for overseas visitors

And with guests coming from as far afield as Australia, the United States, Gambia and Switzerland, this year’s Overseas reception demonstrated once again that distance alone cannot weaken the bonds - nor diminish the immense pride - Galashiels’ emigrant sons and daughters have for the town.

At a packed Volunteer Hall, President David Romanis welcomed this year’s guests, and drew attention to the tumultuous changes occurring in the town.

He said: “I extend a warm welcome and the hand of friendship to everyone gathered here tonight, especially our overseas visitors, who are coming home for our 2015 Gathering.

“However far you have travelled to be with us in our great week, we are delighted you are joining us for our celebrations. Whether you are here for the first time, or have returned on many occasions for the Braw Lads’ Day, I hope you have a wonderful time and enjoy every minute of our historic and traditional festivities.

“Those returning will have noticed great changes in the town, we now have the new Borders Railway, and Galashiels once again has a railway station. There is a new road system, new shopping facilities, buildings that no longer exist.

“One thing that hasn’t changed is the warm feeling and pride all Galaleans share have at this special time of year. The Braw Lads’ Gathering adds something unique to the town, and each ceremony holds a special place in our history and heritage.” Braw Lad Cameron Pate thanked the visitors from near and far and then wowed the audience with an impromptu performance, as he joined the Galashiels Ex Servicemen’s Pipe Band for a few numbers on stage.

On the night, Mr Romanis paid tribute to the Principals of 50 years ago. The Braw Lad from 1965, David Stillie, and Braw Lass, Glenna Currie (nee Napier); and their Attendants - William Crighton, Carol Voltier (nee Andrews), Kenneth McQuarrie and Carolyn Stewart (nee Thomson) - all received a warm round of applause from the audience. Special guest Gordon Keddie also provided a link to 1965, as his father Peter Keddie was chairman for that year’s event.

He said: “My father was so proud of being chairman, and he was so chuffed with his Principals of 1965, he spoke about them very fondly. And I’d like to thank everyone here for the kind words said about them.” Gary Jones and his wife Trish made the journey from San Remo, in New South Wales, Australia to be at this year’s event. Gary, 63, works as a mathematics teacher, whilst Trish, 58, is a nurse. Explaining their connection with Galashiels, he said: “I am married to a lady from Galashiels and I have a son, Matthew, who lives here. He went to university at Dundee to finish off his degree, and now he’s going to marry a Gala girl too.” Trish said: “I left Galashiels in 1982, but we try to come back as often as we can. And now that my son is marrying a Gala girl, we’ll be back even more often.” The Braw Lads’ Gathering has always been important to Ian Bell and his sister Ann Serafin, indeed, it may be said that the Bell family are intertwined with the history of the occasion.

The pair currently reside in the United States. Ian, 59 is a firefighter in New Jersey, whilst Ann, 62, has recently retired and moved to Florida.

Their mother, Isobel Scott Bell, was very active in Braw Lads’ Gatherings, and served as an Attendant to the Braw Lass in 1951, whilst father John was in the Brass Band. They emigrated to the States in 1968, but the family returned as often as they could for Gala’s special week.

Ann said: “This is a difficult trip for us, in some respects. We are always happy to come back. But my mother used to come home every year for the 12 years prior to her death. She passed away in 2013, and this year we are brining her ashes home.” Recalling fond memories of growing up in the town, Ian revealed he and his sister were usually following the band during Braw Lads week. “We were at every Gathering back then. The scene at the Market Place, I remember that from about the age of five. It was spectacular. But prior to that, even before we could walk, we would be following the band everywhere. Even if that was from the pram!” “It’s in the blood,” said Ann. “We never needed to be told how important the week was. We just knew.” Modern technology, being what it is, it is easier today to keep abreast of the Gathering on those rare occasions when they can’t get back. It wasn’t always so. “The Border Telegraph was always very important from that point of view,” said Ann. “We had Telegraphs sent over to us. If my mom wasn’t here at the time, my aunt would send one over. I am under instruction to get one for a friend in New Jersey this year. She is originally from Galashiels too, and before she left, she told me ‘make sure you bring back a Telegraph!’” Bonds of friendship and support are critical when it comes to the Braw Lads Gathering, as Ann explains. “Chick Playfair (1980 Braw Lad and Life Member Colin Playfair’s father) was a good friend of the family.

“And when Colin was the Braw Lad in 1980, my mother was here. And when Colin’s son Lewis was a Braw Lad in 2011, my mother and I were here. It means a lot when you know the people involved.”