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BRAW LADS’ AND LASSES' ASSOCIATION BRAW LADS’ GATHERING 2023

MONDAY 26th JUNE

RIDERS' SOCIAL

Netherdale (GRFC) Galashiels

Starting around 10pm

Music by Gary Cleghorn

Admission Free Food Available

The Braw Lass will present the winners of the various chases held earlier in the evening with their trophies during the evening. Badges are available for those who have completed the ride out at a cost of £5

EVERYONE WELCOME

TUESDAY 27th JUNE

Annual Dinner

In the Volunteer Hall, Galashiels

7 for 7.30pm

Guest Speakers & Singers

Tickets £25 - EVERYONE WELCOME

(For further details contact 01896 753803)

SATURDAY 1st JULY

Final Fling

In the Volunteer Hall, Galashiels Starting at 8.30pm (No admission after 10.00pm) Music by

Back Green

Tickets £15.00 (limited to 4 per person)

“Early Bird” tickets available until Wednesday 28th June @ £10

For further details contact 07800657460

Come along and support the Braw Lad & Braw Lass at their final event!

Ticket sales for the above events will take place in Gala Y.M. Clubrooms on Tuesday 6th June at 7pm

BRAW LADS’ EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BRAW LADS’ GATHERING 2023

WEDNESDAY 7th JUNE

SCHOOL CHILDREN’S CONCERT - Volunteer Hall, Check Social Media for further details. 6.30pm - 7.30pm.

SUNDAY 18th JUNE

BIKE RIDE - Leaving from Galafoot 10.00am. All welcome.

TUESDAY 20th JUNE

SWIMMING GALA - Galashiels Swimming Pool, first race 6.30pm. Further info from Gala Swimming Pool. Admission by programme £1.

FRIDAY 23rd JUNE

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE (Celebrating its 50th Anniversary) - Volunteer Hall Galashiels. 7.30pm – 11.00pm. Tickets £7 available at the door. Spectators welcome, £3.

SATURDAY 24th JUNE

SCHOOLCHILDREN’S DISCOS - Volunteer Hall Galashiels. Primary 1 & 2 - 11.30am to 12.30pm.

Primary 3,4 & 5 - 1.00pm to 2.30pm.

SATURDAY 24th JUNE

BRAW LADS’ BALL - Galashiels Academy at 7pm. Tickets £60, for further details 0772938040.

SUNDAY 25th JUNE

KIRKING of BRAW LAD – Trinity Church @ 11am by Rev. Graeme Glover.

BRAW LADS’ SPORTS & FAMILY FUN DAY AT NETHERDALE - Schoolchildren’s Sports, Touch Rugby, Football Fives, Potted Sports, Beer Tent & Various Outside Catering, Free Mini Fun Fair, Dunk Tank, Pony Rides, 5K Run. Silent Disco and many other Attractions including Ex Service Pipe Band & Galashiels Town Band. Admission £5 Children free.

MONDAY 26th JUNE

LINDEAN RIDE OUT - Leaving Netherdale Car Park at 6.00pm arriving back in the Town Centre at approx 9.30pm.

WEDNESDAY 28th JUNE

CEREMONIAL RIDE to TORWOODLEE - leaving Netherdale Car Park at 5.45pm arriving back in the Town Centre at 8.15pm. Handing over The Sod and Stone on Burgh Chambers Balcony at 8.30pm.

FANCY DRESS PARADE - Judging in Scott Park, if not available, St. Margarets School play area at 6.30pm. Parade at 7.15pm.

CARNIVAL DANCE - Volunteer Hall 10.00pm. Tickets £10 on sale at the door. Admission by ticket only. *Over 18’s ONLY*

THURSDAY 29th JUNE

CIVIC RECEPTION FOR OVERSEAS GUESTS - Volunteer Hall, If you have a visitor or know of someone visiting from overseas please email Hazel Hunter at clerk@thebrawladsgathering.co.uk or phone 07825248530.

FRIDAY 30th JUNE

INVESTITURE CONCERT - Volunteer Hall 7.30pm – 9.30pm. Entry by donation. Braw Lad and Braw Lass Invested with the Official Sashes. Ex Braw Lads’ and Lasses' Choir, George Inglis plus Local Artistes.

SATURDAY 1st JULY from train or bus station it is welcoming and really quite smart. The Tapestry building and its surroundings have improved that end of Channel Street and yes I know there is still a lot to be done but we are moving in the right direction. The weather is improving, days are longer so can I encourage you to get out and about and if you have a bus pass, use it. You are subsidising the bus services every time you do and keeping those services running.

MORNING CEREMONIAL RIDE - commencing at 8.00am at the Burgh Chambers when the Braw Lad will receive the Burgh Flag from the President of the Braw Lads’ Gathering.

Further details and other matters in connection with the Braw Lads’ Gathering can be obtained in the OFFICIAL BROCHURE on sale at various outlets throughout the month of June.

Euan Jardine Councillor - Gala & District, Conservative

I often write this column and need to remember that people read it, as I was surprised when someone stopped me a few days ago to state that it had been a while since I had talked about movies. They were keen to hear about the latest movies I've watched. I haven't watched nearly as many as I want to recently but the last movie at the cinema was the new Dungeons and Dragons movie which was fantastic escapism and captured the magic of the world it was based on. Still, it brought a modern and humorous twist. Regarding streaming services, the last movie I saw was 'Nope', which I stopped viewing halfway through as it didn't engage me at all. I am still searching for the best movie of 2023 so if you have any movie recommendations I would be interested to hear from you!

I also want to thank everyone who helped deliver community activities during the coronation. I understand the monarchy isn't everyone's cup of tea. Still, seeing people come together and enjoy it was great for those who wanted to make the most of the once-in-a-lifetime event. Congratulations to everyone who helped deliver community activities during the coronation. I will hold an advice surgery on Tuesday 20th June, 5-6pm at Quins Restaurant Galashiels.

Don't hesitate to contact me at the details below if you need assistance.

Email - Euan.jardine@scotborders.gov.uk

Telephone – 07811977720

Facebook – @VoteEuanJardine Twitter - @VoteJardine

Fay Sinclair Councillor - Gala & District, SNP

While casework and committees keep me busy at my desk most days, I’ve been making an effort to get outside and away from screens as much as I can. I do love this time of year in the Borders; seeing local gardens and our green surrounds spring into life, noticing the rapid growth of lambs and calves in the fields, hearing birdsong ringing out throughout the day and seeing previously bare branches explode in a mass of blossom and green leaves.

The cherry tree in my garden was a real treat for the senses with its delicate and sweet smelling blossoms emerging as a sea of white then fluttering to the ground to make way for fruit on which the birds will feast throughout the summer.

I have to say the blossoms throughout Galashiels have been spectacular this year and I love the suggestion mooted at this month’s Galashiels Community Council of a blossom festival in Langlee next Spring.

This year, I have fully embraced Plantlife’s annual “no mow May” campaign. Letting the grass grow longer provides vital food needed by pollinators like butterflies and bees and I’m personally a big fan of a more natural garden filled with wildflowers. Removing the filter from our pond has also encouraged an array of wildlife including damselflies, toads and newts.

We are lucky to have such natural beauty around us, but the more formal planting in the town

Continued on page 38 doesn’t just pop up by itself. That’s why I was pleased to agree to transfer £10,000 from the Galashiels paid parking fund to Gala in Bloom to ensure Bank Street Gardens are kept looking their best. We owe a huge thanks to the volunteers who put in the effort to plant and maintain the area’s floral displays.

Citizens Advice Bureau

In school, the children are just looking forward to all the end of term fun and the long summer holiday ahead - with no school. June is also a time of change, eg transitioning from nursery to P1 or moving on from P7 to Secondary School. Also leaving school and moving into further education or employment.

Parents whilst worrying about how their child/children will adjust to change, may also be wondering about the extra cost.

Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has produced toolkit, which you and your child’s school may find helpful in its planning. Here is the link but it is 120 pages long https://cpag.org.uk/sites/default/ files/COSD%20TOOLKIT%202023.pdf

BC’s website will give you information about what support you may be entitled to as will Parentclub Scotland www.parentclub.scot e-mail: enquiries@centralborders.cab.casonline.org.uk website: www.galashielscab.org.uk

Free school meals, free travel, clothing grants, Scottish Child Payment and an Education Maintenance Allowance are just some of the support available. Other support my become available as the summer holidays approach. If you would like further information get in touch. We can also carry out a general benefit check to ensure you are in receipt of everything you are entiteld to.

Central Borders Citizens Advice Bureau.

111 High Street, Galashiels RD1 1RZ.

Call 01896 753889.

Monday – Thursday 10am – 4pm

MacArts - June 2023

Thursday 1st - Serial Killers And Psychopaths Night With Crime Viral.

Sunday 4th - Gary Meikle (Comedy) Sold Out.

Wenesday 7th - Bc Camplight (Music).

Friday 9th - Hamish Hawk + Alas De Liona (Music).

Thursday 15th - The Skids (Music).

Friday 16th - An Evening With Romeo From The Magic Numbers (Music).

Saturday 17th - Darren Mcgarvey: The Social Distance Between Us (Event).

Friday 23rd - The Silencers + Guests (Music).

Saturday 24th - Dressed To Kill (Tribute To Kiss).

For Tickets - www.macarts.scot 01896 756 852.

Macarts has some dates available in June for private parties – contact Kate on kate@macarts.scot for more details.

Rotary Club of Galashiels and District

Join over 1.3 million people worldwide to be part of projects that support communities locally, nationally and internationally. You can see what we do on our FaceBook page

Galashiels and District Rotary Club, via the website or by calling Club Secretary Rae Hastings 01896 752924.

In May the project is the annual charity golf competition raising funds for a project at BGH and the ongoing milk bottle tops recycling in aid of palliative care in the Scottish Borders

Contact - www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/contact.php?ClubID=83

Galashiels Church of Scotland

Old Parish & St Paul’s building – Scott Crescent TD1 3JU

St John’s building – Hawthorn Road, Langlee TD1 2JZ

Trinity building – High St TD1 1SE

We are a united congregation who want to be God glorifying and Christ exalting in our worship. The Word of God is faithfully preached and therefore we would like to invite everyone to come and listen to God speaking to us through His Word.

Sunday services are in these church buildings:

4th June 11am Old Parish & St Paul’s, 6.30pm St John’s

11th June 11am Trinity, 6.30pm St John’s

18th June 11am Old Parish& St Paul’s , 6.30pm St John’s

25th June 11am Trinity, 6.30pm St John’s

Girls Brigade

1st Galashiels Girls' Brigade meets on Mondays in St John's Church halls, Langlee.

Explorers P1-P3 6-7pm

Juniors P4-P7 6-7pm

Brigaders S1-S6 7- 8.30pm

Please contact Susan Henderson for more information about joining us: 1stgalagb@gmail.com

Girls Brigade will not be meeting from June to September.

Bible Study - House Group meets on Tuesday Mornings

Guild - Will meet again in October

Coffee Stop - Wednesdays 10am-12 in St John’s

Badminton – Wednesdays 10am-12md Old Parish &St Paul’s

Prayer Meeting – Wednesdays at 7pm in St John’s

Quingo 49 - Friday 9th June 7pm Old Parish & St Paul’s. In support of Gala Summer Breakout for local teens

For further information

Minister: Rev Graeme Glover e-mail: GGlover@churchofscotland.org.uk phone: 01896 209455, website: www.galashielschurchofscotland.org.uk

With

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Galashiels Baptist Church

Summer Youth Event: Mon 3rd - Fri 7th July, 12:30-5:30pm @ St Paul’s, Gala How do you follow an exciting day-long event for youth like our Gala Summer Break Out last year? Easy! You do it again, only this time you make it a week! So get ready for Gala Summer Break Out 2023!

Calling all P7-S6s! Let’s celebrate the first week of summer with days full of games and activities, exploring meaning and enjoying free food!

Come along for this free youth event at St Paul’s Hall. Each day will begin at 12:30pm and will include a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, great food and time for you to be able to explore some of your big questions about life.

On Thursday 6 July at 7pm there will be a Family Ceilidh. The whole week is free (donations welcome, pay what you can), sponsored and run by churches in Gala with help from a team of young people all the way from First Reformed Church Zeeland, Michigan. For those interested, it would be a big help if parents/guardians could sign up their young people online in-advance using this link https://forms.gle/868TN9bqtpsLkj2F8 or scanning the QR code on our GSBO 2023 poster, on page 10. For more information, contact Nicky at 07952 470985.

All P7 – S6 leavers welcome!

And in the meantime, a reminder that all are welcome (young and old!) to join us at Galashiels Baptist Church, Victoria Street for our regular Sunday morning service, 10:30am.

Bowden & Melrose Parish Church

Minister Rev. Rosemary Frew. 01896 822217 email RFrew@churchofscotland.org.uk

Office: 01896 823339 email bowden.melrosepc@btinternet.com

Sunday Worship

We meet for worship at 9.30am in Bowden Kirk and at 11.00am in Melrose Church. The Melrose service is livestreamed, and you can join us on our church website or Facebook page or watch the recording thereafter www.bowdenandmelrosechurch.org

A worship podcast is posted in Facebook, Instagram and our website on Saturday evenings. You can listen on 01896 808551.

Family Service and Messy Church

Messy Church is on Sunday 28 May, 3.00-5.00pm in Melrose Church and Hall. Our next Family Service is on Sunday 4 June at 10.00am in Melrose Church Hall. All welcome.

Sunday 18 June, 10.45am – Kirkin’ of the Melrosian at Melrose War Memorial and then in Melrose Parish Church.

Open Door

Come along to our weekly Open Door every Thursday, 10.00am-12noon, when Melrose Church Hall is be open for tea, coffee, company and chat. All welcome.

Bowden Community Café

This continues to meet on the third Wednesday of each month in Bowden Village Hall at 11amthe next is on 21st June 2023. All are very welcome.

Roman Catholic Parish of Our Lady & St Andrew

Galashiels - Our Lady & St Andrew’s, Stirling Street, TD1 1BY

Holy Mass : Sunday 11am, Wednesday 7.30pm, Friday and Saturday 10am,

Melrose - St Cuthbert’s, High Cross Avenue, TD6 9SQ

Holy Mass: Sunday 9.15am, Thursday 10am, Selkirk – Our Lady & St Joseph’s, High Street, TD7 4JX

Holy Mass : Saturday (Vigil) 6pm, Monday 10am

Thursday 18 May – Holy Day of Obligation – The Ascension of the Lord Holy Mass – St Margaret’s Primary School, Galashiels, 9.15am

Selkirk – Our Lady & St Joseph’s, 11am

Melrose - St Cuthbert’s 7.30pm

Parish Priest : Father Andrew Kingham

Email : parishpriest@galacatholic.org Telephone : 01896 752 328 Facebook : @borderscatholic

Check our website at www.galacatholic.org for our weekly newsletter and for up-to-date information about events.

Caddonfoot Parish Church

The Rev June Johnston preached her first service as Locum Minister at Caddonfoot Parish Church on Sunday, May 7. She has filled the vacancy after the Rev Victoria Linford left for pastures new.

Worshippers celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Communion on the holiday weekend to mark the Coronation.

The Rev Johnston, who is also Locum at St Mary of Wedale Stow, and Heriot, has filled several Locum positions and took over from the Rev Linford, who has moved to a new post with Lothian and Borders Presbytery.

The Kirk Sessions of Caddonfoot and Stow and Heriot agreed to appoint the Rev Johnston, from Walkerburn, as Locum. The next Kirk Session meeting is in the church on Thursday, June 29, at 7pm.

The ‘Preaching of the Vacancy’ service was held in Stow Church on April 30, led by Interim Moderator, the Rev Lynn Brady, and the Linking of the two Charges service was scheduled for May 28, at 10.30am in Stow and led by the Presbytery Clerk, the Rev Norman Smith. Another major change decided by the Kirk Session was that services will be held at 9.30am. instead of 9.45am on a trial basis for six months while on the fifth Sunday of each month, services will be held on a rotational basis at Caddonfoot, Stow and Heriot.

The Bible continues to be read by members of the congregation and was led off by Bill Birch with various men and women reading through the summer. Visitors should exercise care when walking through the Memorial Garden area, which has reopened after winter.

* A reminder to leave any bags for the Food Bank in the vestry. These will be delivered by Miss Frances Pringle.

* Please continue to save your disused stamps for Atholl Innes, who saves them for the Eden Valley Hospice at Brampton.

Hope Church Borders

Jesus loves His church and so do we! The word church means different things to different people. We like the original use of the Biblical word ‘ekklesia’ - a gathering of people, called for a special purpose. At Hope we like to see ourselves as a family of God’s people all on a journey with Jesus together, and we look forward to making you feel at home with us.

Sunday Gatherings - On the first Sunday each month we gather in Life Mission Groups locally across the Borders. All other Sundays we meet at 10:30am at Hope Central, Galashiels. Hope Youth, Hope Kids & Hope Babies meet during the gathering

Mid-Week Gatherings - Weekly Hope Prayer meeting - Tuesdays 10.30am online via zoom. Hope Worship & Prayer Nights - 1st Wednesday of the month, 7pm @ Hope Central, Galashiels.

Green Hope Community Drop In - Every Thursday from 10.30am - 3pm for coffee and community @ Green Hope, Plainfields, Newtown St Boswells, TD6 0RY. For more information, please email enquiries@hopechurchborders.org.uk

Hope Central Community Drop In - Every Friday from 1-4pm. Join us for coffee and community @ Hope Central, 1-3 Overhaugh Street, Galashiels, TD1 1DL. Here to listen. Here to care. Here to help! For more information, please email enquiries@hopechurchborders.org.uk

Thrive - Baby & toddler group meeting @ Hope Central, 1-3 Overhaugh Street, Galashiels, TD1 1DL every Wednesday during term time from 10.30am - 12.15pm and 1.15-3pm. Bring a snack for your little one and we’ll provide coffee and cakes for parents and carers. We’d love to see you there. Thrive is registered with Early Years Scotland. For more information, please email enquiries@hopechurchborders.org.uk

Hope Central, 1-3 Overhaugh Street, Galashiels, TD1 1DL www.hopechurchborders.org.uk

Bethel Rock Gateway Church

We are continuing as a virtual church.

Kathy has been teaching through “Revelation” and is having a recap starting tomorrow. It will be from chapters 6-16, nothing too complicated.

If you would like to join us simply send your email to douglasrenton@hotmail.co.uk

We will send you the joining reference. Every Tuesday at 6pm (7pm BST)

When we finish Revelation, I shall finish off John’s Gospel from Chapter 14.

Pastors Douglas & Kathy Renton

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