Club History
From the beginning of 2002, work to prepare the Harriers’ centenary exhibition began.
Soon, every spare corner in Rosi and Paulette’s houses were to fill up with boxes of wonderful old photographs, gleaming trophies, medals and memories of the good old days when the men of Gala pounded the streets and hills in white plimsolls and baggy breeks.
Interviews with seasoned former campaigners (all of whom look remarkably fit after their time with the Harriers) put names to faces and added colour to the stories, convincing us that what we could contribute to the summer exhibition programme at Old Gala House would be of significant quality and interest to reflect the glorious past, and present of our Club.
After a hectic few days of mounting and installing it, the exhibition opened on June 1st with wine and a wonderful spread provided by our multi-talented ladies’ section.
As it had gone up, there was more excitement as unexpected surprises emerged from the local community, with last minute additions such as Eric Liddell’s autograph, given to a young Harrier in 1924 when Liddell came to Gala to preach.
Over seventy Harriers, old and not-so-old came together to celebrate the richness and variety of a hundred years on the trot - to remember the good times and recall the training sessions from hell!
During the exhibition’s run, over 1,400 visitors poured over the photographs, admired the silverware, watched Colin’s video of present-day exploits and read their way through the fascinating history of a Club which has surely reserved itself a place in Border’s sporting and social history, as well as on the national and international athletic scenes.
In the Visitor’s Book, kind people commented on the expansive and well-presented information and the excellence of the visual records and research.
What meant such a lot were comments like the one from Mrs Ann Henderson of Edinburgh, visiting Gala especially for the exhibition, who said:
“Thank you for the opportunity to see something in which my grandfather was so involved, having not had the chance to meet him.”
The name Henderson has a familiar ring to those who pound the track and riverside in early September!
And the chance to meet with Sandy Walker, 90 years young, who opened the exhibition so charmingly for us and who so appreciated the whole thing, regretting only that in his day there were no women running!!
Over 80 old photographs loaned from ex-Harriers were scanned and recorded, now forming a unique archive of images.
Every item sourced was listed and catalogued - the work of the double centenary committee in 2102 will be so much easier!
- and all this, including the research and exhibition texts are to be handed over to the Old Gala Club to hold for us in posterity.
As with everything that has happened throughout this special year, thanks are due to a great many people:
- to all those Harriers who lent material and shared their stories
- to the Scottish Borders Museums Service and Old Gala Club who were so supportive
- to Graham for scanning all the photos
- to Guy and Maureen at Northumbria University who printed the text panels (real cost ми£3000) in exchange for a couple of bottles of wine
- to Colin and Janice for the costumes and video
- to Neil, former President for all his help
- and of course to everyone who supported the exhibition during June and July.
Rosi and Paulette