Memberships for 2024 season can now be submitted via our new online form – https://galacricketclub.co.uk/2022-membership-forms/

More information on sponsorship opportunities for 2024 is available via our sponsorship brochure – https://galacricketclub.co.uk/club-sponsors-and-opportunities/

Our final Sports Dinner focus is on our MC for the evening Bruce Aitchison from Happiness is Egg Shaped and our musical entertainment, the Singing Souters – also known as Tommy and Darren Knox from Selkirk.

Anyone still thinking about attending is asked to please buy their ticket by this Saturday (30 March) to allow catering arrangements to be finalised – please contact galacricketclub@gmail.com, Scott Paterson (07834522358); Keith Irvine (07773142226) or Kenny Paterson (07913767871).

*************************************************

Bruce Aitchison hails from Stow and while a Hibs fan, rugby that has been the dominant sport in his life.

One of his early rugby achievements was captaining Gala Academy to a Scottish Schools Under 18 Final triumph over Dundee High School in 1997 by the narrowest of margins – eight points to seven. Only one other state school has claimed the cup since Gala Academy, highlighting what a remarkable feat it was for the young Braw Lads.

Bruce’s passion and commitment to all things rugby continued after he left school and he managed to play the sport across the world, from Gala and Watsonians to the wonderfully named Albany Knickbockers in New York to Kowloon in Hong Kong and Te Rapa in New Zealand.

The father of two then moved into coaching at various clubs such as Murrayfield Wanderers, Boroughmuir and Watsonians, alongside teaching in Hong Kong, secondary schools in Scotland and now as housemaster at Merchiston Castle School.

Inspired by a t-shirt presented to him by his brother, Bruce has also created the Happiness is Egg Shaped brand, which now includes a website, popular social media channel – including 36,000 Facebook followers – and podcast.

Under the brand name, Bruce writes blogs, carries out educational talks and after dinner speeches, MC roles and ‘other rugby related nonsense’ as he puts it.

Last year, he also completed his Breenge Tae The Borders challenge, to cycle 100 miles from Dundee to Galashiels and then Melrose, to raise money for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation in memory of his friend and hero, the late great Doddie Weir.

The Singing Souters – father and son duo Tommy and Darren Knox – will be our musical entertainment throughout the evening.

Tommy is a decorator to trade, having been self employed for 32 years and is married to Lynne from Galashiels.

A singer with local Selkirk folk group Gaelforce, Tommy also enjoys running with the Gala Harriers and cycling.

He recently completed a brilliant sponsored cycle ride to Italy with the Cycling Souters, helping to raise over £36,000 – and counting – for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. You can still donate at https://www.justgiving.com/team/cyclingsouters.

Darren works at the Border Physio Clinic in Gattonside, having previously lived in Glasgow for ten years.

It was in Scotland’s largest city he performed a number of gigs from pubs to weddings and functions.

He recently returned to Scotland after travelling in Australia and New Zealand for eight months, and has now returned to the Royal Burgh.

Thank you to Bruce, Tommy and Darren and, and Samantha Kinghorn, Richie Gray and Ryan Mania for taking part in our sports dinner in aid of Gala Cricket Club and Rowan Boland Memorial Trust.

Paralympian Samantha Kinghorn, Grand National winning jockey Ryan Mania and rugby & American Football coach Richie Gray will share their inspirational stories at a sporting dinner held jointly by Gala Cricket Club and the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust.

The dinner takes place in the Volunteer Hall in Galashiels on Saturday 6 April and is open to all – with tickets now available to buy.

The night will be MC’d by experienced event host and the man behind Happiness is Egg Shaped, Bruce Aitchison, with Samantha, Ryan and Richie – who all hail from the Borders – sharing their experiences in a Question & Answer format.

Music will be provided by the Singing Souters, while an auction and raffle are also expected to take place.

The event is mixed company so open to all, with full tables, half tables, couples and singles all welcome.

Tickets are priced at £50 and includes a three course meal. The dinner is a 6.30pm for 7pm start.

To buy your tickets, please contact either Scott Paterson (07834522358); Keith Irvine (07773142226) or Kenny Paterson (07913767871) or email galacricketclub@gmail.com.

Samantha is from Gordon and is a double paralympic medalist and multiple world medalist, and most recently became a TV presenter on BBC Countryfile.

Ryan Mania of Clovenfords shot to fame when he won the Grand National in 2013, who then came out of retirement in 2019 to return to the sport he loves.

Galashiels’ Richie Gray is the founder of GSI Performance and has been an elite performance skills coach for a series of rugby and NFL teams, most recently with the Philadelphia Eagles where he went viral for his role in the team’s successful Brotherly Shove play.

Donations are being sought by Gala Cricket Club for a Christmas Food Bank Collection to support families in need of some help this festive season.

The collection takes place this Saturday (16 December) from 9am to 12noon at the club’s Meigle Park Pavilion, at the top of Manse Street.

The club is looking for non-perishable food items from supporters, members and the local community. 

In addition, if anyone can provide small value Tesco or Asda vouchers, which will also be provided to families via the Galashiels Food Bank.

Another successful Rowan Boland Memorial Festival was held at Gala Cricket Club on Sunday – with over £250 raised for charity.

A total of six teams took part in the annual under 11 softball event, with Gala, Selkirk, Kelso, Penicuik and Carlton all represented.

And the trophy was shared by Kelso and Gala as both teams won all three of their matches.

A cake sale, raffle and tea and coffee were all sold on the morning, raising more than £250 for the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust.

Kenny Paterson from the club said: “Many thanks to all junior players and parents who came along on the day, as well as the various Gala parents and volunteers who helped umpire and score, prepare outfield and pitches, and run the cake, raffle and tea and coffee stall.

“The Rowan Boland Memorial Trust has been a massive supporter of club for many years, including their recent support for our juniors training kit.

As a result, we are delighted to be able to give something back to help their important work supporting young sportspeople in the Scottish Borders.”

Gala Foxes have been kitted out thanks to the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust.

The Borders charity have handed Gala Cricket Club’s junior section a cheque for £1,100.

The award allowed all juniors to receive a training t-shirt and pair of shorts.

Rowan’s Trust have been a long standing supporter of the cricket club’s junior section, and their latest support is gratefully received by the youngsters and club.

One of the junior coaches, John Purves, said: “It is a fantastic gesture by the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust.

“The club has a long association with the Trust and this latest award emphasises again their significant support for the junior section.

“Thank you again to the Trust for their generous support, as well as our other existing sponsors.”

Gala Foxes thank existing playing kit sponsors Cademuir Engineering and Caravan Fix, as well as Print X for the speedy service ordering and printing the new kit.

John Purves is also thanked for the unenviable task of collecting all the sizes and handing out the kit.

The Rowan Boland Memorial Trust supports young people across the Scottish Borders to progress in their chosen sports.

To find out more, please visit www.rowanbolandmemorialtrust.co.uk.

Photo – a number of juniors in their new training kit at Meigle Park alongside George Henry of the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust and cheque for £1,100.