Description: Plans to label the town 'Hawick- 'Scotland's Heritage Capital' were top of the agenda at a recent meeting of the new Hawick Heritage Group which took place at the Border Club. Investigations into the ambitious idea are already underway. Informal approaches have already been made to Hawick Councillors for their support in promoting the idea and an early step could be to have road signs created to publicize the bold proclamation.
Heading up the Hawick Heritage Group is Scott Fobister: "This is certainly not just an idle boast. This is an exciting and bold label which is founded on Hawick's long standing and rich tradition of enthusiastic people who all have a deep knowledge of their town."
The group has already come up with various areas of heritage where they believe Hawick is particularly strong. These include
History: There are plans for a surname fact sheet to be produced with links to local experts who would act as links for visitors. A horrible history tour similar to the extremely popular ghoul tours in Edinburgh would involve walks and literature tying in with the more gruesome aspects of Hawick history and a Hawick Hall of Fame would celebrate the
lives of the many influential Hawick people who have helped shape the town.
Transport and Industry: Looking at the heritage of the Waverley Line and the textile industry (including a living industrial museum).
Sport: A sport 'Hall of Fame', the resurrection of the Hawick Ba', the creation of motorcycle brochures on Steve Hislop and Jimmie Guthrie giving biographies of both and showing maps and locations in and around Hawick associated with both. A celebration of Hawick's rugby history.
There are also plans to look at Culture and Leisure, Architecture and an ambitious idea to bring professional conferences to Hawick.
It is understood that plans to create a website are at an advanced stage, while a prototype for a sign declaring 'Hawick - Scotland's Heritage Capital' is expected to be displayed at the meeting.
New group members are welcome. |
