Galashiels & District Rally this weekend

[Colinaps]

22/10/23, Volunteer Hall, Galashiels TD1 3JX

Reasonable parking on the surrounding streets or in the "retail area" just round the corner.

I'll probably be in the vicinity of the stage, with a few interesting odds and ends I don't want to take home..

73

Colin mm1aps

[SiriusHardware]

I have managed to clear the decks and will be going - I used to go without fail but in the past few years there have been some clashes which have prevented me from getting there every year.

Always a nice ride out to the Borders from here and for a relatively small rally it always punches above its weight. Once I'm there it normally provides me with a good excuse to jump on the (recently reinstated) train line from Galashiels and go up to Edinburgh for a few hours.

[murphyv310]

There will be a good turnout from both Kilmarnock and Loudoun Amateur Radio Club and AARG (Ayr) unfortunately it's highly unlikely I can attend due to other commitments. Watch out for a big orange van, from a K&LARC member holding a number of passengers. Enjoy the day.

[terry123]

I too will be attending , takes me about an hour and a bit. A very well orginised rally - looking forward to it! If you arrive a bit early as I tend to do , Next will be open across in the small shopping centre (they have a Costa coffee outlet)


Kind regards Terry

[SiriusHardware]

What's the best place for parking around the venue these days? When we were first going we just used to park somewhere in the side streets. There are two big supermarkets (Tesco / Asda) nearby, both with ample parking if you don't mind a short walk but I suspect one or both of them may have ANPR time limited parking regimes in place?

Edit: I see Colinaps did touch on this in the OP but are the supermarket car parks time restricted?

[terry123]

I'd watch any of the supermarket car parking although a Sunday, they may still be vigilant. The side streets behind the hall are normally OK , I've never had any problems parking on one of these. Couple of minutes walk away only.
Regards, Terry

[SiriusHardware]

Tesco (Galashiels) website says that parking is free for up to three hours but doesn't explain whether there are strings attached, such as having to get a parking ticket and get it 'validated' in-store. Nor do they say what will happen if you park for three hours and one minute.

We stayed in a holiday let near Galashiels for several years running recently (a treat for SWMBO's Mum, who loved to be anywhere north of the border) and I remember parking at the Tesco and ASDA without any particular precautions or observation - but then we were actually using the stores on those occasions. The problem is that if you only visit somewhere occasionally, a lot can change in that time.

As I mentioned we have historically parked in one of the side streets leading away from the venue but if we end up parked outside someone's front door in a terraced row I always feel bad about that.

[terry123]

Looking at streetview (albeit not that recently updated by google) the sign suggests that the Tesco car park enforcement is managed by a 3rd party. If you are visiting the event and will be back with-in the 3 hours then you should be alright.

Cant see that you need to get a ticket validated, but anyone planning on parking here should check all this out first. Tesco is a 3 min walk away from the event venue. May be a problem if you buy something big though, lugging it back etc!


Terry

[Colinaps]

It would be worth asking in the supermarkets if it's OK to park for longer - I've never seen a parking attendant but there's always a first time. I can't see them having a problem if you aren't right at the door. Theres a wee area next to the Council Offices in Paton Street which is adjacent to Tesco. We're always happy to help fellow sufferers with heavy things - you can bring your car to the back door to collect or fetch stuff in.
There's a free car park at the Focus Centre five minutes walk away, and it's adjacent road is usually empty. There are usually spaces in Gala Park and Lawyers' Brae which are within a hundred yards or so.

There are pay car parks, which should be free on a Sunday but they are further afield. Just google Galashiels Parking.

Just hoping the guys from the NE haven't been washed out by the wx..

Here's a wee secret: there are no traffic wardens, so unless you are positively obnoxious in your parking habits, you'll be OK.

73,

Colin.

[Colinaps]

Should have added Gala Terrace, just across the road.

C.

[SiriusHardware]

Hi Colin, I did a bit of research myself and it turns out that Tesco use a couple of 'enforcement' firms who no doubt gather the necessary information electronically, ie, with ANPR or something like that.

Not a problem for anyone who can tear themselves away from the rally in less than three hours. My chauffeur for the day tells me that is where he normally parks when I can't make it.

[Colinaps]

Bank Street, right next to the venue, should be unrestricted on a Sunday, and there's a council car-park off the High Street a few hundred yards away which should be free on Sundays. There's also a wee car-park at the end of Saint Andrew Street, but it's usually quite full - the community centre is only another hundred yards or so away.


73,

Colin.

[SiriusHardware]

My thanks to all associated with the rally today, we weren't there for too long as we had somewhere else to go on to afterwards but I had a shopping list and managed to acquire all but one item, not bad for a small venue.

[Colinaps]

Glad you enjoyed it! We suffered slightly from the after-effects of the weather further north but I don't think it worked out too badly. Here's hoping the regulars from around Aberdeenshire, Dundee and Angus are all ok.
I didn't sell much but came home with a little more cash than I arrived with and, with difficulty, resisted the Avo Mk4 valve tester on the adjacent table..

Cheers,

Colin.