Fountain restoration dream faces silt removal challenge

Experts believe about 150 tonnes of silt will need to be removed before a town centre fountain in the Borders can start flowing again.

A condition survey of the historic Cornmill Fountain in Galashiels has been conducted by specialist architects

In order to function, the category-B listed structure and its pumping system relies on a former mill lade for its supply of water.

However, the 2.4 miles (3.8km) man-made channel has been blocked for several decades.

Ian Dalgleish, who chairs community group Energise Galashiels, said: "An important part of this restoration project is to have the original water supply reaching the pump, but over the years this has become blocked and needs to be cleared."

The figure-of-eight fountain was designed by celebrated architect Sir Robert Lorimer in 1912 to fill a gap site left by the demolition of the town's corn mill two years earlier.

The ornate stone designs and functioning fountain heads were completed the following year.

Throughout most of the 20th Century it acted as pleasant centrepiece for the expanding town.

Ian added: "Several ideas of what to do with the space were considered after the corn mill was demolished.

"It was Robert Lorimer who said it should be a water feature as water had played such a vital role in the development of Galashiels."

The mill lade was constructed in the late 1770s by the Galashiels Manufacturers' Corporation to help power the growing number of textiles mills.

The channel stretches for almost the entire length of the modern town, diverting water from the river near Wheatlands Road and rejoining the Gala Water at Netherdale.

Water gradually stopped flowing through the lade due to silt build-up at several culverts.

Alastair Lings from the Gala Waterways Group admitted clearing the blockage would be a challenge.

He said: "The biggest problem is the top end where there is a culvert underneath the railway line that's around a foot deep in silt.

"There are two valves by the river to allow water in and they are both fully open - but the water can't get in for the silt.

"I would estimate that around 150 tonnes of silt is built up there and access won't be easy."

The Cornmill Fountain features half a dozen water spouts coming from the mouths of fish and dolphins being ridden by nymphs.

As well as numerous nautical symbols and creatures, the intricate stonework features symbolism relating to the town's heritage.

Fraser Bell from CSY Architects has recently completed an external and internal condition survey of the structures.

He said: "The condition is relatively good, with the stonework needing carefully cleaned and a few repairs made.

"Once the fountain is brought back to how it was it will transform this area.

"There is a lot of ornate stonework and lovely motifs that will become much more apparent once the work is done."

With the conditions survey of the stonework, mill lade and pump nearing completion, project bosses will begin to source funding.

Energise Galashiels manager Felicity Bristow believes the fountain restoration has already captured the town's support.

She said: "This is a project that has come from the people who walk by this fountain every day.

"For anyone who takes the time to stop and look, there is an immense amount of detail and storytelling within the stonework relating to Gala's natural history as well as its built-up heritage.

"There is a lot of desire to have it reactivated."

Fountain restorations have proved popular across Scotland in recent years as a way to boost civic pride.

A similar project in Dumfries saw its town centre fountain restored to its former glory a few years ago.

Cast-iron fountains in Paisley, Stirling and Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens have also been brought back into use.