Historian's race to preserve site
LOCAL historian Alan Brydon has been instrumental in protecting a site of significant archaeological importance which dates back thousands of years.
The ancient site at Midshiels, which comprises a standing stone that is reportedly 4,000 years old and an ancient burial mound, were under threat due to the renewal of power lines and poles in the area. But Alan's quick thinking has ensured the sight remains undisturbed.
Speaking to the Hawick News this week, Alan said: "Knowing the archaeological importance of the area, I had been watching the progress as poles were being erected and since the new lines and poles were running parallel to the old ones, it appeared that they would comfortably miss the enclosure.
"However, on Thursday afternoon, just before dusk, while I was walking the dog along the field, I noticed that a marker post had been planted in the middle of the enclosure.
"Alarm bells were ringing in my head, it was the next pylon to be installed and fortunately they had stopped work that day just before that point. But I realised that the next pole would be the first to be sunk the following morning."
Alan then spent a frantic night making phone calls to the Royal Commission, Historic Scotland, Councillor Stuart Marshall, Provost Zandra Elliot and several members of the Archaeological Society.
He also put a message on the windscreen of the contractor's tractor (Balfour Beattie) asking them not to start work the next day, in the message he explained the historical significance of the Midshiels sight.
Fortunately, the next morning, Alan managed to meet with the two staff members from Balfour Beattie before they started work
Alan continued: "When I approached the men they were very understanding and they assured me they wouldn't do anything until they checked with their bosses, and that nothing would be done that day at Midshiels before they left to work elsewhere.
"At around the same time I finally made contact with Rory McDonald, Scottish Borders Council's archaeological officer, and he, too, immediately made his way over to Midshiels."
Alan added: "What followed was a model for diplomacy and common sense. I put the kettle on and we all sat round the kitchen table discussing the documents, official crown photographs, survey reports etc while I pleaded the case for not disturbing the site.
"Both Mr McDonald and Charlie Dodds from ScottishPower were fully supportive and did their utmost to find a solution which was eventually reached, resulting in a repositioning of the overhead power lines.
"ScottishPower later met at the council offices in St Boswells to finalise the new arrangements. Charlie Dodds even had the decency to call me after his meeting with SBC to further assure me everything would be fine.
"Who knows what is underneath the site but it just seemed criminal to be driving poles into it. Now it will be preserved."
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Weather for Hawick
Thursday 17 May 2012
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