Selkirk Incorporation of

Hammermen
Clerk: Alan Heatlie, 6 Back Feus, Selkirk TD7 4LL
Tel: 01750 721524 e-mail: alan.heatlie@btinternet.com
Mr Colin Gilmour
Selkirk CARS Project Officer
By e-mail to selkirkcars@scotborders.gov.uk
SUBJECT: 3 West Port Selkirk, CARS funding
1st August 2016

Dear Colin,
I have been instructed by the above organisation to explore funding options for a property
at the rear of 3 West Port that falls within the scope of the CARS project.
Within this letter, I will outline some details regarding the work and aims of the
Incorporation of Hammermen, a brief description of the property in its current state and
finally the intended purpose of the building in its completed condition. I have clearly
highlighted each section to make it easier for you to find the element which will be most
relevant to the funding proposal.
The Incorporation of Hammermen:
The organisation received its Seal of Cause in 1681, and is the last guild of its type which
still adheres to its original membership criteria, i.e. men and women who have completed or
are undertaking an apprenticeship in a nominated trade.
Best known for its role in Selkirk Common Riding, the Hammermen also deliver significant
benefit though charitable works to the town of Selkirk and beyond. Over the last 20 years,
the incorporation had raised around 30,000 for a range of good causes including the
following:
Providing gifts for the retired at the Common Riding.
Gifting instruments and equipment especially focused on younger members to Selkirk Pipe,
Silver an Flute Bands.
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Funding the education of two third world children.

Providing an annual medal and award for technical excellence to Selkirk High School.
Contributing to youth sports in the town, by sponsoring sportswear.
Donating funds to the construction and upkeep of the Selkirk Play Park Scheme.
Funding the preservation of the Clapperton Photographic Studio & archives.
Providing a funding stream for the McMillan Cancer Care Nursing Service.
The activities of the craft also provide a steady income to many businesses in the town.
Encouraging the continuation of the Common Riding Tradition by funding free entry to events
for apprentices and sponsoring the Selkirk Young Riders Scheme.
Other activities undertaken by the organisation include providing voluntary skills and
labour for a number of worthy causes in the town some of which are listed below:
Provide the erection of stalls, staging etc. at Scotts Selkirk and other similar events.
Setting up and marking of the running track at the Common Riding Games.
Providing the technical expertise, lighting and stage crew for most of the events staged within
the Victoria Hall.
Assisting elderly residents attend events at the Common Riding
The retained Fire & Rescue Service within Selkirk is almost wholly crewed by members of the
Incorporation.
The Building:
Located at the rear of 3 West Port NGR: NT 46946
28438 Coordinates: 346946, 628438, the subject is
currently accessed through a close leading from
West Port, directly under the memorial plaque
commemorating the Marquis of Montroses stay
there on the eve of the Battle of Philiphaugh in 1645.
The plaque is inscribed with: "In a house on or near
this site James Graham Marquis of Montrose spent
the night before the battle at Philiphaugh on 13th
September 1645 - A Candidate for Immortality,
Wishart, erected by Selkirk Merchant Company" The
building is clearly seen by visitors to the town when
walking from the main car park to the town centre. The original purpose of the building is
as yet unclear, but was probably used for a combination of workplace and dwelling
purposes. The structure is clearly represented on the 1st edition 25 to 1 mile OS map of
1858 and less clearly on the 1823 Wood map. The group of buildings from 1-7 West Port are
designated as category C listed buildings and described as earlier-mid 19th century,
possibly incorporating earlier fabric, with later additions and alterations. The building
covers a footprint of around 8 meters by 3.5 meters.
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An initial brief survey has established

that the structure is stable from
foundation to wall-head, but
everything else appears to require reconstruction. There is a degree of
urgency to make the building weather
proof as a couple of bad winters could
easily make the structure less stable
and therefore less viable as a
restoration project.
Proposed Purpose of Re-constructed
Building
If successful in our funding application, an outline business case will be presented to the
membership which will emphasise the requirement for it being flexible, accessible and
multi-use in order to facilitate the maximum amount of community engagement achievable
within its limited size. Our membership will be given the opportunity to ensure the project
addresses the needs of the community as expressed by them, the people who live here. The
Incorporation will ensure the facility is managed by fair policies and practices which respect
diversity and difference.
I have listed in order of priority the draft intended purpose and outcomes of the project and
of the completed facility.
1) The Hammermen intend to ensure that apprentices are fully involved in the work to
restore the building using traditional methods and materials approved by the CARS
team. The Incorporation will appoint a client project manager during the duration of
the re-build and will maintain a register of apprentices and their input to the project.
2) A further personal development opportunity will be provided by selecting from the
younger members of the Incorporation a project manager who will come under the
supervision and mentorship of an experienced project lead.
3) The project manager will be responsible for the compilation of a project file in order to
inform and assist future potential projects; this file shall be made available as a free
on-line resource.
4) On completion, a primary purpose for the building will be to display fittingly the
historical ceremonial objects of the Selkirk Incorporation of Hammermen. This
includes the flags, sashes, ribbons and minutes of the craft. The present ad-hoc
storage arrangement for these items put them at severe material risk and their loss
would be unacceptable to the town of Selkirk.
5) To provide an interpretation centre describing not only the antiquity of the Selkirk
Hammermen, but the history of Guilds from their establishment in Europe to the
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present day. This would be open to the public in line with the opening hours of the
Halliwells House Museum and Selkirk Town Hall. Access from the main public car
park to the subject will provide an easy connection from Halliwells House to provide
a contingent link between the two attractions.
6) Given that the site has a historical link to the Battle of Philiphaugh an interpretation
depicting the life of the Marquis of Montrose would also be included.
7) The Incorporation will involve the local schools in the research and design of the
interpretation boards and displays.
8) The Hammermen are keen to improve links with the Technical Department of the
High School and the local Colleges and would offer the facility during term time as a
training/seminar room in order to encourage links between prospective trainees,
apprentices and local industry.
9) The facility would also be available to students of history of all ages and levels with
an emphasis on school age pupils with an aim order to provide them with an
alternative environment to study.
10)
To provide a meeting place for not only the Incorporation, but for any other
organisations that would feel it is an appropriate venue for their purpose. Potential
groups which have been identified include the following:
i)
A base or starting point for Walk It and Paths for All which offer weekly
health walks across the Scottish Borders,
ii)
A memories club improving the quality of life for dementia sufferers supported
by Life Changes Trust Dementia Programme,
iii)
Other Common Riding organisations.
The property benefits from its close location in relation to the main bus interchange
and central car park and offers level access with a proposed design which will meet
fully the requirements of the appropriate Equality and Discrimination Acts.
If you require any further information regarding the scope of this proposed project, please
feel free to get in touch with me at any time. Access to the property is available through
Cameron Cochrane 07780563256.

Yours sincerely
Alan J Heatlie
Alan Heatlie (Clerk)
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