Annan Bruce Statue Heritage Project

The Annan Bruce Statue Project committee having completed its task may I take this opportunity to say one final and huge thanks to the townspeople of Annan and to everyone else who gave such unstinting support to the project over the past two plus years.

Council officials and elected members are often criticised but as our project has demonstrated the support of Steve Southam (Annandale & Eskdale Area Manager), Julie Douglas (Area Administrator) and other officials was really excellent.

Likewise that shown by the Area Committee in general and our four local councillors in particular, Richard Brodie, Ian Carruthers, Sean Marshall and Ronnie Ogilvie

The Statue was formally unveiled at a very well attended ceremony in the Town Hall when we had a chance to thank our many donors.  An illuminated Book of Donors will be on display within the Museum and a commemorative plaque has now been fixed at the entrance to the Town Hall.  A copy of our accounts will be viewable on our website (brucestatueproject.org), when they have been independently examined. At the outset my committee estimated that we would need to raise some £40,000. In the event the total funds available exceeded this by some £3000. This enabled us to include some additional elements including the Commemorative Plaque, the Book of Donors and a stronger educational package for use within our Museum and our local primary schools.

As I look up at King Robert on his plinth I see our Town Hall as a finished work, enhanced by the improved lighting of the building itself and the project-funded spotlighting of the Statue.

A proper backcloth to our annual Riding of the Marches and to such special events as the forthcoming British Pipe Band Championships.  I also see Bruce the Nation Builder having completed his work. A real testament to the Sculptor, Andrew Brown and to the staff of Edinburgh's Powderhall Foundry.

This is our history and part of our Town's wonderful heritage. But as Bruce looks up our High Street he also reminds us that nation and community building is an ongoing task and that our own community with its very many active voluntary groups and organisations must always be ready for new challenges. As the town's Regeneration Masterplan starts to take shape I am sure that they are. 

Thank-you one and all.

"Safe Oot Safe In"

Janette Weild
Chairman
Annan Bruce Statue Project

Societies & Groups >> Anava Ladies Singing Group | Annan Amateur Art Club | Annan Bridge Club | Annan Bruce Statue Project | Annan Cage Bird Society | Annan & District Homing Club | Annan Initiative Quilting & Sewing Group | Annan Town Band | Annandale Churches Together | Annan Ladies' Burns Club | Annan Rotary Club | Annan Speakers Club | Annan Walking Group | Family History Society | Friends of A&E Museums | Probus | Royal Burgh Pipe Band | Solway Argentine Tango Society | The Solway Burns Club