| Admin History | Gala Mill was built by Robert Sanderson in 1826. In 1832 he entered into partnership with his brother, Alexander, as Woollen Manufacturers, specialising in the production of cloth for men's wear. From 1868, Robert's three sons, William Alexander, Robert Junior and James, were running the business. James married, but produced no children, so the business passed to the children of a sister, Margaret, who had married Henry Hayward, Manufacturer in Trowbridge; John Sanderson Hayward, born 1871, Robert Sanderson Hayward, born 1872, and Isa Margaret Hayward, born in 1872. The two boys were brought to Galashiels, received most of their education there, and around 1890, both were at work in the Mill.
In 1894, William Alexander Sanderson retired and Thomas Hewat, Mill Manager, was taken into partnership. The other directors at this time were Robert and James Sanderson and John S. Hayward. John's brother, Robert S. Hayward, was made a partner shortly after. Following the deaths of Robert and James Sanderson in 1915 and 1927 respectively, the business was carried on by the Hayward brothers. John Hayward died in 1943, and on Robert's retirement in 1953, he sold his interest to a private company, R & A Sanderson and Company Limited, whose first Directors were Robert Kemp, Chartered Accountant, Glasgow and J.D. Wheelans, Solicitor, Galashiels. W.E. Bryce was co-opted and appointed managing director. Owing to adverse trading conditions, the company went into voluntary liquidation in November 1957, closing down the production of 14 carding sets and 96 looms.
The Sandersons and Haywards played a major part in the town of Galashiels. All were Deacons of the Manufacturers' Corporation at various times and John S. Hayward was Provost of Galashiels 1926-1934. On the death of Robert Sanderson in 1915, the family established the Sanderson Hospital in his memory. In 1927, James Sanderson bequeathed an estate and bequest for the establishment of the Lucy Sanderson Cottage Homes. This legacy was enhanced in 1949, when Isa M. Hayward - a distinguished botanist - left the residue of her estate to provide additional Cottage Homes, which were built by converting hospital premises. In 1946, Robert S. Hayward gifted 35 acres of ground at Netherdale to the town for recreational purposes. The R. S. Hayward Charitable Trust was established on his retiral, the income of which was to be applied to a wide range of charitable purposes for Galashiels people and organisations. On his death in 1963, he bequeathed the whole of the residue of his estate to this Trust. |