Sir, Your paper has recently included reports that Peebles Community Trust is interested in purchasing Standard Life’s Kingsmeadows Estate, or part of it, for public use. The obvious question is “Where would the money come from?” In this connection, your readers may be interested in the origin of Kerfield Park, Whitestone Park, the Gytes and Walkershaugh. The combined property was purchased by Peebles Town Council in 1926 for £3,630, raised substantially through public subscription.

Previously the council had rented the Whitestone Park part for playing fields, and therefore sought financial assistance from the March Riding Committee and the soccer, rugby and cricket clubs. Those bodies raised £1,976 (54% of the purchase price) by public subscription through the Whitestone Park Purchase Bazaar Fund.

This seems not to be generally known, but is recorded in the Town Council Abstract of Accounts and could, possibly, be more widely recognised as part of the town’s history. It was unearthed a little while ago during my researches, as a committee member of Peebles Civic Society, into the extent of Peebles Common Good property.

I am, etc.

Barry Teasdale Langside Drive Peebles