It wasn’t good enough for Jeremy Paxman – but it’s good enough for me.

I confess my ignorance and admit I did not know the meaning of the word pogonophobic. Apparently it means a fear of beards and I’ll take Paxman’s word for it. Because he knows about words.

If you haven’t followed me so far, I’ll explain. My face is covered in hair. It’s called a beard and it keeps me warm in the winter when it becomes extremely bushy and sometimes a bit untidy. But I like it.

Jeremy, if I may call him by his given name without incurring his wrath, took a liking to having a beard while on holiday in August. Like mine, it was grey. It wasn’t as bushy or as sprawling as mine – and because of the 63-year-old’s TV presence, it was exposed to wider audience.

My facial hair doesn’t raise much controversy – but Jeremy’s did. It became headline news. A lot of folk didn’t like it.

The veteran broadcaster bounced back and branded the BBC – yes, here’s that word again – pogonophobic. A fear of beards. And I liked his reasoning.

He declared in his usual forthright manner: “I have grown a beard for the last few summers, and suddenly wondered whether I really needed to shave it off to present Newsnight. Unless you’re lucky enough to be Uncle Albert on Only Fools and Horses, Dennis Roussos or Abu Hamza, the BBC is generally as pogonophobic as the late-lamented Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha.

“I may keep it or I may shave it off, but I think I’ll make my own decision.”

Well said, Jeremy. Beards are us, I say. Or they were. I’ve still got mine, but now you are clean shaven. You have become – dare I say it – a member of the pogonophobic regime.

Shave on you. And shave on you for your pathetic excuse for this festive trimming. A man of words such as your good self could surely have produced a better soundbite than: “If a chap can’t shave on holiday, what can he do? Beards are so 2013.”

I’ll never measure Paxman [he’s no longer a Jeremy to me now] in the same light again.

I ask you the question. What man of even meagre intelligence grows a beard at the height of blistering summer and then puts it under the razor in dismal, dank December? Not I, Mr Paxman, not I.

We both grew our beards working with the same organisation – the BBC. It was 1983 and I had some late finishes and early starts. Shaving gave way to an extra 10 minutes of kip.

In the intervening years I have had it off thrice. But I returned to being a non-pogonophobic.

I have resisted and consistently refused requests to shave for charity. I have stumped up the cash, but kept the razor at bay.

I like my beard for various reasons. I save money by not buying razor blades and reduced toilet-roll usage by not having to patch the bleeding. It keeps me warm without recourse to a balaclava.

When I play Santa Claus I don’t have to pull on a saliva-soaked chuck of cotton wool. And if I’m hungry in the middle of the night, there’s usually a morsel of mince lurking somewhere.

Kyser Summers admitted obstructing a nurse, shouting and swearing, uttering threats of violence and acting in an aggressive manner towards her on August 30.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told a previous hearing 16-year-old Summers, of Caddon Court, Innerleithen, had been taken to Borders General Hospital at 6.30am by ambulance after he had “overdosed on some sort of medication”.

He continued: “This clearly affected his behaviour. He was shouting and swearing at a nurse. His behaviour was distressing, not only to her, but to a five-year-old boy in the next cubicle who was struggling to breathe properly.

“His behaviour was causing distress to the boy’s family, but his response when this was pointed out was, ‘f**k off’. He kept saying, ‘I do not give a f**k, I will kick his head in and all’.”

The nurse warned him several times that she would call the police and when the behaviour persisted she did that.

Mr Fraser added: “He approached another member of staff and said, ‘What the f**k are you looking at’. He continued to be aggressive and abusive. It was very distressing for the staff and anyone else seeking treatment at that time.”

Sentence was deferred until February 3 for reports, including a restriction-of-liberty assessment.

‘FORGOT’ TO TURN UP FOR INTERVIEW

A GALASHIELS teenager who “forgot” to turn up for an interview with a social worker to get background reports prepared has been remanded in custody.

Ryan Scott had already been warned he would be kept behind bars if he did not co-operate.

But defence lawyer Ross Dow said the 18-year-old had been pre-occupied with organising his brother’s birthday party and had missed the appointment, despite adhering to another court order of reporting to Galashiels police station daily from Monday to Friday.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said he was remanding him in custody until January 20 to ensure the reports were available.

A previous hearing was told how Scott – involved in a violent confrontation with a 16-year-old – carried out the attack because his victim had punched a fence and lamp post.

Scott and the other male were among a group of youths who had earlier been warned by police in the Wood Street area of Galashiels on the night of July 21. When the group moved onto Penman Place, Scott lost his temper when the 16-year-old started punching the fence and a lamp post.

Tessa Bradley, prosecuting, said there was a “violent” exchange, with Scott repeatedly punching the teenager to the head and face, and continuing to do so when falling to the ground.

The victim was treated at Borders General Hospital the following day for extensive swelling and bruising to the face.

Ms Bradley said: “When interviewed by the police, the accused admitted striking him a number of times. He accepted his behaviour was excessive and he had lost his temper.”

VEHICLE VANDAL

A TWEEDBANK man caused £2,000 worth of damage to vehicles he forcibly opened and maliciously damaged after a night out drinking.

Robert McMillan, 54, of Hareshaw Bank, pleaded guilty to three charges – offences which happened in Rogers Road and Weavers Court in Selkirk on June 15.

The vehicles belonged to a tree surgery firm and the Forestry Commission.

Defence lawyer Rory Bannerman said: “He had been out drinking and did not think of the consequences. He did not appreciate how much damage he had caused.”

McMillan was ordered to pay £500 compensation and carry out 150 hours of unpaid work as part of an 18-month community payback order.

GALASHIELS DRUGS RAID

A 50-year-old man appeared in private following a drugs raid on a property in Galashiels last weekend.

Ian McKechnie is accused of producing a controlled drug and also faces two charges of drugs possession. In addition, he is alleged to have obstructed police with a warrant.

McKechnie made no plea or declaration and his case was continued for further examination. He was bailed.

KNIFE CHARGE

A HAWICK man appeared in private accused of a number of offences during a disturbance at the weekend.

James Matthew Calder – formerly of Galashiels – is charged on petition with carrying a knife, assault, assault by threats, intended theft and threatening and abusive behaviour.

The 36-year-old made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination.

Calder was released on bail by Sheriff Peter Paterson until the next court hearing on a date to be determined.

ACCUSED IS BAILED

A MAN has been bailed following a private court appearance.

Robert Leslie Knight, 27, of Edinburgh, faces charges of theft by housebreaking, threatening and abusive behaviour, and two counts of possession of controlled drugs. The offences are alleged to have been committed in the Borders.

He made no plea and the case was continued for further examination until a court date yet to be determined.

Budding entrepreneurs considering starting their own business in 2014 can access a series of free workshops in January and February at Business Gateway, Selkirk.

Business start-up workshops include: Business Planning - Monday, January 13, 9.30am to 12.30pm; Finance - Tuesday, January 21, 9.30am to 12.30pm; Marketing - Tuesday, February 4, 9.30am to 12.30pm.

To book a place at a workshop call 01835 825600.

BOWDEN

Cafe

The next community cafe will be held in the village hall at 11am on January 15.

CADDONFOOT

Church

New Year greetings were exchanged on Sunday at the morning service conducted by the Reverend Marion Dodds. The lessons were read by Christine Dorward. CY (Caddonfoot Youth) resumes next Sunday after the festive holidays. The induction of the new minister, Elspeth Harley, is on January 31 at 7pm in the linked church of Trinity in Galashiels. Anyone who wants to donate food for the induction social should contact Christine Riddell (01896 752609). Thanks go to everyone from Caddonfoot and Trinity who donated £400 to the Lavender Touch charity following the watchnight service.

Denholm

Quiz

A quiz in aid of Ruberslaw Church raised £115. The winner was Joan Hedley, Rochester, Northumberland.

earlston

Parish church

The January 12 service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods. There is a trustees’ meeting on January 14 at 7.30pm in the church hall.

Women’s group

Tonight (Thursday) at 8pm in the church hall, the speaker will be Donald McPhillamy from Earlston Orchard Town Project.

eckford

Hall show

The village hall is staging Men With Hats, a group of retired professional musicians, on February 15 at 7.30pm. Tickets from Sandra Kinnoch (01835 850324) or Annette Fraser (01835 862228).

edgerston

Games night

A family games night will be held in the village hall on January 10 (7pm) – bring and share supper. Clare (01835 840355) has more information.

Coffee mornings

Coffee mornings continue on the first Monday of each month at 10.30am.

No supper

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the village hall committee has decided that no Burns supper will be held this year, but will return in 2015.

ettrickbridge

Carpet bowls

The New Year’s Day carpet bowling tournament in Kirkhope Hall raised £143 for Radio Borders’ Cash for Kids charity.

Burns supper

The Macmillan Cancer Support Burns supper will be held on January 25 in Kirkhope Village Hall. Tickets are available from Marjory Tennant (01750 62327) or any committee member.

Lunch

On January 12 (noon-2pm), a soup and pudding lunch will be held in aid of village hall funds.

FOUNTAINHALL

WRI

Members meet in the village hall at 7.30pm on January 15 for a craft night. Competitions – knitted or sewn finger puppet and winter scene photograph. Competition results from the November meeting – small autumn arrangement – 1, I. Scott; 2, D. Wilson; teapot – 1, A. Mathison; 2, I. Scott. Last month members enjoyed a meal at the Kingsknowes Hotel and everyone received a gift from Santa’s sack. 2013 competition results – Dianne Wilson received the winner’s cup and runner-up was Agnes Mathison.

hownAM

Bingo

The village hall will host bingo and a raffle on January 17 at 6.30pm. Bring your own refreshments/nibbles.

Innerleithen

Service

The service on January 12 will be at 11.30am, followed by a light lunch in the hall.

AGM

St Ronan’s Piping Society will hold its annual general meeting on January 19 in the Vale Club at 1pm.

Race night

St Ronan’s Silver Band and Innerleithen Opera host a joint race night on February 1 in the Union Club – first race 7pm. Horses are on sale from band and opera members.

South Pacific

There will be a chance to buy tickets for Innerleithen Opera’s production of South Pacific (March 31-April 5) on February 19 in the Library Hall, Buccleuch Street, from 6.30-7.15pm, and at the society’s annual coffee morning in the Vale Club on February 22 (10am-noon). Anyone would like to become an honorary member and take advantage of preferential booking with tickets delivered to their door, contact the secretary on 01896 830577 or at secretary@idaos.org.uk.

Jedburgh

Bridge club

December 23 – 1, V. Fairbairn and M. Miller; 2, A. and R. Stewart; 3, P. Harris and M. Forsythe; 4,B. and I. Middleton.

Historical society

Chris Veitch took members on a virtual trip round 17th-century Jedburgh. Using computer technology, he followed a tour of the town conducted by Robert Waldie, of The Ramblers’ Club, in 1912 who described places of interest. The next meeting of the society takes place tonight (Thursday) at 7.30pm in the British Legion when Nancy McNicholl will give a talk entitled “Between the Walls”.

Kelso

AGM

Kelso Horticultural Society’s annual general meeting is on January 15 in the Tait Hall at 7pm.

Cricket club

The Kelso Cricket Club annual general meeting will take place on January 23 (7.30pm) in the club pavilion.

U3A

The next open meeting of the Four Border Abbeys U3A group is on January 13 at 2pm in Kelso Rugby Club. It will feature a talk from Clare Oliver on Borders General Hospital’s Margaret Kerr Unit.

Quilters

Abbey Quilters meet in Abbey Row Centre on January 14 at 7pm when Sandra Kinnoch will lead a workshop on making name badges. Members should remember their mugs. For further information, contact Sandra Kinnoch (01835 850324) or Rineke Sangster (01573 229414).

Thursday Group

Members meet today at 2pm in the Abbey Row Centre for a selection of film clips chosen by Stan Yates. Next week Duncan McCosh speaks about the Jaipur Limb charity.

Parish churches

There was a good attendance at Ednam Church last Sunday for the joint morning service. Ednam and Kelso North were busy over the Christmas period when the special collections raised £1,630 for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), based at Borders General Hospital. Kelso North was packed to the rafters with worshippers of all ages for the christingle service on Christmas Eve. Taking part in the proceedings were comedian and impersonator Rory Bremner, along with the head teacher of Broomlands Primary School, Michelle Matthews, and Gregor Forbes, a P7 pupil at Broomlands and member of Kelso North’s junior church. The church was also well filled for the watchnight service, and at Ednam on Christmas Day only a couple of pews went unoccupied for a family service. Some 60 folk descended on the Forestfield manse on January 2, following the now-annual “New Year Stagger”, to enjoy soup, crusty bread and a festive drink after a brisk walk around the town. The Men’s Group – men@kne – will be holding its Burns supper at the Forestfield manse on January 29 at 7pm – enquiries to Robert Pratt (01573 223080). The group had a curling evening at the Borders Ice Rink. The Friday film nights resume on February 7 at 7pm with a showing of “Seven Years in Tibet”, starring Brad Pitt. Others lined up include “Sunshine on Leith” and “Philomena”. This Sunday’s service at Ednam begins at 9.30am, with the Kelso North one starting at 11am. Later, at Kelso North at 7pm, Abbey Consort will give a performance of G .F. Handel’s “Messiah”.

LAUDER

Church

The kirk session is hosting a congregational consultation evening, “Time for Reflection”, in the Carfraemill Hotel on January 15 (7-9pm). The purpose of the event is to listen to the views of the congregation on a direction for the life and work of the church in Lauderdale and, in so doing, inform the nominating committee of the views of members of the church as they seek a new minister to fill the current vacancy. This is not a ticket event, but it would be helpful for catering purposes to have an indication of numbers (phone 01578 722422).

Historical society

There is an evening for members to bring and give a short talk about their memorabilia on January 15 at 7.30pm in Lauder Youth Trust Hall. Further details from Joan Stevens (01578 722559).

Melrose

AGM

Melrose in Bloom’s annual meeting is in the Lower Ormiston Room at 7.30pm on January 14.

Trimontium

Members and friends are responding to the request that they go online at www.archaeology.co.uk/vote to cast their vote for “Newstead:1911-2011”, the book published in January 2013 to celebrate the centenary of James Curle’s report of the 1905-10 excavation at Newstead. Copies are available and enquiries, without commitment, are invited at the museum or to the secretary on 01896 822651. The favourite nomination will probably be Charlotte Higgins’ “Under Another Sky” in which she went round what was Roman Britain. Arts editor for a national newspaper, she has promised to speak in Melrose.

Parish church

Amaya Elizabeth Murray and Georgia Beth O’Donnell were christened amid family and friends during the festive period. The Historical Jesus – January 9 (10am) and January 13 (7.30pm). Food bank donations welcome. The church magazine is accessible at www.bowdenandmelroseparish.org. The sum of £1,780 was raised at the Christmas Eve services for projects in Bethlehem, Malawi and under Aberlour. January 12 – services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (11am); 2.30pm, Melrose Music Society, a piano trio, including J. Bryden; January 16 – guild at 2.30pm with Dr M. Collin on “Old Melrose”; 7.30pm, “The Visit to Malawi”.

Midlem

WRI

Members enjoyed a Christmas dinner at the Glen Hotel, followed by a quiz. Competition – hand-made Christmas card – 1, Helen Pierce; 2, Edith Scott; 3, Ella Nairn. The next meeting is in the village hall on January 14 when a beetle drive will be held.

Morebattle

Play

Morebattle school put on a nativity play performed by P1 and P2 pupils in the village church in front of a large turnout of family and friends.

Cool Club

The Cool Club staged its own interpretation of the nativity play entitled Angels Int. at the church service on December 22. A large congregation also sang carols.

Quiz

A quiz night was held in the Templehall Hotel on December 28 when £244 was raised for the Morebattle Community Defibrillator Fund. The winning team was Gail Gibson, Helen Fletcher, David Lang and Jamie Wilson. Runners-up and third were Nicky Stevens, Catherine Mabon, Jock Cessford and Steven Fox, and Annie Smith, Jennifer O’Mara, Jock Minto and Michael Gallico. Booby entry – Margaret Blackmore, Fiona Black, Stuart McNulty and Jack Sibbald.

WRI

Members met last night (Wednesday) in the institute for musical entertainment with Sally-Anne Scott and Family.

Guild

The guild gathers in the institute tonight (Thursday) at 7.30pm when the DVD of the 2013 annual guild meeting will be viewed.

Oxton

WRI

The first meeting in 2014 will be held on January 15 when Marion Gilchrist gives a demonstration on tray bakes. The competition is for a savoury scone.

Services

Channelkirk 10am church services will take place in the War Memorial Hall until the end of March.

Turn to page 28

From page 27

Church

See Lauder section.

Selkirk

Antiquarian society

The society’s January 15 meeting will be held at 7.30pm in St Joseph’s Church Hall when Katy Firth presents a talk entitled “Selkirk Castle Community Archaeology Project”. Details of the society’s syllabus are available on www.selkirkshireantiquariansociety.co.uk.

Burns supper

The Incorporation of Hammermen holds its Burns supper on January 24 in the Lesser Victoria Hall. The Immortal Memory will be proposed by Alan Bryden, with Alistair Craig toasting The Lasses. John Tullie will recite Tam o’ Shanter. Tickets are available from committee members.

st boswells

WRI

At the December meeting members enjoyed a Christmas night of games and supper. Competition – Jean Blackwood and Marlyn McCall finished equal first for their Christmas hats. The next gathering is in the British Legion on January 14 (7.30pm), featuring a speaker from the Vine Trust.

STOW

On song

A series of six song-writing workshops hosted by Sound Out for 10 to 18-year-olds starts on January 12 in Stow Town Hall, from 2-3pm. For more information or to book, call 01578730749 or email info@soundout.org.uk.

Traquair

Service

The service on January 12 in Traquair Kirk will start at 10am.

yetholm

Celebration

Yetholm residents have been congratulating Tom Tokely on his BEM in the New Year Honours. There was another surprise for Tom as his family organised a surprise party for him, also attended by villagers.

New elder

The local church has a new elder – kirk treasurer Brian Kelly, of The Haven, Morebattle Road. He was ordained at a service in Linton Kirk. The congregation came from all the villages in the parish. Hospitality followed the service.

Romany Ramblers

The local walking group began the New Year with a medium outing, starting and finishing in the village. Still in a festive mood, the walkers concluded the day with a soup and sandwich lunch at the Plough Hotel.

New Year

This was brought in via the traditional manner with various parties. The Border Hotel provided musical entertainment on Hogmanay and New Year’s Day, as well as running a quiz. The College Valley Hunt met on The Green during the morning.

SENTENCE has been deferred on a Hawick man found guilty after trial of causing a disturbance at a supermarket in the town.

David Weatherhead, 36, of Queens Drive, broke a glass panel at Morrisons in December 2012 by pushing the wrong way through the automatic doors and assaulted a man by spitting on him, as well as making racist remarks to police officers.

The case recalls on January 24 when a Criminal Justice Social Work Report will be available.

BOMB THREAT ALLEGATION

A SELKIRK man has been accused of threatening to petrol bomb a neighbour’s house on New Year’s Day.

Grant Pindel denied making threats of violence as well as assaulting a male neighbour by punching him on the head.

The 34-year-old, of Bannerfield Drive, was remanded in custody until his trial date.

His co-accused – Kyle Gillie, 26, of Shawburn Road, Selkirk – pleaded not guilty to striking the man to the arm with a baton and possessing an offensive weapon. He was bailed.

Trial was fixed for February 4, with an intermediate hearing on January 20.

PLEADED NOT GUILTY

Cameron Torrie, 31, of Howgate, Hawick, has been accused of acting in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing, and repeatedly stabbing a door with a knife or similar implement and threatening to harm himself.

The offence is alleged to have happened at a house in Hamilton Road, Hawick, on December 2.

He pleaded not guilty and trial was fixed for March 13, with an intermediate hearing on February 14.

SOLDIER FACES TRIAL

A SOLDIER will stand trial accused of indecently exposing himself to four women in Hawick.

Hamish Sutherland, 21, denies exposing his genitals in a sexual manner to the women with the intention that they would see them in the town’s O’Connell Street on October 6.

Sutherland – based at Cottesmore in the English Midlands – will stand trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on May 1.

GALASHIELS MAN ACCUSED

A GALASHIELS man will stand trial in April on two charges.

John Kevan, 47, of Balmoral Place, is accused of entering the roadway at Bongate, Jedburgh, on October 22, causing traffic to take evasive action, and committing a breach of the peace. He also denies struggling violently with two police officers.

Trial was set for April 10, with an intermediate hearing on March 14.

CANNABIS TRIAL DATE

TWO women have denied drug dealing at a house in Horsemarket, Kelso.

Elisha McEwan, 19, of Horsemarket, Kelso, and 23-year-old Katie Fleming, of Oxenrig Farm Cottages, Coldstream, pleaded not guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Trial was fixed for March 13, with an intermediate hearing on February 14.

CARELESS DRIVING

A HAWICK pensioner who lost control of her vehicle and caused a head-on crash has admitted careless driving.

Christina McMaster, 78, of Linden Park, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened on the A698 Hawick-Denholm road on September 20.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said: “She was returning to her home address and on a sharp bend lost control of the vehicle and went onto the opposite carriageway.

“There was extensive damage to the vehicle. Everyone seems to have suffered a degree of whiplash.”

Her lawyer, Rory Bannerman, said: “It is a particularly poor corner.”

Sheriff Janyss Scott imposed a £300 fine as well as ordering that seven penalty points are put on McMaster’s licence.

ASSAULT CHARGE

A TV engineer has been accused of assaulting his partner at a house in Peebles on New Year’s Day.

Alexander Boydenovic, 39, appeared from custody and pleaded not guilty to seizing Rebecca Lindsay by the throat and arm, and slapping her to the face at the property in Ballantyne Place. He also denies breaking a mobile phone.

He was released to an address in Edina Place, Edinburgh, and trial was set for June 25, with an intermediate hearing at Selkirk Sheriff Court on May 18.

BACKGROUND REPORTS

A PEEBLES man who admitted striking a 13-year-old girl on the back with a backscratcher, leaving red marks, had sentence deferred for background reports.

Christopher Mulhally, 45, of George Terrace, pleaded guilty to the assault which happened on August 31. He also admitted shouting and swearing and abusive behaviour in Dalatho Crescent, Peebles, on September 2, and possession of £5 worth of cannabis in the town’s police station.

The case will recall on February 3.

TOLD TO BEHAVE HERSELF

ELIZABETH McLEAN, 33, of Cairnmount, Jedburgh, has had sentence deferred for six months for good behaviour.

She pleaded guilty to stealing make-up from Lloyds the chemist in Channel Street, Galashiels, on October 15 and later that day toiletries, household items, confectionery and perfume from nearby Home Bargains.

The items stolen totalled £41 and there was a full recovery.

The case will recall on June 23.

INTERMEDIATE HEARING

IAN COUPER, 42, of East Gordon Farm Cottage, Gordon, will stand trial on April 1 on a charge of assaulting a woman in Bridge Street, Galashiels, on December 5.

An intermediate hearing will take place on March 3.

APPEARED IN PRIVATE

A HAWICK man appeared in private on a charge of theft.

William Lauder, 47, made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further exmaination.

He was granted bail by Sheriff Peter Paterson.

DENIES BENEFITS FRAUD

A GALASHIELS woman is to stand trial on an alleged benefits fraud involving more than £25,000.

Mhairi Dobson, 41, of Broom Drive, is accused of receiving income support of £2,460.45 between November 2010 and May 24, 2011, to which she was not entitled as her husband was in employment.

She also denies receiving £20,985.30 in housing benefit and £3,065 in council tax benefit over a four-year period to which she was not entitled by failing to inform benefit officials she was married.

Trial was fixed for January 21.

STEERING CLEAR OF BAN

A TEENAGER who drove at twice the speed limit has avoided a driving ban.

Sam Anderson pleaded guilty to travelling at 62mph on October 26 in Melrose Road, Galashiels, where the speed limit is 30mph.

The 19-year-old from Stow was fined £150 and had his licence endorsed with five penalty points.

COMMUNITY PAYBACK

A teenager who admitted three offences over the space of 18 days has been given an 18-month community payback order with supervision.

Mark McCarry, 18, of Croft Street, Galashiels, pleaded guilty to stealing £150 of computer games and DVDs from Asda on September 7, challenging others to fight and uttering threats of violence in Channel Street on September 15 and stealing groceries from B&M Bargains in Stirling Street on September 25, all in Galashiels.

DANGEROUS DRIVING

A 16-year-old youth has admitted a dangerous driving charge which involved a collision with a police vehicle.

Philip McMillan, of Hareshaw Bank, Tweedbank, also pleaded guilty to having no licence and taking a vehicle away without the consent of the owner in Linglie Road, Selkirk, on August 9.

Sentence was deferred until February 3 to obtain a report from the Children’s Panel and an interim driving disqualification imposed.

FINED FOR PUNCH

A GALASHIELS man was fined £300 and ordered to pay his vicitm £100.

Anthony Edwards, 22, of Church Square, punched Ryan Thomson on the head and attempted to kick him in Channel Street, Galashiels, on October 4.

Rory Bannerman, defending, said: “He mistook something that was said by the complainer.”

THE council has responded to claims from John Lamont that it paid almost £33,000 in compensation to motorists in 2012/13 by stating it was in fact less than £7,000.

While the MSP said a Freedom of Information response revealed that £32,949 was paid to motorists, SBC said the request was for all compensation payments in the last financial year.

A council spokesman confirmed that compensation payments due to potholes and other road defects totalled £6,968.

He added: “The council takes this matter very seriously and will continue to invest in our roads network and other areas where litigation is a risk, to mitigate against claims.

“Like Mr Lamont, Scottish Borders Council would far rather that these sums of money are spent on local services but we also have to comply with legal obligations in the same way any large organisation or government is required to do.”

Mr Lamont said: “With council budgets already being stretched this is money we simply cannot afford to be giving out. Something needs to be done urgently to stop these claims from coming in. The only way we can do this is by making sure that our road network is properly supported.”

Mr Lamont added that improvements would make roads safer and also save money in the long term.

A Galashiels man who assaulted his friend just a day after being released early from prison has been ordered to serve the remaining four months of his sentence.

In addition, Rory Morrison was given another 96 days in jail for punching Kevin Wilkinson in the face during a drunken bust-up over a smashed bottle of vodka in the town’s Talisman Avenue on December 14.

Prosecutor Graham Fraser told Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday that the 26-year-old had been released from jail on December 13 and was arrested the following day. Morrison had been held in custody since then.

Mr Fraser said Mr Wilkinson was taken to Borders General Hospital and kept on observation through the night after falling to the ground.

He added: “Neighbours are being disturbed at this time of night by this kind of behaviour.”

Morrison’s solicitor, Ross Dow, said: “He had just been released from custody and got carried away.

“He has been remanded over Christmas and New Year, and is very much caught up in the revolving door at Her Majesty’s prison, Edinburgh.”

He asked for a community-based disposal as an alternative to custody.

But Sheriff Peter Paterson said he doubted whether Morrison had the ability to exist in the community without offending, given the short space of time he had been released and arrested again.

A carer who stole two bank cards from an elderly dementia-suffering couple she was looking after and withdrew £4,900 has been told to expect a prison sentence.

But on Monday Sheriff Peter Paterson delayed sending Kirsty Ritchie to jail until he finds out what arrangements have been made for her two-year-old daughter while she is behind bars.

The 28-year-old, of Gala Park Court in Galashiels, pleaded guilty to stealing the bank cards from the couple – aged 91 and 92 – and withdrawing the money over a three- month period.

The fraud came to light when the daughter and son of the elderly couple noticed unauthorised transactions of the account.

Ritchie also admitted pretending to Amazon.co.uk that she was her 91-year-old client to set up an account in the woman’s name, and was supplied goods to the value of £4,451.88.

Ritchie – who now works in a hotel – claimed an abusive former partner pressurised her to order goods using the Amazon account and steal the money, but accepted it was her responsibility.

Defending, Greg McDonnel told Selkirk Sheriff Court, pictured: “She is deeply remorseful for her behaviour. She is fully aware of the seriousness of these charges against her.”

He asked for a community-based disposal to be imposed, allowing his client to repay the money she stole.

But Sheriff Paterson said: “My inclination is to impose a custodial sentence.”

He deferred sentence for a week to find out what arrangements would be made for the child if a prison sentence was imposed.

Bullying is brutal and abysmal. It comes in many forms. It can scar for life and drive people to take their own lives. The young are particularly vulnerable and schooldays are unfortunately times when the bully is at his or her best.

Advances in technology has given the bully a new weapon. Social network sites and the mobile phone now give him or her the cowardly cloak of anonymity. The bully can be only a few feet away from their victim as they gloat in their despicability.

Cyber-bullying has been highlighted this week by Borders MSP John Lamont. Using Freedom of Information legislation, he’s uncovered the fact that 16 cases of such acts were reported in local schools since 2010 – four in primaries. And that’s only the incidents reported and recorded.

The true figure will be much greater.

Mr Lamont also discovered that, over the past three years, 233 mobile phones were confiscated from pupils in a single secondary school in the Borders. The council did not disclose the name of the school, but said it was the only one which had centrally recorded the confiscations. One can only suspect that there is a link.

There are two extremely worrying aspects here. Why are children allowed to take mobiles into the classroom? They are banned in many workplaces, so why not the classroom? And why are the statistics not fully and properly recorded?

Some of the region’s top Texel breeders put animals forward for in-lamb pedigree sales at Carlisle’s Borderway Auction Mart this month.

Around 170 ewes and gimmers from Arnold Park’s renowned Drinkstone flock at Hawick came under the hammer at Harrison and Hetherington’s year opening sale on Monday (January 6).

This Monday (January 13) animals from the Brijon Flock, run by Brian Redhead and Jonathan Watson, Bowsden Moor, Berwick and from the Tweed Flock of Neil Crighton, Loanend, Berwick are forward for sale.

The entire crop of MV accredited and vaccinated 2012 females from the Tweed Flock are going under the hammer, with the guarantee that they are in-lamb to either Langside Rolex or Teviot Rocket. The flock’s EBVs have been recorded since 2002, and last year it was in the top 10% for the breed, with the 2012 lambs third overall out of the 200 flocks monitored in the scheme.

Mr Crighton said: “These gimmers have shape, size and skins and I would have great confidence they will go on and perform for prospective buyers.”

And similarly the whole in-lamb gimmer crop from the Brijon Texel Flock, which is MV accredited and vaccinated, is up for grabs in the flock’s first reduction sale.

Mr Watson said:“We have been breeding Texels since 1999, running 140 ewes, and we felt that this was the time to sell our entire lamb gimmer crop.”

Monday’s auction is expected to attract both pedigree and commercial buyers.

Power cables supplying Rumbletonrig Farm at Greenlaw, brought down by the festive storms, were snatched by thieves. Police say the cables were worth around £8,000 and their theft delayed electricity being restored to the farm.

The cables had been left on the farm awaiting engineers to carry out repairs. Police have appealed for information.

Police Scotland have confirmed that the initial identification of animal carcasses found near Peebles on Friday as badgers was wrong.

On Tuesday it emerged that the ‘partial’ remains were in fact those of six roe deer. The animals had been skinned.

The disturbing discovery was made by a farmer on Bonnington Road last week, with Police Scotland initially stating it was six skinned badgers.

However, after the carcasses were examined by experts at the Scottish Agricultural College, their true identity was revealed this week.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman told The Southern: “The officers who responded were presented with animal remains which had no distinguishing features.

“As they were led to believe the remains were those of badgers, they forensically recovered them – carefully putting them in bags with minimal contact.

“Therefore, it was only when the experts examined the remains that it became apparent they were those of roe deer.”

Enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the creatures’ deaths are ongoing and anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to come forward immediately.

Chief Inspector Andrew Clark, the local area commander, said: “Police Scotland is committed to the full and thorough enquiry into instances of this nature. Being a rural policing area, we are aware of the significance of such finds and will continue to robustly investigate wildlife crime in the Borders”

DI Raymond Brown, who is leading the investigation, added: “An enquiry continues to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the discovery and to confirm if any criminality is involved.”

SSPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “Deer poaching and deer coursing are national wildlife crime priorities.

“They are incredibly difficult crimes to detect, but we are always encouraging people to contact ourselves and the police with as much information as possible on any activity they have either witnessed or suspect.”

‘Serious concerns’ have prompted the Care Inspectorate to issue an improvement notice on Knowesouth Care Centre, near Denholm.

The home, which provides care for up to 50 residents, has had a self-imposed restriction on new admissions since the first in a series of damning inspection reports in May 2013.

Following the most recent inspection, in November, the Care Inspectorate graded the service ‘weak’ in two areas and ‘unsatisfactory’ in the other two.

As a result of the inspection, and lack of progress following the imposition of a series of requirements after an inspection in September, an improvement notice was served last month.

A Care Inspectorate spokesman said: “We carried out an unannounced inspection of this service in November and that inspection raised serious concerns.

“As a result of our investigation the service was served with a formal improvement notice on December 6 which lays out how we require this service to improve.

“The health, safety and well-being of residents is our primary concern and unless significant improvement is made we will not hesitate to take further action.”

A further inspection will be made some time after January 13, which is the deadline for the necessary improvements to be made.

If they are not made, the Care Inspectorate will seek to remove the care home’s registration to operate.

The improvement notice centres on three areas: staffing levels, management and leadership, and personal plans.

A spokesperson for Knowesouth owners said: “St Philip’s Care is committed in providing the highest standards of care and quality to all the residents we care for.

“We accept there have  been some issues and concerns which have resulted in the Care Inspectorate issuing an improvement notice, which is regretful. 

“In conjunction with the council we have detailed action plans in place to address these issues.”

The spokesperson added that the firm was committed to ensuring that the improvement notice is met, and had already met requirements contained in the last inspection report.

The filmmakers have taken a conventional line, chronologically speaking, which gives this biopic an old-fashioned look.

The problem is politics. There was too much of it in South Africa in the 50s and 60s and not enough screen time to untangle the wrangles.

The result is Mandela Lite, bits and pieces of the great man’s rise to iconhood, from country boy to Soweto lawyer to ANC activist to Robben Island, to freedom’s gift of international adulation.

The whites are portrayed as arrogant and vicious – police, prison guards, the racist rich. Only near the end when the writing is on the wall and men like De Klerk have the courage to read it do they soften their attitude towards ‘kaffirs’, using Mandela as their Get Out Of Jail Free card, 
although, ironically, he was the one who spent half a lifetime behind bars.

The film touches the corners of the envelope without revealing what is inside.

Mandela’s colleagues in the party and in prison are sketched lightly in crayon. Winnie’s (Naomie Harris) work in the townships is glimpsed in passing.

She is arrested, tortured and flung into solitary for more than a year. Later, when her supporters are accused of tyre collar killings and a civil war between blacks appears imminent, as the country slides dangerously towards chaos, Mandela goes on television to plead for forgiveness and peace,

Idris Elba (Stringer Bell from The Wire and DCI John Luther in Luther), an East End boy with African roots, gives an honourable performance as Mandela, avoiding the polished veneer in favour of dust and grit. He is too tall and well built for the role, like Liam Neeson in Rob Roy, towering above the minions, and yet with intelligence and commitment seasons well into the wise old man of recent years.

Long Walk To Freedom is not a blackwash. It is well made, sincere and one-sided. It should prick tears from your eyes. Instead, it speaks in a soft voice.

Could this be another Bridge Over The River? Why? Same connections, same conditions, same continent.

Back in a POW camp in the jungle where British soldiers, after the fall of Singapore, are worked to death building a railway, and treated worse than street curs.

The Railway Man goes beyond the war years into that void called Peace, mentally wounded by the knowledge of what has been and yet unable to speak of it, or move forward into the protection of ordinary life.

One of the survivors who meets regularly at the Berwick-upon-Tweed servicemen’s club reveals: “We can’t live; we can’t sleep; we are an army of ghosts.”

To have suffered so cruelly for so long breaks a man’s spirit and turns memories to stone.

Eric Lomax is one of them. He marries a lady he meets on the train to Crewe. Later, he returns to the camp, which has become a tourist attraction, to confront one of the Japanese guards who tortured him.

It is a story of courage, redemption and forgiveness. And it’s true.

What might have been layered with sentiment and illustrated by scenes from former POW movies, with a weeping wife in the wings and Lomax shouting at her: “Don’t ever interfere with matters that do not concern you,” followed by a kind of apology, “I’m still at war,” avoids the traditional booby traps and comes through with an honesty that gives the film a sense of purpose far greater than any trailer or treatment might imply.

Colin Firth has come a long way since Darcy’s wet shirt in Pride & Prejudice and the toffee-nosed spoilsport from St Trinian’s. After an Oscar for The King’s Speech and a Golden Globe for A Single Man he doesn’t have to say sorry ever again, certainly not here, where his thoughtful, emotionally cauterized performance as Lomax is perfectly judged.

Also mentioned in dispatches is Nicole Kidman’s sensitive portrayal of the lady on the train, so beautifully understated.

Kwai? This matches its power and its glory, like a bookend.

No-one says, “Get thee to a champagne supper at The Ritz.” They say, “Get thee to a nunnery.” Sounds like a punishment.

Guillaume Nicloux’s film, based on Denis Diderot’s novel, extenuates the hypocrisy of the Catholic church and yet again, as in Philomena, it is the nuns who take the blame.

This is 18th-century France. The class system has strict rules of etiquette and membership. You can’t be too poor, for example, or admit to having a bastard child. No hanky in the pantry, madame. All above board, what?

Suzanne (Pauline Etienne) has that rare quality amongst young gals of Le Posh. She has attitude. When dumped in a nunnery by her awful family because they can’t afford to keep her in the manner born and, anyway, she was conceived the wrong side of the blanket (“Your birth is my only sin,” Mama confesses helpfully) although no-one is supposed to know, she doesn’t take it lying down. She takes it on her knees. And rebels. Loudly.

The film is beautifully made and perfectly played. Despite the Brits’ insistence on their superiority in the costume drama department, the French cannot be faulted when they put their minds to it. And Nicloux does.

Suzanne’s experience as a daughter of Christ, or whatever they call novice nuns, is truly shocking. It’s not only priests who indulge their sexual fantasies on choirboys, it seems. What happens when a Mother Superior gives in to her lesbian lusts? Turn away, O Lord.

The title of the film does not demand your attention. Rather, it implies sacrifice, humility and a life of religious devotion. Don’t be misled.

This has been torched by the fires of hell and scarred by the blades of passion.

A rural economic development programme for the south of Scotland was discussed between councillors and John Swinney last month.

The Scottish Government’s cabinet secretary for finance, employment and sustainable growth met members of the South of Scotland Alliance at the Heart of Hawick.

The alliance is made up of SBC and Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Enterprise and Mr Swinney.

At the meeting in Hawick new EU programmes, superfast broadband and mobile phone coverage and assisted area status were discussed, as well as a rural economic programme.

An SBC spokesman said: “There were constructive talks and significant consensus around the table, whilst recognising challenges which still need to be overcome.”

Chair of the alliance, Councillor Stuart Bell, SBC’s executive member for economic development, said: “Both local authorities will work with Scottish Enterprise through our partnership to formulate an agreed programme for rural economic development. This will be a great opportunity for the Borders.”

Mr Bell added: “Topics such as mobile phone and superfast broadband coverage are vital if the south of Scotland economy is to grow, and we welcome the chance to put our case across to the cabinet secretary.”

Dumfries and Galloway councillor Colin Smyth said: “Alongside our partners in the alliance, we have ambitious and achievable plans for boosting the economic performance of the south of Scotland.

“All we need is the high level support to allow us to activate these vital infrastructure works.”

Mr Swinney said: “The Scottish Government is committed to the delivery of higher levels of sustainable growth to build a Scotland that is stronger, wealthier and fairer. At the heart of this approach is a partnership with local government and the enterprise agencies.

“The alliance demonstrates this partnership in action and I cannot overemphasise the substantial benefits that come out of it.”

The festive period saw some of the worst storms and flooding experienced in recent years.

People across the Borders were shocked to see the impact on Jedburgh and the surrounding areas of the storms during the last few weeks.

The gale-force winds which battered the whole country caused serious disruption to travel and services across our region – and for the 5,000 or so Borders properties that lost power, it was a difficult time.

Like other parliamentarians, over the holidays I spoke to senior officials at Scottish Borders Council regarding the clear-up efforts and the role of the emergency services, volunteers and local authority officers.

I joined with others in thanking everyone for their responses. I was also heartened by the general public response to the crisis and the way people looked out for their neighbours.

Let’s hope that the rest of the winter sees substantial improvement in the weather.

The Mesothelioma Bill

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos.

It is a “long-tail” disease – symptoms may not appear until decades after exposure – but when symptoms do appear, it is often rapidly terminal.

Earlier this week the Mesothelioma Bill passed its Report Stage in the House of Commons. This will ensure that newly-diagnosed victims of mesothelioma – the aggressive and fatal cancer caused by asbestos – will receive help for the first time through a new support scheme.

The aggressive and terminal nature of this disease, coupled with the fact that we’re approaching a peak in cases in the coming years, makes it imperative that we get this legislation in place as soon as possible.

The funding package will award more than £350million over 10 years to around 3,000 mesothelioma victims across the UK who have been prevented from claiming compensation because they cannot trace a liable employer or an employers’ liability insurer.

This Bill shows that we live in a compassionate and caring society.

I hope that the Government continues to do everything it can to ensure that nobody is exposed to asbestos today or in the future.

Borders growers are invited to workshop on soils and creating resilience in arable land at Lauder on Tuesday (January 14).

The day-long event for farmers has been organised by arable specialists HGCA and SRUC, Scotland’s Rural College, at The Lodge, Carfraemill and starts at 9.30am.

Organisers say the importance of good soil health and structure will be the key discussion point in the first of a series of three such events in Scotland, but there will also be advice and analysis on markets, varieties, disease and production.

The sessions on soil structure, biology and resilience take place in the afternoon programme of the events.

Scotland’s Rural College’s senior soil scientist, Dr Bruce Ball says the impact of the damage done to soil during the difficult 2012 season is still being understood.

He said: “Weather and disease both play their part in production and yield.

“What is less easy to evaluate and so often gets missed by growers is the effect of poor soil structure and biology on the final results.”

Dr Ball will be joined in the soil session by colleague Professor Bryan Griffiths and Dr Blair McKenzie of the James Hutton Institute.

And they will consider the necessity of understanding soil conditions, the importance of soil biology and how management practices affect soil resilience.

For those attending the event the morning programme addresses immediate market concerns such as prices and quality issues.

In his presentation on variety choices, SRUC’s leader of the crop science team, Dr Steve Hoad, will explain how SRUC recommendations take in the ability of varieties to cope with the potential challenges thrown up by the more volatile growing conditions Scotland is experiencing.

During the pre-lunch session on disease management, SRUC’s applied practice team leader, Dr Andy Evans will consider how farmers can control pests following the EU’s ban on the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments, which are harmful to bee populations.

SRUC crop protection leader, Dr Fiona Burnett will consider the management of disease risk over contrasting seasons.

The programme for Tuesday morning also sees SRUC’s senior rural business consultant, Julian Bell talk about the market position. HGCA’s senior research and KT manager Simon Oxley cover crop quality issues and SRUC’s plant pathologist, Neil Havis, will look at the biology and control of the key Scottish pathogens, Ramularia on barley and light leaf spot in rape. And HGCA’s senior research manager, Vicky Foster will speak on ‘Shaping the direction of arable research (2015-2018)’.

The event at Carfraemill will all be chaired by HGCA’s regional manager for Scotland, Gavin Dick. The other two Scottish events will be at Perth Racecourse on Wednesday January 15 and at Thainstone, Inverurie on Wednesday January 22.

For more information contact Fiona.Burnett@sruc.ac.uk (0131 535 4133) or Steve.Hoad@sruc.ac.uk (0131 535 4342) and otherwise register at www.hgca.com/events.

Conservative councillors will only support the controversial scrapping of kerbside garden waste collections if there are no alternatives.

That was the blunt message this week from the Tory group leader on Scottish Borders Council, Michelle Ballantyne.

Last month, the council agreed to include the proposals as part of its budget plan, due to be debated in February.

It wants to save £800,000 by scrapping the service, which is not mandatory and is provided only to urban households.

Currently, five Scottish local authorities have no kerbside garden waste collection service; eight have a joint food and garden collection and 19 (including SBC) have separate kerbside collections.

For its part, SBC says it will be offering free home composters and that garden waste can also be taken to community recycling centres.

Mrs Ballantyne said the move is the result of the Scottish Government forcing a statutory food waste collection on local authorities in 2016.

“And the SNP/Liberal administration [at SBC] will fund this by cancelling the non-statutory collection of garden waste,” she said.

She accused the council ruling administration of wanting the service removed quickly and without further discussion.

“Nevertheless, we are looking at what is happening elsewhere and will only support this action as part of the budget proposals in February if we are satisfied there really is no other way forward,” she said.