Anything is possible if you have a shed, it’s said. And after a few months of hard work and drinking tea, it’s about to happen for a Galashiels group.

The Men’s Shed movement has come a long way from its beginnings in Australia 12 years ago.

Social gatherings for men are fairly limited in the Borders, other than a visit to the pub. And your local landlord may not be too keen on punters turning up with power tools.

The need was there for men to get together, relax over a hot beverage, share skills and knowledge of a broad range of subjects, and perhaps get the sense of achievement that comes from helping people and being a part of the community.

So in November, Gordon Elliot, health improvement specialist with the Healthy Living Network, based in Langlee Community Centre, got together with Nigel Sargent, development officer with the Volunteer Centre Borders, and together, they pulled in a number of interested fellows who had seen an article on the subject in The Southern.

Mr Sargent told us: “ We have met every week since November and we have been on a fact-finding trip to a similar facility at Macmerry in East Lothian, and were very impressed.”

And now, the group is on the verge of finalising their own premises, local businesses such as B&Q are willing to donate wood for their first project – building planters for the sensory garden at the centre at Langlee – and they are trying to source tools from a number of places.

Mr Sargent added: “We are almost at that breakthrough point.

“It’s good to see what we have worked towards finally come to fruition and the guys are really excited to get going with their first project.”

If anyone has any unused tools they would like to donate, or if they feel they have some skill or knowledge on any subject they would like to impart, or indeed, if they would simply like to come along and join them, they should contact Mr Sargent in the first instance on 0845 602 3921.

Despite a second consecutive increase, the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants in the Borders remained at one of lowest levels at the end of 2013.

Official figures just published show that in mid-December 1,707 people were claiming the benefit, up five from November, but still the third lowest total of the whole year.

The lowest it reached last year was 1,687, and the highest 2,282.

Despite having to make savings of almost £29million over the five years to 2019, council leaders outlined ambitious budget proposals this week.

The updated revenue plan and 10-year capital programme, which comes in at £271million, will be put before the full council next Thursday.

Although there is now no agreement between the unions and the council regarding no compulsory redundancies, chief executive Tracey Logan believes none will be necessary to achieve savings.

However, it is estimated that a net 63 full-time-equivalent posts will go in the coming financial year.

Most are expected to come from ‘natural wastage’ and removal of vacant posts, with 13 early retirements or voluntary severances also factored in.

With additional pressures of almost £34m expected over the next five years, ongoing and new ‘transformation projects’ are expected to contribute more than half of the savings to match the increase in costs.

These include a review of cultural services, which may see them run by an arms-length trust, similar to sports facilities, and the recent change to employee terms and conditions, which will save more than £3.5m by 2019.

Council leader, David Parker, said: “We are announcing our revenue proposals and a number of exciting capital projects that show our commitment to the residents of the Borders during what continues to be a challenging financial period for local authorities across the country.

“As part of our budget consultation we asked the public through our online budget simulator tool what they wanted to spend the money on. They asked for extra spending on things like schools, infrastructure and older people’s services and that’s exactly what we’re proposing.”

In addition to revenue budgets totalling more than £470m over the next five years, education will benefit with capital projects worth more than £80m over a 10-year period, although some are subject to the council finding the necessary match funding.

These projects include a major redevelopment of schools in Galashiels, which could see a new large primary school developed near the Academy site, which may incorporate a number of existing primary schools.

Although these plans are unlikely to be put forward any earlier than 2019/20, a move to create a new primary school at Langlee is expected to be put on the table within four years.

Councillor Parker told The Southern: “We are planning to spend significant amounts of money redeveloping schools in Galashiels, delivering the new school in Kelso and delivering a new primary school in Duns, and also supporting our school estate. There is some very big elements of spending going in there (capital programme), whilst we continue to protect our key frontline services.”

On balancing the budget proposals, Mr Parker said: “We have to save £28m over five years, and at the same time we are having a host of increased pressures coming from demands for certain types of services, and there is less money to deliver those service on.

“It has been a challenge, but the administration has worked very hard with our officers to try and deliver programmes that will meet the needs of the Borders’ public and try and avoid some of the more unwelcome and unpalatable decisions.”

Does your child need extra help with speaking, reading or writing? Jane Pearn M.RCSLT, M.ASLTIP, Dip. SpLD, HCPC registered, is based in Selkirk, but covers the whole of the Borders, providing a friendly, professional service.

She has more than 30 years’ experience of working with young people with speech, language and literacy difficulties. The qualified dyslexia tutor is passionate about helping everyone to achieve their potential through tailor-made programmes and consistent, regular support.

Call 07591 102 944 for a free consultation, or email go2jane@btinternet.com To find out more, visit www.go2jane.com

HCC Homecare, a care at home company with offices in Hawick and Peebles, has recently been awarded a grade 5 (very good) grading across the board by the Care Inspectorate following their recent inspection.

The inspectorate was particularly impressed with HCC’s work done in developing a more personalised approach to service delivery.

Laura Holmes, recently-appointed managing director following Marion Douglas’ retiral, was naturally delighted with the grading.

She told The Southern: “We have worked hard to achieve these standards and it is gratifying that these efforts by the care staff and management team have been recognised by the Care Inspectorate.

“In these times where there is much bad publicity in the care industry, it is reassuring to know that a local Borders company can deliver these services to such a high standard.”

HCC Homecare was awarded grade five (very good) across all the services examined during the unannounced visit – quality of care and support, quality of staffing and quality ofmanagement and leadership.

The Care Inspectorate report states: “The Hawick Care Company is a small local company which provides a consistent, conscientious care at home service In Hawick and Peebles.”

It goes on: “Service users said they were confident that the same small group of carers would deliver their care. We were told by service users that the service is reliable and any changes are immediately notified by the management team.

“The service runs a key worker system for each service user. All the service users we spoke to could easily identify their key worker. They also confirmed they understood the role and responsibilities of the worker and said they felt assured that their care was being regularly reviewed.

“The service provides high quality training opportunities on a regular basis to their care staff and to outside agencies. For example, the Hawick Care Company is registered as SVQ assessors, but also provide other training including Moving and Handling for other

providers in the area.”

The full Care Inspectorate report is available at www.careinspectorate.com or by telephoning them on 0845 600 9527.

I can hardly believe that January has almost gone and we’ve had no snow and barely a frost so far.The bulbs in the garden are all well through, the snowdrops and aconites are in bloom and the birds all think it’s spring.

Great spotted woodpeckers have been drumming like mad and several species like dunnock and great tit are in full song.

The oystercatchers are present on the river and the blue tits in my garden have been inspecting my nestbox with a view to applying for residency later on.

Why do I think all this spring fever is going to end in tears?

On the subject of nestboxes, I have just purchased one of those high tech jobs with a camera inside from Mr Aldi, so that come nesting time I can enjoy my own version of Springwatch on my TV.

I have put the box up on the wall by my front door, partly shaded by a thorny pyracantha, which should offer added protection from predators.

I tried it out in the house first to make sure it was working before putting it outside.

I won’t connect the cable until (hopefully) it becomes occupied, so that the birds will become used to it before I need to have the inconvenience of a long cable trailing through the house.

The weather last weekend was predictably atrocious for the annual Big Garden Birdwatch, organised by the RSPB.

I know lots of you will have taken part as it’s growing in popularity every year.

The idea is that you pick an hour sometime over the weekend and record the highest number of each species of bird you see in your garden during that time.

I decided to do mine between 9 and 10 on Sunday morning, as that seemed to be quite a busy time normally, as the birds feed up at first light to prepare them for the coming day’s exertions.

I hadn’t factored in the persistent deluge of rain and sleet which was constant throughout the chosen hour.

However, it was enjoyable watching all the comings and goings as they battled the elements.

There were no rarities, but that isn’t the purpose of the survey.

I logged 39 birds in total, covering 12 species, which is quite representative of the norm in my garden and will no doubt help the RSPB to draw up a picture from the thousands of similar results nationwide, of the state of the population of our common garden birds.

E-mail me at corbie@homecall.co.uk if you have any interesting wildlife observations to report or have any unusual pictures you would like to share with readers.

Monday at work was spent pulling together some extremely important dates for our editorial and photographic diary. If ever proof is needed that year follows year, it’s pulling together dates for a newspaper’s editorial and photographic diary.

Tomorrow is the last day of January, but already I am through to August.

Our year in the Borders is very much cyclical. We’ve mostly had our Burns Suppers and are moving on to the February and March season of the opera when local societies take to the stage and entertain. They do so after months of hard work and it’s all over after five or six performances. This year’s offerings provide a staggering variety – from the more traditional Patience and South Pacific to Summer Holiday and the Wizard of Oz.

There will be much enjoyment in front of the curtain – and much fun behind it.

I leave the sport diary to Fiona Scott, but of course April heralds the rugby 7s.

However, for many, April is the time when communities across the Borders appoint their chosen principals for common ridings, gatherings, festivals and civic weeks – young men and women who will hopefully be proud ambassadors for their native town or village.

Now, you would think that things that have aye been would pass of without much hassle. But each year I hear rumblings. Is it a pickin’ night or is it an appointment night or is it a declaration night.

Some, like Jedburgh are quite clear – the Jethart Callant is declared. Others are less so. For decades I reported on pickin’ nights. And then they became appointment nights.

I can only surmise, because nobody can tell me for sure, pickin’ was what you did to your nose with an index finger and was not the dignified manner in which to appoint a standard bearer, a cornet, or a lad. Langholm has it solved perfectly. They use a ballot box and publicly elect their cornet.

The pickin’ – yes I’m stickin’ with pickin’ – nights are barely over when the rideouts begin. It’s a whirlwind of a summer and our diary is brimming. It’s an extremely special important year for Hawick as they celebrate the 500th anniversary of victory at Hornshole on the outskirts of the town. It was in 1514, the year after Flodden, when Surrey’s men were still plundering and marauding. To my Hawick friends I wish a fantastic common riding – and please save some rum and milk for me.

As I filled in our diary, I took time to see what was happening elsewhere in the world. And I’m sorry, but I had to smile, in fact I had an inoffensive laugh, when I read what happened to poor Pope Francis and his birds. With the aid of two children the Pontiff released white doves – the traditional symbol of purity and peace – from a Vatican and window. Then it just all went wrong. Out of nowhere descended a seagull and a crow in a move that could have been orchestrated and practiced, to attack those birds of peace and purity. Somebody must have been on their side, because it appears they managed to escape. On a wing and a prayer, you might say.

Oh, and how do crows stick together in a flock? Obviously they use Velcrow.

A classroom at Borders College in Galashiels was turned into a French café for evening students as one of the fun, interactive ways that French is being taught. As well as the French ambience, the students also enjoyed helpings of crepes-suzette as part of the lesson.

Kath Lothian has been teaching at Borders College for six years and, as in all her lessons, the language is learned in a holistic way, with the culture and way of life forming an integral part of the lesson and being interwoven through the learning of corresponding vocabulary, grammar and phrases.

Kath commented: “A simulation of real-life scenarios in France quickly develop the learners’ skills in French in an enjoyable, relevant way. These are ideal courses for anyone who is planning to take a trip to France on holiday or on business, have a second home in France, or for anyone simply wanting to learn the culture and language.”

Students took turns to be the café owner and then the customer – practising asking and answering the questions and sampling the food at the same time. The layout of food was also used for an activity when two teams were timed to label the food with the correct French name.

Kath added: “French guest Amandine thought the idea was superb and loved being a guest. She enjoyed the atmosphere and couldn’t believe how well everyone did for beginners.”

Kath also links her lessons to the Scottish Government’s Curriculum for Excellence as they are suited to primary school teachers, who are counted amongst Kath’s students, and who are supported in developing the language to educate their pupils.

Kath’s language courses, including visual auditory and kinaesthetic methodologies, are designed to suit all learning styles and levels, and progression is catered for by the offer of tailor-made continuing classes.

Kath also lectured in German, and German classes would be run in exactly the same structure as the French classes. Classes will soon be scheduled at Duns as well as those currently running at Galashiels

For more information call Borders College on 01450 361035 or visit our www.borderscollege.ac.uk.

More Broadband Rollout

Earlier this month it was announced that Melrose, Selkirk and Galashiels will get access to fibre broadband through the next phase of the £410 million Digital Scotland scheme.

The roll-out of superfast broadband to these towns is great news and will make a real difference to local businesses and families. For too long, Borderers have missed out on investment in superfast broadband services. I am glad that as a result of EU, UK, Scottish and local government funding and investment from BT, we will begin to see vastly improved broadband in the Borders over the next few years. However, there are still many areas that have not yet got access to high speed broadband and therefore, I will continue to work to deliver more broadband coverage for people across the region.

SBHA Post Office

Earlier this week I was delighted to open the new Post Office Local facility at the Scottish Borders Housing Association head office in Selkirk. The SBHA Post Office is one of the new local-style Post Office branches, designed as a new way of operating Post Offices in convenience-type stores. That approach has been adapted to fit the wishes of local residents in Selkirk. I am confident that this new office will be warmly welcomed by residents in the area.

As local MP, I have campaigned strongly for retaining and expanding Post Office facilities. They are vital services for our local communities and I will continue to work with the Postmasters, the council and stakeholders to ensure we have an effective Post Office network throughout the Borders.

Action on Hearing Loss

Last week, alongside Liberal Democrat Borders MSP Jim Hume and other local representatives, I met with Delia Henry and her colleagues from Action on Hearing Loss Scotland, as well as John Legge from the Royal National Institute of the Blind, to be updated about the great work the two charities do to help those affected in the Borders.

The meeting was part of the Borders Local Integrated Sensory Service (BLISS) showcase event. Hearing Loss and sight impairment are major public health issues. It is imperative that governments do everything they can to break down the barriers faced by people who have hearing loss or visual impairment in accessing services, employment and education opportunities.

Burns Night

I had the pleasure of spending Burns Night with my good friend and neighbouring Lib Dem MP Sir Alan Beith on Saturday. Alnwick appears to love our Bard as strongly as elsewhere! I hope that everyone across the Borders had a wonderful night celebrating the life and poetry of Robert Burns, as well as all things Scottish.

Two held and two freed on theft charges

FOUR local people have appeared in private at Selkirk Sheriff Court charged on petition with theft by house-breaking and stealing a car in Galashiels.

Leon Murphy, 38, and Elizabeth Murphy, 30, both of Channel Street, together with Paul Crowe, 38, of Glendinning Terrace, and Danielle Omond, 24, of Lintburn Street – all Galashiels – made no plea or declaration on Monday and the case was continued for further examination of the evidence.

Crowe and Leon Murphy, who are also charged with driving without a licence and insurance, were remanded in custody.

Omond and Elizabeth Murphy were released on bail.

Accused gets conditional freedom

A MAN who denies assaulting a woman at a house in Galashiels, will stand trial on April 29.

David Cannon of Penman Place, Galashiels, appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday.

He pleaded not guilty to assaulting a woman at his home on Saturday.

Cannon also denied behaving in a threatening manner, shouting and swearing.

Thirty-five-year-old Cannon was freed on bail with a condition not to contact the woman.

Jail warning for bail breach accused

A WOMAN has appeared in court charged with breaching bail the day after it was granted.

Heather Thomson, 55, of Craw Wood, Tweedbank, appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday.

She denied that, having been given bail on Friday, she failed to comply with its conditions on Saturday by allegedly entering Broadlee Bank, Tweedbank.

Thomson was again granted bail with a condition not to enter Broadlee Bank or to contact named persons.

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre warned her: “Very unusually, I am granting you bail, but if you are back again you will find yourself in custody.”

Trial was set for April 15, with an intermediate hearing on March 17.

Man in court on glass attack

charge

IT IS being alleged that a 32-year-old man assaulted a man with a glass in Galashiels.

Steven Mitchell, of Beech Avenue, Galashiels, appeared from custody and denied striking a man with a glass at Overhaugh Street on Sunday.

He was released on bail by the sheriff at Selkirk on Monday to attend an intermediate hearing on March 17.

Trial was fixed for April 15.

A sheriff this week warned that dealers who sell hard drugs such as heroin will be locked up for lengthy periods.

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre jailed Brian Johnston for four years after he was caught with Class A heroin worth around £1,790. The prison term was cut to 39 months because Johnston pleaded guilty.

The 32-year-old of Chay Blyth Place in Hawick admitted being concerned in the supply of the drug in Duke Street and King Street, Galashiels, on December 15, 2012, and March 9 last year.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley said police spotted Johnston and former co-accused Zoe Forsyth – whose not guilty plea was accepted – in a car park.

As the police vehicle approached, Johnston appeared to try to remove something from a shopping bag, and a plastic bag containing brown powder – later confirmed as diamorphine – was found. It weighed just over 13 grams and was valued at £1,180.

Ms Bradley revealed a further bag containing 12 wraps worth £240 was recovered from Miss Forsyth and it was accepted that these also belonged to the accused.

Johnston told police he had 15 wraps of heroin hidden in a Kinder Egg at his then home in Duke Street. Police found 18 worth £360. They also found scales and mobile phones with drug-related texts.

Miss Bradley told the court: “A total of 19 grams of heroin, worth approximately £1,790, was found.”

Solicitor Ed Hulme said: “He found himself in debt to the wrong type of people and did this to fund his habit.”

Sheriff McIntyre told Johnston: “You have pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin, and a large amount. Those involved in class A drug supply must expect a substantial sentence.”

Marital issues led to assault in Hawick pub

A HAWICK man has been ordered to pay £900 compensation to a man he assaulted in a pub toilet.

Bruce Cranston, 55, of Appletreehall, was also fined £400 for the attack at the town’s Thorterdykes public house on September 28.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told that as the man walked out of the toilets Cranston punched him. The victim suffered a cut to his eye, which was glued at the local hospital.

The offence was said to have been committed against a history of marital issues between the two men.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told how the 51-year-old victim had been out socialising and visited the gents around 11.45pm. As he was leaving, Mr Fraser said Cranston all of a sudden punched him on the face.

Mr Fraser went on: “Nothing was said. There is a previous history between them involving marital issues.”

Defence solicitor Rory Bannerman conceded: “That one punch will be a costly one, and he knows it is something he should not have got involved in. He looks back on this matter with regret. They had not seen eye to eye, and when he saw him, he saw red.”

Imposing a financial penalty totalling £1,300, Sheriff Derrick McIntyre told Cranston: “There is no explanation other than a background of disagreement.”

Thief stole to eat and fuel drink habits


A SHERIFF has been told a meat thief stole because he was hungry.

Artur Maciaga told police he had no money and was “hungry, very hungry.”

The 39-year-old, formerly of Fairhurst Drive, Hawick, admitted stealing £4 worth of meat at the town’s Morrisons supermarket on September 28.

At a previous hearing, prosecutor Andrew Richardson said staff had been watching the accused as he was a known thief.

Defence solicitor Ross Dow told the court: “He was very candid with police. He said he had no money and put the beef into his rucksack. He has a drink problem and spends most of his money on that.”

Last Friday, Procurator Fiscal Graham Fraser confirmed there had been full recovery of the stolen meat.

Maciaga, who appeared from custody and planned to stay in Edinburgh on his release, was sentenced to a Community Payback Order with 18 months under supervision, and a condition he attends for alcohol counselling.

He also admitted stealing alcohol from the Co-op store in High Street, Jedburgh, on November 15, and stealing a charity box and its contents from W J Huttons, Butcher, Howegate, Hawick, on November 20.

Mr Fraser said there was no recovery of the bottle of vodka, worth about £20, but the charity box was returned.

Maciaga was sentenced to 140 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within six months.

Solicitor Mat Patrick explained: “These thefts were conducted to try to get money for drink. Since being in custody, he has had two months off alcohol, and says he wants to stay that way.”

Accused held until his trial date

AN ACCUSED has been remanded in custody until trial which will take place at Selkirk Sheriff Court on February 18.

Kevin Wilkinson, 37, of Balmoral Avenue, Galashiels, appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Friday.

Wilkinson pleaded not guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at his home the previous day.

He also denies assaulting his partner resulting in her being injured.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser opposed bail, telling the sheriff that Wilkinson had an appalling record of previous convictions.

A pre-trial hearing takes place on Monday.

Festive cuddle

request puts

ex in dock

JAMES BELL threatened a former partner on Christmas Eve and last week was sentenced to a three-month Community Payback Order with 60 hours of unpaid work.

Bell, 23, of Charles Street, Hawick, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards the woman at a house at Lanton Place, Hawick.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the couple had been in a relationship for 18 months, but broke up about a week before.

He went to the house to talk in the early hours of the morning. Mr Fraser said: “He wanted her to cuddle him, and when she declined, he began to shout and threaten to damage the property.”

The woman dialled 999, and police could hear a distressed female from outside, and the accused shouting and swearing, said Mr Fraser.

Defence solicitor Alison Marshall said the relationship was now over.

She told the court: “He says that she telephoned him and asked him to go over, which he did, and there was an argument between them, and he refused to leave.”

Sex texter ordered to appear in court


A MAN who sent a friend late night text messages saying he was aroused by a naked two-year-old girl and wanted to touch her, has had sentence deferred until Monday when he has been told to appear in person.

Lee McDowall, 25, was previously placed on the Sex Offender’s Register when he originally appeared from custody in December.

The vulnerable adult who received the messages was so concerned about the content of the messages he showed them to his support worker the following morning and police were alerted.

McDowall admitted sending offensive or obscene text messages from his home in Jura Drive, Tweedbank, on December 27/28.

At the previous hearing, defence lawyer Iain Burke said McDowall’s comments had been entirely fictional and he added that he had no intention of touching a two-year-old girl realising it was wrong and that he would be sent to prison.

Mr Burke concluded: “He was under the influence of alcohol at the time and the text conversation became more sexually oriented in nature. But it was a complete and utter fiction.”

Depute fiscal Tessa Bradley said the accused was also banned from having access to the internet without approval.

She added: “He has been diagnosed as having a low IQ and a mild learning disability.  The recipient of the message was a vulnerable adult he met while working in a voluntary gardening group at a school for people with learning difficulties.

“They were having a text conversation and during the course of this there were a number of messages about the accused being in the company of a two-year-old girl and being aroused by her.  It was only later that it emerged the child was not real.”

McDowall admitted sending the offensive messages.

Man found partner leaving


JAMIE WILKINSON awoke to find his partner was leaving him and followed her out of the house ranting and raving.

Wilkinson, 35, of Thistle Street, Galashiels, appeared from custody at Selkirk and admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at his home on Saturday.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley said there had been difficulties and the woman had gone to stay with a relative.

She returned to collect belongings and found Wilkinson asleep on a couch and tried not to disturb him as she packed. She was about to take the final box to the car when he woke.

Ms Bradley explained: “She told him the relationship was over and she had left a letter for him but he followed her out ranting and raving. She hurriedly got into the car and he punched the window.”

Solicitor Ross Dow described the offence as relatively minor in the grand scale of things. Mr Dow commented: “He wakes to find her leaving home and his pleas for her not to leave him fell on deaf ears.”

Sentence was deferred until February 24 for reports and he was freed on bail with a condition not to approach the woman.


Driving charge

denied

A KELSO man who denies 
being in charge of a van when almost five times 
the alcohol limit, had a further hearing set for February 14.

Steven Trimble, 55, of Syndenham Court, is due to stand trial on February 20.

He has previously denied being in charge of a van at Roxburgh Street, Kelso, on June 24, with a breath/
alcohol reading of 166mcgs – the legal limit being 35.

Remanded

A SHERIFF as remanded a Galashiels man in custody until he stands trial on March 4.

Dean McCallum, 22, of Whin Court, appeared from the cells at Selkirk Sheriff Court and denied behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at King Street, Galashiels, on Sunday.

He also denies challenging police to fight and threatening to harm their families.

There will be a wind turbine for every single house in Chesters if proposals for schemes at Highlee Hill and Cummings Hill get the green light.

And, according to campaigners fighting applications from reneweable energy firms, RES and Infinis, respectively, all of the turbines would be higher than 125m.

RES has lodged a scoping request in connection with its proposals to erect up to 37 turbines on a site at Highlee Hill, at Dykeraw.

An application has been lodged by Infinis for seven turbines at Cummings Hill and there are also schemes pending for nearby Windy Edge (Infinis) and Birney Knowe (Banks Group).

And there are fresh concerns that not just Chesters, but also nearby Jedburgh, will struggle to cope with the hundreds of journeys by construction vehicles every single day that will be involved if the schemes do go ahead.

And with construction programme times ranging from an estimated nine months to the 20-month programme that would be needed for Windy Edge, Philip Kerr, vice-chairman of Southdean Community Council, says it is no wonder the local community feels surrounded.

“All of these developments could be happening at the same time, and traffic from all four are planned to go through Chesters,” said Mr Kerr.

“It’s a huge effort for the community council to handle all these developments and it’s no surprise the people of Chesters feel mentally battered.”

A new development offering ground-breaking extra care and general needs housing was opened by Margaret Burgess MSP, Scotland’s Minister for Housing and Welfare, this week.

The Dovecot development is the result of a £7.89million project delivered by Eildon Housing Association in partnership with Scottish Borders Council and the Scottish Government.

It features 59 two-bedroom flats, 37 of which form the Borders’ first extra care housing facility, Dovecot Court.

Designed to enable older people to live as independently as possible in their own homes, Dovecot Court’s self-contained extra care flats each have two bedrooms, a private living room, kitchen and bathroom with wet floor shower. The homes follow dementia-friendly design principles, with care and support staff available 24 hours a day.

Twenty-two general needs flats on nearby Dovecot Road are built to ‘housing for varying needs’ standards, which allow for adaptations should tenants’ needs change.

The development is of national importance and special interest in the field of health, housing and social care.

Ms Burgess said: “This extra care housing is a significant development for the Borders which together with the adjacent general needs housing has benefitted from almost £4 million of Scottish Government funding.

“I welcome the close partnership working across both housing and social care partners which has helped to deliver this superb development.”

A DRIVER has admitted causing the death of a popular Kelso couple and is expecting a lengthy jail sentence.

Derek Peoples, 53, and his wife Avril, 51, died within an hour of each other after a head-on smash near Carfraemill, two days before Christmas in 2012.

A High Court judge was told yesterday that IT consultant James Mitchell overtook an articulated lorry in his red Hyundai i30 and collided with a silver Kia Cree being driven by Mr Peoples.

The couple were returning home to Kelso on the A697.

Mitchell and his wife Moira were returning to their home after seeing their horses in Coldstream. Mitchell, 48, from Bo’ness, admitted causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared before a High Court judge yesterday.

Defence solicitor advocate Euan Roy said Mitchell was under no illusion about what his sentence would be.

Temporary judge John Beckett QC remanded him in custody for reports.

The court was told that Mitchell had overtaken a car and then pulled in behind the lorry. He then decided to pass the lorry about a mile south of Carfraemill.

Judge Beckett was told that when police asked Mitchell at the accident scene if he was the driver who had caused the crash, he told them: “It was me, yes.”

Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC told how emergency crews had battled to save the lives of the couple who were both trapped in the wreckage. He said both had been wearing seatbelts.

He told the court: “When paramedics arrived they noted Derek Peoples was trapped within the driver’s seat. He was conscious and shouting for paramedics to help his wife Avril.”

He said Mrs Peoples was wedged between her husband and the steering wheel.

Both were freed by fire fighters, but Mrs Peoples died at the scene in an ambulance at 4.02pm and her husband at 5.05pm at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

The judge was told investigators concluded Mitchell should not have overtaken where he did because he did not have a good enough view of the opposite carriageway.

Mr Peoples was a plasterer and a keen member of Kelso Angling Association. Mrs Peoples worked as a day care assistant with the elderly. They had been married for 31 years

Sentencing is at the High Court in Glasgow on February 26.

There are concerns over a lack of parking Kelso’s Bridge Street, with some councillors of the opinion its bus stop could be scrapped.

Speaking at this month’s meeting of Kelso Community Council, local traders’ chairman Michael Ballantyne had raised concerns about the situation.

Mr Ballantyne told councillors that he had received several complaints recently from a number of traders in Bridge Street who were not happy with the idea of a taxi rank being located there.

“They feel there’s too few parking spaces as it is and this will take customers away from Bridge Street,” he said.

“Maybe it’s one for the stakeholders group,” he said, referring to the regular gathering of organisations in the town, and which this month meets tonight (Thursday).

And some councillors thought the bus stop in the street was unnecessary and could be freed up for additional car parking spaces.

Councillor Dean Weatherston said he did not see any need for the bus stop, which is sited outside the Pharlanne restaurant and delicatessen.

And Provost John Bassett also felt the Bridge Street bus stop could be done away with as a new one will soon only be 50m away.

“So I think we could lose that one [Bridge Street],” he said.

But Scottish Borders councillor Tom Weatherston added: “The Bridge Street community wants to keep a bus stop there; they want people being dropped off there.”

Speaking to The Southern this week, Mr Weatherston told us: “I think Michael [Ballantyne] said some of the traders in Bridge Street were keen to have more parking and were wondering if we need the bus stop. I personally would prefer to wait until the new gap site was finished and the bus stance was back up to the Black Swan on both Horsemarket and Woodmarket.

“You then could look at the Bridge Street bus stop and ask people if it was needed; we have had our fingers burned before trying to please one group of people and ending up upsetting others.

“I appreciate there is a lack of parking on Bridge Street, more so at the abbey end, and if the majority of shopkeepers were in agreement then I am sure it could be looked at.

“But I would be more comfortable if the main bus stop was back in its central position. Just now, if there was no bus stop on Bridge Street, it’s a long walk back for someone wanting to shop in the Bridge Street area.”

An Earlston High School teacher has been charged by police in relation to an allegation of ‘inappropriate conduct’ towards a 16-year-old female pupil.

Police Scotland confirmed the matter is now in the hands of the procurator fiscal.

In a letter sent out to parents of Earlston High School pupils last week, headteacher Michelle Strong said: “As a result of alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a senior school pupil by a member of staff at Earlston High School, a police enquiry has commenced.

“The safeguarding of children and young persons at our school is our first priority and all necessary steps have been taken to manage this situation.

“I recognise this will be concerning and I wish to reassure you that while Police Scotland are leading on this incident Earlston High School and Scottish Borders Council education department are working closely with them.”

The teacher has been suspended.

wooler

At their weekly prime stock sale on Wednesday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 1,028 hoggs and 377 ewes and rams.

Larger numbers of hoggs forward, all classes in keen demand, heavy weight’s easily sold, the sale showing a significant rise.

Leading prices per head:- Tex.x:-£92, £90.50p (2) Ewart, £90.50p Holy Island, £89.50p Low Middleton, £88 Lilburn Estates, Hedgeley Farms and Lorbottle, £87.50p Black Heddon, £87 Newstead, Ewart and Ladykirk. Suff:- £93 Kypie, £92.50p Brockley Hall, £89.50p Brandon White House, £87.50p Brockley Hall. Chev:- £89.50p, £86.50p, £85 Humbleheugh, £85 Ewart. Bel:- £87.50p (2), £83 Ladykirk. Mule:- £85, £82, £81, £80 Ewart. BF:- £68 Hedgeley Farms.

Leading prices per kilo:- Bel:- 218.8p, 212.8p Ladykirk. Tex:- 210.3p Yetlington lane, 210p Mindrum Farming Co, 208.8p Low Middleton, 208.3p Black Heddon, 207.7p Ormiston Mains, 207.5p Mindrum Farming Co, 205p Biddlestone Home Farm. Suff.x:- 208.6p Mid Edrom, 206.4p Ladykirk, 206.3p Mid Edrom. Chev:- 206.4p Ormiston Mains. Mule:- 194.9p Ormiston Mains, 191p, 189p Hedgeley Farms. BF:- 183.8p Hedgeley Farms.

A strong show of ewes, resulting in an increase in returns.

Leading prices:- Suf:- £98 Kypie. Tex:- £96.50p, £90, £80 The Hagg, £80 East Fleetham, £78 Holy Island. Sfx:- £85 Holy Island, £82 East Fleetham, £79 Pallinsburn. Chv:- £75.50p, £69.50p Humbleheugh. Mule:- £60 Chesterhill, £57.50p Brackenside, £56 Brockley Hall, £54 Holy Island. BF:- £43 Edlingham Newtown.

Rams:- Suf:- £77 Kypie, £73 Brockley Hall. Tex:- £71 Village Farm. BF:- £65 BlackMountain.

st boswells

At their weekly prime stock sale on Monday John Swan Ltd sold 99 clean cattle, 65 OTM cattle, 1,983 old season lambs and 605 ewes.

Bullocks (33) averaged 206.5p per kg and sold to 248p (-11.4p on week), heifers (66) averaged 213.3p per kg and sold to 253p (-6.1p on week) and 65 beef type OTM cattle averaged 124.3p per kg and sold to 204p (+6.4p on the week)

Old season SQQ lambs averaged 202.6p per kg (+8.2p on week) and sold to £114 and ewes averaged £53.77, and sold to £87 (+£6 on week). Heavy ewes £62.12, light ewes £43.56.

Principal prices per head: Inland Pastures £1599.60; Lurdenlaw £1595, £1587.30; Jedderfield £1497.60.

Principal prices per kg: Bee Edge 2.53 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons, 2.49, 2.38 W Taylor (Lockerbie), 2.48, 2.38 M/s Black and Sons Ltd, 2.46 Robert Wilson Butcher, Edinburgh; Inland Pastures 2.48 M/s Waters and Sons, 2.42 M/s Foley Bros.; Saughland 2.40 M/s Fitton Ltd; Wester Middleton 2.36 M/s Tulloch; Corsbie (Fullerton) M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons 2.35; Saltoun Home Farm 2.32 M/s J Gilmour and Co Ltd.

Cows per head: Marchcleugh £1440.95, £1275.75, £1251.20, £1206.15, £1022.35; Lammerview £1346.40; Inland Pastures £1206.90, £1038.45; Coxydene £1132.30; Kersknowe £1111.25, £1037.85; Old Castles £1086.75,£1002.45; Mosstower £1064.25.

Cows per kg: Lammerview 2.04; Marchcleugh 1.89, 1.87, 1.84, 1.79, 1.61; Coxydene 1.69; Huntington 1.55, 1.47; Woodhead. A 1.51; Inland Pastures 1.49, 1.41, 1.39; Old Castle 1.35(2); Low Middleton 1.33

Bulls: Birkenside £1110(1.11); Stobswood £1093.35 (1.11).

Lambs per head: Bel;- £114 Crookston, £104 Sydenham, Tex.x;- £106, £102 Huntington, £101 Crookston, £97 Wooplaw, Suff.x;- £96 Mayfield, £95 Larriston and Toxside, GF;- £95 Toxside, Chev;- £91.50 North Synton, £87.50 Gilmanscleugh, £87 Saughtree, Char;- £91 Coulston Mains, BF;- £84 Ashcraig, £81 Coulston Mains.

Lambs per kg: Bel;- 230.3, 225.6 Crookston, 221.1 Lylestane, Tex.x;- 227.5, 226.3, 225 Lower Ashtrees, 218.4 Whitchesters, Suff.x;- 206.4 Blackburn, 206.3 Wester Ulston and Threepwood, Chev;- 213.9 Whitchesters, 210 Wester Ulston, CM;- 206.4 Lylestane, BF;- 197.1 Holylee, 189.7 Peel, GF;- 196.2 Aikeyside, 192.7 Crailing Nook.

Cast ewes: Tex;- £87 Quarry Bank, £79 Wooplaw, Suff.x;- £76 Wooplaw, £73 Primside, Zwar;- £75 Garden Cott, HB;- £65 Bonjedward Mill, £63 Haltree, CM;- £65, £60 Lylestane, Bel;- £63 Faughhill, Chev;- £63 Haltree, GF;- £58 Greenknowe, £55.50, £55 Penston, Lle;- £51 Girrick, BF;- £44 Penston.

Rams: Suff;- £73 Spotmains, Tex;- £69 Wooplaw, Chev;- £67 Haltree.

border livestock

Border Livestock’s next Machinery Sale will be held at Kelso Racecourse on Friday, April 25, at 11am.

This will include a major dispersal from a local farm. Early entries are encouraged to maximise publicity.

Visit www.borderlivestock for further details or call Logan on 07971 185657, James on 07976 634669 or Brian 07721 558795.

longtown

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart PLC had forward 26 prime cattle, three young bulls, 52 over 30 month cattle, 3,099 prime hoggs and 5,961 cast ewes and rams at their weekly sale at Longtown last Thursday.

A similar show of prime cattle saw trade follow national trend with a top price of 224.5p for a Limousin heifer shown by D.J. Garthwaite and Son, Wyseby Hill Cottage.

Principal prices per kilo: Bullocks - Limousin 207.5p Low Hallburn. Heifers - Limousin 224.5p, 217.5p Wyseby Hill Cottage, 217.5p (x2) Low Hallburn, 215.5p Campingholm, 214.5p Houghton House, 213.5p Wyseby Hill Cottage, 212.5p Houghton House. Charolais 203.5p, 201.5p Sceughdyke. Saler 203.5p Sceughdyke.

Principal prices per head: Heifers - Limousin £1,211 Houghton House, £1,163 Low Hallburn, £1,158 Houghton House, £1,141 Low Hallburn, £1,137 Sceughdyke, £1,131 Wyseby Hill Cottage, £1,127 Campingholm, £1,110 Wyseby Hill Cottage. Charolais £1,221, £1,119 Sceughdyke. Saler £1,221 Sceughdyke.

A large show of 52 cast cows forward with many hill cows on offer and a shortage of big meat cows. Top price to 163.5p, 155.5p and 150.5p for Limousin cows from W.H. and D.A. Gass, Nunscleugh.

Principal prices per kilo: Limousin 163.5p, 155.5p, 150.5p, 150.5p Nunscleugh, 133.5p Morley Hill, 129.5p Catslackburn, 123.5p, 114.5p Morley Hill, 105.5p Blakelaw, 103.5p Morley Hill, 100.5p Bleatarn. British Blue 133.5p, 114.5p Morley Hill. Galloway 130.5p Grainbrow. Angus 108.5p (x2), 105.5p Sorbie. Luing 107.5p Geltsdale, 101.5p Branxholm Braes. Simmental 105.5p Branxholm Braes. Saler 100.5p Girnwood. Blue Grey 100.5p, 93.5p Catslackburn.

Principal prices per head: Limousin £1,468, £1,242, £1,096 Nunscleugh, £1,041 Morley Hill, £1,010 Catslackburn, £1,000 Nunscleugh, £759 Morley Hill, £728 Bleatarn, £704 Morley Hill. Galloway £978 Grainbrow.

A smaller show of 3,099 prime hoggs (409 lightweights) were forward to the usual ringside of buyers, numbers were short of buyers requirements due to a very sticking trade all week, especially for heavyweight lambs, resulting in a much better trade than anticipated. The overall sale average of 184.9p per kilo (SQQ 188.7p per kilo). Top was £109 per head for Texels from W.S. Robson and Co., Yatesfield with a top per kilo of 274p for Texels from Keith Farm.

A similar show of 5,961 cast ewes and rams were forward to a smaller ring of buyers, horned ewes dearer on the week with fewer numbers forward and more demand, heavy ewes and good lean selling ewes sold at recent rates.

A large show of tups resulted in an easier trade on the week.

Councillors are expected to agree to a business case being put together to look at moving all adult social care services to an arms-length organisation.

An initial report has stated that the creation of a council-run external body, and associated transfer of staff, could enable SBC to keep control over the services provided but also make savings and ensure the quality of services are maintained.

Five options were assessed, with two providing sustainability, control and savings for the council – the creation of a local authority trading company or a limited liability partnership.

These options will put before councillors at a meeting today (Thursday).

This week Tracey Logan, SBC chief executive, said: “It is a big, important move, if we go down that route.”

In her report to councillors, Elaine Torrance, programme director for health and social care integration, states: “Doing nothing is not an option.”

A consultant’s report into the various options available states that continuing with an in-house service is not viable in the medium to long term.

It adds: “The social work department have undertaken a number of reviews over the past two years to ensure greater flexibility and reduce costs.

“These have had some limited success but the scale of savings required cannot be generated using the existing delivery mechanism.

“As the Government follows its ambitions to increase the number of direct payment service users, the council will ultimately bear the cost of both running a service and paying out direct payments which service users may not be prepared to pay the high cost.

“Eventually, the need to make savings will result in a stripped-down service where quality is compromised and service user needs are unmet.”

The services to be moved into an arms-length body could include: services for the elderly, such as home care, night support and day care services; day centres for adults with learning disabilities; day centres for adults with physical disabilities, and mental health services.

The study, by Care and Health Solutions Ltd, states that a council-led external body would have a staff of around 600 and a budget of almost £17m, and would enable additional revenue to be generated and also make the services more affordable to clients.

The cost of farm theft has escalated nearly fourfold in the last three years, with £130,000 worth of livestock and machinery stolen from Borders farms last year.

Inspector John Scott told Kelso community councillors last week that the region was being “walloped” by thieves.

Figures show criminals stole £36,000 worth of livestock, quad bikes and other farm machinery and equipment in 2011. In 2012 the figure stood at £86,000 and last year it increased to £132,000 which one official put down, in part, to increased reporting of thefts by farmers.

Inspector Scott told us: “It’s not because it’s easier than other places (that the Borders gets hit), it’s such a rural area and we’ve got so many farms - and it’s big business.

“The eastern part of Berwickshire has been quite bad but generally across the Borders has had big issues at different times of the year,”

Within a week of police launching Operation RAC - a campaign to tackle housebreaking - last month, two people had been charged in connection with break-ins to rural outbuildings and the theft of motorbikes and quad bikes.

Inspector Scott continued: “Quad bikes are the modern equivalent of the horse to farmers. They’re worth £4-5,000 and every farm’s got them and there’s a saleable market: if you steal two quad bikes on a night you’re talking a lot of cash.

“A lot of machinery thefts are through the night, the stuff gets stolen before you get out of your bed.

“The most significant thing farmers can do is try to make it harder for thieves. These people are targeting more often than not quad bikes or machinery but they will steal other stuff - tools, chainsaws, anything that’s got a saleable value. And they think nothing of travelling 2-300 miles to steal.”

Livestock theft can be seasonal he said, “It usually increases in the spring and we are coming into that time in the next two or three months.”

He said an earlier police campaign on livestock theft saw officers detect over £100,000 worth of sheep stolen.

“It’s proper organised crime: you have to have a good quality outlet where you sell the sheep. And whilst ewes are in lamb they’re double their value - it’s an easier way of taking stock and selling the lambs and doubling their money.”

Anyone seeing anyone or anything suspicious should take the registration number of the vehicle and contact police on 101, he said.

New NFU Scotland Lothian and Borders chairman, Stuart McNicol said: “It is worrying that the value of thefts has risen by almost four times in the last few years.

“It is perhaps a sign of larger machinery being targeted but also that those in rural areas are starting to feel more confident about reporting crime and suspicious activity.

“The majority of the thefts are of transport machinery, and in particular quad bikes. At the end of last year we saw an increase in the thefts of quad bikes in particular. However, we have also seen incidents of fuel and livestock over the last year or two.

“The message remains clear: please be vigilant and take the adequate steps to secure your property.”