When you’re shopping online it doesn’t matter what the size of your purchase is, chances are you will find yourself drawn to read the product reviews left by previous customers.

They can help you make a more informed decision as to whether the product is right for you and how good the retailer is.

Depending on which source you look at, the increase in sales that a website can potentially see varies, but the general consensus of opinion is that including reviews on your online shop increases customer confidence and ultimately converts more sales.

Still not convinced? Take a look around at the major players in ecommerce and you’ll be hard pushed to find one that does not include gathering and displaying customer reviews. It can be easy to get yourself into a ‘catch 22’ frame of mind. How do you get reviews if you’re not getting the sales? How do you get sales if you have no reviews?

I’m not saying that you MUST have customer reviews to get sales on your ecommerce site. However, by including reviews on your product pages you are giving yourself a better chance of convincing the customer to buy from you.

Many ecommerce systems have basic customer review management already built into them. Depending on the system that you’re using, you may be able to extend its features via extra add-ons. You could also look at third-party review systems such as eKomi, or there’s TrustPilot which acts more as a community of reviewers. With these services you can include aspects of your reviews on social media, and your overall star rating can be included on Google listings.

No-one particularly likes to be criticised and there can be a great temptation not to open up your site to accepting customer reviews for fear of what comments might be left. If you are confident in the products that you sell and the customer service that you provide, then that should not be a concern.

You may also think to yourself, “Ok, I’ll open up to reviews, but I’ll remove any that aren’t positive.”

This is a bad idea. Negative reviews can actually be an opportunity to engage with your customers.

By responding to negative reviews and being seen to try to resolve issues in public, this can show how good your customer service is. You are also showing that you are open and honest and do not wish to hide anything. If a dissatisfied customer feels that their review has been deliberately omitted, they may take their comments to social media such as Twitter, which you don’t want.

Most of the time customers won’t be in a position to critique your products or services until after they have left your website. Therefore, you need a way of encouraging them to come back and leave feedback. You could look at automating this process by getting your ecommerce system to send a review request to customers a week or so after they’ve received their order.

Never be tempted to add fake reviews yourself or get others to do it for you. This practice can come back and bite you as it is likely to be illegal under consumer protection regulations, and could be subject to investigation by Trading Standards or the Office of Fair Trading.

In the end it all comes down to trust. Customers will only buy from you if they trust you. The tools are there for you to instil that in them – it’s up to you if you use them. Just ask yourself this, though – would you prefer to buy from a site with no reviews or one with plenty of customer feedback?

Andrew McEwan of The Web Workshop in Morebattle (www.thewebworkshop.net) helps businesses in the Scottish Borders and beyond with their online presence and digital marketing.

A campaigning social media page has attracted nearly 400 ‘likes’ in just a few weeks as Borderers battle to keep their garden waste collection.

Started in Jedburgh on January 4, ‘Save our garden waste collections’ opposes the council’s decision last month to discontinue its ‘green bin’ kerbside pick-up.

From April, Borders townspeople are asked to use a compost bin or take clippings to their nearest recycling centre.

Jedburgh gardeners Kenneth and Janice Fotheringham, both 75, are thinking of writing to the council in protest.

“The folk gardening are generally older and they are going to be hit by this. We are really angry about it. We use the bin all the time.”

Jedburgh community council chairman Richard Gordon said: “The community council is very annoyed: it is going to cause immense problems, not just for the elderly or those without cars.”

He is concerned about fly tippers and says compost bins will not cope.

“Sometimes you generate two or three (green) bin’s worth in one hedge trim. Is the council really expecting people to bundle stuff into bags, especially if it’s jaggy, and put it in your car, which you’re going to ruin, and spend money on fuel driving it to the nearest recycling centre? It makes no sense at all.”

He suggests the green bins lift should at least be retained for summers.

A garden designer from Kent has been appointed to oversee the next stage of development at Sir Walter Scott’s world famous Abbotsford home.

The Abbotsford Trust, which looks after Sir Walter Scott’s historic baronial former home near Melrose, this week named Pippa Coles as Gardens Development Manager.

Ms Coles, who now lives in Kelso, has a background in archeology and contemporary art, and ran her own garden design business for a number of years, undertaking full garden redesign, as well as advising on layout and planting.

Following the successful restoration of the house, the gardens are a priority area for the next stage of development in the £10million project to save Abbotsford for future generations.

The trust says Ms Coles will lead the improvement of the gardens using her horticultural expertise to emphasis the part they play within the spirit of Abbotsford.

Ms Coles explained she has a particular interest in “amplifying the sense of place and reflecting the historic importance of the site”.

The main focus of the garden team in 2014 will be food production in the walled gardens, as well as planting displays and flowers for cutting. A new feature will be all 27 heritage apple varieties from Scotland planted in the walled garden.

Trust deputy chief executive, Beverley Rutherford, said: “The gardens and estate were integral to Scott’s vision for Abbotsford, so we’re delighted to welcome Pippa to the team with her fresh ideas and expertise.”

wooler

At their weekly Prime Stock sale last Wednesday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 865 hoggs and 153 ewes and rams.

Slightly less numbers forward, all classes meeting a slight resistance resulting in easier returns.

Leading prices per head:- Chv:- £93.50p, £86.50p, £80.50p Humbleheugh. Sfx:- £85 North Lyham, £82 Newstead, North Lyham, £81 Mindrum Farming Co. Tex:- £82 West Longridge, £80 Yetlington Lane, North Lyham, South Charlton, £79.50p Springhill, Seahouses, £79 West Longridge, Mindrum Farming Co, Greystonnes. Ven:- £75 North Lyham. CHM:- £76 (2) South Charlton. Mule:- £74 Great Ryle. Zwa:- £77 Linhope Farming (Hartside), £75 Mindrum (T.P. Fairfax). Bel:- £80, £79, £78 (2), £77.50p Ladykirk. Chx:- £72 Linhope Farming (Hartside).

Leading prices per kilo:- Tex:- 205.4p Greystonnes, 200p, 198.7p Cockhall, 197.4p Yetlington Lane, 196.3p Mindrum Farming Co (D Brown). Sfx:- 200p Greystonnes, 194.9p Ladykirk, Craigshouse, 194.7p Cockhall, 192.5p Howtel. Ven:- 182.9p North Lyham. CHM:- 190p, 188.5p South Charlton. Chv:- 196.1p Great Ryle, 194.9p Biddlestone Home Farm, 193.9p Humbleheugh, 191.3p Fawdon Farms. Mule:- 180.5p Great Ryle. Bel:-197.4p, 190.2p, 185.7p Ladykirk. Chv.x:- 186.8p, 184.6p Linhope Farming Co.

Ewe numbers tighter, with similar returns achieved.

Leading prices:- Suf:- £91 Henlaw, £83 Chesterhill, £77 Eildon Cottage, £74 Chesterhill. Bel:- £83 Henlaw. Tex:- £79 Eildon Cottage, £66 (2) Henlaw, £63 Kimmerston, £61 Cockhall. BFL:- £81 Alwinton Farm. Chv:- £49.50p Fawdon Farms. Mule:- £55 Castlelaw, £53 Todrig, £52.50p Doune Brae, £52 Kimmerston, Doune Brae. BF:- £43 Clennel, £42 Linhope Farming Co. Swa:- £39 Fawdon Farms.

Rams:- Suf:- £98 Chesterhill. BFL:- £91 Clennel.

longtown

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart PLC had forward 32 prime cattle, 12 young bulls, 18 over 30 month cattle, 4,906 prime hoggs and 3,748 cast ewes and rams at their weekly sale at Longtown last Thursday.

Better quality cattle sold to a similar trade with the plainer end slightly easier. Top price to 225.5p for a Limousin heifer from W. and W. Faulder, Houghton House, Limousin bullocks to 223.5p from D.J. Garthwaite and Son, Wyseby Hill Cottage.

Bulls, all Black and Whites on offer met a firm trade selling to 171.5p from J. and P. Routledge and Son, Netherton, others to 169.5p from Messrs T. and M. Irving, Becton Hall. Top price per head to £1,287.75 also from Messrs Irving.

Cast cows met a steady trade topping at 169.5p for a Limousin shown by R.M. and P. Armstrong, Slealands.

A similar show of 4,906 prime hoggs (584 lightweights) were forward to the usual ringside of buyers, another fantastic show saw all best quality export weight hoggs dearer on the week with Blackfaces and Mules slightly easier, the overall sale average of 190p per kilo (SQQ 192.3p per kilo). Top was £108 per head for Texels from Cowcorse and Kilncroft with a top per kilo of 257p for Texels from Oakwood.

A similar show of 3,982 cast ewes and rams were forward the most noticeable difference on the week being the heavy Mule ewes which would be £8 to £10 dearer. Good selling heavy ewes short of buyers requirements with over fat ewes still hard to sell. Lightweight ewes would be very similar on the week.

Rams to £100 for Texels from Bensons Fell, £88 Hutlerburn, £84 Druchtag; Suffolk £90 Torwoodlea Mains, £84 The Haining House, £70 Commonside; Lleyn £80 Lustruther, £66 South Bowerhouses; North Country Cheviot £74 Marchbank, £68 Snowsgreen; Leicester £72 Stubsgill, £68 Collin Bank, £54 Stubsgill; Hill Cheviot £68 Hethpool, £60 Gilston, £58 Commonside and Clonrae; Dorset £66 Graystale; Blackface £62 Hethpool, £57 Hutlerburn and Chaplehope, £56 Glen House; Beltex £60

Whinneyknowe, £50 Sunnyside; Easycare £60 Marygate; Zwartbles £58 Chapel (Hebson); Swaledale £45 Chapel (Hebson).

ST BOSWELLS

At Monday’s sale of Primestock John Swan Ltd sold 86 clean cattle, 74 OTM cattle, 1,671 old season lambs and 614 ewes.

Bullocks (35) averaged 209.1p per kg and sold to246p (+2.6p on week), heifers (50) averaged 221.2p per kg and sold to 258p (+7.9p on week), one young bull sold to 150p and 74 beef type OTM cattle averaged 128.1p per kg and sold to 191p (+3.8p on the week).

Old season SQQ lambs averaged 201.4p per kg (-1.2p on week) and sold to £98 and 1,671 old season lambs and 614 ewes. Ewes averaged £52.66, and sold to £86, £107 for tups. Heavy ewes £64.93, light ewes £46.33.

Principal prices per head: Lurdenlaw £1601.75, £1598.70; Bee Edge £1548, £1509.30, £1500; Oakwood £1522.50.

Principal Pprices per kg: Bee Edge 2.58(2) M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons and M/s Black and Son, 2.56 Robert Wilson Butcher, Edin, 2.50 M/s Black and Son, 2.48 , 2.43 W Taylor (Lockerbie); Inland Pastures 2.56 M/s Black and Son; Hamildean 2.46 Robert Pringle, 2.31 Malone of Edinburgh; Ramrig 2.45 W Taylor (Lockerbie); Longnewton 2.38 Denholm Meat Supplies.

Cows per head: Corsbie (Fullerton) £1337.05, 1027.50; Nether Fala £1225.25; Mervinslaw £1193.10; Hoprigshiels £1103.40; Howden £1102; Bonjedward Mill £1100.25; Huntington £1088.70; Kingside £1053, £1027.50; Haughhead £1044; Greenknowe £1037.85.

Cows per kg: Huntington 1.91, 1.45; Marchcleugh 1.91, 1.87 (2), 1.79 (2), 1.77; Greenknowe 1.87; Corsbie (Fullerton) 1.87; Nisbet 1.87; Nether Fala 1.69 (2); Kingside 1.63; Hoprigshiels 1.63; Fowberry Moor 1.59.

Bulls: Huntington £1303.05 (1.19); Bemersyde £1259.85 (1.11); Marchcleugh £1141.65 (1.77); Fowberry Moor £1079.15 (1.13).

Hoggs per head: Tex.x;- £98 The Lee and Greenhead.R, £94 The Lee, Suff.x;- £95 The Lee, £94 St Leonards, £92 Threepwood, Bel;- £94 Hartside, £91.50 Huntington, BFL;- £88 Hartside, Chev;- £86.50 Haltree, £84.50 Saughtree, BF;- £85 Williamhope, £82 Hartside and Williamhope, GF;- £85 Hartside, £83.50 Hillhouse, CM;- £80 Stoneypath, £79.50 Hundalee, Chev.x;- £79 Burncastle, Ham;- £78 Dunslaw.

Hoggs per kg: Tex.x;- 229.4 Dunslaw, 227 Lower Ashtrees, 225.7,223.3 Dunslaw, Bel;- 216.7 Lylestane, Suff.x;- 211.8, 211.1, 210 Dunslaw, 209.4 Blackburn, GF;- 207.3 Hartside, 205.9 Dunslaw, Chev;- 205.3 Wester Ulston and Haltree, 202.6 Lylestane, Chev.x;- 201.4 Lylestane, Ham;- 201.3, 200 Dunslaw, CM;- 200 Lylestane.

Ewes - once again sharper on the week: Tex;- £86 Bow, £77 Applecross, Suff.x;- £78 Greenhead. R, £77 Sorrowlessfield.Rams: Bel;- £107 Laidlawstiel, £91 Hartside, BFL;- £83 Laidlawstiel, Chev;- £69 Brockhouse, Tex;- £65 Legerwood.

border livestock

Last Week Border Livestock Exchange sold 174 prime cattle including 42 cows, 2,019 prime lambs, 429 ewes and 184 store cattle.

Prime cattle remain steady with top prices going to Redpath Farms, Spylaw, for a Limousin Cross Heifer which sold for 396p per kg. Limousin Cross young bulls from Bowsden Moor, Berwick, sold to £1,718 per head for a 12 month old bull. Cull cows sold to £1,300 for a Limousin cow also from Bowsden Moor. Aberdeen Angus cross cows from Borewell Farm, Berwick, sold to an impressive £1,092 per head.

Prime lambs continued to firm with export weights selling to 420p per kg for a Texel cross from Primside Farm, Yetholm; Edgerston Home Farm, Jedburgh, and Crookston Farm, Heriot. Heavy weight Texel crosses sold to £110 from Middle Moor, Alnwick.

The council’s mobile library service will remain, but users could be left with a month between visits as savings of £130,000 are sought.

It is just 18 months since the service was reviewed and routes altered, but councillors last week agreed to make further changes.

Members agreed to cut the number of operational mobile library vehicles from five to three, but to retain one as a back-up.

One new vehicle will be bought to replace one of the fleet’s ageing vans, and extra staff will be available to cover holidays or periods of sickness absence under the changes.

Councillor Vicky Davidson, executive member for culture, sport, youth and communities, said: “I’m happy that we can continue to provide this very important service, even in these very difficult times.

“It will still be a quality service and it will be a more reliable service with a back-up vehicle and staff.”

Councillor Davidson added that outreach work will also be carried out to increase the number of people using the service.

She also called for some of the savings to be reinvested into the book budget for the mobile library service.

However, Glenn Rodger, director for education and lifelong learning warned: “The main impact on current service users will be around routes and delivery cycle.

“A comprehensive review of both will be required and it is likely that to retain the policy of visiting individual settlements the service would have to move from a three-weekly to a four-weekly service.”

Councillor Michelle Ballantyne welcomed the retention of the service, but warned that as a non-statutory service it needed to be kept under review, especially due to an increasing move towards e-readers.

Two of the current fleet of vehicles are just over three years old, but the other three are up to 10 years old.

It is the oldest of these vehicles that will be sold, with a replacement purchased and brought into service. The next oldest vehicle will be retained as a back-up to cover breakdowns and for use with other outreach work.

Against a fall in the number of books loaned from local libraries, the number issued through the mobile library service actually increased between 2009/10 and 2011/12.

Kevin Hawker from Olivers Transport in Eccles has been recognised for his work in the country’s top road haulage awards, being named Scottish Fleet Engineer of the Year 2014.

Kevin joined the firm in 1986, having started his working life an an apprentice mechanic with father Frank at Hawker Motors, St Boswells.

Fifteen years ago he became fleet engineer for Olivers Transport.

Banks are keen to help farmers looking to invest in small scale renewables because it makes their business more resilient.

That was the message from the Bank of Scotland’s Donald Stewart as he attended the latest monitor farm community group meeting in Peeblesshire.

The agricultural business manager told farmers at Hundleshope: “We are looking to support farm businesses that want to invest in small scale renewable energy equipment on farm.

“This will help the business become more resilient by giving it greater control over its future energy requirements and/or an additional income stream from Feed in Tariffs paid for generating power for the national grid.

“We agreed in excess of £20 million of lending for a range of renewable energy installations in 2013, including hydro electricity, wind turbines and biomass boiler installations.”

Producers Ed and Kate Rowell, who farm the 1,800 acres (729 ha) hill unit which is one of several Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) monitor farms, were hosting the meeting focusing on renewable energy sources.

SRUC’s head of renewable energy, Jim Campbell had visited the Rowells earlier and established the farm was not suitable for wind turbines (there was enough wind but in areas too far from the steading or a grid connection); to install solar panels would involve costly structural work and although the farm had a constantly flowing burn, there was not enough volume or fall to justify installing a hydro scheme. There is not enough firewood for a biomass set-up

But one of the members of the community group, Blyth Bridge farmer William Aitken, who has three 12kW wind turbines shared his experiences warning farmers to work with a turbine company they trusted and that planning permission could be ‘a significant issue’.

He advised turbines need to be sited no more than 300 - 400 metres away from grid connection, longer distances demand thicker, more expensive cable. Turbines needed to be generating power for a minimum of 20 percent of the time, he said; line space on the public power line, to enable the grid to accommodate the additional power, must be booked and paid for. Locating transformers and inverters close to a Scottish Power meter, inside a good building, is also important.

Mr Aitken buys power for about 12p per unit and receives 4p per unit for ‘exported’ power. He advised negotiating the purchase rate with the power supplier and suggested getting tax advice in relation to capital expenditure.

He recommended maximising use of farm-generated power to save money.

He said“Including the Feed in Tariff (FIT) in my calculations, which is reducing for new wind turbine installations from April 2014, I had hoped for a return on capital of between 15 to 20 percent. For the first twelve months to June 2013, it’s been around 17.5%. This should provide pay-back in approximately six years.

“However I will need to budget more than anticipated for maintenance, in particular the turbine blades.”

Borderers will get the chance to hear local politicians discuss the pros and cons of independence at a debate in Galashiels later this month.

The independence debate on Thursday, February 20, is being organised by Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce, but is aimed at the wider public, not just local business people.

Taking part in the debate will be Michael Moore MP, David Mundell MP, Joan McAlpine MSP and Paul Wheelhouse MSP. It will be chaired by the BBC’s Cameron Buttle.

The free event is being held at Borders College and audience members can turn up on the night for the 7pm start.

Jack Clark, convener of the chamber, said: “We are really looking forward to having a lively, interesting and well-attended debate.”

Audience members can submit questions when they arrive, and some questions will also be taken from the floor.

Bruce Simpson, vice-convenor, said: “The chamber is an apolitical organisation, but we have a duty to inform and act as a forum for members to help them make up their minds, especially on issues such as the independence referendum.

“We have decided to do that in the form of a debate and utilise our local MSPs and MPs, but have opened it up to the public for a much wider debate.

“There are not going to be many debates of this nature in the Borders before the referendum, so this is an opportunity for some issues to be cleared up and for us to hear what Borderers want to know and what might be concerning them.”

A disgruntled patient protested about his hospital treatment by wedging himself through the guard rails on a trolley bed and refusing to move.

Jason Lowe finally freed himself when the fire service attended with cutting equipment.

Lowe, of McLagan Drive, Hawick, was rushed by ambulance to Borders General Hospital after he complained of coughing blood while in police custody. But on a busy Saturday night in the accident and emergency ward, the 32-year-old repeatedly shouted and swore and refused to calm down.

Lowe appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court, pictured, on Monday and admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in the accident and emergency and x-ray departments on February 1/2, repeatedly shouting and swearing, tying a monitor cable round his neck, and wedging himself in a bed rail and refusing to move.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley said Lowe was in police custody at Hawick on an unrelated matter when he complained of coughing blood and told officers he was worried he had a burst ulcer – something for which he had previously been in intensive care. An ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital.

“From the outset, he was shouting and demanding attention,” explained Ms Bradley, “but initially his behaviour was attributed to his condition.”

Lowe was told the blood was not coming from his stomach and his tests were clear, but he refused to accept the diagnosis, demanding a second opinion.

“His mood deteriorated, and he was warned repeatedly about his language, but continued to shout and swear,” said Ms Bradley.

Other patients were disturbed by his outburst and he was again warned to no effect.

Lowe removed a cable from a monitor and wound it round his neck. The cable was removed and Lowe was restrained on a trolley.

“He ... wedged himself through the small gaps in the trolley guard rails, refusing to remove himself,” continued Ms Bradley. “He said this was his silent protest at the way he had been treated,” she added.

Various unsuccessful attempts were made to get him to remove himself from the bed rails and the fire service had to be called and when they began assembling cutting equipment, Lowe decided to remove himself.

“He was eventually released into police custody at 3.15am,” said Ms Bradley.

In reply to caution, Lowe told police he suffered from depression and claimed the way he was treated by the emergency workers was “totally unprofessional”.

He accused the police and nursing staff of “sniggering” behind his back.

Solicitor Iain Burke, defending, said his client’s offending was aggravated by where it took place.

“He had previously been to the hospital some time ago, coughing blood, and ended up in intensive care with a burst ulcer. This behaviour was borne from frustration and fear, as he felt he was not being taken seriously,” said Mr Burke.

“He dug a hole for himself and carried on digging,” conceded Mr Burke, “and wishes to apologise to all concerned for his behaviour.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson jailed Lowe, who was on three bail orders at the time, for six months.

“My predecessor made it quite clear that this kind of behaviour at Borders General Hospital is not acceptable, and I fully endorse that,” he said.

denholm

Line dancing

Line dancing begins again on Wednesday in the village hall (2-3pm). Former and new pupils welcome. More information from 01450 870042.

EARLSTON

Wednesday Club

Morag Hunter has been invited to be the first life member in recognition of her continuous support of the club for many years. Last week members enjoyed a nostalgic journey of slides from Wednesday Clubs of the past, presented by Connie Seaton and Ann Thomson. A fun competition of “Committee Childhood Photographs” was won by Jan Pringle and Diane Robertson. The next meeting is on February 12 and the competition is a “comical cat ornament”.

Parish church

The February 9 service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods. The trustees meet on February 13 at 7pm in the church hall lounge to approve the accounts. Monthly communion will take place on February 16 immediately after morning service.

Galashiels

Rotary

The Scottish Enlightenment and depopulation caused by The Clearances were cited by Gala Burns Club president Keith Cowan as major influences on the Bard when he proposed the Immortal Memory to Rotarians and partners. Keith, guest speaker at the club’s Burns supper, started the evening by addressing the haggis. Following a traditional meal of soup and haggis with chappit neeps and tatties, he gave a talk on the influences on Burns, including his mother, Agnes. Burns wrote his first poem at 15 to Handsome Nell and when he was 27 the famous Kilmarnock edition of his poems was published before his move to Edinburgh.

Dogs chipped

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest canine welfare charity, joined forces with local MSP Christine Grahame last Wednesday to provide free microchipping for dogs and promote responsible ownership in the town. The event, held at the Focus Centre, resulted in 110 dogs being chipped. Dogs Trust veterinary staff were also on hand to perform basic health checks and answer general queries from dog owners. Microchipping is a simple and effective tool which helps to reunite lost or straying pets with their owners. This in turn reduces the number of healthy dogs unnecessarily put to sleep and saves money for local authorities by cutting kennelling costs. The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on the possible introduction of compulsory microchipping.

Afore Ye Go

The Volunteer Hall is the venue for an event which has seen Age Scotland join forces with Scottish Borders Elder Voice to help central Borders residents prepare for their future in later life. Afore Ye Go runs from 10.15am-2.30pm on February 13. It offers an insight into some of the most challenging topics and decisions facing people as they grow older, such as living wills, power of attorney, care costs, trusts, equity release and funeral plans. Further information from 01896 668601 or info@eldervoice.org.uk.

Hawick

Bridge club

January 28 – 1, S. White and J. Urquhart; 2, J. and S. Law; 3, V. Johnstone and D. Usher; 4. J. and M. Miller.

Film and Video Group

Club president Jean Tait welcomed members to the Burns night celebrations, announcing an evening of professionally-made Scottish comedy film sketches dating back several years which produced an atmosphere of nostalgia and good humour among the audience in preparation for a supper of haggis, tatties and neeps provided by members. The visit to Hawick Camera Club is on February 13.

Camera club

“A Year at the Hirsel” was the title of Stephen Whitehorne’s illustrated talk last Thursday.

Stephen, a professional photographer, provided a display of scenery which makes up the estate. In addition to woodland walks and Highland cattle grazing in idyllic surroundings, there are pottery workshops and art galleries to browse around. February 9 sees the Newtongrange inter-club competition at the village’s mining museum, opening at 10am for a 10.30am start. Transport to be arranged. The meeting on February 13 will be the biennial visit from Hawick Film and Video Group.

Rotary

Scott Renwick, principal of physical education at Hawick High School, was speaker at the latest meeting. In an entertaining talk, he highlighted his career and how he arrived at his present post. A Teri, his family had been Salvation Army Corps members and he thanked two Rotarians, David Oliver and Bobby Cairns, also Salvationists, for their guidance and help in this respect. He played the euphonium in the army band, later progressing to the town band. He also went on a Borders Exploration Group expedition to Outer Mongolia. After graduating he took up his first post at Earlston High School, where he met his wife, and later moved on promotion to Hawick High School as head of department. Scott’s presentation ended with a rendition of “My Borderland” on his euphonium.

Innerleithen

Church

A service will be held on February 9 at 11.30am in Innerleithen Church.

Tickets

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 who 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 email secretary@idaos.org.uk

Jedburgh

Bridge club

January 20 – N/S – 1, V. Johnstone and M. Miller; 2 (equal), A. and R. Stewart, I. Weir and G. Young; E/W – 1, R.Oates and S. West; 2, M. Weightman and M. Forsyth; 3, H. Long and D. Cessford. January 27 – N/S – 1, V. Johnstone and M. Miller; 2, M. Forsythe and M. Weightman; 3, A. and R. Stewart; E/W – 1, M. and H. Ouldcott; 2, N. Porter and S. Graham; 3, R. Oates and S. West.

Historical society

Nancy McNicol gave a talk on the fact that she had always lived and worked between the Antonine and Hadrian’s walls. Born and brought up in Cumbernauld – population 1,300 before it became the new town of 65,000 people it is today – she compared it with Jedburgh. The two towns are both ancient settlements – Cumbernauld had a castle dating from the 11th century, as did Jedburgh. Both were “visited” by the retreating Jacobite army in 1746, and their layout of streets and houses, with “lang rig” gardens, is very similar. Mary Queen of Scots visited each place. The next meeting is on February 13 at 7.30pm in the Royal British Legion when Norrie McLeish recalls a long-forgotten local rugby dispute – “It’s Only A Game”.

Kelso

Thursday Group

Graham Garvie, convener of Scottish Borders Council, gave an overview of the problems faced by the local authority and how it is dealing with

them. Today (Thursday), Keith Hanson talks about the polymath Thomas Young – 2pm, Abbey Row Centre. Janice Whiteford and David Thaw have swapped, andFebruary 13 will feature the Vine Trust.

AGM

Kelso Ornithological Society’s AGM will be held at 7.30pm on February 11 in the British Legion, Roxburgh Street. Anyone who is or is thinking of becoming a bird keeper/breeder is welcome. For more information, contact Linda Nairn (01573 224006) or John Connor (07971 528621).

Quilters

The next meeting of Abbey Quilters will be held on February 11 at 7pm in Abbey Row Centre when Margaret Thompson gives a talk entitled “This year, next year, sometime, never...”. Members should remember their mugs. For further information, contact Rineke Sangster (01573 229414).

CBAH

Charity Begins At Home (CBAH) is inviting organisations, including clubs and societies, in the TD5 area to apply for funding of a project that will benefit local people. Requests, in writing, should be sent to Eilean Hogarth, Orchies, 24 Broomlea, Kelso TD5 7RB, to be received on or before March 21. They should include a brief description of the project. Applications must not be handed into the charity’s shop and individual requests can not be considered.

Bridge club

January 29 – Rose Bowl 5 – N/S – 1, Rena and Archie Stewart; 2, Mary and Jim Stone; 3, Sheena McPherson and Sheila Urquhart; E/W – 1, John and Marian Miller; 2, Annie Mitchell and Bob Stevenson; 3, Diana and Dominic Alkin. January 30 – Calchou Cup 9 – N/S – 1, Bob Stevenson and Lee Leeson; 2, Dominic and Diana Alkin; 3 (equal), John and Marian Miller, Alison Ireland and Sheila Urquhart; E/W – 1, Margot McVie and Jean Henry; 2, Archie Stewart and John Urquhart; 3, Helenor Pratt and Pauline Smart.

Church

Kelso North and Ednam Parish Church men’s group, men@kne, held a Burns supper last Wednesday at the Forestfield manse. Angus Hislop piped in the haggis, which was addressed by the Reverend John Shields. The Immortal Memory was given by John Nichol who, along with Matthew Burgess, entertained with recitations. The group will be leading worship in both churches on March 23. Last Friday night, Kelso North played host to “The Lion King” on the big screen, with over £200 being raised for the Great North Air Ambulance Service. Tomorrow (Friday) at 7pm, “Seven Years in Tibet”, featuring Brad Pitt, will be shown, followed by “Sunshine on Leith” on March 14. Last Saturday two local families, Paxton and Carruthers, organised a coffee morning at Kelso North, with around £1,400 being raised in aid of Ronald McDonald House, an independent charitable organisation providing a “home away from home” for parents of sick babies and children in the care of Yorkhill Children’s Hospital, Glasgow. This Saturday – in the Upper Hall at Kelso North – there is a coffee morning (10am-noon) in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service. Tickets for the Seder meal/ceilidh on April 11 at Kelso Rugby Club can be obtained after morning worship and from the church office in Bowmont Street. Sunday’s services are at Ednam (9.30am) and Kelso North (11am).

Langholm

Anniversary dinner

The ladies’ Burns club held its anniversary dinner in the Masonic clubrooms last Wednesday. President Alison Aston was chairman for the evening and after welcoming everyone, said the Selkirk Grace. The haggis was carried into the hall by Rena Liggins, led by piper Jackie Fletcher. The president then addressed the haggis. Chief guest was Bobby Jess from Dumfries who gave the Immortal Memory. Bob McLure proposed the toast to The Lassies, with Fiona Evans from Annan replying. There were recitations from Grace Brown and Billy Young, and the latter also sang for the company, along with Jackie Becket and Bob McLure. Isabel Connelly was accompanist.

MELROSE

Border Flower Club

The next meeting is on February 12 at 7.30pm in the Corn Exchange and takes the form of hands-on fun night. Members finished 2013 with a festive demonstration by Elizabeth Forster, a member and past chairman of the club. The title for her designs was “ Christmas Sparkle”. Her choice of containers added to the festive topic, from a large red bauble to a Santa’s sledge with gold reindeer and a cool reminder with an elegant piece of wood to remind the audience of snow and frost. Her flowers were a selection of roses, orchids, lillies and carnations, along with foliage to complement.

Abbey

Local Historic Scotland members last Thursday donned heavy boots, hard hats and high-visibility vests before being taken up the in the mass of scaffolding which covers the south side of Melrose Abbey, right up to the level of the Victorian-slabbed roof. There are various landings in the scaffolding which allow close-ups of the statues of the Madonna and St Andrew, carved animal and human heads – and inscriptions – and the top of the rose window on the south front, some of the rotting mullions of which are to be replaced with newly-carved sandstone from a Durham quarry. Signs of decay (and small falling stones) were noticed in 2008 – but the application for £20,000 to install the scaffolding had to take its place in the queue until this year.

Museum

Trimontium museum (aka The Three Hills Roman Heritage Centre) is opening on February 7, 8, 10 and 11.

Church

Historical Jesus – February 6 (10am) and February 10 (7.30pm); food bank – donations welcomed, especially tins or jars of jam/marmalade; WFO church offerings – helped by Gift Aid (just ask at the office); services – February 9, Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (11am).

Bondagers DVD

On February 11 Dinah Iredale will present the DVD based on her book, “The Forgotten Workers – Bondagers”, to the Melrose Historical and Archaeological Association meeting in the Ormiston Institute at 7.30pm. All welcome – non-members (£3).

morebattle

Coffee morning

The coffee morning held on January 25 raised the sum of £463.73 for the Morebattle defibrillator.

WRI

The WRI meets in the institute on February 12 at 7.15pm for Robin Hogg and Friend on Gardeners’ Question Time. Competitions – bowl of bulbs and a garden photograph.

AGM

Morebattle Games AGM will be held on February 9 at 1.30pm in the Templehall Hotel.

SELKIRK

AGM

Selkirk and District Angling Association AGM will be held in the town’s Conservative Club at 7pm on February 14. Members will be able to purchase their 2014 salmon permits after the meeting.

Stow

Church

The next men’s breakfast is scheduled for February 22 at 8.30am in The Cloudhouse. The Reverend Victoria Linford plans to hold a course entitled “Exploring the Christian Faith”, starting in April. For more details, contact her.

Tweedbank

Party

Tweedbank Playgroup is holding a fundraising under-fives fancy dress party on March 2 (11am-1pm) in the village’s community centre. The event will include two bouncy castles – one with a slide – face-painting, tea/coffee and homebaking.

Yetholm

School

There are more children in the village than there have been for some time, and there is a possibility that there will be a third teacher at the primary school. If this happens the

Turn to page 28

From page 27

classroom used by the playschool may be required. Informal discussions have been taking place and an option to is for the playschool to be rehoused in the Youth Hall.

Wine and nibbles

The local church is hosting a fundraising wine and nibbles evening at the Kirk Yetholm manse on February 22 (7 30-9.30pm). Participants from Yetholm, Morebattle. Hounam and Linton welcome.

Whist

A whist drive will be held on February 11 in the Youth Hall at 7.30pm.

WRI

Carol Butler of Kirk Yetholm spoke about growing up in Yetholm during the 1950s, especially life in Woodbank Road.

Hotel

The Plough Hotel has changed hands. After 10 years, Andrew and Diane Hay have sold up, although they still have The Castle, Coldstream, and The Swan, Warenford, Northumberland. Taking over The Plough are the Keddie family from Romany House.

I have to report that the free microchipping event in Galashiels was a runaway success –110 dogs were chipped, vet checked, patted on the heid and barked their wee hearts out.

Isn’t it the case that wee dugs make the most noise, while douce labs sit, well, just douce.

I am not negotiating with the Dogs’ Trust – to whom a big, big thanks – for more sessions.

On the agenda in coming months will be free chips at Peebles, Penicuik and Newtongrange – at least that’s the plan. I’ll let you know the dates/times/places when these are firmed up in case you missed out in Galashiels.

Newt

Some of you may recall that when I came into parliament I adopted two little cats, Newton (Newt) and Boswell (Bossie), from – well, you can guess.

Both are now approaching 15 and in cat years they are gie auld. Newt has recently been to the vets (big bill!) and I put on a cool face when actually I was up to high doh.

When he had to stay overnight and be put on a drip, I asked how he was, and said: “He hasn’t stayed away from home overnight before.”

Why, oh why, do I 
persist in having pets when you have this worry and heartache as the years roll by?

All Burns-out

While I’m on the subject of ageing – of cats and things generally – I find as the years roll by that although I like haggis, it doesn’t like me.

There is the odd un-spiced variety which I can stomach – just – but I’m quickly finding the neeps and tatties quite enough.

Indeed I feel a Toast to the Heartburn coming on. Literally.

But at least at a recent Burns supper the Immortal Memory lasted just shy of 10 minutes. Quite long enough.

I was once at a Burns supper which went on so long the speaker was heckled. That was a first.

By the way, I was not the heckler.

More animal stuff

Did you know that the pest controllers here are now using “laser pens” on pigeons?

Apparently they just drop out of the sky. Dead – the pigeons of course, not the pens.

Now the ethics of this can be challenged, but it follows the failure of the hired hawks to rid us of our feathered fiends. They were seen off by the Scottish gulls – probably flown in from Eyemouth where they grow to a humongous size – some hawks never to fly back again.

You know, I find that quite cheering.

SINCE the start of January, NHS Borders has reported to Health Protection Scotland that 38 patients have been affected by norovirus in the wards that have been closed at the BGH.

However, the health board has said it will not provide total figures to The Southern on how many individual patients have been struck down by the virus, with several bays in other wards also having been closed to admissions.

A statement said: “Due to the constantly changing picture NHS Borders will not release the total number of individual patients affected until the norovirus season has ended.”

The spokesperson added that all areas of the BGH affected were subject to an ‘enhanced cleaning regime’ and, prior to reopening, rooms and bays were deep-cleaned.

On Monday it was confirmed all wards had been reopened to admissions, but patients with gastro-intestinal symptoms remained in isolation.

A GALASHIELS woman traded online in pirate DVDs and CDs – worth over £54,000 – from her website.

First offender Angela Cochrane, of Penman Place, admitted three charges of infringing copyright by illegal trading from her home between April 18, 2005, and January 6, 2011. She also admitted making DVDs and CDs she knew were illicit recordings.

The 51-year-old further admitted having two computer base units, three hard drives, two micro SD cards and a memory card specifically designed or adapted to make copies.

At Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday, prosecutor Tessa Bradley said Cochrane was running a trading website and was found with paraphernalia for making illicit recordings. She said the offences came to light following investigations by the BPI anti-piracy unit.

“During October 2010, information was received by staff at the anti-piracy unit that the accused was distributing pirate discs and had a significant customer base,” explained Ms Bradley. “She was trading from her website, Angie’s Bootleg DVDs.”

Investigations were carried out and police obtained a search warrant for the accused’s home, where a large quantity of material was found. Cochrane admitted she was the website proprietor, but denied offering items for cash sale, saying she traded discs with others.

“It is accepted by the Crown that she was not selling them,” explained Ms Bradley, “but that it was a trading site swopping with other users. She was either burning off DVDs and posting them or downloading them.

“In excess of 3,000 productions were found, which gives an idea of the scale,” she added.

“The bootleg material is valued in excess of £54,000 – based on what it would have cost if bought legitimately,” concluded Ms Bradley.

Defence solicitor Mat Patrick said some of the items recovered from his client’s home had been bought legitimately.

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence until March 18 for a break-
down of the value for forfeiture.

The council has warned neighbourhood services could be cut if savings cannot be made and if local groups do not take on more responsibilities.

The stark message was issued last week, when councillors agreed to review and consult communities on various services, including public toilets, grass cutting and maintenance of sports pitches.

The review of ‘neighbourhood operations’ is aimed at finding ways to save £450,000 by 2016. But a report before councillors stated: “The clear intention is to commence the service changes on a consultive and voluntary basis.

“However, it should be recognised that should the full extent of savings be unable to be realised through this route then an alternative route will need to be agreed.

“This is likely to require proposals being made to area forums, after discussion with members, but may not include the active participation and or agreement of community groups in delivering future services.

“This would inevitably therefore require a net reduction in the service experienced by the wider public in any given community.”

Councillors agreed to establish a community fund to help support local groups who want to take on certain roles in their area.

Rob Dickson, director of environment and infrastructure said: “The growth in the resilient communities project has given us confidence that a number of communities have the capabilities and wish to take on responsibility for improving their environment.”

Councillor David Paterson, executive member for environmental services, said: “Any decisions made will be following consultation, so it is important the view of the local community is heard by local councillors and SBC during the review.”

He added: “We want to ensure the Borders remains attractive to its residents and visitors, while making sure the council’s services are fit for purpose in the long term.”

The review will look at whether public toilets can be closed with facilities provided in ‘third party locations’, and if grass cutting in certain burial grounds can be scaled back.

It will also examine if any sporting groups can take on responsibility for pitch maintenance and if changes can be made to litter bin locations and routes used to empty them in an attempt to save council funds.

wooler

At their weekly Prime Stock sale last Wednesday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 865 hoggs and 153 ewes and rams.

Slightly less numbers forward, all classes meeting a slight resistance resulting in easier returns.

Leading prices per head:- Chv:- £93.50p, £86.50p, £80.50p Humbleheugh. Sfx:- £85 North Lyham, £82 Newstead, North Lyham, £81 Mindrum Farming Co. Tex:- £82 West Longridge, £80 Yetlington Lane, North Lyham, South Charlton, £79.50p Springhill, Seahouses, £79 West Longridge, Mindrum Farming Co, Greystonnes. Ven:- £75 North Lyham. CHM:- £76 (2) South Charlton. Mule:- £74 Great Ryle. Zwa:- £77 Linhope Farming (Hartside), £75 Mindrum (T.P. Fairfax). Bel:- £80, £79, £78 (2), £77.50p Ladykirk. Chx:- £72 Linhope Farming (Hartside).

Leading prices per kilo:- Tex:- 205.4p Greystonnes, 200p, 198.7p Cockhall, 197.4p Yetlington Lane, 196.3p Mindrum Farming Co (D Brown). Sfx:- 200p Greystonnes, 194.9p Ladykirk, Craigshouse, 194.7p Cockhall, 192.5p Howtel. Ven:- 182.9p North Lyham. CHM:- 190p, 188.5p South Charlton. Chv:- 196.1p Great Ryle, 194.9p Biddlestone Home Farm, 193.9p Humbleheugh, 191.3p Fawdon Farms. Mule:- 180.5p Great Ryle. Bel:-197.4p, 190.2p, 185.7p Ladykirk. Chv.x:- 186.8p, 184.6p Linhope Farming Co.

Ewe numbers tighter, with similar returns achieved.

Leading prices:- Suf:- £91 Henlaw, £83 Chesterhill, £77 Eildon Cottage, £74 Chesterhill. Bel:- £83 Henlaw. Tex:- £79 Eildon Cottage, £66 (2) Henlaw, £63 Kimmerston, £61 Cockhall. BFL:- £81 Alwinton Farm. Chv:- £49.50p Fawdon Farms. Mule:- £55 Castlelaw, £53 Todrig, £52.50p Doune Brae, £52 Kimmerston, Doune Brae. BF:- £43 Clennel, £42 Linhope Farming Co. Swa:- £39 Fawdon Farms.

Rams:- Suf:- £98 Chesterhill. BFL:- £91 Clennel.

longtown

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart PLC had forward 32 prime cattle, 12 young bulls, 18 over 30 month cattle, 4,906 prime hoggs and 3,748 cast ewes and rams at their weekly sale at Longtown last Thursday.

Better quality cattle sold to a similar trade with the plainer end slightly easier. Top price to 225.5p for a Limousin heifer from W. and W. Faulder, Houghton House, Limousin bullocks to 223.5p from D.J. Garthwaite and Son, Wyseby Hill Cottage.

Bulls, all Black and Whites on offer met a firm trade selling to 171.5p from J. and P. Routledge and Son, Netherton, others to 169.5p from Messrs T. and M. Irving, Becton Hall. Top price per head to £1,287.75 also from Messrs Irving.

Cast cows met a steady trade topping at 169.5p for a Limousin shown by R.M. and P. Armstrong, Slealands.

A similar show of 4,906 prime hoggs (584 lightweights) were forward to the usual ringside of buyers, another fantastic show saw all best quality export weight hoggs dearer on the week with Blackfaces and Mules slightly easier, the overall sale average of 190p per kilo (SQQ 192.3p per kilo). Top was £108 per head for Texels from Cowcorse and Kilncroft with a top per kilo of 257p for Texels from Oakwood.

A similar show of 3,982 cast ewes and rams were forward the most noticeable difference on the week being the heavy Mule ewes which would be £8 to £10 dearer. Good selling heavy ewes short of buyers requirements with over fat ewes still hard to sell. Lightweight ewes would be very similar on the week.

Rams to £100 for Texels from Bensons Fell, £88 Hutlerburn, £84 Druchtag; Suffolk £90 Torwoodlea Mains, £84 The Haining House, £70 Commonside; Lleyn £80 Lustruther, £66 South Bowerhouses; North Country Cheviot £74 Marchbank, £68 Snowsgreen; Leicester £72 Stubsgill, £68 Collin Bank, £54 Stubsgill; Hill Cheviot £68 Hethpool, £60 Gilston, £58 Commonside and Clonrae; Dorset £66 Graystale; Blackface £62 Hethpool, £57 Hutlerburn and Chaplehope, £56 Glen House; Beltex £60

Whinneyknowe, £50 Sunnyside; Easycare £60 Marygate; Zwartbles £58 Chapel (Hebson); Swaledale £45 Chapel (Hebson).

ST BOSWELLS

At Monday’s sale of Primestock John Swan Ltd sold 86 clean cattle, 74 OTM cattle, 1,671 old season lambs and 614 ewes.

Bullocks (35) averaged 209.1p per kg and sold to246p (+2.6p on week), heifers (50) averaged 221.2p per kg and sold to 258p (+7.9p on week), one young bull sold to 150p and 74 beef type OTM cattle averaged 128.1p per kg and sold to 191p (+3.8p on the week).

Old season SQQ lambs averaged 201.4p per kg (-1.2p on week) and sold to £98 and 1,671 old season lambs and 614 ewes. Ewes averaged £52.66, and sold to £86, £107 for tups. Heavy ewes £64.93, light ewes £46.33.

Principal prices per head: Lurdenlaw £1601.75, £1598.70; Bee Edge £1548, £1509.30, £1500; Oakwood £1522.50.

Principal Pprices per kg: Bee Edge 2.58(2) M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons and M/s Black and Son, 2.56 Robert Wilson Butcher, Edin, 2.50 M/s Black and Son, 2.48 , 2.43 W Taylor (Lockerbie); Inland Pastures 2.56 M/s Black and Son; Hamildean 2.46 Robert Pringle, 2.31 Malone of Edinburgh; Ramrig 2.45 W Taylor (Lockerbie); Longnewton 2.38 Denholm Meat Supplies.

Cows per head: Corsbie (Fullerton) £1337.05, 1027.50; Nether Fala £1225.25; Mervinslaw £1193.10; Hoprigshiels £1103.40; Howden £1102; Bonjedward Mill £1100.25; Huntington £1088.70; Kingside £1053, £1027.50; Haughhead £1044; Greenknowe £1037.85.

Cows per kg: Huntington 1.91, 1.45; Marchcleugh 1.91, 1.87 (2), 1.79 (2), 1.77; Greenknowe 1.87; Corsbie (Fullerton) 1.87; Nisbet 1.87; Nether Fala 1.69 (2); Kingside 1.63; Hoprigshiels 1.63; Fowberry Moor 1.59.

Bulls: Huntington £1303.05 (1.19); Bemersyde £1259.85 (1.11); Marchcleugh £1141.65 (1.77); Fowberry Moor £1079.15 (1.13).

Hoggs per head: Tex.x;- £98 The Lee and Greenhead.R, £94 The Lee, Suff.x;- £95 The Lee, £94 St Leonards, £92 Threepwood, Bel;- £94 Hartside, £91.50 Huntington, BFL;- £88 Hartside, Chev;- £86.50 Haltree, £84.50 Saughtree, BF;- £85 Williamhope, £82 Hartside and Williamhope, GF;- £85 Hartside, £83.50 Hillhouse, CM;- £80 Stoneypath, £79.50 Hundalee, Chev.x;- £79 Burncastle, Ham;- £78 Dunslaw.

Hoggs per kg: Tex.x;- 229.4 Dunslaw, 227 Lower Ashtrees, 225.7,223.3 Dunslaw, Bel;- 216.7 Lylestane, Suff.x;- 211.8, 211.1, 210 Dunslaw, 209.4 Blackburn, GF;- 207.3 Hartside, 205.9 Dunslaw, Chev;- 205.3 Wester Ulston and Haltree, 202.6 Lylestane, Chev.x;- 201.4 Lylestane, Ham;- 201.3, 200 Dunslaw, CM;- 200 Lylestane.

Ewes - once again sharper on the week: Tex;- £86 Bow, £77 Applecross, Suff.x;- £78 Greenhead. R, £77 Sorrowlessfield.Rams: Bel;- £107 Laidlawstiel, £91 Hartside, BFL;- £83 Laidlawstiel, Chev;- £69 Brockhouse, Tex;- £65 Legerwood.

border livestock

Last Week Border Livestock Exchange sold 174 prime cattle including 42 cows, 2,019 prime lambs, 429 ewes and 184 store cattle.

Prime cattle remain steady with top prices going to Redpath Farms, Spylaw, for a Limousin Cross Heifer which sold for 396p per kg. Limousin Cross young bulls from Bowsden Moor, Berwick, sold to £1,718 per head for a 12 month old bull. Cull cows sold to £1,300 for a Limousin cow also from Bowsden Moor. Aberdeen Angus cross cows from Borewell Farm, Berwick, sold to an impressive £1,092 per head.

Prime lambs continued to firm with export weights selling to 420p per kg for a Texel cross from Primside Farm, Yetholm; Edgerston Home Farm, Jedburgh, and Crookston Farm, Heriot. Heavy weight Texel crosses sold to £110 from Middle Moor, Alnwick.

Farm income figures published last week for 2012 and 2013 confirm what we knew already – 2012 financial results were bad, mainly because of the appalling weather, and improved in 2013 because the weather and some prices improved.

Because most farmers have moved on from the horrors of 2012 and have already made decisions for 2014 based on what happened last year, I’m not sure how relevant such historical figures are.

For what they’re worth, total income from farming (TIFF) for Scottish farms in 2012 is estimated at £700 million, down 18 per cent on 2011. The 2013 estimate is TIFF of £830 million.

The thing to remember is that accounts for every individual farm will tell a different story depending on situation, size, types of enterprise, whether rented or owned, with or without a mortgage, employing staff or a one-man show, well managed or poorly managed. TIFF also doesn’t take account of non-farming income such as that from B&B, farm shop or an off-farm job.

But the most significant statistic revealed by the national farm accounts for Scotland is the part played by support payments, or as we might say subsidies. In 2012 subsidies of £554 million from European Union and government accounted for 79 per cent of Scottish TIFF; last year £562 million of subsidies accounted for 69 per cent.

That is a most unwelcome reliance on subsidy, one more or less duplicated in England and possibly even higher in Northern Ireland and Wales. Mentioning it brings us straight into the perennial debate about whether farm subsidies can be justified.

One argument is that farmers should either make a living from the free market for what they produce or get out to make room for someone who can, as happened in New Zealand 30 years ago.

The counter-argument is that farming is vital to the rural economy and that support payments have a trickle-down effect. Even the best farmers and producers, it is argued, would have trouble surviving in a free market because of the political vagaries of world trade and unfair competition.

That argument is going to continue as long as subsidies continue. And there is no question that subsidies will continue in a European Union where in many of the 27 member states agriculture and the vast food industry that depends on it still has clout. But the complaint by British farmers is that not only do our politicians and civil servants lack clout in EU negotiations they are actively against farm subsidies and want them removed.

That’s why, they say, more or less final agreement on changes to the common agricultural policy (CAP) due to take effect in 2015 have given British farmers a raw deal and Scottish beef farmers in particular a desperately bad one with support payments for many likely to be slashed by one third to one half. Not a happy prospect.

Social networking site Facebook has hit the headlines – it’s celebrating its 10th birthday, for which it won praise, and as an avenue for the NekNomination drinking game, for which it has attracted criticism.

Facebook can be a source of harmless fun. There are side-splitting videos, mostly involving animals, children or out-of-control adults.

It has united people who, for whatever reason, have drifted apart and lost contact.

There are many who get enjoyment from chatting online, sharing photos or playing games. I think one is called Candy Crunch which looks incredibly complicated and boring at the same time.

I also don’t really want to know what Jimmy had for his breakfast, that Willie’s fish supper tasted nothing like fish or Jean was going to have a 10-minute nap before watching the omnibus edition of Eastenders. But that’s all harmless fun and if it provides enjoyment for some, then that’s not a problem.

But where I do have a problem is when sites such as Facebook and Twitter cause offence, allow people to break the law (often unwittingly) and can lead to death.

By law, newspaper, radio and television are forbidden, quite rightly, from publishing certain details from certain types of crimes and court cases – the identity of rape victims and victims of crimes against children are prime examples.

Journalists are made aware of these restrictions very early in their training. There are many other pitfalls of which they have to be on their guard.

The general public, however, cannot be expected to be aware of these restrictions and this has led to legally-protected identities and other information being posted and made public. Our legal eagles and lawmakers are currently scratching their heads to come up with a solution. Their task is a difficult one – but an answer must be found.

The current craze – and it’s a crazy craze – of NekNomination is alleged to have been responsible for at least three deaths.

NekNomination is worldwide and it encourages people to drink alcohol rapidly and then perform some risk or dare. It’s videoed and posted online. People have jumped from bridges and into swollen rivers. People have died – others might.

Facebook appears to believe NekNomination is socially acceptable. As I write, only in the Republic of Ireland has the site been taken down. It all comes down to who is deemed responsible – Facebook as a body, or those who participate. The answer is both. It may seem harmless fun, but the consequences can be severe.

On a much lighter note, rugby doos are sadly becoming fewer in number – but I was at one on Saturday that will never fade or disappear. It’s run by Gala Star – a club that exists really just in name and as a vets outfit that allows a few ex-players to keep their legs active.

Saturday was their 12th charity lunch and over the years more than £23,000 has been raised. Long may the Star shine.

WHEN a nurse told a disruptive 16-year-old he was causing distress to a young child being treated in an adjoining hospital cubicle and his parents, he replied: “I don’t give a f**k”.

Kyzer Summers had been taken to Borders General Hospital by ambulance and began shouting and swearing.

“A nurse advised him that his behaviour was distressing to a five-year-old boy who was struggling to breathe in the next cubicle. She said he was also causing distress to the family. His response to that was, ‘I don’t give a f**k’,” said prosecutor Graham Fraser at a previous hearing.

Summers added: “I’ll kick his heed in an a’.”

Summers, of Caddon Court, Innerleithen, admitted obstructing a nurse and repeatedly shouting and swearing, uttering threats of violence and acting in an aggressive manner toward her on August 30.

Sheriff Peter Paterson sentenced Summers to 80 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within six months, warning him: “This is a direct alternative to jail. The court has made it quite clear that this kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable.”

CHRISTMAS DAY ASSAULT ON WIFE

A husband who assaulted his wife on Christmas Day had sentence deferred for six months for good behaviour.

Slawomir Korlaga was released on bail with a condition not to enter Beech Avenue in Galashiels or to contact his wife, other than by telephone or email to arrange contact with his children.

Korlaga, 33, of Talisman Avenue, Galashiels, admitted pushing his wife to the ground at their Beech Avenue home.

The court heard how an argument escalated when the accused said he was leaving and he pushed her out of the way.

Defence solicitor Iain Burke said the couple had been living “separate lives” since December after Mrs Korlaga “became involved in a relationship with a fellow factory worker”.

Mr Burke added: “He was trying to leave the house and she was standing in his way, refusing to allow him to go, and he pushed her out of the way. The marriage is at an end.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence until August 4, telling Korlaga: “If you are of good behaviour, I will impose a fine, but if not, I may send you to jail.”

DAMAGED VEHICLE

After their relationship broke down, Daniel Brown damaged his former partner’s car.

Brown, 22, of Links Avenue, Montrose, admitted making offensive and abusive comments, and striking a vehicle at Broomilees Road, Darnick, on October 18. He was fined £200.

Brown also pleaded guilty to smashing windows, damaging tyres and breaking lights on the same car at Priorwood Court, Melrose, on December 7. For this he was fined £300 and ordered to pay £100 compensation for the damage caused.

Defending, Mat Patrick described his client as “an immature young man”, adding: “He handled the breakdown of his relationship badly and began drinking too much.”

PUNCHED EX’S GIRLFRIEND

A GALASHIELS woman who assaulted her former partner’s girlfriend was ordered to complete 50 hours of unpaid work.

Nicola Cairney, 28, of Winston Place, admitted punching the woman on her head at Overhaugh Street, Galashiels, on October 6.

The offence happened during the early hours of the morning after the accused came out of a nightclub and met the couple, who had been at a local pub.

Cairney swung a punch at the woman, knocking off her glasses. She sustained bruising and swelling, but no medical attention was required.

Defence solicitor Iain Burke described the offence as “an unfortunate escalation of an ongoing dispute between the accused and this man”, adding: “She lost control and lashed out. She is appalled by her behaviour and apologies for what she has described as losing it.”

SECTARIAN CHANTS

A teenager who used sectarian language was fined £250.

Sean Anderson, 19, of Byrewalls Farm Cottage, Gordon, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at Channel Street, Galashiels, on November 10.

The offence happened near a busy taxi rank at 3.20am on a Sunday.

Depute procurator fiscal Tessa Bradley said: “Three groups started singing football chants. These were of a sectarian nature and they were becoming more vocal. Police moved into the group to try to calm the situation and saw the accused who chanted, ‘F**k the Pope and the IRA’.”

Anderson’s lawyer, Iain Burke, said his client, a first offender, was ashamed of his behaviour.

Mr Burke went on: “He had been out and consumed far too much alcohol. He accepts that it was offensive, but wishes to make it clear that he has no prejudice and no idea what prompted him to do this.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson told the teenager: “The Borders is relatively free of this sort of nonsense, and it is something that society can well do without.”

SELKIRK MAN FACES TRIAL

A SELKIRK man who denies his dog was dangerously out of control will stand trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on February 17.

Fifty-five-year-old Robert Laidlaw, of Muthag Street, pleaded not guilty to being the owner of a Rottweiler which was dangerously out of control at Raeburn Meadow, Selkirk, and attacked a seven-year-old, jumping on him, causing him to fall to the ground, and repeatedly biting and scratching him on the body, all to his injury, on April 13 last year.

INDECENT IMAGES CHARGES

A 34-year-old man who denies having indecent photographs of children will stand trial on February 18.

William Brown, of Bleachfield Road, Selkirk, pleaded not guilty to possession of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of youngsters at his home on May 8.

He also denies taking or permitting to be taken, or making, indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children.

BENEFITS ALLEGATION

A St Boswells woman who denies falsely obtaining more than £12,000 in benefits will stand trial on April 29.

Tina Mackenzie, 47, of Jenny Moore’s Court, pleaded not guilty to obtaining income support, housing and council tax benefits of £12,330.24 to which she was not entitled between August 25, 2011, and March 31 last year.

An intermediate hearing was set for March 31.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

A Tweedbank 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 had sentence deferred until March 17 for a psychological assessment.

Lee McDowall, 25, who pleaded guilty, was placed on the Sex Offenders Register when he originally appeared from custody in December.

The “vulnerable” adult who received the messages was so concerned about their content he showed them to his support worker and police were called.

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

At a previous hearing, defence lawyer Iain Burke said his client had no intention of touching a two-year-old girl, realising it was wrong and that he would be sent to prison.

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

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley said the accused was banned from internet access 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 later emerged that the child was not real.”

SENTENCE DEFERRED

A motorist who drove on the A7 between Galashiels and Stow after drinking, forcing other drivers to take evasive action, had sentence deferred for reports until March 31.

Joshua Bird, 24, of Mill Road, Stow, appeared from custody and admitted driving at excessive speed while under the influence of alcohol, causing other motorists to take evasive action, on Friday.

He also pleaded guilty to driving with a breath/alcohol reading of 68 mcgs – the legal limit being 35 – and driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Railway worker Bird was in a “work vehicle” at the time. He was bailed and banned from driving meantime.

Rain, rain go away. After being spoiled with The Fantastic Summer it seems we have slipped into what passes for a Scottish winter nowadays – no snow, just gallons and gallons of rain turning the ground into acres of sloppy mud.

So rain, rain go away. How about all the way to Chihuahua? Not such a random thought as it might first appear. I was once in the company of a couple from Mexico, from that very region, out for the day around Loch Lomond. They were super-excited at the prospect of seeing lots and lots of water, because, they said, it just never rained in Chihuahua.

Average annual rainfall Scottish Highlands – 457cm; average annual rainfall Chihuahua – 39cm.

From the top of Craigie Fort, by Balmaha (steep climb, but worth it for the view, as annoying fit types scampering down the way always tell you, as you are puffing your way slowly up), they stood surveying the loch stretching below them in all its pear-shaped, plump glory, tapering away into the distance, wearing its chain of wee islands like a belt.

They stood, beaming like children, literally drinking in the sight of All That Water, in one place, all at the same time. Lovely water.

As we drove back through The Trossachs, they squealed with delight as the Heavens opened. Rain! Oh, the joy! Lovely rain! They took endless pictures as it bounced off the windscreen, the road, the vegetation.

How they giggled as huge puddles started to creep across the road.

The rain thundered on, now flattening the vegetation and running in rivers down the sides of the road which, in this country, especially in the Highlands, is Not Good News.

It can result in what’s under the Tarmac being washed away to leave those nibbled-away, step-like edges that flip you off the road if you drop a tyre over them.

One minute you’re gawking at the breathtaking scenery, the next you’re upside-down in a ditch.

My Mexican friends went a little quiet when we reached the Loch Katrine turn-off – and a police road block.

All was not well. Their lovely rain had washed the road away in places ahead and we were to divert to the cafe at Loch Katrine to await further instructions.

So a motley band of tourists representing Scotland, Germany, Mexico and England ended up sitting in a cafe after hours – no heat, no light and mobile phones slowly dying.

Ah, the lovely rain! not so lovely now.

Just as we were reconciling ourselves to a night sleeping (or rather, not sleeping) on the cafe tables, the Polis said we could go – the road was passable with caution if the multi-national convoy was led by someone who knew the road.

And so off we went, slowly and grim-faced, no longer laughing at the lovely rain.

I bet the baked fields and shimmering heat haze of Chihuahua never looked so good.

Before he came to Kelso with his parents and sister four months ago, French youngster Clemênt Femenias had never played rugby.

Now a keen player at his new school, where he is in S1, Clemênt was stunned recently to discover his name had been drawn out of a hat as a Kelso pupil to run out onto the Murrayfield pitch ahead of Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash between Scotland and England.

It was a Kelso school’s turn to provide one of the 15 mascots that accompany the Scotland players during the national anthems.

The 12-year-old, who plays his rugby on the wing, says he is excited about appearing in front of 67,000 rugby fans.

“Yes, I’m really looking forward to it,” said Clemênt, who moved to Kelso from Africa after father, Olivier, got a job in the Borders.

Mum Marie told us: “He’s really excited about it, especially being in front of all those people for the singing of Flower of Scotland.”

Local rugby youth development officer Jammy McFarlane says it will be a great experience.

“Clemênt’s a very keen player, bursting with enthusiasm and very coachable,” he said.