A young Peebles florist who works from a shed in her back garden has scooped a national award for her wedding ­arrangements.

Emma McDonald only established Stems in April 2012, but is celebrating being named Florist of the Year at the Scottish Wedding Awards 2014.

Emma said: “I hoped I might win the regional award as it was just me against a florist from Edinburgh, but I didn’t even contemplate winning the overall title, so I hadn’t prepared a speech!”

The 23-year-old has built up the business from home, while also looking after her young daughter, whose birth was a catalyst for the creation of Stems.

Emma said: “When Shyla was about nine months old I was due to go back to work in a nine-to-five job at a hotel, but I decided I didn’t have it in me to put her into day care or have her passed around relatives.

“I had worked in a flower shop when I was younger and had also studied art at high school, so I had the knowledge.

“I bought a small amount of flowers from a supplier in Edinburgh and made up arrangements, set up the Facebook page and sold to friends and family.

“I made a small profit so I bought some more flowers and it has just grown from there.”

This week Emma moved in to a new purpose built workshop in her garden, as increasing demand meant she had gradually run out of space in the 12x8ft shed she had been working from.

The new, bigger shed, has been bought partly thanks to a grant from the Princes Trust.

Emma said: “The Princes Trust have been wonderful.

“A friend recommended them to me at the end of 2012 and I contacted them to see if I was eligible for some funding and I applied for a market test grant and then they advised me to apply for £1,000 towards the cost of the new shed.”

Emma added that her greatest achievement has actually been her selection to be included in the Good Florist Guide.

Stems is just one of two Borders florists to meet the very stringent criteria for inclusion.

Learning how to change a lightbulb or cashing up a tuckshop till are not the first things that spring to mind when it comes to youth clubs.

But then Hawick’s Escape Youth Cafe is about as far removed as you could get from the 1980s stereotype of youth clubs as just a place to get young people off the streets for a few hours, with the odd Friday night disco thrown in.

Set up as a drop-in facility in 2005, following a ‘youth summit’, the cafe in the town’s Commercial Road opens its doors five nights a week – including Saturdays – plus on Wednesdays at lunchtime.

During the evenings, the P6/7 age group use the cafe on Wednesdays from 6.30-8.30pm, while the S1 up age group are in on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9.30pm and on Fridays from 7-10pm.

Saturdays see all those in the age group from P7 upwards able to use the cafe from 7-10pm.

The cafe gives young people the chance not only to be involved and consulted on what activities they want to see, but to also take part fully in the management and growth of the establishment.

The 156 members come from Hawick and the surrounding area and, as well as having their own space to meet and socialise with friends, the cafe also creates opportunities, supports development and maintenance of social, domestic and educational skills, and promotes healthy lifestyles and leisure pursuits.

Members pay 20p per night, after which everything – except obviously food from the tuckshop – is free, including the use of computers, pool tables, air hockey game, Playstation and X-Box games.

These are the things that draw young people in, but once through the doors they find a world of opportunities opening up to them.

Outreach work, residential trips and creative media workshops in music, poetry, film and drama are all avilable, as are various sports, crafts and other activities.

Sian Snowdon is the Voluntary Youth Work Services Manager at the cafe and is supported by part-time senior youth worker Wendy Fiddes and nine volunteer staff.

“We want the young people to see this as their project and involve them as much as possible in the decision-making process about what is offered and how the place is run,” Sian explained.

“Whether they want to do football, craft work, any other kind of sport – anything they can come up with, we will look at if the resources are there.”

Although young people can come and go as they please to the cafe, Sian and her staff usually find that once inside, the young people tend to stay for the majority of that evening’s session.

“Each session is usually two-and-a-half to three hours and we offer at least one activity they can opt into if they want.

“It is up to the young people, but it’s our role as staff to try to encourage them to try new things they’ve never done before and to engage in new experiences.”

In the summer months, the cafe even organises outdoor activities and trips, while workshops were held last year on such diverse subjects, such as graffiti art and cookery.

Cafe staff have also performed valuable work with young people experiencing attendance issues at school, as well as with local primary seven classes, helping them prepare for the move up to the town’s secondary.

With Hawick being a very sports-orientated town, there are those youngsters who come to the cafe because they want something different.

“We get a mixture. We tend to get the sporty ones more in the winter when the weather is not so great, and their attendances tend to taper off as the weather gets better in the summer,” said Wendy

“But we also get young people who don’t access sport for a variety of reasons, including a lack of money, disability or because they’re just not interested.”

And it’s not just young people who are benefitting from the cafe’s existence.

Those offering their services as volunteers often find that it leads to new qualifications, improved CVs and even employment in the youth work sector.

Youngsters also have already found that their experience at the cafe of working a till and being responsible for handling money can open doors, with several obtaining part-time jobs as a result.

“We’ve even had a session on how to change a lightbulb because someone asked about that!” added Wendy.

The Galashiels Burns Club-supported Celebration of Scots Language and Culture Primary School Competition was held at the town’s academy.

All schools in Galashiels and surrounding area took part in the written and the recital parts of the event.

The standard of entries made judging a difficult task for Alan Sleater, the Academy’s principal teacher of English, Grant Lees, Burns club past president, and Keith Cowan, Burns club president.

Results – writing – P1-3 – 1, Maya Troczynska (St Margaret’s RC); 2, Courtney Duncan (Burgh); 3, Sam Glennon (Stow). P4-5 – 1, Molly Darling (St Peter’s); 2, Louis Mackenzie (Stow); 3, Paddy Lynch (Clovenfords). P6-7 – 1, Casey Bunker (St Peter’s); 2, Meghan Campbell (Burgh); 3, Zara Elliot (Clovenfords).

Recital – P1-3 – 1, Tom Firth (Fountainhall); 2, Evie Renwick (St Peter’s); 3, Claire Webster (Burgh). P4-5 – 1, Joshua Miller (Glendinning); 2, Mya Lamb (Burgh); 3, Katie-Jane Saunders ( St Peter’s). P6-7 – 1, Ryan Woodburn (Clovenfords); 2, Lauren Hume (St Peter’s); 3, Talia Pettitt (Heriot).

The overall winners were the St Peter’s entry, pictured with Russell Robertson, Burns club secretary.

What a difference a few sunny days make, not just to the general feeling of wellbeing, but to the advancement of the seasons into spring.

On one such day last week, I heard the first singing chiffchaffs of the year; saw my first bumble bees, butterflies and ladybird, and the frogs have started spawning in a neighbour’s pond, but so far, not yet in my new pond.

By Sunday, the cooler weather had returned with a stiff breeze, for the last of my monthly winter wildfowl counts.

At my first pond, where peace and tranquillity usually reign, noise and bustle were the order of the day.

More than 50 black-headed gulls had moved in and were beginning to argue over the best nesting sites, while two whooper swans tried to get a bit of peace and quiet to feed.

At my next, bigger loch, it was much quieter with no gulls present and here, the larger group of a dozen whooper swans were allowed to feed more serenely in the reed bed.

The only raucous sound came when an unseen water rail broke into its unusual squealing call.

The mating season obviously approaches.

Finally at Lindean Reservoir, which was my final port of call, I was surprised to find a sextet of greylag geese in residence for the first time.

Their residency, however, was short lived.

The two local mute swans were also feeling the approach of the mating season and were not at all happy at these six large interlopers on their territory.

The cob puffed himself up into full aggression mode and launched himself at the unsuspecting geese.

A mute swan in attack mode is a force to be reckoned with and proved to be too much for the visitors, who took to the air with much splashing and honking, never to be seen again.

Later the same day, I motored down to Newcastleton, intending to have a walk in the forest there, but the rain came on and I took shelter in The Grapes.

Suitably refreshed, I came out to find that it was still wet and windy, so a detour home via Langholm Moor was called for.

At a suitable location I pulled over to have coffee and a bun, hoping I might catch a glimpse of the speciality of the area – the hen harrier.

After about 20 minutes, I was considering moving on, when I spotted a bird flying low above the roadside verge, heading in my direction.

Once I had it in my binoculars I could immediately see that it was a pale grey bird with black, pointed wingtips and white underneath.

It was a male hen harrier!

It kept coming towards the car, eventually flying a few yards in front of the bonnet, before continuing along the roadside in the other direction.

It was only then I realised my camera was within reach on the back seat.

Too late!

I had missed the shot of a lifetime, but what a thrill it was to see such a magnificent bird at such close 
quarters.

Spring has come to Chook Cottage. And the chooks neither know, nor care, if this is Real Proper Spring or Pretend Spring With Surprise Hard Frosts/Snow Later.

They are bounding out of the coop like spaniels on Red Bull, rushing to stuff their wee chops before shooting back in to lay, then spending the rest of their leisure time soaking up the sun – dust-bathing, lounging against tree roots snoozing, and generally enjoying the good weather.

As the days grow longer and Real Proper Spring is just around the corner, the happiness of chooks can be measured by egg production which, as many of you will already know, is a subject I hold very dear to my heart.

If my hens were on performance-related pay they would be raking in big, fat, RBS-style bonuses.

Suddenly, a run of fine days with real, live, actual sunshine (whoop!) has increased egg production overnight. They are fair popping them out now.

As a result, I have had to fit an egg label ‘print run’ into my day today. And then stick said labels on about 40 boxes. That should keep me going for, ooooh, a week... maybe.

And with spring on the way, another of my favourite chook tasks looms – will we get any broody hens and what will we do with them this year? It may sound odd, but when you put your hand in a nestbox to take out freshly-laid eggs then have to retract it immediately with an angry chicken attached to the end of your finger, I am extremely happy. It means we have a broody hen, ready to sit on some eggs and raise some chicks.

We are no strangers to hatching and raising our own chicks in this way, but this year Gamford – the chief chicken-wrangler – and I have been in deep conversations about getting in some new breeds (and therefore some lovely new egg colours).

Methinks as soon as a sweetie turns nippy and goes broody, we’ll be getting some eggs of the breeds we’d like and hatching those.

Of course, there will be a Mrs Merton-style ‘heated debate’ on this. And, of course, I will (pretend to) take others’ views into consideration before I have the final word.

(Miss Piggy voice) Autocractic, moi?

Will it be Scots Grey? Cream Legbar? Araucana? Ostrich? Hyacinth Macaw Parrot? Only joking, we already have Cream Legbars.

l’ll keep you posted, loyal readers.

At a packed meeting (pictured) in the Eastgate Theatre, Peebles, the Arthur Association announced the results of the 2003 archaeological excavations in Manor Valley.

The site covers 32 acres in Glenrath where outlines of ancient houses, yards and fields remain clearly visible. It is one of the most extensive settlements of its kind in Scotland and has survived because after it was abandoned, the land was never ploughed.

On the basis of archaeological evidence to date, it was generally believed that during the Roman period, ancient hill fort settlements were gradually abandoned and people moved down to live and farm in the valleys.

A previous excavation in 1941 dated a cluster of roundhouses in Glenrath to around the Roman Iron Age (100-200 AD).

Last summer the whole site was surveyed and a roundhouse (pictured) chosen for excavation because it may have been later than the Roman period. It was about nine metres in diameter with a cooking hearth near the centre. However, radio carbon dating of finds and soil samples has subsequently stood accepted archaeological dating for this Borders site type on its head – it turns out that the house was built in around 1500BC – during the Bronze Age.

A second building was also excavated. This was unusual in that it was rectangular rather than circular, and it proved an enigma. It appears to have been built around the 11th/12th century AD and augmented over the following centuries. Underneath this mediaeval building were traces of earlier activity stretching back to the pre-Roman period around 700-400 BC.

The excavation was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Scottish Borders Council. It was undertaken in collaboration with Peebles Archaeological Society and involved more than 30 volunteers on the survey and 62 on the dig.

Over 300 local schoolchildren took part in an associated programme.

Farmers’s wives are hoping to raise over £10,000 for flood-hit producers in Somerset later this spring

Berwick’s Lucy Armstrong, also a part time business analyst, of Murton Farm, and six others are organising a ‘Spring Shindig’ on Saturday May 3 in Kelso’s Springwood Hall.

The mum-of-one explained: “We are fortunate we’ve never seen anything quite as bad as what they’ve experienced. It’s people’s livelihoods, their homes and businesses. I spoke to a few friends and said let’s try and do something, let’s try and get some fundraising going. Farming is a close knit community and we would like to help, that’s how it came about.”

The other organisers are Jill McGregor of Coldstream Mains, Coldstream, Jane Fenwick (nee Murray) whose family farm West Horton, Wooler, Susan Thomson of Blakelaw, Kelso, Tanya Conway from Belford, who is the NFU regional manager based at Alnwick, and Ailsa Tweedie of Bughtrig, Hownam, Jedburgh.

“It’s been just great, everyone was so willing to help and has been so supportive. The hall capacity is 350 and we would like to fill it. I would be happy if we raised £10,000, which I’m sure we will: we’d like to raise as much as we possibly can.”

Lincolnshire’s Andrew Ward, farmer and founder of Forage Aid to help farmers hit by last winter’s bad winter, is the evening’s speaker. He has been involved in the relief effort for Somerset producers and is reported as saying they will need bedding and fodder for possibly the next 18 months.

Lucy said: “He’s just been down to visit. He said really if you thought it was bad before with the flood, it’s just devastation now that the waters have subsided. It’s not in the media now and I just think we don’t want people to be just forgotten about.”

The wives are working with countryside charities, RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute), to help the families, and the Addington Fund to help the businesses, and the money raised will be split between the two.

The evening includes a two-course dinner, a luxury auction, raffle and dancing to music by popular Edinburgh band, Northern Star. Donations so far include a Barbour coat, Hunter wellies, malt whisky, two days’ shooting, a £100 wine voucher, a week’s stay in a cottage on Holy Island, shooting lessons, with more coming in “fast and furious” said Lucy. And already the team have raised about £1,0000 in cash donations.

“The Spring Shindig is not only for farmers,” said Lucy: “We’ve got a lot of people from lots of different backgrounds who really want to help and, although the aim is to raise money, we also want to give people a fun filled evening!”

“It’s really touched a lot of people’s hearts and those who can’t come have sent cheques or sponsored part of the evening,

“It’s just been unbelievable. It would be great if there was a knock-on effect and there were shindigs throughout the country to raise money.”

Tickets are £35, the dress code is party frocks for the 7.30pm-1am evening.

To book or donate ring Lucy Armstrong 07739 159212 or Kirsty Barr 07734 314875 or email springshindig@gmail.com

SHEPHERDS of the Tweed are to be part of an exhibition in the Tweeddale Museum and Gallery in Peebles this spring and summer.

The exhibition Shepherding the Tweed from May 17 to August 16 will tell the story of the cloth, from the sheep and shepherds through to the factories in the region.

And the council’s Peebles museum staff is launching the show with a hands-on day of demonstrations including lambs and bottle feeding, stick dressing, spinning and knitting and whisky ladle carving in and around the museum in Chambers Terrace.

And for the event - Fleeced!, from 11am to 4pm on May 17 - they are working in collaboration with Peebles Show organisers, Peebles Agricultural Society, the Treefest Partnership and Peeblesshire Archaeological Society.

The museum’s Chris Sawers said: “People will be encouraged to drop in although some elements of the day will be timetabled.

“The exhibition charts the history of the woollen produce of the area and the personal stories of shepherds both historically and currently.

“This is the first time the museum has run an event aimed at, and with, the very strong local farming community. We also aim to attract people who have moved to the area and who may have only a visual relationship with the landscape.

“Launches of exhibitions are traditionally evening events in the gallery, and we hope this indoors and outdoors event will attract different audiences and challenge the preconceptions of a small local authority museum.”

We all find that in life we get stuck in our ways, as if we are walking through treacle and can’t seem to let go of old habits - whether in our thinking, behaviour, eating or drinking patterns.

This is especially true over the dark winter months, when it becomes very easy to find ourselves being negative, eating and drinking a little more than we should, and neglecting ourselves both physically and emotionally.

Life coaching is a fantastic way to kick start your life in whichever way you would like it to move forward: whether that’s a career change or adopting a healthier lifestyle life, coaching can help you to identify the steps that you need to take and help you to make the changes that you would like to bring about.

Life Coach Cathleen Hepburn says: “In Life Coaching we focus on the present day and the future; it’s a focused way of working which identifies the steps you need to take as an individual to be able to achieve the desired results.”

Do you have that feeling of not quite getting there? Is something holding you back?

Mind Detox

Practitioner and Mind Calm Coach Suzi Gibson says: “The Mind Detox Method combined with Mind Calm Meditation is a powerful combination for helping you release the past and move forward.

Mind Detox helps change the unhealthy beliefs negatively impacting your health, wealth and happiness. Mind Calm helps you to change your relationship with your mind and learn how to be at peace with things as they are. Mind Calm can help you to live more in the present moment, engage with life in a more consciously aware way, learn to resist life less and as a result, feel much more calm, confident and content.

“It’s a modern day meditation technique that is fun, easy and effective and fits into your daily routine.”

Suzi Gibson offers coaching sessions, talks and workshops in Peebles, and gives regular talks at Stobo Castle.

“Our bodies, as well as our minds, can manifest unhealthy patterns,” says Bowen Technique practitioner Mary Macfarlane. “Bodies are very good at protecting an area of pain by holding on to compensatory patterns.

For example, if you hurt the right shoulder, the brain may instruct your body to ‘protect’ this area by over-using other areas such as the back or neck muscles, resulting in pain in the left side. Unfortunately the body remembers these compensatory patterns too well and they soon become habitually ‘normal’ even though the shoulder has healed.

These patterns of dysfunctional movement often arise unconsciously over time.”

Bowen Technique “moves” do not attempt to force the body to change; rather they stimulate thebody into recognising that the old pattern is no longer appropriate and “asks” for the changes that are necessary to bring it back to homoeostasis or physiological equilibrium.

Once we decide there is a need for change, old body patterns can be replaced with new, healthy better functioning patterns.

Shepherds of the Tweed are to be part of an exhibition in the Tweeddale Museum and Gallery in Peebles this spring and summer.

The exhibition Shepherding the Tweed from May 17 to August 16 will tell the story of the cloth, from the sheep and shepherds through to the factories in the region.

And the council’s Peebles museum staff is launching the show with a hands-on day of demonstrations including lambs and bottle feeding, stick dressing, spinning and knitting and whisky ladle carving in and around the museum in Chambers Terrace.

And for the event - Fleeced!, from 11am to 4pm on May 17 - they are working in collaboration with Peebles Show organisers, Peebles Agricultural Society, the Treefest Partnership and Peeblesshire Archaeological Society.

The museum’s Chris Sawers said: “People will be encouraged to drop in although some elements of the day will be timetabled.

“The exhibition charts the history of the woollen produce of the area and the personal stories of shepherds both historically and currently.

“This is the first time the museum has run an event aimed at, and with, the very strong local farming community. We also aim to attract people who have moved to the area and who may have only a visual relationship with the landscape.

“Launches of exhibitions are traditionally evening events in the gallery, and we hope this indoors and outdoors event will attract different audiences and challenge the preconceptions of a small local authority museum.”

South of Scotland MSP Jim Hume has said the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland must rectify what he has described as a significant breakdown in relationship with staff.

It follows the decision by the trade union UNISON to hold a ballot on strike action over concerns about the closure of some police control rooms and the removal of counter services.

In the Borders, counter services are being withdrawn in Lauder, Melrose, Coldstream and Selkirk.

Across the south of Scotland, front desks are being shut at 14 stations and reduced to part time at another while one control room is being closed.

The Lib Dem MSP commented: “This unprecedented breakdown in relations is a stark reminder of the corrosive impact centralising police reforms have had on the morale of police staff across south Scotland.

“The SNP’s rushed reforms and unrealistic savings targets mean Dumfries police control room will close with scores of police counters across south Scotland closing their doors to the public. Police staff are being handed compulsory redundancies in all but name.

“As Police Scotland moves towards an enforcement-led mode of policy, civilian staff are feeling increasingly undervalued.

“The Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland have clearly failed to recognise the depth of anger and frustration amongst staff. They must do all they can to rectify that now.”

A stalwart of Yetholm and the surrounding area has been presented with the British Empire Medal which he was awarded in the Queen’s New Years Honours.

Tom Tokely received the medal from Captain Gerald Maitland-Carew, the Lord Lieutenant of Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale, pictured.

Mr Tokely has played a leading role in the church, on the community council and in various voluntary organisations for more than half a century.

The Lord Lieutenant commented: “I was delighted to make this award of the British Empire Medal to Mr Tokely. To anyone, including the young and elderly, he has always been available with advice and help well beyond the call of duty.

“He richly deserved this recognition for his unstinting service over many years to Yetholm.”

When the award was announced in January Mr Tokely commented: “I feel quite proud. I have always been interested in the village and felt I had to do something for the village.”

He has chaired the community council and the festival committee and founded the Romany Ramblers walking group.

He was a football referee for more than 20 years and a church elder for 50 years.

Some of the region’s best-loved historic attractions are set to re-open on Monday, April 1 after being closed for the winter.

Staff at Historic Scotland’s Hermitage Castle and Smailholm Tower are preparing to welcome visitors from across the country, and the world, when the attractions open their doors for the new season.

Hermitage Castle, built for defensive purposes in the 13th century, has a history of torture, treason and romantic trysts.

Most famously it was where Mary, Queen of Scots met with the 4th Earl of Bothwell, before it was abandoned after James VI became James I of Scotland and England and it lost its defensive significance.

Susan Loch, head of visitor operations and community engagement at Historic Scotland, said; “Spring is a lovely time of year to visit one of our properties, and Hermitage Castle is just one of a number of Historic Scotland sites around the country – including Smailholm Tower in the Borders - which closes over winter before re-opening to the public in time for the Easter weekend.

“This year we’ve got lots of exciting things planned for visitors across our properties, from costumed performances to events to mark the Year of Homecoming 2014.”

RUNNER and part-time fire fighter Chris Currie of Kelso is challenging anyone to beat his winning time from 2013 of 5 hours and 40 minutes in this year’s Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) adventure, Beat the Borders, which starts in Melrose on Saturday, August 30.

Last year Chris, a stone finisher at Border Concrete Products, joined nearly 300 entrants at the first ever Beat the Borders, the multi-activity outdoor challenge which raises money for CHAS to care for children with life shortening conditions and their families.

Beat the Borders involves a 40 mile bike ride followed by an eight, or 18 mile hike through some of the most stunning Borders countryside.

Jon Heggie, director of fundraising and communications at CHAS, said: “The very first Beat the Borders was so successful last year that we have decided to make it an annual event.

“Last year, it attracted 286 entrants from right across Scotland and raised £120,000 for CHAS. We are hoping to increase this figure to £150,000.”

He added: “The local community have given a huge amount of support to CHAS and Beat the Borders, and have really embraced the event. “We welcome entrants from teams or individuals and it’s not all about being the fastest participant –it’s about having fun and enjoying the experience.”

The cycle route goes from Melrose to The Woll at Ashkirk, with the hike going from there to Selkirk and on to Melrose for those tackling the full ‘gold’ challenge.

For more information, or to register for the event, go to www.beattheborders.co.uk

Twelve modern apprenticeships are being offered by Scottish Borders Council with applications closing on April 7.

The posts are in the council’s environment and infrastructure department and for eight neighbourhood operations trainee roles, two civil engineering technicians and two posts within the street lighting team.

The apprenticeship packages are for between two and four years and open to people aged from 16 to 24 years.

Councillor Michael Cook, who is responsible for human resources and corporate improvement said the council was determined to use its scale and diversity to support young people into modern apprenticeships.

He commented:“At a time when there is enormous pressure on young people finding work, this is a great opportunity for them to develop skills for a career and for life under the wing of the council. At the same time, the council benefits from their energy and commitment.

The neighbourhood operations roles will see the successful applicants undertake duties relating to ground and roads maintenance, burials and street and public convenience cleaning.

The civil engineering technician trainees will provide support on a range of infrastructure projects, including bridges, roads, flood schemes, road network issues and landfill sites.

The two street lighting posts include an apprentice electrician and a electrical engineering technician..

Full details of the apprenticeships are available on the Council’s website: www.scotborders.gov.uk/apprenticeships

Scotland’s first case of Cattle Scab since the early 1980s has been confirmed at an unnamed farm in the Borders.

It was diagnosed by vets from Scotland’s Rural College working at the SAC’s Veterinary Investigation Centre at St Boswells.

Properly known as Psoroptic Mange it’s caused by mites that pierce the skin to feed which causes immense irritation in the infected animal.

Clusters of Cattle Scab have been found in Wales, south west England, in Yorkshire, in Ireland and mainland Europe – but so far Scotland has remained clean.

Helen Cart of the Scottish Agricultural College described the scab as a severe skin disease with serious implications for cattle if not quickly identified and correctly treated.

She added: “It has the potential to become established in Scotland because of the movement of animals and the difficulties of treatment. I would urge farmers to remain vigilant for any signs of Cattle Scab and to notify their vet of any suspect cases.”

Dr Alasdair Nisbet of the Moredun Research Institute in Edinburgh warned: “Cattle may not show signs immediately after infection, allowing the silent spread of disease within, and between, herds.”

Stow farmer Nigel Miller, president of the National Farmers Union in Scotland said: “It is imperative that infected cattle are locked-down for transport if this parasite is not to become an endemic problem in Scotland.

“If it does become endemic it will affect the status of Scottish cattle and undo the hard work of the industry to establish a reputation for quality within Scottish cattle.”

Ms Cart admitted that treatment of Cattle Scab was problematic. She explained: “Successful treatment is not straightforward.

“All the animals in the group, and any other in-contact animals, regardless of whether they are showing clinical signs, must be treated.

“Experience in Wales suggests the mites are resistant to commonly used products and none are licensed for use in milking dairy cows.”

Cattle Scab –unlike Sheep Scab – is not a notifiable disease but NFU Scotland says the Scottish Government should make it one.

A Borders car dealership has achieved the highest score possible in a customer satisfaction survey carried out by the manufacturer. Adam Purves Mitsubishi, on Tweedbank Industrial Estate, was awarded the maximum five stars.

Alister Scott, dealer principal, said: “It’s great news that we are rated so highly by our customers. We certainly do all we can to deliver excellent levels of service and satisfaction.”

Health bosses have confirmed that Hay Lodge Hospital in Peebles and one bay in wards 4 and 9 at the BGH remain closed to admissions because of Norovirus.

Ward 10 at the BGH is also closed to new patients because of gastro-intestinal symptoms.

NHS Borders say the closures are a precautionary measure to prevent the virus spreading.

Dr Ed James, consultant microbiologist with local infection control team said Norovirus was one of the most common causes of diarrhoea and vomiting.

He added: “It is very infectious and spreads quickly between people. This is why outbreaks happen in hospitals where a number of people are sharing facilities.

“However it doesn’t just occur in hospitals, and can start abruptly and spread quickly through communities.

“Getting Norovrius cannot always be avoided, but good hygiene can help to limit the virus spreading. Everyone in the Borders can play their part to help minimise the spread of this virus through our communities and hospitals.”

Cauldshiels ward at the BGH, which had been closed because of Norovirus, re-opened over the weekend.

An event at this year’s Jim Clark Rally is being moved from one part of Kelso to the other.

Organisers have announced that this year’s events, scheduled to run over the weekend of Friday May 30 to Sunday June 1, will feature a number of changes, including one major re-location.

Due to a clash of dates at Kelso Racecourse, the rally service and technology park will be based on the other side of Kelso at Springwood Park Showground on Friday and Saturday before transferring to Duns for the Sunday run.

Jim Clark Rally clerk of the course Russel Blood explained: “The change will be good for the event and for spectators. Kelso Racecourse has been good to us over the years, but the Showground opens up many more possibilities.”

He added: “We are planning to put on a show in Springwood Park, but I can’t say much more than that at this stage, but given the scope of the Showground and the tarmac road running around it has given us a few ideas.”

Clerk of the course for Sunday’s Jim Clark Reivers Rally, Colin Smith said: “Russel and I have been planning this for some time, and although the bigger event will be based at the Showground in Kelso and the one-day event in Duns, we have got some exciting plans to enhance the spectator experience on the Sunday too.”

Inspectors have praised the staff and pupils at Selkirk High School, highlighting also the quality of support and care for students.

The HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIe) report acknowledges how well the school ensures students know their strengths and the next steps in their studies.

Inspector Hakim Din also praised the school’s wider achievements programme and its contribution to pupil development.

The school’s strong focus on developing health and wellbeing through a range of activities including participation in sporting events is also highlighted in the inspection report.

Headteacher Wilma Burgon said: “It is excellent to see HMIe acknowledge our many strengths and the positive impact these have on pupil attainment and achievement.

“I am particularly pleased to see the report confirm that our students feel safe, have a positive attitude to learning and are performing above the national average, and well above in some areas.

“In addition, the high quality of support and the benefits pupils gain from our comprehensive wider achievement programme are testimony to the hard work, commitment and dedication of staff, pupils and our partners.”

Chair of the parent council, Iain Burke, added: “I am delighted to see the positive report from the inspection and the recognition of the excellent work and considerable effort put in by staff and pupils alike.

“The strengths of the school clearly show that it is providing a positive environment in which our young people can grow and learn while feeling safe and supported.”

In order to continue to improve the school, the council has agreed with the inspector that work will be done to raise teachers’ expectations of achievement and provide greater challenges in lessons.

Glenn Rodger, director of education and life long learning for SBC, said: “I am pleased with the outcome of the inspection. The report demonstrates the headteacher has a clear vision for continuing to improve the school.

“All at Selkirk High School have been working to ensure the best outcomes for the young people within the school community.”