Land owners who rent or lease their ground out are being urged to take part in a Scottish Government survey of the sector.

The questionnaire asks landlords about their experiences and views on letting out land; the tenants survey has already been done.

Responses will go into the Minister-led Agricultural Holdings Legislation review which is considering issues in the tenanted sector, including an absolute right to buy for traditional secure 1991 agricultural tenancies.

The survey was developed in collaboration with Tenant Farming Forum members including NFU Scotland (NFUS), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Scotland, Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA), Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) and Scottish Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers Association (SAAVA)

Union president, Stow farmer Nigel Miller said: “It is hugely important to Scottish agriculture that we have a tenanted sector that works for existing tenants and landlords, while also ensuring that there are opportunities for new and expanding businesses to rent land. It is important that those who let out land on a permanent basis, a fixed term tenancy or seasonal basis feed in their views to this survey.

“The remit of the review group is to examine if we have the appropriate legislation to deliver a tenanted sector that’s fit for purpose or if changes are required to improve existing tenancy agreements, such as changes to the rent review process and waygo. At the end of the process, we need a legislative framework that encourages the owners of land to rent while providing security to the tenant, allowing them to invest in their farms.

“The recent successful survey of Scottish tenant farmers was the first piece in the review process jigsaw and now it is the turn of those who let out land. Their participation will ensure any future decisions by the review group are balanced and based on the most accurate data available.”

In 2013, NFU Scotland held two seminars which saw a wide range of stakeholders map out a vision for how land tenure in Scotland might look come 2020. The union is also currently meeting tenant and landlord members at meetings around Scotland to help inform its forthcoming submission to the review group.

Anyone who lets out land and has not received a copy of the survey by Friday, April 4, can request one by contacting David.Myers@ipsos.com and providing details of the relevant farming business including holding reference numbers. Responses can be submitted online or on paper and are requested by April 7, 2014 although will continue be accepted until early May.

Councillors have generally welcomed proposed measures to promote responsible dog ownership, with the exception of muzzling dogs in public.

However, many questioned what difference the proposed legislation will make in terms of dog fouling.

The Scottish Government paper and a council response drafted by officers were discussed at the environment and infrastructure committee meeting last Thursday.

Members of the committee agreed on the whole with the compulsory microchipping and licensing of dogs, although Councillor Jim Fullarton questioned the cost to dog owners and others raised concerns about how it would be policed.

Councillor Gavin Logan said: “I can remember when dogs had to be licensed and people didn’t pay attention to it.”

Other members called for greater fines to tackle dog fouling.

Councillor Stuart Marshall said: “I don’t think this paper goes far enough in putting pressure on the Scottish Government for more legislation on the war on dog fouling.”

Fellow Hawick councillor Davie Paterson added: “It is absolutely ignorant and dirty not to clean up after your dog.”

The Scottish Government proposals are currently out for consultation with stakeholders and the wider public.

Plans by the Royal Bank of Scotland to close its branch in Newtown St Boswells have been described as a disaster for the village.

RBS confirmed to The Southern today (Wednesday, March 26) that the branch will be one of three closing in June, with the others being those in Greenlaw and Chirnside.

The latter two are set to shut their doors for the last time on June 18, while the Newtown branch will close on June 25.

RBS says the decision to close the three branches was made following the drop in customer numbers, and has promised to work with local Post Offices and a new mobile van to try and limit the effect to customers.

But local newsagent, Eoin Frame, says the news is a bombshell.

“This will be a disaster for the village and is a real blow after the loss of the Post Office branch not so long ago. “A lot of people don’t use online banking and, as a result, I think a considerable number of local RBS customers will probably switch to the Bank of Scotland which also has a branch in the village.”

Asked about job losses as a result of the closures, RBS said there would be no redundancies and staff would be redeployed to other branches in the area.

Full story on local reaction to the news in tomorrow’s issue of The Southern Reporter.

The council has been told to apologise to a complainant after they refused to correspond with him further on a matter.

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman ruled the council had dealt with the complaint correctly, but failed to ask the man to reduce his email correspondence before restricting contact entirely.

A New Zealand auction house is expected to sell a trunk, which once carried the belongings of explorer Mungo Park, for up to £26,000.

The bullock hide trunk, covered in brass studs, will go under the hammer early Friday morning UK time in Auckland.

The trunk, estimated to sell for between $40,000 to $50,000 NZ, had accompanied Park, who was born at Foulshiels near Selkirk in 1771, on his travels to explore the course of the Niger in West Africa.

Selkirkshire councillor, Vicky Davidson, still has not lost hope some benefactor might buy the trunk and return it to Scotland.

“It would be very fitting if we could somehow retrieve his trunk and bring it back to Selkirk in the Year of Homecoming,” she said.

Members of the council’s planning committee are being recommended to object to plans for a 24-turbine wind farm between Lauder and Stow.

The Girthgate scheme has been submitted to the Scottish Government for determination, but councillors will discuss their response at a meeting on Monday.

COUNCILLORS are set to approve plans to seek the creation of bylaws to stop people drinking alcohol in public in six towns.

Galashiels town centre, Hawick, Jedburgh, Newtown St Boswells, Eyemouth and Coldingham could have the legislation imposed, if approved by the Scottish Government.

A report due to go before councillors this morning, Thursday, states that the response to the public consultation on the proposed bylaws was “disappointing”.

However it recommends the individual bylaws are now drafted in consultation with the Scottish Government, following which there will be another period of consultation.

Proposed exemptions include principal festival days and Hogmanay.

Responses to the consultation were received from only four of the 67 community councils, although many were represented at area forum meetings where the matter was discussed.

Despite public concerns about ‘excessive drinking’ in the Cobby and Mayfield areas of Kelso, the community council’s response of being “dead against” a byelaw has meant it has not been included in the list.

NHS Borders and the Scottish Ambulance Service support the introduction of the bylaws and Police Scotland believe they will help reduce disorder.

Councillors are expected to approve a major change in the Borders’ education system this morning, Thursday, despite significant opposition.

The proposed move to a four-and-a-half day week school week resulted in more than 5,000 people getting involved in the consultation process.

But despite widespread opposition from parents and pupils, the changes are expected to set to be agreed and come into force in August.

In a report to councillors, Glenn Rodger, director of education states: “Despite the range of concerns expressed by parents and other stakeholders during the consultation exercise, the status quo is not a viable alternative.

“An asymmetric week is required if schools are to plan and deliver effective teaching and learning as finance and resources diminish over the next five years.”

He adds: “Whilst acknowledging the issues and concerns raised throughout this consultation, the alternatives of not going down such a path are even more concerning.

“Without the platform of an asymmetric week to host transformational change in our schools, the alternatives can only be a decrease in teacher numbers which will lead to larger class sizes and a significant reduction in course choices, particularly in our smaller secondary schools.”

Chris Mowat, parent council chairman at Kelso High School, told The Southern: “I understand that the savings need to be made quickly, but some schools will now have had three different timetabled weeks in the last two years.

“The consultations was rushed and without warning and if these changes are to come into force in August then it is not much time to prepare for teachers and parents.”

Mr Mowat is concerned the transport changes required have not been sorted, and in addition to taking time will give rise to expense, although SBC has said this will be “minimal”.

The school week changes are aimed at helping the education department deliver services with £11m a year less than is currently available, with savings expected from a cut in teacher numbers.

However, Mr Mowat believes that changes will have to be made at a Scottish Government level to enable teacher numbers to be cut due to an existing agreement with unions.

He added: “There will be initial additional expense from making the changes but the savings are supposed to be coming from efficiencies in staffing, but how quickly will that be achieved?”

Mr Mowat also questioned if school IT systems were fit-for-purpose when e-learning is also a key feature of the changes.

The availability and cost of additional childcare is the biggest issue for parents with the proposed four-and-a-half day school week.

The council’s director of education, Glenn Rodger, has revealed the “vast majority” of the 5,153 people who got involved with the consultation have issues and concerns about the change.

However he has still recommended councillors agree to it being implemented in August, with a the half day being a Friday.

In a report to go before councillors today, Mr Rodger states: “It is acknowledged that a move to a four-and-a-half day school week will create issues and concerns for many parents, pupils and the wider community.

“These issues around childcare, school transport, ICT infrastructures and others will require careful planning and an element of redesign.”

Over 60 per cent of parents of primary school pupils who filled in the online consultation form stated childcare was their biggest concern, with 37 per cent of parents of secondary pupils stating it was their top concern.

Parents raised issues around the suitability of existing childcare options for older children and also the potential for anti-social behaviour from secondary pupils loitering around towns.

The longer days are another concerns for many, including almost 600 pupils.

Around a fifth of parents fear the changes may have a negative impact on their child’s education.

However almost a quarter of the 1,200 people who responded online said they were in favour of the changes, with some commenting that it would give them more family time, time for sport and a longer weekend.

Staff consulted on the proposed changes were split, with a third looking forward to the benefits provided, but a fifth raised concerns about e-learning and effective use of double periods, with individual periods set to increase to 50 minutes.

In his report, Mr Rodger states SBC will put an extra £50,000 into the development of voluntary sector out-of-school care and have discussions with leisure and sports providers to ensure that a range of activities are available on Friday afternoons.

It is also proposed that the 15 minute break time on the Friday is extended to 30 minutes to allow pupils to have a light lunch.

The council anticipates annual savings of £500,000 from the introduction of an asymmetric school week, although there will be initial costs with its implementation.

Mr Rodger has stated that in the longer term it will help ensure breadth of pupil course choice in the event of a cut in teacher numbers.

Ancrum

Competition

Borders RSPB Local Group and Woodside Walled Garden are to hold a Pallet Garden Callet garden competition at Woodside Walled Garden over the weekend on May 2-5.There will be an entry fee of £5.The winning garden will gain automatic entry to the pallet garden competition at Gardening Scotland at The Royal Highland Centre, Ingleston, from May 31- June 1. Any organisation wishing to enter or wanting more information should contact Keith Davies (keithdavies51@btinternet.com). All entries will be on display at Woodside Walled Garden during the weekend of May 2-5.

Bedrule

WRI

Members enjoyed a talk and photographic show about the life of Sir Walter Scott and Abbotsford, and heard about the property’s new visitor centre. Competition – painted egg in a cup – 1, Teela Ferguson; 2,Margaret Taylor; 3, Olive Hogg. The next meeting, to which all are welcome, is a talk by Mr Tokely on April 16 at 7pm.

Caddonfoot

Church

There was a double celebration at the Sunday morning service when the Reverend Elspeth Harley welcomed Ben and Joe Cooper, and their parents Donna and Bruce, along with families and friends, for their Sacrament of Holy Baptism. It was a special day, too, for beadle and bell-ringer George Wells who was celebrating his 90th birthday. The elder and congregational board member was welcomed into the church with the congregation singing “Happy Birthday”.

At the end of the service, Atholl Innes gave a resume of George’s contribution to the church. Fay Brydon had baked a cake, which George cut, and members raised their glasses in a toast. Later, George attended a family meal and reunion in Melrose.

Next Sunday, Caddonfoot Youth will join Christian Aid’s “Count Your Blessings” project with a home-baking sale after the service, with proceeds going to Christian Aid.

denholm

Minto WRI

Sheila Clyne introduced members to an array of creamy desserts. Several flavours were suggested, including whisky liqueurs, and little dishes of each were offered for her audience to enjoy.

Copies of her recipes were shared out. Competition – individual sweets – 1, Dee Baxter; 2, Janice Palmer; 3, Lindsey Laing; 4, Margaret Armstrong. Lindsey brought along her six-week-old 
daughter and she was welcomed as the rural’s youngest member.

EARLSTON

Parish church

The March 30 service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods.

AGM

Earlston Scouts’ AGM will be held on March 27 at 7.30pm in the church hall.

Women’s Group

Members meet on April 3 at 8pm in the church hall. 
This is the rescheduled night for the Milestone talk on spring flowers and 
plants.

eckford

WRI

John Hennessey delivered a talk, illustrated with photographs, of his trip to Cambodia. He visited the jail where Cambodians were tortured by the Khmer Rouge 30 years ago. Competitions – sandwich filling – 1, Isobel Henderson; 2, Margaret Jeary; 3, Carol Wilson-Green; gent’s tie – 1, Christine Tucker; 2, Alma Elliot; 3, Ina Cowe.

edgerston

Committee

Edgerston Village Hall committee meets tonight (Thursday) at 7.30pm.

Coffee morning

The next coffee morning will be on April 7 at 10.30pm.

Ettrickbridge

WRI

Mary Thomson, who runs the kennels at Mellerstain, gave a talk on her life and work. Competitions – dog ornament – 1, Marjory Tennant; 2, Marion MacIntosh; 3, Marion McNeil; dog bowl mat – 1, Isla Guthrie; 2, Alison Blackadder; 3,Marjory Tennant. The next meeting – on April 9 – features a talk about Marie Curie.

galashiels

Rotary

Amjad Shaikh works as an orthopaedic surgeon at Borders General Hospital, but spends much of his time in his native Pakistan where he has set up clinics to treat disabilities left by polio, Rotarians heard. A member of the Rotary Club of Karachi, Amjad said Pakistan is one of only three countries where polio is still in existence. This is because of conflict, poverty and lack of knowledge. Rotary is a world leader in the fight against polio, working with the Bill Gates Foundation and the World Health Organisation.

Probus

The Galashiels and District Probus Club meeting was held in the Kingsknowes Hotel on March 15, with 55 members attending. The event was chaired by our President Sandy Frame, with Bob McFarlane giving a talk entitled ‘Behind the Scenes’, which dealt with his highly dangerous exploits as an agent working for the Special Operations Executive during the Second World War following his recruitment to the British Secret Service in October 1943. This was the second part of Bob’s talk and covered his time in India and then Malaya fighting the Japanese from early 1945 up until the Japanese surrender following the dropping of two nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. After jungle survival training he had been parachuted into the Malayan jungle and worked as a radio operator in operations against the Japanese.

In 1996 Bob was honoured to be invited to meet Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, at the unveiling of a memorial to the men and women of the Special Operations Executive. The vote of thanks was proposed by Sandy Frame to a very brave man who had given us two memorable talks. The next meeting will be in the Kingsknowes Hotel today, March 27, and will be the Club’s AGM starting at 11.30am and to be followed by a buffet lunch.

hawick

Family history

The Evergreen Hall will host a Borders Family History Society meeting on March 30 at 2.30pm when Paul Brough will talk about “The (Hawick) Heritage Hub and Developments in Archives”. Paul is the Hub’s archives manager.

Camera club

The Digital Image and Print of Year Competition was held in the clubrooms last Thursday evening, with Ian Fullerton from Haddington judging. Results – projected images – 1, Reflections by Sel Messer; 2, Card Players, Brian Marriott; 3, Poppy Fields, Ali Graham; mounted prints – 1, Pettico Wick, Ali Graham; 2, Flash, Dennis Laing; 3, Busy Bee, Bert Lancaster. Overall winner – Reflections, Sel Messer. The AGM is on April 3. The Borders Digital Challenge took place on Sunday in the high school lecture theatre with 12 clubs taking part. Judge was John Williams of Penrith. The competition resulted in a three-way tie, which was eventually settled by bringing reserve images into account. Results – 1, Morpeth; 2, Morton; 3, Galashiels; 4, Kelso; 5, Hawick. Top image – Pettico Wick by Ali Graham from Hawick.

Rotary

Frank Scott, secretary of the common riding committee, outlined plans to mark the 500th anniversary of the battle of Hornshole. He is co-ordinator of the many groups arranging events. Among these are the erecting of statues, viewpoints placed around the town, a “Return from Hornshole” and a commemorative visit to Hexham Abbey.

Innerleithen

Service

The service on March 30 will be at 11.30am.

jedburgh

Rotary

The club enjoyed a domino tournament on March 20, ably won by Bob Burnside who played a series of skilful games.

On February 27, the Head Boy and Head Girl of Jedburgh Grammar School, Finlay Duff and Beth Mabon, together with the Rector, Kevin Ryals, came to talk about their own progress and the achievements of the Grammar School during the current academic year. They outlined their hopes and aspirations for the future. Finlay is a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament and will be attending as a delegate, to the forthcoming meeting of the Parliament in Shetland. Jedburgh Rotary Club is helping to sponsor Finlay and two other delegates to attend the event.

The Club has also agreed to help local girl, Laura Farquarson to work as a volunteer in Malawi, by providing financial support for her placement there.

On March 20 the club hosted Kelso writer Margaret Skea who talked about her new book, Turn of the Tide. The talk was entitled, The Long Road to Publication and detailed Margaret’s determined efforts to write and publish her historical novel.

Jedburgh Rotary Club is actively promoting the ‘Young Writer’ competition for both primary and secondary school pupils during the school year of 2014-15. This involves local heats followed by Scottish and UK heats.

The club is also closely involved in supporting the Jedburgh Christmas Lights and will work in partnership with the Community Council and Trade Association to organise a Christmas celebration on the occasion of the ‘switch-on.’ Please contact the Rotary Club of Jedburgh if you wish to help. Contact details are on the club’s website.

Bridge club

March 17 – N/S – 1, V. Johnstone and M. Miller; 2, D. Palmer and P. Palmer; 3, H. Long and M. Weightman; E/W – 1. N. Porter and S. Graham; 2. R. Oates and S. West; 3, R. Stewart and J. Henry.

kelso

Bridge club

March 19 – Rose Bowl 8 – N/S – 1, Rena Stewart and Beth Stark; 2, Jim and Mary Stone; 3, Jean McLaren and Alison Ireland; E/W – 1, Annie Mitchell and Bob Stevenson; 2, John and Marian Miller; 3, Sheila Urquhart and Lee Leeson. March 20 – Millennium Trophy 14 – N/S – 1, John Urquhart and Janet Kyle; 2, Rena and Archie Stewart; 3, Dominic and Diana Alkin; E/W – 1, Lee Leeson and Bob Stevenson; 2, Lynda Douglas and Michael Horwood; 3, Gerry Eglington and Jon Bridger.

Project Linus

A coffee morning and display of linus quilts is being held on April 5 in the Abbey Row centre. All proceeds to CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association of Scotland).

Thursday Group

Members enjoyed an afternoon about Cambodia, thanks to John Hennessey’s images and talk. Today, Isabel Gordon presents “Dying for a Cuppa” (a history of tea) at 2pm in Abbey Row Centre. Next week Jonathan Parsons will talk about “Kipling, the man

his life and his works”.

Church News

Last Sunday morning the Men’s Group – men@kne – organised and led worship in both Ednam and Kelso North. The group, around 20 strong, also sang the hymn ‘I will sing the wondrous story’ to the Welsh melody ‘Calon Lan’, which was met with a very warm and enthusiastic applause. Tonight (Thursday) the group travels to Melrose for a guided tour of the Borders Crematorium, with cars leaving from Inch Road Car Park at 6.25 pm.

Tomorrow (Friday) sees the final film night at Kelso North for the current session, when Philomena will be screened at 7pm.

Tickets are still on sale for the Seder Meal and Ceilidh at Kelso Rugby Club on Friday, April 11 and the Lent Study sessions continue on Tuesdays at 2pm in St Mary’s Church, with a repeat on Thursdays at 7pm at Kelso North.

Patterns for knitted teddies are available again in both churches and from the church office. The teddies will be used by the Northumberland Ambulance Service.

Soup and pudding lunches will again be available at the Forestfield Manse during July, with the proceeds going towards providing a year’s education for Pearl Singh at Dr Graham’s Homes in Kalimpong, India, where the church sponsors a number of students.

Langholm

Accordion club

The accordion and fiddle club, which was founded in 1967, ended another season with the March meeting in the Royal British Legion clubrooms last Wednesday evening. Adam Grant was again compere and the guests were the Stuart Anderson Trio, with Stuart from Roberton on accordion, accompanied by Judith Linton (fiddle) and Kieran Johnstone (drums). Accordion players present were Newby Park, Les Hurst, Billy and David Bell, all from Carlisle, James Lawrie from Gilsland and Ken White of the Rigg. Also, David Dunbar of Lockerbie, Tom Herdman from Hawick and Robin and Deryn Waitt of Claygate. Langholm accordion players Eric Goodfellow and Roger Dobson also entertained the company, along with local drummer Robert Willens, and Jock Thompson from Hawick was also on drums. Ian Wilson, Crawford, played the piano and Ian Bell, Canonbie, played a selection on the bagpipes.

Stars in their Eyes

The Castle Craigs committee is holding a Stars in their Eyes karaoke night in the Royal British Legion clubrooms on April 5. There are 14 acts lined up, with things getting under way at 8pm. Tickets will be on sale on March 29 from the Castle Craigs bar in the Crown Hotel (1- 3pm) and limited to two per person.

melrose

Parish church

March 27 – presbytery review (kirk session); March 30 – services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (11am); April 7 – Blythswood collection at 2.20pm from the rugby club.

Trimontium

The spring quarterly meeting of the Trimontium trustees discussed arrangements for the installation of the Newstead Roman barge steering oar from Edinburgh and the return of the Synton silver denarii hoard from Tweeddale. It was hoped that the establishment of a Borders Cultural Trust would allow for the existing arrangements with Scottish Borders Council museums to continue. Trustees looked forward to the three Trimontium spring lectures in the Corn Exchange on April 3 and 24, and May 1 from doctors John Reid, Nick Hodgson and Chris Bowles.

Newcastleton

Coffee morning

The local school partnership raised £500 at a coffee morning in the village hall. Tickets are still being sold for the hamper. The money will be used to fund activities such as school trips and entertainment groups.

NEWTOWN

Seniors’ club

The next monthly meeting of Newtown and Eildon Seniors’ Afternoon Club will take place in Newtown Community Wing at 2pm on April 1.

oxnam

Library cafe

The new season of the library cafe began on March 12 with 35 visitors and a splendid spread for all. The next gathering is on April 2 in the village hall at 11am.

Oxton

WRI

There was a craft demonstration by Jules Reeley and members had the chance to make Easter garlands and a gift bag. Competition – a keyring – 1, Alice Telford; 2, Sylvia Thomson; 3, Agnes Bell.

Church

From and including April 6, the 10am Sunday service will be held in Channelkirk Church .

Selkirk

Monday Club

At 2pm on March 31 at St Joseph’s church hall, there will be a presentation by Selkirk Fair Trade Group.

stow

Church

Stow and Heriot Church is holding its annual congregational meeting on March 30. There will be a joint service at Stow Church at 10.30am, followed by the meeting and a soup and sandwich lunch.

Traquair

Service

The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on April 13 at 10am.

Yetholm

History society

Members are to make a trip round Berwick’s fortified walls on May 3 when local historian Jim Herbert will conduct the tour. 
Anyone interested in going should confirm with a 
committee member or 
phone 01573 420602.

Film night

“The Life of Brian” will be shown on March 29 
(doors open 6.30pm) in the Wauchope Hall.

Play

Anew play is being written by Eloner Crawford about the life of Morebattle poet Robert Davidson. It is of relevance to Yetholm as there will be a performance in the village, and it is hoped to involve Yetholm and Morebattle children and adults as performers.

There will be an open meeting in Morebattle Hall at 7pm on June 12.

Church

Arrangements for Easter week have been made and details are on village noticeboards. There will be a Palm Sunday (April 13) walk from Hownam to Yetholm.

Romany Ramblers

Meet at 9am on March 29 at the Wauchope Hall for car sharing. Route – 10miles – Newton Tors from Hethpool via Hethpool Linn, Easter Tor, Southernknowe and return along east bank of College Burn.

A jealous man tried to strangle his terrified partner, screaming that he was going to kill her as she gasped for breath.

The woman had earlier dialled 999 while hiding in the kitchen.

Twenty-year-old Christopher Robertson was due to stand trial by jury at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday, but pled guilty to an amended charge.

The first offender admitted assaulting his partner at the flat they shared in North Street, Peebles, on May 19, straddling her body while she was on the ground, restricting her breathing by placing his hand around her neck and threatening to kill her.

Robertson was said to have been jealous of the victim’s behaviour with a friend who had been drinking with them earlier, although the relationship between the couple – who have a young baby – was described as “quite fractious”.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley told how Robertson and his girlfriend, who was 17 years old at the time, lived with their then nine-month-old child.

“In the run-up to this incident, the relationship had deteriorated as neither was working and both were at home most of the day with a young baby,” she explained.

On the Saturday night (May 18) a friend visited the flat and all three were socialising.

“They had all consumed alcohol, though not to excess,” continued Ms Bradley.

The man who was visiting left at about 1.30am.

The prosecutor told the court: “Shortly after he left the accused became jealous of the way she had been behaving with this man, calling her a whore.”

Robertson then picked up the baby, who started crying, and his girlfriend pleaded with him to put the child down and she took him back to his cot.

The woman tried to avoid the accused as his mood was deteriorating.

Ms Bradley went on: “She hid in the kitchen and dialled 999.

“She ended up on the floor and he straddled her with his knees and grabbed her tightly by the throat and squeezed, causing her to gasp for breath. She estimated this strangulation lasted for about 30 seconds, during which time he was screaming ‘I’m going to kill you’.

“In the course of this he slapped her to the head and she managed to push her fingers into his eyes and push him away. She escaped and took refuge in the bathroom.”

Police officers, responding to the earlier call, arrived to find the woman in a distressed state.

Ms Bradley told the hearing: “She said the accused had strangled her and she was struggling to breathe, and she required an inhaler. Her eyes were bloodshot and there was bruising to her neck, and there were signs of trauma consistent with the alleged assault.”

An ambulance was called and after being assessed by paramedics, the woman declined any further treatment.

Robertson told police there had been a verbal argument and they had been pushing each other.

His solicitor, Robert More, said Robertson had been on bail since last May, with conditions not to contact the complainer or to enter North Street in Peebles, and had abided by those conditions.

He added: “Quite sadly, we have two young people with a young child who have struggled to cope, and the relationship had become quite fractious.”

Mr More reserved his plea in mitigation until reports had been prepared.

The accused was released on bail and will be sentenced at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on May 2.

A teenage thief spent the morning of his mother’s funeral in court.

Eighteen-year-old Kieran Davies appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Friday before leaving to attend the funeral in Edinburgh.

Davies, of Leishman Place, Hawick, was fined £100 after he admitted stealing toiletries and drinks from Asda’s Galashiels store on December 11, while on bail.

Ed Hulme, defending, said his client had been “led astray by an acquaintance” when he committed the offence.

BANNED FOR 15 MONTHS

Driving a car when more than twice the alcohol limit cost first offender Lewis Mitchell a £400 fine and a 15-month ban.

Mitchell, 20, of Sandbed, Hawick, admitted driving at Weensland Road in the town on February 23 with an alcohol reading of 74 mcgs – the legal limit being 35.

Claire Bottomley, prosecuting, told how the accused was stopped by police shortly after midnight.

Ed Hulme, defending, said his client had spent four years in the army, including service in Afghanistan.

“He had been drinking with friends in Denholm on a Saturday afternoon and had no alcohol for some six hours after, so thought he would be fit to drive home to Hawick,” explained Mr Hulme.

TOOLS THIEF

A woman who stole power tools and construction equipment was sentenced to a 12-month community payback order with 100 hours of unpaid work.

Azara Cope, 20, of Dryden Close, Tipton, West Midlands, admitted the theft from Hawick’s Lothian Street on August 24 last year.

FIRST OFFENDER ADMONISHED

After falling into a drunken sleep, Barry Gibson woke to find police in his house trying to remove his TV.

Officers had called at the St Mary’s Place property in Hawick during the early hours of the morning after noise complaints.

The first offender pleaded guilty to standing in the way of police officers trying to seize the television set, and trying to grab paperwork and tear it up on July 2. He also admitted giving police a false name and date of birth with intent to pervert the course of justice.

At a previous hearing, procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told how police turned up at 4.30am.

He added: “He was sound asleep and seemed rather surprised to see them, although his alcohol consumption did not help his understanding. He tried to seize hold of paperwork and stood in their way to avoid then taking the TV.”

Gibson’s lawyer, Mat Patrick, said the recent loss of his job had a “massive impact” on the accused.

Mr Patrick went on: “He was extremely stressed and resorted to drinking too much, and this incident stemmed from that.

“He was asleep and woke up surrounded by police trying to take his TV away. He then gave them slightly incorrect details.”

Hearing Gibson, 48, had been of good behaviour during six months of deferred sentence, Sheriff Peter Paterson admonished him.

HEROIN CHARGE IS DENIED

A woman who denies being concerned in the supply of heroin had a further first hearing set for April 4.

Janine Mullins, 35, formerly of Eyemouth and currently staying at Keppoch Hill Road, Glasgow, appeared on indictment and pleaded not guilty to the offence which is alleged to have been committed at a flat in Chapel Quay, Chapel Street, Eyemouth, on May 1 last year.

ASSAULT ALLEGATION

A 59-year-old who denies assaulting another man to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement had a further first hearing set for April 4.

Alexander McLeod of Hillend Drive, Hawick, appeared on indictment and pleaded not guilty to repeatedly striking the man with a metal bar at a house at Hillend Drive on June 14 last year.

BOOZED-UP BITER

A drunken man who bit his partner during a struggle had sentence deferred until May 2 for reports.

Allan Hutchinson, 50, of Fairhurst Drive, Hawick, admitted assault to injury at a house in the town’s Dickson Street on December 30.

At an earlier hearing, procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the couple had been in a relationship at the time and described both as alcohol dependent.

Mr Fraser said the woman felt the relationship was “moving too fast” and there was an argument between them.

“He poured himself a half-pint of vodka and drank it in one go before resorting to violence towards her. There was a struggle and he bit her, leaving her with injuries,” he added.

The victim sustained tenderness to her body, a scratch to her forehead and cheek, and a tender jaw.

Defence solicitor Rory Bannerman said both parties had “alcohol issues”, adding: “They have been dating for a few months and want to stay in the relationship.”

PRIVATE APPEARANCE

A Galashiels accused appeared in private, charged on petition with assaulting a man to his severe injury, and another man to his injury at the Ship Inn, Melrose, on December 27.

Twenty-nine-year-old James Green made no plea or declaration and was released on bail.

REMANDED IN CUSTODY

A 37-year-old man was remanded in custody after he appeared in private charged on petition with breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

Euan Peddie, from Kelso, is alleged to have committed the offence on a number of occasions at a house in Hawick.

He made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination of the evidence.

HAWICK MAN BAILED

A Hawick man appeared in private, charged on petition with threatening or abusive behaviour and theft at a house in Jedburgh on March 22.

David Adamson, 25, made no plea or declaration and was bailed.

A home help, faced with debts, stole £15,000 from her elderly employer, Selkirk Sheriff Court heard this week.

Teresa Brown, 44, of Howden Road, Jedburgh, was originally charged with stealing £60,000 from the 68-year-old, but pleaded guilty to an amended sum of £15,000.

The first offender stole the cash while working as a cleaner for the man at his Kirk Yetholm home between October 2011 and August 2012.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley said the victim’s wife sustained a brain injury and required a carer.

She told the hearing that in 2011 the man inherited “a reasonably-substantial legacy”, adding: “He had funds, but wasn’t in the habit of regularly looking at them. He has mobility issues and the village does not have an ATM.”

Ms Bradley said the man used a Switch card to pay for most things.

“In 2011, his partner was taken into care, so the carer stopped visiting on a daily basis. He was fending for himself and she suggested he hire a home help and suggested the accused who she knew as someone well trusted in the village,” continued Ms Bradley.

The man hired Brown as a cleaner and, shortly after she began working for him, asked her to get him some shopping as she also had a part-time job in Sainsbury’s.

“He gave her his bank card and PIN number, and would get the card back the same day, with the items he had asked for. He also took her to take money out for her cleaning work, and stipulated the amount,” explained Ms Bradley.

When his partner returned home in July 2012, the carer resumed her work. In August, the wife told the carer she thought the accused had taken money and they looked for bank statements.

“They believed the accused had thrown them out during her cleaning duties, but they found one which showed a £300 withdrawal over three consecutive days,” said the prosecutor, adding: “They also noticed two transactions at Sainsbury’s – one for £40 and another for £115.”

The man believed the £40 could have been for shopping, but £115 was far more than he would ever have spent.

Police were contacted and further investigation of bank statements revealed a substantial sum of money missing.

Ms Bradley said the bank would not reimburse the victim as he had volunteered his card and PIN number.

Brown’s lawyer, Ed Hulme, said: “She had accumulated a number of debts and was using the card to pay for her own weekly shopping.”

She was released on bail for reports and will be sentenced at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on May 2.

Plans by the Royal Bank of Scotland to close its branch in Newtown St Boswells have been described as a disaster for the village.

RBS confirmed to The Southern yesterday that the branch will close in June, along with those in Greenlaw and Chirnside.

An RBS spokesperson said more customers were using online and telephone banking, and that all three branches had witnessed substantial drops in the number of customers using them regularly.

RBS says the Newtown branch only has 26 regular customers, with the total number who use it falling by nearly a third since 2011.

Bank bosses have promised to work with local Post Offices and a new mobile van to limit the impact, and say there will be no redundancies, with all affected staff redeployed locally.

But newsagent Eoin Frame says it is a real blow for the village, coming not long after the closure of its Post Office branch.

“This is a real disaster, and will have a serious impact on a lot of people and small businesses – remember, this branch also serves communities in St Boswells, Midlem, Maxton, Bowden and Eildon,” Mr Frame said. “I think you’ll probably see quite a lot of RBS’s local customers switching to Bank of Scotland which also has a branch in the village.”

Jack Clarke is convener of Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce and a former managing director of John Swan Ltd, which runs the local livestock auction market.

“You can see the bank’s point of view, but this will still be extremely disappointing for the great many people who prefer dealing with banks in person and don’t use online or mobile phone banking.

“It’s yet another example of a loss of personal contact and the livestock market will also be affected, as the company does all its banking at the Newtown branch.

“So I would hope if RBS plans to introduce a mobile van, they ensure it’s in Newtown on market sale days.”

Local MSP John Lamont now wants an urgent meeting with RBS bosses over the closures.

“They need to understand just how damaging these closures could be to these communities,” he said.

The results of a consultation on proposed changes to the school week are in. But despite the “vast majority” of the 5,000-plus respondents raising concerns, the council is set to go ahead and introduce a four-and-a-half day week in August.

Many of those 5,000 Borderers will no doubt now be asking themselves why they bothered filling in the online form or going along to one of the meetings on the matter when it appears their views will be ignored.

The council has done itself no favours with a rushed consultation process on an issue which affects every school pupil in the area, their parents, school staff, bus firms and other businesses.

It seems to have been driven by a desire to have the asymmetric school week implemented this August, despite it being unclear where savings will be made this year, as changes at a national level will be required to enable teacher numbers to be cut.

With no clear idea of the costs involved in implementing the changes, ranging from altering transport arrangements to improvements to IT systems, and training to enable e-learning, it seems optimistic to think that £500,000 will be saved in the first year.

At the end of the day, it appears the council was determined to make the change, come what may, so now we just have to wait and see if the much-vaunted savings materialise.

The council’s director of environment and infrastructure cannot see the Scottish Government turning down a bid for £25m for the Selkirk flood-protection scheme.

Rob Dickson said last week: “I see no reason the answer will be anything other than positive.”

A decision had been expected in early March.

Q. I am a VAT registered business based in the UK and have been asked to supply some goods to France, do I need to charge VAT?

A. This very much depends on what type of customer you have. If you are supplying to a private individual, then VAT must be charged at the UK rate.

If however you are sending goods to an EU business who is VAT registered or can prove they are a genuine business, then the goods may be zero rated providing certain conditions are met.

Firstly you should ask for their VAT registration number, including the two digit country reference. However if the customer is not VAT registered then other proof will be required. This could include business letterheads or certificates from fiscal authorities and should be retained by you.

You must also keep records to prove that the goods were dispatched. This should include a customer invoice and details of the haulier and consignment number along with a proof of the goods being delivered to France.

If your customer suggests collecting the goods, caution should be exercised before agreeing to zero rate them. The goods must be shipped out of the UK within a three month timescale and proof must be provided by your customer that this has been the case. If not you will become liable for the VAT yourself.

Sales to an EU country should be included on your VAT return and you will also be required to complete an EC Sales List for HMRC. This gives details of the customers’ VAT registration number, country and the value of the goods sent.

Should the value of goods dispatched exceed £250,000 in a year, an Intrastat Supplementary declaration will also be required.

Rennie Welch LLP accept no liability on the basis of this article and detailed advice should be obtained before entering into any transaction.

Email your query to thebusinessbrain@renniewelch.co.uk

This week, our columnist in Afghanistan finds out more about the cultural differences that exist in a country that has just entered the year 1393.

As an Islamic republic, Afghanistan follows the solar calendar and celebrates New Year, or Nawrouz, at the same time as Iran and other regional nations, rather than on January 1.

Hence, last Friday was a national holiday. And since its calendar is measured after the time of the Prophet Mohammed, rather than Jesus Christ, it means Afghanistan has just entered 1393.

‘Inshallah’ (God willing) is a whole way of life, rather than just a religious word.

For Afghans, like many Muslims throughout this part of the world, life is determined not by one’s actions, but by God’s hand.

But this cultural difference means strategic planning, of the sort we are trying to teach our Afghan National Army colleagues, is, in many ways, counter to their own culture.

Instead, we have adopted a week-to-week approach and try to advance their skills and operational capability report by report.

While this is very labour intensive, it does mean we learn much about each other’s background over cups of black tea and biscuits.

It will be shortbread next week, as I seek to repay the hospitality with a Scottish tin brought back from my R&R (rest and recreation).

Some traditions aren’t so different…

Food, food, glorious food. Somebody should write a song about it. I’m sure it would make an excellent ingredient for a star-studded stage play or even a mouth-watering family film.

Inspiration for this week’s column was slow in arriving. I had pondered getting all heated-up about the crude ping-pong match that is still being played on the important issue of the Scottish (not Salmond’s) referendum. It is less than six months away and it’s about time the debate – particularly, but not exclusively – from the No campaign developed real substance and produced answers to extremely important questions.

I had also considered writing about the absolutely shocking way that the tormented relatives of those missing – and now apparently dead – have been treated by the mandarins in Malaysia.

Yes, the situation was, and still is, confused. But I suspect those bland-faced officials who have treated the relatives with little courtesy or compassion know – and have done for a while – a wee bit more than they have been revealing.

The screams as the relatives received text messages – yes, text messages – were truly haunting.

As I pondered, inspiration was fed my way when the boss arrived back from a management meeting with a half-eaten box of chocolate fingers.

The left-over sandwiches are expected any moment. I hear footsteps on the stairs – no, a false alarm. But their arrival will save me a few bob and visit to the discount shelf at the Co-op in Berwick.

Yes, a couple of colleagues and I are still working over the border while our new offices are readied.

Now, where was I. Ah, food. I like it. I like cooking it (soup and main courses only) and I enjoy eating it. My son can confirm that I make a mean, if not lean, beefburger, but he is way ahead of me on lasagne.

I don’t eat out very often, but am partial to the odd chippy or Chinese carry-oot. I am no food critic, so make no comment on current establishments, but I hanker for some from the past.

My first Chinese meal was a beef curry (loads of onions and peas) from Gala’s first oriental restaurant which was next to the Co-op funeral parlour. That raised a titter or two. It, the restaurant, had a back window from which some unsavoury bodies were known to depart from instead of the front door.

My days on the Peeblesshire News took me to a wonderful restaurant called Gino’s, which is now an Indian affair. It was run by a wonderful Italian family and was in the days of the 7/6d (around 38p) three-course special lunch. For an extra 1/- (5p) you could have steak. Wonderful, and wonderful family service.

In the Gala of my youth we were spoilt for chippy choice – Valada’s, Rankine’s, Barry’s, Tony’s and Percy’s. The chips went up in price when the new tatties arrived, but never came down when they became old.

However, one of my favourite eating houses was Woolworth’s at the end of Princes Street in Edinburgh, with its seemingly-endless counter of steaming dishes. The aroma is twitching my nostrils now.

Still no sign of those left-over sandwiches.

Tweedbank teenager Matthew Charles has his sights set on a future in filming despite landing a prize in a national photography contest.

The Galashiels Academy pupil visited London at the weekend to see his shortlisted image in an exhibition at the Strand Gallery, where he was announced as regional winner for Scotland.

More than 2,000 images by 14 to 18-year-olds were submitted to the Economic and Social Research Council competition.

Matthew, 17, said: “It was amazing to win. The awards ceremony was really good and the exhibition was definitely an eye-opener.”

All the pupils studying the ‘Photography: contextual imagery’ Higher unit at the Academy were encouraged to work towards the competition while creating their portfolio.

The course gives students a basic understanding of photography techniques and principles, which Matthew hopes will help him with his future plans.

“My focus is now more on filming. I’m going to go to do a two-year HND television course at Edinburgh College and then study filming at Napier.

“Over the past year I have being focusing on sport, and have done a lot of mountain biking filming with friends.

“I built up a portfolio and sent it off to companies and magazines and from that I’m going to be doing some filming for a magazine at some events.”

In addition to a trophy, Matthew won £150 of Amazon vouchers for himself and the school, and plans to upgrade his camera equipment with them.