The Lothian and Borders battalion of the Army Cadet Force (ACF), together with local social workers and school staff, have provided another outreach programme to around 40 Hawick youngsters aged 11 to 12 years old.

The programme is a four-day team challenge and starts the minute the youngsters are off the bus.

They make their beds, get into team colours and are quickly collecting points through the navigation exercise, command tasks, climbing wall, inflatable obstacle course, stretcher movement and the ‘HeartStart’ first aid programme, before finishing the day with a run around various events at a local sports centre and a splash in the pool.

The rest of the programme includes learning camp craft, preparing them for a 12k walk and overnight camp in the Pentland Hills.

The young people are also introduced to some of the fun activities the ACF provides – from camouflage and concealment to observation tests and shelter building before settling into their tents for a night under canvas.

Every young person attending receives a medal, group photograph and their ‘HeartStart’ first aid certificate.

As well as the programme participants, five Hawick High School pupils and five senior cadets acted as role models, helping the volunteer adults to run the various activities.

The daughter of a Craw Wood resident has said the potential closure of the area’s only specialist dementia unit would be a huge blow for the Borders.

Christina Procter’s mother Jillian Sinnott, 75, moved to the Tweedbank care home in 2012, but she fears a move to another home could have serious implications for her mother.

She told The Southern: “The staff at Craw Wood are absolutely brilliant as they know how to work with dementia patients, and to lose the unit would be absolutely ludicrous as there is a growing need for this type of facility.

“We have been so happy and confident with the care that my mum has been getting, and she is a happier and more relaxed person than she was before moving to Craw Wood.”

Mrs Procter said she hopes that operators Eildon Housing and the council can find a way to keep Craw Wood open.

“I know it is probably a fight we are going to lose, but I think it is a worthy fight for the Borders as it is a service that is needed,” she said.

Mrs Procter added that she is worried that if her mother has to be moved elsewhere then specialist care will not be available to her.

“I just feel that mum, who worked for the NHS for a significant part of her working life, and worked as a dementia nurse in Edinburgh, now seems to be being let down by the system as what she needs and what she gets, which is fantastic for her, is now being thrown away.”

With increasing numbers of people being diagnosed with dementia, and more at a relatively young age, even in their 50s, Mrs Proctor fears for other people too.

“If you don’t have that specialist care facility then younger people with dementia will be in old people’s homes and that is not the place for them, and it will cause problems,” she said.

“People with dementia can agitate other residents with their behaviour. They are high risk.

“Mum is a wanderer. She walks round the home, but she can do a nice circuit at Craw Wood and the staff are really good with her. She is safe, secure and happy.

“All the other relatives understand – they understand that their relative will do things that annoy other residents and relatives too.”

NHS Borders has confirmed to The Southern that it is considering applying for planning permission to create more car parking at the BGH.

A spokeswoman for the health board revealed this week that initial work is being carried out, which could lead to an application to the council to increase parking provision within the hospital grounds by almost 80 spaces.

She said: “The board is currently updating its travel plan, a prerequisite document to support future planning applications, which will incorporate plans for the expansion of three of the current car parks to create an additional 79 ­spaces.

“Subject to planning permission, it is hoped that this work will be complete by autumn 2014.”

In response to last week’s article, which highlighted ongoing concerns in Darnick about the number of BGH staff parking in the village’s streets, the spokeswoman said: “There are currently 962 car parking spaces at the BGH, proportionately higher than most hospitals within Scotland in relation to hospital size and staff numbers.”

She added that representatives of NHS Borders would be happy to attend a further public meeting to discuss the parking problems in Darnick.

Village resident Gordon Wingfield last week called for a second public meeting on the matter as he feels that the car parking situation in the village has not improved since villagers met with NHS Borders’ chief executive Calum Campbell and colleagues in early December.

Mr Wingfield’s calls for a fresh meeting were backed by community councillor Bridget Khursheed, who helped to organise the first one.

Responding to this week’s development, Mr Wingfield told us: “If they are going to create 79 more long-stay car parking spaces that should certainly help quite a bit, as there is regularly that number of cars parked in the centre of Darnick.”

Mr Wingfield added that if a public meeting could be organised, then information regarding the potential use of these extra spaces could be ‘teased out’ from NHS Borders representatives.

At the earlier public, meeting NHS Borders bosses had indicated their reluctance to build more car parking spaces at the hospital.

However, they did implement changes following the meeting, including creating car sharing permits and dedicated spaces for staff to try to alleviate the problems.

NHS bosses have called for visitors to stay away from the BGH over the bank holiday if they have had any symptoms of norovirus.

Two bays in Ward 12 remain closed due to the presence of the virus and one bay in Ward 4 has been closed due to the discovery of patients with the early symptoms of the bug.

Evelyn Fleck, NHS Borders’ director of nursing and midwifery, said: “Although we are coming into spring it is normal for norovirus to remain active in our community.

“The hospital can be very busy over bank holiday weekends with visitors. In order to control the spread of norovirus we urge the public to comply with our request and to stay away from the hospital if you or anyone in your family has experienced symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the past 48 hours.

“The D&V illness is usually over within 48 hours, but is highly infectious, which is why NHS Borders needs to limit the number of people moving in and out of the hospital.”

Visiting with children is actively discouraged.

Following almost £1milllion of expenditure on upgrading and refurbishing their depot in Galashiels, SP Energy Networks opened the facility on Friday.

The revamped facility will operate as the company’s main operations hub in the Scottish Borders and will act as a base for managing all maintenance and improvement works on the electricity network in the area.

The depot also features a new emergency action centre that will oversee all bad weather repair works across the Borders.

Frank Mitchell, chief executive officer of SP Energy Networks attended the official opening.

He said: “This substantial investment to create a modern, state-of-the-art headquarters in the Borders is important to support ambitious investment plans for the area.

“It will also be the main office to oversee any emergency response activity, such as storm events during the winter, as we have seen in the last few years.”

Mr Mitchell added: “As well as our plans to invest millions of pounds in modernising the network in the Borders, we are looking at innovative projects to support community renewable energy schemes and making it easier to connect to the network.

“Over the next decade we will also be recruiting a new generation of engineers, many of whom will be apprentices and graduates.

“In the Borders area we anticipate supporting many new roles in the coming years, as well as creating hundreds of opportunities with contractors across the region.”

The major investment in the Galashiels depot is just one element of an extensive modernisation programme currently underway locally.

In recent years the company has modernised and upgraded the main grid substations on Netherdale Road in Galashiels and in Lauder, costing over £2m, and made significant upgrades to flood defence measures.

The company’s overhead line rebuild programme continues annually in the area, with £4.6m spent on rebuilding over 100km of lines.

A further £3.2m has been spent on refurbishing over 570km of overhead lines in region too.

Upcoming works include a £5.5m investment in the replacement of the transformers at the Galashiels grid substations, which is due to start next year.

Research for CKD Galbraith has shown that property sales in the Borders increased significantly in the first quarter of 2014, with sales at their Kelso office up 28 per cent on the last quarter of 2013 and up 62 per cent on the same quarter last year.

The Peebles office also experienced an increase in sales, up 16 per cent on the previous quarter and 57 per cent up on January to March 2013.

Alex Inglis of CKD Galbraith’s Kelso office said: “This has been an encouraging quarter for both the Kelso and Peebles offices, with increased properties sales achieved as well as the number of viewings and prospective buyers registering with us both increasing.

“When selling a property, the guide price remains key and a house needs to be priced realistically. As a result we are seeing a healthy response in terms of enquiries and viewings and the subsequent average selling time reducing considerable.

“A trend we are also witnessing is a return to the closing date system on a number of properties as confidence continues to grow.”

Police are appealing for witnesses after seven light bollards that line the driveway at The Barony Castle Hotel were knocked over and smashed. causing around £5,000 worth of electrical damage. The incident happened between 10pm on April 25and 3am on April 26.

Local officers are now urging anyone who remembers seeing suspicious activity around the hotel to contact police on 101 or, alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) is inviting local residents and visitors to take part in a programme of over 30 walks, talks and activities being held as part of the month-long Borders Nature Festival which runs from May 16 to June 15.

From a kids bushcraft session at Glenrude Estate, Innerleithen through to a walk through the historic Abbotsford House Estate, horse logging demonstrations, pond-dipping expeditions and an interactive forest school workshop at Traquair, the Festival has something for everyone.

Opportunities to view the tremendous variety of local wildlife available across the Borders can be experienced by taking part in activities like the bird bonanza at Bowhill or the twilight otter and bats walk at The Hirsel near Coldstream.

Coastal activities include a geology walk along St Abbs Head and a ranger-led exploration of the rockpools at Coldingham Sands. Further inland, guided walks are being offered through the Dawyck Botanic Garden at Stobo and Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick.

Councillor Ron Smith, SBC’s executive member for planning and environment, said: “The nature festival is an opportunity to experience more of the beautiful landscape, wildlife and heritage that we are so lucky to have here in the Borders.”

The full programme of the events on offer, plus additional information on wildlife sites to visit, is available on the {www.scotborders.gov.uk/naturally|council’s website|click to enter}.

More information is also available by phoning 01835 826750.

Borders MP Michael Moore debated independence with an audience of nearly 80 people at the Parish Church Hall in Eyemouth.

The event was part of The Road to Referendum campaign, which sees Mr Moore holding a series of open public meetings across the Borders to provide his constituents with an opportunity to get their questions on Scottish independence answered.

After a run of successful meetings in Duns, Hawick, and Selkirk, the meeting in Eyemouth was a chance to discuss the issues of the day ranging from currency and pensions, to Scotland’s place in the world.

Commenting on the lively discussion, Michael Moore MP said: “We have about four months to decide whether we stay in the United Kingdom family or go it alone.

“Anyone can attend these public meetings whatever their views, and I would encourage them to bring their family, neighbours and friends.

“I am looking forward to continuing the discussion and hope to meet with people from across the Borders at the next Road to Referendum meeting in the Jedburgh Town Hall on Thursday May 16 at 7pm”.

Scottish Borders Brewery’s new £500,000 Born in the Borders visitor centre is on schedule for a summer launch and the creation of 10 jobs.

The development will create a one-stop-shop for the very best of Scottish Borders produce and takes the brewery’s provenance story - of fine ale production from plough through to pint – to the next level.

Featuring a food and drink shop, goods and gift shop, a 40-seat cafe, brewery tours, outdoor walks and picnic area, the centre will showcase the finest local products in a countryside setting.

Ten new jobs are being created at Born in the Borders, including the appointment of experienced retail professional Nicola Duffy, formerly of Baxters, who has taken on the role of visitor centre manager.

Nicola has more than 10 years’ experience in running leisure retail operations, having managed Baxters’ stores in Ocean Terminal, Blackford, Kelty and Selkirk.

Nicola said: “Born in the Borders is a really exciting and ambitious project and it is a privilege to be in at the start helping to shape its development.

“There is nothing quite like this in the Borders at the moment and we hope it can become the perfect place for visitors to the region to discover the wealth of fabulous produce that originates here and somewhere that local people will love.”

John Henderson, owner of Scottish Borders Brewery added: “Nicola is a great first hire for our Born in the Borders team and we are now recruiting more staff to help run the centre.

“We are looking for people who are proud of the Scottish Borders and who would like to play a part in sharing this region with others.

“They need to be hard working and willing to take on whatever jobs need to be done, from serving in the cafe to hosting a brewery tour or working in one of the shops.”

The visitor centre is being built at Lanton Mill Farm, the home of the Scottish Borders Brewery, located on the road between Jedburgh and Hawick.

The new shops and café are being created by sympathetically restoring and renovating the old farm steading and dairy buildings.

The centre will have free parking and space for special events to be held.

Paul McDonald, director of strategic accounts for Sykes in Galashiels, has been nominated for the European Outsourcing Professional of the Year award.

Mr McDonald, who lives in Hawick, heads up Sykes’ important Procter and Gamble account, with Sykes fulfilling orders, repairs and replacements for P&G products for a wide range of goods throughout Europe.

He will attend the awards ceremony in London in July.

Plans were lodged this week for up to 15 wind turbines measuring up to 132m for a site near Bonchester Bridge.

Wind energy company Banks Renewables confirmed it had submitted a planning application for the site at Birneyknowe to the Scottish Energy Consents Unit.

The Hamilton-based company’s application could generate up to 60MW of energy, which means it is a scale of development that has to go before the government consents unit.

Banks Renewables says the local community will see a “host of benefits” if the scheme gets the go-ahead.

ancrum

WRI

At the March meeting, Allen and Janie Clark gave a talk on the origin of the Selkies Artisan Soap Co. and the procedure involved in producing the soaps. Competitions – fruit smoothie – 1, E. Munro; 2, M. Smail; 3, M. Goodfellow; bowl of bulbs – J. Butler. In April, members made an Easter card by using the method of T-bag folding under the supervision of Wendy Underhill. Competitions – scones – 1, M. Smith; 2, R. Walker; 3, C. Law; best handwriting – 1, E. Little; 2, M. Dorricott; 3, J. Macdonald. The next meeting is on May 14, featuring Police Constable Karen McIlroy. Competitions – baby’s blanket and carrot cake (Fete Cup).

caddonfoot

Church

The Reverend Elspeth Harley preached morning service on Sunday in Caddonfoot Church. The lessons were read by Christine Dorward. The Sacrament of Holy Communion is to be held on May 11 at 9.45am. There has been a request for a short communion service (30 minutes), and this will take place in Trinity Church, Galashiels, on the same day at 3pm. Christian Aid Week runs from May 11-17.

crailing

AGM

The annual general meeting of Crailing, Eckford and Nisbet Community Council is at Lothian Hall on May 21 at 7pm. Charles Johnston, from Scottish Borders Council, will speak about the Local Development Plan, focusing on proposed changes to policies.

earlston

Coffee morning

The women’s section of the Royal British Legion Scotland’s Earlston branch is holding a coffee morning in aid of ex-servicemen’s charities in Hanover Court on May 10 (10am-noon).

Plant sale

Earlston Horticultural Society will hold its annual bedding plant sale and coffee morning at Hanover Close, The Square, on May 17. All proceeds go towards supporting the 2014 Earlston Flower Show.

Parish church

The May 11 service will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods, followed by the trustees’ conference in the church hall during the afternoon. Christian Aid Week also begins that day.

AGM

Earlston Community Council AGM will be held on May 15 at 7pm in the primary school. The council is able to offer a limited amount of grant funding to community groups within the Earlston, Mellerstain and Redpath area – up to a maximum of £200. Application forms are available from karen.scott1@sky.com. Closing date for applications is June 1.

galashiels

Inner Wheel

May 20 sees the Inner Wheel Club of Galashiels birthday dinner at the Kingsknowes Hotel. As a celebration of 90 years of Inner Wheel nationally, the club is holding an exhibition in St Peter’s Church Hall on May 10 at 3pm.

glendouglas

Whist

The monthly whist drive is on May 12 at 7.30pm.

Lunch club

The monthly lunch club is on May 14 (11.30am-1.30pm).

Hawick

Equine evening

Hawick Veterinary Practice is holding an equine information evening on May 19 (7pm) at its new premises – 1 Earl Street. Keynote speaker is Patrick Pollock, a European and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons-recognised specialist in equine surgery. Numbers will be limited, so contact the surgery on 01450 372038 to book a place.

Rotary

Ian Loudon’s talk last week was entitled “Change – what change?”, his reflections on the car trade. A native of Skye, he started work in the motor trade in Glasgow during the 1960s when he was involved with Fords, mainly the Popular and Anglia models. He compared them with the modern car and many members, having owned one of the models he referred to, could only concur on how basic they were. Many questions ensued after which past president Jack Swanston proposed the vote of thanks.

innerleithen

Concert

There are still tickets left for the St Ronan’s Band concert on May 10 in the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm. They will be available at the door.

Introduction night

The St Ronan’s Standard Bearer for 2014 will be introduced to the public on May 9 at 8pm in the Memorial Hall. Other introductions taking place are the Standard Bearer’s Lass, Principal Guest and the Lady Busser. The town bands will play outside the hall from 7pm. Following the introduction ceremony, Innerleithen Pipe Band will lead the principals and townsfolk on a short parade, ending up back at the Memorial Hall forecourt where the Standard Bearer’s Reel will be danced.

Craft fair

Innerleithen and District Amateur Operatic Society is holding a craft fair and table-top sale on May 17 (9.30am-12.30pm) in the Memorial Hall.

Coffee morning

St Ronan’s Ex-Standard Bearers’ Association will hold its annual coffee morning on May 24 in the Vale Club (10am-noon).

Ball

St Ronan’s Standard Bearer’s Ball will be held on July 12 in the St Ronan’s Marquee. Tickets are on sale on May 31 from 8am at Foresters, Wells Brae. Costing £32.50 each, full payment must be handed in at this time – maximum of 12 tickets per table and dress is strictly formal. Cheques should be made payable to “St Ronan’s Border Games”.

Fun day

Innerleithen Family Fun Day is on June 1, from 1-5pm, in Victoria Park. There will be stalls and other attractions, including a mini fun fair, inflatables, pony rides, face painting, raffles, balloon race, tombola, and cake and candy. Music will be provided by the pipe and silver bands. After the success of last year’s cricket march, this is to be repeated from 10am in the Vale Park – more information from Tom Harrison (01896 833492). There will be a car boot sale and anyone who would like to book a place should call 01896 831721 or email KJBelleville@aol.com. Should any local organisation wish to have a stall at this event, contact Keith on 01896 831721 or email KJBelleville@aol.com.

Services

The May 11 morning service will be at 11.30am in Innerleithen Church, followed by a Christian Aid service in St James RC Church at 6.30pm.

jedburgh

Coffee morning

Scottish Borders Africa Aids Group’s coffee morning in Jedburgh realised in excess of £500. On July 3, there will be a Palm Court Afternoon Tea in Kelso – details from 01573 224753.

kelso

Bridge club

April 30 – Celtic Nations Spring Pairs – N/S – 1, Rena Stewart and Beth Stark; 2, John Miller and Marian Miller; 3, Val Johnstone and Mary Millar; E/W – 1, Alison Darling and Mary Logan; 2, Stuart Graham and Ian Watson; 3, Lynda Douglas and Russell Watt. May 1 – aggregate pairs – N/S – 1, Rena Stewart and Val Fairbairn; 2, Alison Ireland and Russell Watt; E/W – 1, Lee Leeson and Bob Stevenson; 2, John Miller and Marian Miller; 3, Shirley Armstrong and Moira Ayton.

Thursday Group

At the last meeting before the summer break, Isabel Gordon reviewed the year with 25 speakers on a wide range of subjects. Nearly £300 had been donated to charity. The subscription for 2014-15 will rise to £7. On July 3, the group is sponsoring a Palm Court Afternoon Tea in aid of Scottish Borders Africa Aids Group, with Robert Fraser (violin) and Margart Dick (piano). For offers to help and more information, phone Isabel on 01573 224753.

Quilters

The next meeting of Abbey Quilters will take place on May 13 at 7pm in Abbey Row Centre. Discussion is to centre on members’ forthcoming exhibition and there will be ademonstration on what is required for sleeves and labels etc. for exhibits. Further information from Rineke Sansgter (01573 229414) or Sandra Kinnoch (01835 850324).

AGM

Kelso Area Paths and Kelso Community Woodland groups are holding their joint AGM at 7 pm on May 28 in the Abbey Row Centre.

Youth project

Kelso Youth Project invites all its adult friends, supporters and volunteers to a get-together on May 14 (7-8.30pm) at its new home at the Ace Centre (next door to the Borders Ice Rink) for a guided tour of the building and to hear about its plans for the summer, the rest of 2014 and 2015. For further information, contact Becki on 07432 525340, email beckikelsoyouthproject@gmail.com or see Facebook page www.facebook.com/kelsoyouthproject. The project still has places on its drumming and animation workshops – book a place via the above contacts.

Nifty 50

Kelso GP Rob Cutting will celebrate turning 50 on Saturday – by cycling 50 miles around the Borders with friends. The birthday challenge has a Tour de France dress code and culminates in a party for invited guests at the doctor’s home afterwards.

Sale

The Friends of Kelso Hospital are holding a table-top sale in The Square on May 10 (10am-noon).

U3A

The next Four Border Abbeys U3A group open meeting is on May 12 at 2pm in Kelso Rugby Club when David Savory will talk on “The Outer Hebrides – A World Apart”.

Langholm

Grants

The community council has made awards from the Minsca wind farm community benefit fund – golf club junior section, £500; Christmas lights committee, £400; cycling club, day centre, young riders’ club and the town drum restoration fund, £250 each.

Election

The public meeting and election of Cornet will take place in the Buccleuch Centre on May 9. Voting will close at 8pm, and prior to that the Town and Pipe Band will play round the streets. Common riding committee chairman Roger Maxwell will be in charge of the meeting, at which any issues can be brought forward and the new committee announced. He will announce the result from the stage. The new Cornet will have an added engagement this time when he carries the Commonwealth Games Queen’s relay baton in June, on horseback from the monument into the town.

MacDiarmid

A meeting has been held to discuss holding a festival to celebrate the life and work of Hugh MacDiarmid, who was born in the town. It was organised by Ruth Cockburn.

Langlee

Primary school

Pupils have spent the first two weeks of the summer term involved in their annual ECO Fortnight. This project has been packed with various activities and tasks. Langlee Primary School is an ECO school and proudly flies its Green Flag. To achieve and maintain the flag, three different elements are required to be studied in-depth every two years. The current elements are – litter, school grounds and health and wellbeing. Youngsters’ views were looked at by the school’s Green Thumbs team and principal teacher Kim Wilson. Together, a plan for the Fortnight was created and activities such as a scavenger hunt, Zumba by FitBorders, a community litter pick-up and a school picnic, which relatives could attend, were held.

Lindean

WRI

Members were given a demonstration on planting hanging baskets and containers by John Chisholm, of Selkirk High School, who also gave tips on choosing plants and how to care for them throughout the summer. He spoke about his work in schools across the Borders and the training programme for teachers. After tea, the AGM took place and the new committee was elected – president, Margaret Milne; vice-president and press secretary, Marjorie Lawrie; secretary, Valerie Mayo; treasurer, Margaret McKinlay; magazine secretary, Barbara Lothian; committee members – Grace Aitchison, Jenny Davies, Maureen Ewart, Margaret Inglis, Diana Murray and Edith Scott. Annual prize winners – Valerie Mayo, Miss McGowan Trophy for most points; 2 (equal), Margaret Inglis and Margaret Milne, who shared the Jess Hope Cup; Grace Aitchison, Miss Hope Trophy for most entries.

melrose

Church

Christian Aid Week (May 11-17) – let the office know if you can help with door-to-door collections; May 11 – services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (11am); 7.30pm, Eildon Singers, “From Denmark to Polynesia”; May 14 – Chinese cookery demonstration in Blainslie village hall at 7.30pm for SBAAG; May 17 – coffee morning in Corn Exchange.

Trimontium

Local history, with the possibility of archaeology in the offing, tends to arouse interest and a splendid audience appeared in the Corn Exchange last Thursday to hear Dr Chris Bowles, of Scottish Borders Council, detail what is known of the background to the peninsula of Old Melrose, which juts into the Tweed below the cliffs of Scott’s View. It is a natural amphitheatre in a river meander with a ridge and a plateau, largely invisible from the surrounding area. Its early mediaeval monastery and association with St Cuthbert are known,but before that it may have been a pagan site, and its nearness to Trimontium would not have escaped the attention of the Romans. As for the future, Dr Bowles showed the latest LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) images of the peninsula taken from an aircraft. The vote of thanks was given by Dr Margaret Collin, leader of the steering committee which hopes to obtain a Heritage Lottery Fund grant for an archaeological investigation in 2015. The chairman for the evening was Ian Skinner, who guides the first-Monday-in-the-month walks round Old Melrose (1.30-3.15pm) from April to October.

Guided tour

Melrose Historical and Archaeological Association has organised a guided tour of Traquair on May 14 at 2pm. Tour guide will be Lady Catherine Maxwell Stuart. A private viewing of a selection of Traquair’s archives has been arranged in the High Gallery and Margaret Fox, archivist, will give a short talk on this unique collection. All are welcome on this trip. Assemble in the Melrose Health Centre car park at 1pm. There will be a charge of £9.60 per person for the guided tour – payable at Traquair on entry. For more information and to join the group, contact Margaret Collin (phone, 01896 820200; email, margaret.collin1@btopenworld.com.) before May 12.

morebattle

Fishing

The fly competition will take place on May 16 (6.30-8.30pm), with the draw being held in the Templehall Hotel the previous day (9pm). Names to David Gray before May 15.

Kilt Walk

The taste-and-try cookery demonstration held in the institute in aid of the Kilt Walk raised £350. Anne Redpath organised the event.

Youth project

See Kelso section.

Newcastleton

Coffee morning

There was a good turnout for the coffee morning in the village hall run by Liddesdale Ladies’ Ammenities Group (LLAG), and £520 was raised for the local First Responders Group. Fraser McLean, from the First Responders, gave a talk as other members demonstrated resuscitation on dummies. LLAG chairwoman Alice Forster thanked everyone for their support. Cheques, as a result of group fundraisers, were presented, with the First Responders getting £1,000, and the village hall and Polysport £500 each.

oxton

Plant sale

Oxton Horticultural Society will hold its annual plant sale and coffee morning on May 17 (10am-noon) at the Memorial Hall.

SELKIRK

Fair

Selkirk Lifeboat Committee

Turn to page 28

From page 27

held a spring fair in St Joseph’s hall. The event raised £337 for the RNLI. Organisers are grateful to store giant Sainsbury’s for a raffle donation and to all who supported this cause, particularly Viewfield Service Station for sponsoring the “Lucky Lifeboat Station” draw, winners of which will be announced on Saturday, May 31.

Standard Bearer

It’s been a busy past few days for 2014 Standard Bearer Greg MacDougall and his attendants. Last Friday they were in Melrose for the election of the Melrosian, while on Sunday the dancing practices for the Standard Bearer’s Reel began when, along with their partners, Greg and his attendants once again are being tutored by Audrey Craig to give a Strictly Come Dancing-like performance at the ball. Monday night was the first flag practice with the help of Ex-Standard Bearer Brian Rodgerson. And on Tuesday Greg had his casting practice, which is usually held on the Wednesday, along with all the other standard bearers, but due to work commitments Greg will not always be able to attend on a Wednesday, so on these occasions his practice with the burgh flag will be on a Tuesday. Tonight, Greg and his attendants will attend a reception hosted by the community council in the Town Hall.

On song

The Borders branch of Amnesty International has announced the acts that have reached the finals of its protest song-writing competition. The competitors, aged from 11 to 6th-year students, who will perform at the String Jam Club in June 7, are Corin Anderson and Leanne McFadden from Hawick; Erin Highton from Selkirk; Highrise (Tom Beards, James Carvalho, Jonny Paterson and Cameron Young Lee) from Peebles; and Unheard Voices (Lauren Batey, Aaron Lee, Cameron Rendall Reid and Joe Bispham) from Kelso.

stow

Church

The sacrament of holy communion will be celebrated in Heriot (9.45am) and Stow (11.15am) churches on May 11.

Walkerburn

Service

The next service in Walkerburn Public Hall will be on May 18 at 10am.

Yarrowford

WRI

Members enjoyed a talk by Sandra Kinoch on the work carried out by the charitable Linus Quilts project. The raffle was won by Norma Stuart and Jean Scott was hostess for the evening. Competitions – knitted 6in square – 1, Annie Coltherd; 2, Hannah Young; cruet set – 1, Isabel Brown; 2, Cis Darling. The next meeting is a talk on gardening by Ema Emmerson, of Woodside, Ancrum, to be held on May 13. Competitions – six daffodils and the largest button.

yetholm

Village lunch

The next village lunch will be held on May 15 at noon in the Wauchope Hall, with proceeds going to the Floral Gateway organisation. Everyone welcome.

Bird life

Village twitchers were excited about a large black bird being sighted fishing on Romany Marsh. Those in the know identified it as a cormorant, generally considered a sea bird, so it was quite unusual for the visitor to have made its way, presumably from the Berwick area, to the local man-made loch.

Retiral

David Hutchinson, chairman of Yetholm Community Council, has stood down from that position. He has also retired as chairman of the village festival committee.At the installation ceremony for the 2014 Bari Gadgi and Manushi, the Reverend Robin McHaffiie thanked David for his efforts and warm applause followed. Stepping into both positions is Susan Stewart. She was on holiday last week, but sent messages of support for this year’s festival and principals.Standing in for her on the night was Robin, assisted as compere by Jonathon Dixon.

Community council

At the recent AGM, it was reported that all vacancies for councillors have been filled, with one exception. Procedures to fill that post will appear on village noticeboards .

Youth project

See Kelso section.

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

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

Twenty-year-old Christopher Robertson was due to stand trial by jury, 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 last year, 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 woman’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”.

At a previous hearing, prosecutor Tessa Bradley told how Robertson and his girlfriend, who was 17 years old at the time – shared the flat with their then nine-month-old baby.

“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 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 the flat at about 1.30am the following day.

“Shortly after he left the accused became jealous of the way she had been behaving with this man, calling her a whore,” said Ms Bradley.

Robertson 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.

Added Ms Bradley: “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,” said the prosecutor.

Police officers found the victim with bloodshot eyes and there was bruising to her neck.

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

Robert More, defending, said his client had been on bail since last May, with conditions not to contact the complainer or enter North Street in Peebles – and had abided by these.

“Quite sadly, we have two young people with a young child, who have struggled to cope, and the relationship had become quite fractious,” added the lawyer, reserving his plea in mitigation until reports had been prepared.

Hearing a previously-ordered criminal justice report was not available, Sheriff Derrick McIntyre deferred sentence further until June 6 for it to be prepared.

Fined for

knife crime

A 25-year-old man who had a knife in Newtown St Boswells was fined £200.

James Armstrong, of Glenburn Avenue, Newtown St Boswells, denied having a knife at Melbourne Place on March 15 last year, but was found guilty after trial.

Imposing sentence, Sheriff Derrick McIntyre said he took account of the fact Armstrong had been of good behaviour during a period of deferred sentence, and also the nature of the crime.

Woman admonished

A Hawick woman who punched a former partner was admonished after the court heard she had been of good behaviour during a period of deferred sentence.

Ashleigh Patterson, 24, of Burnhead Road, admitted assaulting a previous partner at Green Terrace, Hawick, on October 1 last year. She also pleaded guilty to breaching an undertaking not to contact him by sending him text messages.

Must appear

in person

A van thief had sentence deferred until May 16 to appear personally.

Martin Charlotte, 32, of Borthaugh Road, Hawick, admitted stealing a van at the town’s Ruberslaw Road on April 5, and driving it without a licence and insurance on various roads in Hawick. Charlotte – who was on an ASBO (antisocial behaviour order) at the time – also admitted driving the vehicle with a breath/alcohol reading of 41 mcgs – the legal limit being 35.

Remanded

in custody

A thief was remanded in custody for reports until May 16.

Christopher Haddock, 33, of Elm Court, Hawick, pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol, tools, a bicycle and sleeping bag at Lockhart Place in the town on March 17.

Hearing a previously-ordered criminal justice report was not available, Sheriff Derrick McIntyre remanded Haddock in custody for the report to be prepared.


Medical

report

A 20-year-old who made persistent calls to the emergency services had sentence deferred until May 30 for a medical report.

Andrew Birney, of Sunnyhill Road, Hawick, admitted making the calls from his home on October 19 last year.

Damaged Hawick flat

A woman who caused some £1,600 damage to a Hawick flat had sentence deferred until May 30 to appear personally.

Danielle Mooney, 26, of Maxmill Park, Kelso, admitted recklessly damaging walls, household items and furniture at a house in Lothian Street, Hawick, between October 1 and 31 last year.

Victim’s £2,000 dental bill

A drunken man punched a stranger outside a nightclub, knocking out two of his teeth.

Darren Todd, 34, of Havelock Street, Hawick, pleaded guilty to assaulting a man to his injury at the town’s Baker Street on January 26.

Claire Bottomley, prosecuting, said the offence happened during the early hours of the morning outside Base nightclub.

The prosecutor went on: “He was a complete stranger and had to have his teeth capped, with £2,000 worth of dental treatment required. He has had to apply for a loan to meet the costs.”

Todd’s solicitor said there had been “some interaction” between the two men, adding: “I am not suggesting that is an excuse for his action or that he was justified in what he did, just that he had some perception of a difficulty, so it was not completely random.”

Sentence was deferred until June 6 for reports.

Injured partner

A drunken man bit his partner during a struggle.

Allan Hutchinson, 51, of Fairhurst Drive, Hawick, admitted assaulting the woman to her injury at a house in Dickson Street, Hawick, on December 30 last year.

At a previous 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.

The fiscal added: “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.”

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.”

Last Friday, solicitor Ed Hulme said: “There is no pattern to his behaviour and he had mended his drinking habits. They are still together, and plan to marry in August.”

Hutchinson had sentence deferred for three months, until July 25, to be of good behaviour.

Hawick man faces trial

A man who denies uttering threats of sexual violence towards two females will stand trial on September 4, with an intermediate hearing on August 8.

Remo Nardini, 55, of Ramsay Road, Hawick, pleaded not guilty behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at Ramsay Road on January 19.But he admitted recklessly damaging property by kicking a cat flap at Ramsay Road on January 23, and sentence was deferred until August 8.

Struggling shoplifter

A thief who stole a packet of sweetener tablets worth £1.36 from a Galashiels store had sentence deferred for six months – until November 10 – for good behaviour.

Stephen Wallace, 35, of Galabank Street, Galashiels was spotted on the Asda CCTV acting suspiciously on November 18. When confronted by a security guard, he became abusive and there was a struggle.

“The two of them ended up struggling on the ground and a bystander assisted the security guard,” said depute procurator fiscal Tessa Bradley.

Wallace admitted theft and disorderly conduct.

Inn attack allegation

An accused who denies assaulting a woman at a pub is due to stand trial on June 3.

Frank Flannigan, 45, of Mansfield Road, Berwick, is alleged to have committed the crime at Tibbie Shiels Inn, St Mary’s Loch, on March 1/2 and behaved in a threatening or abusive manner.

A further intermediate hearing was set for May 12.

The operators of the Borders’ only crematorium have moved swiftly to reassure families in the wake of the scandal over babies’ ashes at Mortonhall.

A company spokesperson for the Westerleigh Group, which opened the crematorium at Melrose in 2012, was responding after The Southern contacted the firm to ask about its own procedures for the disposal of ashes following the row which has engulfed the council-run Mortonhall facility in Edinburgh.

Last week, former lord advocate, Dame Elish Angiolini, published a damning 600-page report, which followed the 11-month investigation into Mortonhall stretching back to the 1960s.

It emerged that systematic failings at Mortonhall Crematorium had led to parents being told there were no ashes left to scatter.

In reality, it seems there had been “extensive” mixing of babies’ remains with those of adults, and that it had been likely the ashes of babies had been “hoovered up” during cleaning of flues and then interred in a piece of land.

The distressing scandal has now seen a pledge from the Scottish Government that the investigation will be extended nationwide to find answers for any affected families.

In his first television interview on the issue, George Bell, the former crematorium manager who worked at Mortonhall for 30 years and who now manages the Borders Crematorium, last week apologised to affected parents if they were given wrong advice which led them to choose cremation at Mortonhall instead of burial.

“I tried my best to make sure that the message got out that there might not be the opportunity of recovering ashes after the cremation and we provided alternatives, but unfortunately relied on frontline professionals,” said Mr Bell in the interview.

“I must emphasise the crematorium staff didn’t make funeral arrangements.”

Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, has welcomed Dame Angiolini’s report.

Ms Grahame was contacted by a constituent early last year over the disposal of the ashes of dead babies.

She commented: “This must never happen again as it has caused such understandable heartache to the families involved.

“But I believe the 22 recommendations in the report will provide a much better system in future.”

Asked to comment on its own procedures at Melrose, a spokesperson for the Borders Crematorium told us yesterday: “I can assure you that Borders Crematorium and all of its staff operate to the highest modern standards.

“We take the utmost care to try and recover ashes where possible so that these may be returned to the family if that is their choice, although we can provide no guarantee.

“We work closely with funeral directors and the Borders General Hospital to ensure that families have all possible information about their options and can make an informed decision.”

Pupils from Galashiels’ Balmoral primary school, pictured, visited Ibrox Stadium, home of Rangers, with 300 other children from across Scotland on Tuesday for the Tesco Bank Football Challenge.

SFA coaches provided encouragement, advice and fun-filled activities.

The Tesco challenge is a four-year community programme run in partnership with the SFA. It introduces football to P2/3 children to help get them engage in a healthy and active lifestyle.

Former Rangers and Scotland manager Alex McLeish was also there to meet the children.

wooler

At their weekly primestock sale last Wednesday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold five new season lambs, 551 hoggs and 208 ewes and rams.

Quality easily sold, tail ends getting harder .

Leading prices per head:- Tex:- £104.50, £100, £98 (5), £97 Henlaw, £93 South Ditchburn, £91 Amerside Law. Bel.x:- £100.50, £99, £96, £94 (3), £92.50, £90.50 Henlaw. Suff.x:- £92 Murton Whitehouse Farm, £90 Newstead, £88 Fawdon Farms and Shotton, £86.50 Fawdon Farms, £81.50 Ladykirk, £80 Shotton. Mule:- £84.50 Henlaw, £83 Fawdon Farms, £82, £80 (2) West Longridge, £80 Shotton. BF:- £86, £81 West Longridge.

Leading prices per kilo:- Bel:- 228.4p, 220p Henlaw, 205.3p 204.8p Ladykirk, 204.4p Henlaw, 200p Ladykirk and Henlaw (2). Tex.x:- 227.2p, 222.7p (2), 222.2p Henlaw, 215.9p, 211.4p South Ditchburn, 208.5p (2) Henlaw, 205.7p Shotton, 204.2p Henlaw, 202.2p Amerside Law. Suff.x:- 195.6p Fawdon Farms and Shotton. Mule:- 195.1p West Longridge. BF:- 202.5p, 200p West Longridge.

More ewes on show, with less flesh available effecting returns.

Leading prices:- Suff.x:- £111 Brockley Hall. BFL:- £97 Alwinton. Suff.x:- £90 Lilburn Estates, £90, £86 Newstead, £84 Ladykirk. Tex.x:- £89 Ladykirk, £88, £87 Henlaw. Mule:- £79.50 Shotton and Greystonnes, £78 Milfield Demesne, Kimmerston and Alwinton. Chev:- £73, £66 Humbleheugh. Bf:- £64 Fawdon Farms.

Rams: Chev:- £106, £97 Humbleheugh.

st boswells

At their weekly sale of prime stock on Monday John Swan Ltd sold 74 clean cattle, 35 OTM cattle, 20 new season lambs 932 old season hoggs (757 SQQ) and 414 ewes

Bullocks (27) averaged 191.4p per kg and sold to 222p (n/c on week), heifers (47) averaged 216.6p per kg and sold to 244p (+15.5p on week) and 35 beef type OTM cattle averaged 119p per kg and sold to 161p (-2.6p on the week)

New season lambs averaged 269p per kg (+18.4p on the week) and sold to £128 while old season SQQ hoggs averaged 211.8p per kg (-6.7p on week) and sold to £105. Ewes averaged £64.91, and sold to £121.

Principal prices per head: Bee Edge £1479.74, £1449.60, £1449.36, £1429.22; Upper Nisbet £1427.40.

Principal prices per kg: Bee Edge 2.44, 2.39 W Taylor (Lockerbie), 2.41 M/s Black and Sons Ltd, 2.40 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons; Dunslaw 2.39 Malone of Edinburgh, 2.31 Robert Pringle and Sons; Upper Nisbet 2.37 (2) M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons, 2.34 Denholm Meat Supplies, 2.28 M/s Saunderson.

Bulls: Hoprigshiels £1443.04 (1.16).

Cows per head: Humebyres £1293; Legerwood £1117.56, £1006.08, £970.28; Cortleferry £1040.06, £872.50; Corsbie (Fullerton) £1028.70, £996.30; Firth £1003.40, £891; Stoneypath £1005.58, £956.34; Middlethird £979.88; Birkenside £934.72, £853.62; Southfield £871.22.

Cows per kg: Stoneypath 1.61, 1.37, 1.27; Humebyres 1.50; Firth 1.45, 1.35; Legerwood 1.39, 1.31, 1.27; Corsbie (Fullerton) 1.35; Cortleferry 1.33, 1.25; Middlethird 1.31; Hoprigshiels 1.29; Birkenside 1.27; Southfield 1.27.

New season lambs per head: Tex;- £128 (2), £125, £118 Lochside; Pri:- £100 Carterhaugh, Suff.x;- £128 (2), £115 (2) Smailholm Mains.

New season lambs per kg:- Tex;- 297.7 (2), 274.4, 260.4 Lochside, Suff.x;- 290.9, 284.4, 267.4 (2) Smailholm Mains.

The 932 hoggs averaged 204.9p; 757 SQQ hoggs averaged 211.8p.

Hoggs per head: Tex;- £105, £100 Muircleuch, £100 Legerwood, Suff.x;- £100(2) Legerwood, £98 Bonjedward Mill, Bel;- £93 New Blainslie, CM;- £90 Hawthornside, Ham;- £95 Redhouse, Con;- £92 Belford on Bowmont, Chev;- £98 Lurdenlaw, Saughtree and Thorlieshope, £91.50 Wester Ulston.

Hoggs per kg: Chev;- 231.6 Saughtree and Thorlieshope, 225.6 Swinnie, Suff.x;- 225 The Knock, Tex;- 226.8 The Knock, Con;- 230, 226.5 Belford on Bowmont, Bel;- 217.7 New Blainslie, CM;- 209.3 Hawthornside.

Ewes: Suff.x;- £121 Trows Cott., £101 Seafield, Tex;- £118 Muircleugh, £101 Bedrule, £100 Drum Est., Suff.x;- £92 Redheugh, £91 West Moneylaws, CM;- £88 (2) Muircleugh, Mule;- £81 Brothershiels and Craigend, BF;- £61 Douglasdale.

Rams: Suff;- £120 Whitsome West Newton, Tex;- £101 Seafield, Chev;- £100 Elmbank.

John Swan Ltd sold 385 store and grazing cattle at their fortnightly sale.

A mixed show of smaller grazing cattle sold to extreme rates.

Bullocks per head: Char.x;- £1345, £1220 Hoselaw, £960 Todshawhaugh, AA.x;- £1230, £1190, £1060 Hundalee (Wade), £1110 Clarabad Mill, £1000 Harwood on Teviot, BRB.x;- £1080, £1060, £1010 Harwood on Teviot, AA;- £1070, £940 Cheeklaw, £900 Borthwickshiels, Lim;- £1030, £990, £960 The Lee, £1025, £960 Hamildean, £950 Helmburn, Sim.x;- £900, £880 Whitchesters, Saler.x;- £790 Whitmuir.

Bullocks averaged overall 394.6kg, 233.4p per kg £921.15.

Heifers per head: Sim;- £1360, £1350, £1270, £1240, £1010 Graden, Char.x;- £1260, £1240, £1230, £1140 Graden, £870(2) Todshawhaugh, AA;- £1190, £1060, £970 Wedderlie, Sim.x;- £1050. £920, £890, £840 Hopton, £820 Orchard Hwk. AA.x;- £980, £910 Kirkton Hwk., £890 Birkenside, £860 Pogbie & Sauchenside, Lim.x;- £910 Dawyck Est., £900, £880 The Lee, £895 New Smailholm, £890 Hamildean, £880 Skelfhill, BRB.x;- £900, £870 Harwood on Teviot, £900 Sourhope, Blonde.x;- £860 Orchard Hwk.

Heifers averaged overall 402.4kg, 219.3p per kg, £882.40.

The firm also had forward a strong show of Ewes with Lambs at foot, more could have been sold to advantage.

Suff Gimmer with twins £305, £275 Springwood; Suff Gimmer with singles £245, £235, £210 Springwood; Suff.x Gimmer with twins £220 Springwood; Chev Mule with twins £185, £178 Wester Ulston; Lleyn.x with twins £172 Mervinslaw; Suff.x with singles £132 Hallrule Mill.

longtown

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart plc had forward 15 prime cattle, seven young bulls, 15 over 30 month cattle, 43 spring lambs, 4,693 prime hoggs and 3,802 cast ewes and rams at their weekly sale at Longtown last Thursday.

A similar show of prime cattle sold to recent rates with more quality sorts required. Heifers topped at 235.5p for Limousin from A. and W.J. Taylor and Son, Dashwellgreen, whose run of heifers averaged 226p.

Prime bulls continue to sell at national trend and topped at 188p for a Limousin from J. and P. Routledge and Son, Netherton.

A larger show of OTM forward and sold to 176p for a Limousin shown by Messrs Ritson, Swaites.

Spring lambs sold to a top of £108 for Charolais from Wester Parkgate and 271p per kilo for Texels from Dockray Hall. Good quality handyweight lambs much sought after, more lambs required to fill buyers requirements.

A good show of 4,693 prime hoggs sold to the usual ringside of buyers. Good quality export hoggs and lightweight hoggs were easily sold and maintained recent high rates, with only the best end of the heavy hoggs easily sold. Other heavy hoggs and second rate hoggs far easier on the week. The overall sale average was 208.3p (SQQ 217.5p). Top price was £116 for Texels from I. Davidson and Son, Muirhouses and to 300p per kilo for Beltex from Greenlane.

A larger of show of 3,802 ewes and rams sold to the usual ringside of buyers following a month of extreme prices and with a lesser quality show of ewes forward all classes were slightly cheaper on the week, with rams still very dear and short of buyers requirements. Top price was £170 for Texel ram from Drumhumphrey.

He’s already well known as an actor and singer-songwriter, but Blainslie-based Alan Windram has now turned his pen to writing for children.

Mac and Bob, The Unexpected Visitor, is his first foray into children’s literature and will be launched at next month’s Borders Book Festival.

Aimed at three to seven-year-olds, the colourful picture book, illustrated by Dave Sutton, tells the story of Mac the farmer and his dog, and best friend, Bob.

Windram created Mac about five years ago, when he was asked to join Sticky Kids’ Theatre, the live show based around Sticky Kids’ popular children’s music and movement CDs, which are used in schools around the country.

The shows proved a hit with young audiences, with Windram as Mac, and his stage partner Anne Butler (Molly Muddle) now regularly touring schools, festivals and theatres.

“Playing Mac on stage for so many years, it was a natural progression to do a book based on his escapades,” Windram told The Southern. “I’d been playing music to accompany readings given by children’s author Vivian French, and she suggested my wife Susan and I set up our own company to self-publish, which meant we could get the books out quickly to readers.”

It took Windram about 18 months from the initial idea to the finished book, in what he says, for him, was an exciting journey of discovery.

“I wanted Mac to have elements of me when I am on stage, so the kids can identify the two characters as the same, which is why in the book he wears what I wear on stage – the dungarees, rainbow wellies, etc. I’d also always imagined him with a side-kick, and Bob seemed the perfect partner – like Calvin and Hobbes, or Wallace and Gromit.”

Windram says it was important to him as a singer/songwriter that music played an integral part in the project and that’s why the book comes with a CD of catchy pop songs.

“Hopefully, children and families will enjoy the story and songs as much as I enjoyed creating them,” he said.

And French agreed to read the story for the audio book, which is also included in the CD. The book will be the first of five Mac and Bob stories and is published by Little Door Books.

Mac and Edinburgh illustrator Dave Sutton stage an event on Festival Saturday, in the Lochcarron Marquee at 12.15pm, including storytelling, pictures, songs and plenty of audience participation... watch out for the flying carrots! There will be abook-signing session following the show.

Organisers of the festival have always been conscious that younger readers are its future, so this year they are catered for better than ever.

The Family Book Festival runs over Festival Saturday and Sunday, from 10.30am to 4.15pm on both days with many of the activities free of charge.

For the events where there is a charge, none is more than £5, and there is also the Family Day Pass, which costs just £30 for either day, and permits entry for up to five family members, including two adults, to any of the highlighted Family Day Pass events in the programme.

At such good value, the passes are very popular, so people need to book these early as there is a limited number and they do sell out.

Director Paula Ogilvie says the event has always strived to ensure younger readers feel their literature is an integral part of the programme.

“The Family Book Festival is at the heart of what we do and seeing families and young readers enthralled at meeting and listening to some of their own literary heroes up close and in person is always fantastic. We hope this year they’ll find the Family Book Festival is better than ever.”

Highlights on the Saturday include the return of Kristina Stephenson with her latest and hugely popular Sir Charlie Stinky Socks tale.

Lauren St John talking about her lifelong passion for animals, which has led her to her much loved novels and work with the Born Free Foundation.

Radio 2 broadcaster Simon Mayo will also be at the festival talking about the latest adventure of his science-loving hero, Itchingham Lofte.

Highlights on the Sunday include Andy Stanton and his immensely popular Mr Gum books, while Sally Magnusson and Norman Stone return for the latest tale of their much-loved character, Horace the Haggis.

Also back by popular demand is Vivian French, Ross Collins and MJ McCarthy who will entertain young audiences with stories, singing and maybe a bit of dancing too.

There are also free storytime and rhymetime sessions, as well as singalong sessions, clowns and circus skills. So there is plenty for families to see and do, making for a great day out.

Although not strictly part of the Family Book Festival, Deadly 60 TV presenter Steve Backshall’s appearance in the Homecoming Scotland Marquee on the opening Thursday night, looks set to prove a smash hit with families as it is suitable for those aged nine-plus.

Backshall will talk about his book for young readers, Tiger Wars, his memoir, Looking for Adventure, and about his experiences in Bhutan searching for tigers.

The event is at 7.30pm, with tickets priced £14, £12conc.

A woman who claimed she didn’t have enough money to attend court has been given “one final chance” to appear.

Kirsty Lawrence, 30, who lives at Croft Street in Galashiels, was due to appear at Monday’s sitting of Selkirk Sheriff Court, but had sentence deferred a further week – until May 12.

The accused had previously pleaded guilty to the possession of heroin at Church Street, Galashiels, on January 7.