Homes and businesses in Earlston, Lauder and St Boswells will be the next Borders towns to benefit from a scheme to deliver superfast internet speeds.

The trio have been announced as being among the next areas to be connected to high-speed fibre broadband, up to 80Mbps, thanks to the further roll-out of the £410 million Digital Scotland partnership.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This marks an important milestone for the people and businesses of the Scottish Borders as well as for the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband partnership.

“This programme will lay the foundations of a world class digital Scotland, by extending fibre broadband access to parts of Scotland that wouldn’t otherwise be served commercially.

“The scale of the challenge of delivering fibre broadband into rural Scotland outstrips any other part of the UK and will generate significant economic benefits, including new jobs and increased productivity.”

Brendan Dick, BT Scotland director, added: “This marks an important next phase in the Digital Scotland deployment, with local communities among the latest set to benefit.

“This technological change will help them to compete and thrive in the 21st century.”

He added: “New locations for fibre will be announced regularly as our engineers carry out detailed local surveys and finalise plans. “Delivering a project on this scale is one of the most significant challenges we’ve faced anywhere in the UK in recent years.”

Commenting on the announcement, Councillor Stuart Bell, executive member for economic development at SBC, said: “I’m really pleased to see the roll out of superfast broadband starting to happen now in the Scottish Borders.

“I know that in Lauder, for instance, there was a very high sign up for broadband so it is welcome that they are getting connected.

“This is a major investment that will help Borders businesses compete on a more level playing field and provide our communities with better access to the important services now available online.”

Mr Bell added: “This is just the start of a programme that will take some time to complete because of its scale but ultimately it will ensure we have a modern digital infrastructure here in the Borders that will benefit the region for years to come.”

Two social enterprises launched by Brothers of Charity Services in Tweedbank, are offering work experience and training for adults with learning disabilities.

Working Together Social Enterprises will enable up to 30 people a week to work in Bread Works, an organic bakery, and Green Works, which provides gardening services.

Mandy Lowrie, manager, said: “We wanted to help people gain the skills required to find employment and create training opportunities for them and came up with these social enterprises.

“We have eight people in the gardening and eight in the bakery each day and we train them in the skills required and about the work ethos needed in a job.”

Working Together Social Enterprises also provides opportunities for training and experience in reception and administrative work.

Six-week taster sessions are available for people to get an idea of the work involved and to see if they enjoy it.

Mandy said: “After the six- week taster they go on to a more in-depth training plan and can then work as a volunteer for a further 18 months, and throughout we’ll help them with job skills, helping with applications, creating CVs and interview technique, and also put them in touch with job- seeking services.”

She added: “We are also working with Borders College to provide skills accreditation.”

The bakery has been created in association with Breadshare, a social enterprise based near West Linton, while Border Safety Supplies and St Boswells Mowers have assisted Green Works through sponsorship and discounted equipment.

The council has helped their development through a grant-funding arrangement.

Bakery products are already being supplied to the shop at Abbotsford and are also sold through a pop-up van, which travels round the Borders, and in breadbaskets for individuals to sell-on the artisan loaves.

The gardeners have landed a contract with Langlee Residents’ Association and in the winter will refurbish and make garden furniture.

Having a good start in life often sets one on the road to fulfilment and happiness.

But for some, their child and adolescent existence can be tough – even traumatic, increasing the hurdles they must clear to attain achivement in adulthood.

So, for those who make their mark in later life after overcomi ng various difficulties, the Borders Adult Learners’ Awards are an ideal platform for recognition.

The Southern is delighted to report on this exceptional group’s achievements and, while these covered a variety of categories, the individuals concerned all had a common purpose – to overcome obstacles to boost job prospects, quality of life and reach a level of personal achievement.

The efforts of the overall winner – Lynsey Scott – typify what was required to turn their lives around.

From a rebellious teenager faced with bereavements and health issues, she has now set her sights on becoming a social worker. No doubt these earlier life experiences will stand her in good stead when she has to help others’ with their problems.

The award winners’ achievements should act as an inspiration to us all. They demonstrate that despite drawbacks in life, hard work can make our time on this planet both rewarding and recognised.

Adult learners – we salute you.

When Michael Wardle arrived at a police station to see his ex-wife, he was found with an illegal drug.

Police searched the 23-year-old after he struggled to keep his eyes open during conversation and was slurring his words.

Wardle, of Bountrees, Jedburgh, admitted having diazepam at Galashiels police station on April 4.

Prosecuting, Tessa Bradley said: “He attended at the police station at 11.30pm as his estranged wife had been arrested and he wanted to contact her.

“He appeared to be heavily under the influence of some sort of substance. He was slurring his words and his eyes kept closing as he was speaking to the police.

“He was detained and searched, and one Diazepam tablet found, which he said was a painkiller.”

Due to his state, Wardle was taken to Borders General Hospital for treatment and released into police custody at 2.20am. He was taken to Hawick police station for a further search, including a strip search.

Ms Bradley went on: “As this was happening, he took something from his shorts, placed it in his mouth and tried to swallow it.”

A further quantity of 29 blue tablets was found in a plastic bag.

Wardle pleaded guilty to obstructing police officers during a search and possession of Diazepam at Hawick police station on April 5.

Added the prosecutor: “He was handcuffed and hit himself on the head with the handcuffs, so had to be taken back to Borders General Hospital.

“He was released at 4.30am and taken back to the police station.”

Wardle’s lawyer, Mat Patrick, said his client had successfully completed a DTTO (Drug Treatment and Testing Order) in 2010, but had been struggling in the past seven to eight months, adding: “His drug use it nothing like it was.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson fined Wardle a total of £350.

A cloudless blue sky provided the perfect backdrop to Friday night’s appointment of Melrosian Fraser Anderson.

The evening also saw the introduction of the Melrose Festival Queen and Court for next month’s celebrations.

Festival Chairman James Marjoribanks presided over the official proceedings which were followed by a social in the Corn Exchange.

The Melrosian will be supported throughout the summer by Right-Hand Man Sam Thomson and Left-Hand Man Graeme Crawford, who carried him shoulder-high around the town square.

The Festival Queen is Charlie Hume, the grandaughter of Ex-Melrosian John Bunyan and great-grand-niece of Ex-Melrose and current Festival president, George Bunyan.

Charlie, aged 12, a pupil at the town’s primary school, will be supported by her court comprising First Attendant Katherine Donaghy; Second Attendant Heather Panter; Courtier Ruaridh Tullis; Courtier Matthew Kirk; Heralds Ben Lynch and Lex Daunas and Trainbearers Maia Thomson and Lucy Whiting.

As is tradition, Fraser, a final year criminology student at Stirling University, was named at the Ex-Melrosians’ Burns Supper in February.

The son of Ian and Vada, of Fairways in Melrose, Fraser told The Southern it was a perfect night on Friday.

He said: “It was a great night. The weather was perfect for being carried shoulder high round the square rather than in the rain. I’m really looking forward to the festival and taking part in the other festivals and common ridings – once I get my first rideout out of the way, which will be Mosspaul at Hawick Common Riding, I think I’ll feel a bit more relaxed about everything.”

Festival vice-president Douglas Hardie agreed Friday’s ceremonies– which saw Fraser presented with his Melrosian’s Rosette – had gone well: “It was a very 
enjoyable night and was well attended by both members of the public and visiting principals.”

A 50-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman have appeared in private at Selkirk Sheriff Court charged with drugs offences following an operation in Galashiels.

On Thursday, May 1, and the following day, police officers executed five search warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Controlled drugs with a street value in excess of £8,000 were recovered from a property, and a man and woman were arrested and charged. John Mein and the woman, who are both from Galashiels, made no plea or declaration when they appeared before Sheriff Peter Paterson on Monday.

Mein was remanded in custody. The woman was released on bail pending a further appearance.

Local Community Inspector Tony Hodges from Police Scotland said: “Targeting those who supply drugs in our communities is a high priority for Police Scotland and last week’s activity in Galashiels was the culmination of a lot of hard effort from officers looking into this issue.

“However, the information members of the public pass onto us is vital to the success of tackling drug supply.

“I would urge anyone with any knowledge regarding those supplying drugs in our communities to contact us in confidence via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for witnesses and issuing a security warning following housebreakings at properties in Peebles and Innerleithen.

A Nukeproof black and yellow mountainbike was stolen from a garage at a house in Leithen Mills, Innerleithen, between 12.30pm on May 1 and 3.30pm on May 4.

Police are also investigating a break-in at a nursery in Cavalry Park, Peebles, between 11pm on May 1 and 6.45am on May 2, when a four-figure sum was taken from cash boxes.

Anyone with information should contact police.

There was cross-party agreement in the House of Commons yesterday after Borders MP Michael Moore, alongside Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border Rory Stewart, made the case for United Kingdom cross-border unity at Scottish Questions.

Mr Moore and Mr Stewart asked the Secretary of State for Scotland specifically about what independence would mean for border constituencies.

Commenting on the exchange, Michael Moore MP said: “The future shape of Scotland, and the very existence of the United Kingdom, is at stake in the forthcoming referendum. If Scotland were to leave the United Kingdom, the Border constituencies would be the first to feel the effects of an international border.

“Anybody who pauses at the top of the Carter Bar on the A68 is able to experience one of the most beautiful views of Scotland, as well as one of the most beautiful views of England.

“I hope that at the end of the year when I pause at the top of the Carter Bar, this spot will still be a mutual meeting point between two nations, rather than an international border point separating two states.”

The council has been given planning permission to carry out works on the category ‘A’ listed Sunnybrae Lodge in Walkerburn.

The external work will only be carried out once a compulsory purchase order is approved.

A drunken 16-year-old was ordered to pay £100 compensation to a doctor he assaulted when he appeared at Selkirk Sheriff Court, pictured, on Monday.

Jamie Mitchell, of Albert Place, Galashiels, admitted repeatedly shouting and swearing, and uttering threats of violence at the town’s Currie Road on July 19 last year. He also pleaded guilty to assaulting a doctor at Borders General Hospital’s accident and emergency department on the same date.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley told how police were concerned for Mitchell’s welfare after seeing him bleeding from a head wound. He was walking with his girlfriend, with blood running down his face, and officers stopped to speak to him.

Ms Bradley went on: “They thought he was under the influence of alcohol, as he was unsteady on his feet, and he immediately began shouting obscenities at them.”

She added: “The police tried to get him to calm down, telling him he wasn’t in any trouble, but he had a cut to his head and was intoxicated, so they were concerned for his wellbeing.”

Mitchell told a police officer to “f**k off”, adding he would “kill him” when he said he was calling an ambulance.

The teenager’s girlfriend said he sustained the injury after stumbling. He was eventually arrested and taken to hospital.

The prosecutor added: “His behaviour didn’t improve and he was banging his head on the cage door.”

Rather than take him into the hospital, it was decided a doctor should examine him in the police vehicle, but Mitchell repeatedly told the doctor to “f**k off”, and then kicked him on the shin.

When he had calmed down and was eventually examined, Mitchell was found to have superficial injuries.

Following periods of deferred sentence and reports, Sheriff Peter Paterson admonished Mitchell for the threatening behaviour, but ordered he pay £100 compensation to the doctor he assaulted.

The sheriff warned the accused: “I have said it before and will say it again – assaults in hospitals are simply not acceptable.”

An alcohol thief was this week jailed for 212 days at Selkirk Sheriff Court, pictured, after also breaching bail conditions.

The hearing was told how the 22-year-old stole £155 worth of alcohol and soft drinks from La Contea in the town’s High Street on March 9.

Gary Stewart, of Beattie Court, Hawick, also admitted failing to pay a £22.50 taxi fare from Hawick to Chapel Street in Selkirk on April 21, as well as breaching a bail condition on March 19, and failing to comply with a curfew on April 11. Stewart was sentenced to 120 days’ imprisonment for the La Contea theft.

The court heard how the premises, adjoining the County Hotel, were locked at 1am and later that morning a rear door was found open and alcohol and soft drinks missing. Some 19 bottles of wine and other alcohol, along with soft drinks, had been taken.

Police, acting on information received, went to a flat in Chapel Street where Stewart was staying at the time. The householder told officers he woke to find a number of bottles in his fridge and wine beside a wheelie bin outside.

Stewart told police: “I didn’t plan it. I just went in and took it.”

Some £68 worth of the stolen drink was recovered.

Stewart received a consecutive sentence of 60 days’ imprisonment for the taxi fare offence.

“He told the driver he was going into a friend’s house to get money, and disappeared,” explained depute procurator fiscal Tessa Bradley.

Stewart was sentenced to a further 32 days’ jail for breaching bail conditions.

Beaming smiles and jumps for joy showed the delight youngsters Josh Wright and Katie Wilson felt when they were appointed Tweedbank Lad and Lass on Friday.

The primary seven pupils will lead days of festival fun at the annual Tweedbank Fair later this month.

Josh and Katie were confirmed as Lad and Lass at the Picking Night in the village’s community centre, which was packed by well-wishers and supporters.

First Attendants are Eden Allan and Ellie Simons, while the Second Attendants are Mathew Murray and Patricio Selkirk.

The Fair Day on May 31 features the ever-popular Fruit and Flower Parade.

Highlights of the week include a football tournament in memory of former Tweedbank Lad Chris Doyle on May 24; the fancy dress parade on May 28, and on May 30 there is a ball in the community centre four youngsters aged between 14 and 17. And after the Saturday Fair Madness, tribute band Mandish will headline a night of entertainment for those 18 and over in the community centre.

A learning disability forum has been discussing the impact the new Borders railway project is having on the lives of its members.

This is both in terms of the construction phase and how they might access the trains once the service is up and running.

The Galashiels and Selkirk Local Citizens Panel invited officers from Scottish Borders Council and the principal contractor, BAM, to its April meeting to answer questions they had about the development.

Panel Chair, Tracy Erskine from Galashiels, explained: “At our meeting in January we spoke about the problems some of us were having because of all the changes happening in Galashiels because of the new railway.

“The bus station is in a different place which means that sometimes people don’t know where to catch their bus.

“We also wanted to know more about the changes that are being made to the roads and paths in the town and also about how accessible the trains will be for people in wheelchairs.”

The group were given a presentation that outlined the full scale of the works taking place in and around Galashiels.

It was also explained to them that all stations and car parks relating to the railway will comply with modern accessibility legislation.

A discussion was held about the rail travel assistance scheme and concessionary travel for disabled people.

The panel is one of five that exist across the Borders to give people with a learning disability and their family carers a greater say in the planning and delivery of services.

Based in Galashiels, Berwickshire, Hawick, Kelso and Peebles each Panel meets four times a year in January, April, August and November.

A home help stole £15,000 from her elderly employer to pay her own debts.

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

The 44-year-old first offender appeared on indictment and admitted stealing the money while working as a cleaner for the man at his Kirk Yetholm home between October 2011 and August 2012.

At a previous hearing at Selkirk Sheriff Court, prosecutor Tessa Bradley said the man’s wife suffered a brain injury and required a carer, who recommended the accused as a home help.

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

Ms Bradley said the man used a Switch card to pay 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 told 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 woman told the carer she thought the accused had taken money, and they looked for bank statements.

The prosecutor went on: “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. 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.

“He became upset and told the carer it must have been the accused, before calling the bank and cancelling his card, and contacting the police.,” said Ms Bradley.

Further investigation of bank statements revealed a substantial sum of money missing.

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

Defending, Ed Hulme reserved his plea in mitigation until reports had been prepared, adding: “She had accumulated a number of debts and was using the card to pay for her own weekly shopping.”

Brown was due to be sentenced at Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Friday, but a previously-ordered criminal justice report was not available, so sentence was further deferred until June 6.

Borders health chief Calum Campbell met this week with Scottish Government cabinet minister, Alex Neil, and local MSP, Christine Grahem to discuss the ongoing problems with the Norovirus sickness bug at Borders General Hospital.

Norovirus has been less prevalent in Scotland this year. Locally however, NHS Borders has seen a large number of Norovirus cases in the community affecting local schools and care homes.

Due to the highly infectious nature of the virus, transmission into the BGH has therefore been very difficult to prevent, although this year’s Norovirus activity across the Borders is not considered by experts to be abnormal.

Throughout the Norovirus season, NHS Borders has proactively promoted the Health Scotland’s ‘Stay at Home’ campaign and has continued to reinforce this message locally with daily ward closure updates issued through the local media.

Following her concerns which she raised with First Minister, Alex Salmond in Parliament two weeks ago, MSP Christine Grahame welcomed yesterday’s meeting. “I would like to thank NHS Borders for attending this meeting. It has assured me that the outbreaks at the Borders General Hospital are not unusual and that NHS Borders is proactively working together with Health Protection Scotland and Scottish Government to continue to help prevent the spread of Nororvirus,” said Ms Grahame.

The weekend weather was a bit cooler than of late, but by later on Sunday, temperatures were beginning to pick up again.

I was up with the larks (literally) on Sunday, doing the first part of my Breeding Bird Survey, which has to be done at first light to locate all the singing males.

It was overcast but calm as I set off into the woods of Philiphaugh Estate near Selkirk to see and hear what was about. Each bird either seen or heard inside a designated 1km square is noted as the square is crossed twice along two predetermined routes, in different directions.

The exercise will be repeated in a few weeks’ time.

It is a great way to hone your skills at identifying bird song and the countryside is much more magical just after dawn, when things are just awakening to greet the new day.

There was nothing particularly rare about, but that is not the purpose of the survey.

The results taken from across the country are collated to give an indication of population trends of all breeding bird species, which can be affected by things like habitat change, weather conditions and climate change.

When I started doing it, it was paper and post-based, but now it is all entered online, which is great, as I can now look back at previous years’ results in an instant and compare trends on my own patch.

It was interesting to note that since I started about seven years ago, the average number of species has remained much the same, at around 20, with the top two being nearly always pheasant and wood pigeon.

Surprisingly, usually hovering around in third or fourth spot, is the tiny wren.

This is a really common bird, which few non-birders ever see. Its skulking habits of feeding in thick undergrowth and dark places, give it its scientific name Troglodytes troglodytes, which literally means cave dweller. This lovely little bird with the jaunty sticking-up tail, featured on one side of the farthing coin (I’m showing my age now!).

It may be hard to spot, but you’ll find it in almost every habitat in Britain, from the mountains to coastal cliffs.

Its explosive strident call is a dead giveaway and carries great distances.

At this time of year, the male builds several dome-shaped nests to try and entice a mate, and when one is selected, the female lines it with feathers.

Sometimes, a second brood is raised in the same nest.

Try and learn to recognise the song of the wren and you will be amazed how widespread it is.

The renowned Wedderlie herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle celebrates its centenary this summer.

And owners John and Marion Tilson, and their daughter, Wanda Hobbs, will host an open day at their farm, near Gordon, on Saturday, August 16.

Marion, whose family has farmed at Wedderlie since 1942, said: “The Wedderlie Aberdeen-Angus herd has always been the backbone of our farming enterprise and we want to demonstrate how the Aberdeen-Angus breed, with its hardiness and excellent maternal attributes, coupled with the strong consumer demand and premium prices for the end product, is the ideal breed for an exposed hill farm such as Wedderlie.”

The Wedderlie herd was founded by A.W. Baird in 1914 and was taken over by Mrs Tilson’s grandfather, Capt Thomas Elliot, when he acquired the farm in 1942. The 2,500-acre hill unit rises from 800ft to 1200ft.

On Capt Elliot’s death in 1954, the farm and herd were bequeathed to his daughter, Mrs J.R.L. Campbell, who, with her husband, Jock, continued to run the herd very successfully for many years.

Mr and Mrs Tilson, both former presidents of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society, have guided the herd to even greater success, helped by Wanda who, as well as being in charge of the herd’s day-to-day management, has her own small Ellin herd which runs with the Wedderlie cattle.

The herd’s most recent success was at the Stirling bull sales in February when Wedderlie Ebsolution won the reserve supreme championship and sold for the second top price of 17,000gns.

The supreme championship was won in 2008 with Wedderlie Blackdown, which sold for 24,000gns and in 2003 the bull, Wedderlie Netmark, realised the top price of 25,000gns.

Wanda hit the jackpot with her own herd in 2009 when Ellin Evermore won the supreme championship and sold for 16,000gns.

However, most bulls are sold privately off the farm to both pedigree and commercial breeders: “We sell 50 or 60 bulls a year mostly to commercial buyers who know our bulls are structurally correct, reared naturally, not over-fed and backed by authenticated performance figures,” said John. “We have many repeat buyers each year which is testimony to the service we try to provide.”

Spring born steers are finished on the farm and sold to Scotbeef while autumn born steers are sold as yearling stores at St Boswells. The herd is closed, except for occasional stock bulls, with replacement females bred on the farm.

In addition to 195 pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cows and followers, which are managed on a strictly commercial basis, the farm supports a flock of 1760 ewes with all lambs, except for replacements, sold prime to Scotbeef.

The open day will include farm tours and practical demonstrations and competitions, including stock judging, a sheepdog handling demonstration and a parade by the Lauderdale Foxhounds. And Wedderlie beef will be part of a barbecue provided by Steve Mitchell of The Buffalo Farm. The open day starts at 10am, with official opening at 11am.

There is nothing worse for calves than an outbreak of diarrhoea, write SAC Consulting’s veterinary investigation officers at St Boswells.

The losses can be high and it is hard work to nurse affected calves back to health. Oral fluids will help many calves, but some can be so badly affected that they cannot stand and will die without treatment from your vet.

Diagnosing the cause of the diarrhoea is important as there are specific medicines for some of the causes and it helps in taking decisions on whether or not to use vaccines next year. But it is also important to remember that some of the infections can also cause disease in humans.

At our lab in St Boswells we found Cryptosporidiosis and rotavirus to be by far the most common infections identified in 52 per cent and 34 per cent of the cases respectively. Other causes were found, but much less frequently. All these agents attack the gut lining stopping nutrients being absorbed leading to diarrhoea, dehydration and sometimes death.

Ensuring that your calves are born into a clean environment and receive adequate colostrum will give them a good start in life and help to prevent them picking up these infections.

Think carefully before buying in calves as they are a potential source of infection and could be carrying disease such as Salmonella, Johne’s disease and BVD virus.

By following good management practices you can reduce the likelihood of a diarrhoea outbreak in your calves.

Speak to your vet about preventing losses from calf diarrhoea this year.

I recently had the opportunity to speak in Stage 1 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill to highlight some of the concerns of my constituents who are forced to take housing in areas of the Borders that can be several miles away from their family or workplace.

Housing is probably the single biggest issue that constituents contact me about and there is a lot of frustration that local people cannot always secure social housing in their own communities. A few miles may not sound a lot, but it’s important to recognise that in rural communities like the Borders, the difference between living in Eyemouth or Duns, Jedburgh or Earlston can be, for many people, profound and significant.

It is important that the bill is amended to give social landlords the ability to include extra priority for applicants with a local connection, and it is my intention to move amendments to cover this issue.

MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the Scottish Government to change planning rules in order to boost mobile coverage.

The FSB want ministers to follow through on suggestions to remove some planning requirements for telecommunications developments. This would make it easier to install digital infrastructure and could help boost the mobile signal in areas that are currently poorly served, such as the Borders.

I have backed these calls as I believe that it would be an effective way of dealing with the long-standing problem we have in this region of poor mobile signal. Huge parts of the Borders still do not have access to a 3G signal, with around a quarter

of areas not having access to even a 2G signal.

As long as any signal masts were placed responsibly and when there were no local objections, I cannot see why we should not move ahead with this suggestion.

WIND FARMS

The Conservatives have announced that, following next year’s UK general election, they would give councils south of the border the final say on the approval of onshore wind farms, in addition to ending any additional subsidies for them.

I think that this is a welcome move, and there is no doubt in my mind that these proposals should be enacted in Scotland as well.

Over the past few years we have seen Scottish Borders Council and other local authorities repeatedly overruled when it comes to planning application refusals. It makes a mockery of councils if, after consulting with local residents and stakeholders, they choose to reject a planning application, only to have that decision overruled by the SNP Government.

In addition to phasing out wind farm subsidies, we need to ensure that those deciding whether a wind farm should be sited are those in the community who it affects.

A Stow woman claims she is unable to compete for Scotland due to costs after her car was written off in an accident involving a lorry working on the Borders Railway project.

Last month, a truck driver for Allens Transport, sub-contractors of Borders Railway builders BAM Nuttall, drove into nursing assistant Nickie Keene’s Peugeot 207 in the village’s Station Road, wrecking the vehicle she had only had for six weeks.

Since then, Nickie says her expenses have amounted to nearly £1,000 due to a loss of earnings, a deposit for a new car, hiring a courtesy vehicle and other costs.

She told us: “I was hoping that the company involved would have been in touch or even made a goodwill payment, but they haven’t.

“I have had to use my money that I put aside for my shooting to cover it, which means I will miss out in competitions for the Scotland and Great Britain teams, pretty much ending my season before it has really begun, which is a great disappointment.”

She added: “The lawyers who are dealing with it through my insurance company believe it will take up to six months to sort out. It is a headache that has had a massive impact on my personal life.”

A Network Rail spokeswoman said: “At the time of the incident the project apologised for the damage caused to the vehicle. Full details were recorded and the claim is subsequently being processed through official channels.”

Nickie told us previously about the crash: “I heard this almighty bang and when I went out to my car, it was wrecked, basically. The truck driver said he had seen another truck coming in the opposite direction and panicked, swerved and hit my vehicle.”

A BAM spokesman said at the time: “We are extremely disappointed a truck has been involved in hitting this lady’s car. The contractor involved has followed the correct procedure.”