A Galashiels woman who falsely claimed more than £7,000 in benefits had sentence deferred until September 1 for good behaviour and to continue repayment.
Mhairi Dobson, 41, of Broom Drive, admitted obtaining £2,460 income support, and £4,615 housing and council tax benefits between November 2010 and May 2011.
Her solicitor, Heather Stewart, said Dobson, a first offender, was currently making repayments.
More than 150 Borders College students took the opportunity to quiz leading politicians and business people from both sides of the Scottish Independence debate at its campus in Galashiels on Friday.
The invited panel included Michael Moore MP and former Labour MP and chairman of Harris Tweed (for The Better Together campaign) Brian Wilson, and Paul Wheelhouse MSP and Ashten Regan-Denham from the Reid Foundation (for the ‘Yes’ campaign).
The event was chaired by ITV Borders political editor, Peter MacMahon. A vote was taken using electronic voting buttons to reveal that, prior to commencement of the debate, 54 per cent intended to vote NO, 11 per cent to vote YES and that 32 per cent were still undecided.
For just over an hour students posed questions to the panel and a lively debate ensued as the panel put forward their answers.
For many of the students, September’s referendum will be the first time they will have the opportunity to vote.
Horticultural student James Morton commented: “It’s been very interesting to hear both sides of the argument, I know how I am going to vote and it didn’t change my mind.”
When asked to cast their votes again after the debate, concluding results were 61% supporting NO, 26% now supporting YES and 13% still undecided.
Members of the Borders Barmy Army (BBA) took to the treadmill on Friday to help the Friends of Borders General Hospital who are raising funds for a bladder scanner for Ward 12.
This piece of equipment can help reduce the incidence of catheterisation and therefore help to reduce the amount of catheter-associated infection in hospital. The equipment ranges in price from £3,000-£6,000, and the BBA’s efforts raised £543.55.
Anyone who would like to help the Friends in fundraising events should contact Sandra Henwood (01896 826564).
A woman caring for her young grandchildren was disturbed late at night by a neighbour playing loud music and singing.
After over an hour, the woman contacted police who arrived at James Heatlie’s Selkirk home at 12.20am.
When no one came to the door, they went inside and found the 49-year-old accused in a bedroom wearing headphones and singing along loudly to the music.
Prosecutor Graham Fraser said: “The noise coming out of the headphones was so loud, it could be heard by the officers.”
Mr Fraser added: “He continued to sing loudly on and off, and was told to turn the music system off, but said he wouldn’t.”
Heatlie, of The Loan, appeared from custody and admitted breaching an ASBO (antisocial behaviour order) by shouting and singing at his home on Sunday.
Mr Fraser described the accused as an alcoholic and said the ASBO was put in place to “give neighbours some peace”.
He said the woman was “upset and alarmed” by Heatlie’s “intolerable behaviour”.
Defence solicitor Mat Patrick said his client had struggled with alcohol addiction, adding: “It has got steadily worse, but he is an intelligent man who is well aware of his difficulties and is trying to get help.
“Alcohol is the underlying issue and he realises it can’t go on.”
At Selkirk on Monday, Sheriff John Halley told Heatlie: “This is a serious matter, as it is not an isolated incident. It is behaviour which has a considerable impact on those living near you.”
Sentence was deferred until June 16 for reports and – “with great hesitation” – Sheriff Halley released Heatlie on bail.
Dale Irving a 20-year-old conditional jockey who is employed at the James Ewart yard at Westerkirk was elected Langholm Cornet on Friday.
The Muckle Toon’s 2014 Cornet won the public election by 382 votes from his closest rival.
A total of 988 votes were cast at the Buccleuch Centre for the three candidates. The result was: Dale Kenneth Irving 614, Simon Jack Tweddle 232 and Stephen Thomas Devlin 142.
After voting, the crowds gathered outside to welcome the arrival of Langholm Pipe Band and Langholm Town Band after they had played round the town.
When the results of the vote was announced, the Right and Left-hand Men, Alasdair Cavers and Andrew Elliot, rushed out of the meeting and made their way to the Kirk Wynd home of the elected Cornet, to break the good news to Dale, his father and mother Kenneth and Morag, brother Gareth, along with the two grandpas and grannies John and Eileen Irving and Michael and Rose Hogg, as well as close friends.
Neighbours, relatives and friends soon gathered at the house to congratulate Dale on his election.
The new Cornet then headed off with his Right and Left-hand Men to visit the various hotels and clubs, starting off at the Masonic, where they received a warm welcome and were entertained with a number of Common Riding tunes by some of the town band members.
Later in the evening the leading principals attended the dance in the Buccleuch Centre, which was well supported and music was provided by Bon Accord. The traditional polka was danced with the Cornet and his partner taking the lead.
Dale was off early the next morning to head for Haydock where he was riding in a couple of races for trainer Jim Goldie, but was out of luck.
He also led the Young Riders Club sponsored walk to the monument on the Sunday morning. The club started 12 years ago and Dale is the first of the members to come through and be elected Cornet.
Farmer Craig Connell is the latest Pride o’ Lauderdale after being confirmed on Friday as this year’s Lauder Cornet.
And he brings a new blood to the illustrious line of Cornets that span the centuries – he’s the first from his family to be given the honour.
By his side as Cornet’s Lass will be former school pal and longtime friend, childcare assistant, 22-year-old Louise Wilson.
Craig has been a life-long follower of Lauder Common Riding and the 21-year-old couldn’t hide his delight as he was congratulated by chairman Ian Fallas and carried shoulder high through the town centre.
He said later: “I was born and brought up in Lauder and I think it’s a great place to live in and I love all the traditions.
“I’ve been following the common riding all my life and first rode in 2009. I have been waiting and hoping for this moment for so many years. I can’t believe it has finally happened. I am so excited and cannot wait for the summer to begin.”
Both Craig and Louise attended Lauder Primary and Earlston High schools. Craig plays rugby for Earlston and like, Craig, Louise was born and raised in Lauder.
She said ; “My uncles were cornets and my friends have been cornet’s lasses. It is one of those things that I though would never happen. I feel so ecstatic about being picked.
Friday’s start to the 2014 Common Riding were led by Stow Pipe Band and the announcement was made by chairman Ian as the clock struck 8pm.
The countdown to Lauder’s great day is now well and truly under way.
On Friday, May 23, Craig will lead his cavalcade to Threepwood crossroads for the traditional meeting with the Braw Lad and Braw Lass.
Twenty-three year Robbie Scott is the young man who has been chosen to carry the Blue Banner of St. Ronan’s this year.
The Chairman of St. Ronan’s Border Games, Keith Belleville, introduced Robbie as Standard Bearer-Elect to the townsfolk on Friday in a full to capacity Memorial Hall.
A former greenkeeper, Robbie now works for local company Glendinning Groundworks. He lives with his parents, Linda and David at Howford Farm, and his family have strong connections with the Games. He was a monk in 2000 and 2002 and his dad was a monk on four occasions. Robbie’s sister, Sandi, was Standard Bearer’s Lass in 2007 and his uncle Robin Laurie was Standard Bearer in 1978, the same year that his auntie Dawn Scott was Dux Girl. Robbie has played rugby for both Peebles and Walkerburn.
Robbie’s Lass is Rachel Lauder, 21, of Buccleuch Street. Rachel is no stranger to the festival either, having been a Sash Girl in 2003 before being selected as Dux Girl in 2004. She went on to be Lady Busser 2009. Her uncle, the late and sadly missed Graeme Glendinning, was Standard Bearer in 1991 and her family are great supporters of the festival. Rachel now works for JRW Chartered Accountants in Galashiels.
In accepting his appointment, Robbie said: “It shall be my earnest endeavour to carry out the duties of the office of Standard Bearer to the satisfaction of my fellow townspeople. On behalf of my Lass, Rachel, and myself, I thank you, Mr Chairman, for your kind remarks and you ladies and gentlemen for the reception accorded to me this evening.”
Robbie and Rachel were supported on Friday night by Standard Bearer Lyle Caine, his Lass Zoe Taylor, Right-hand Man Aaron Somerville, his Lass Narelle Allan and Left-hand Man Steven Notman and his Lass Kirstie Evans.
Other principals introduced on Friday were the Principal Guest and the Lady Busser. The 2014 Principal Guest is Alan Thomson. Mr Thomson will deliver the main speech during the Cleikum Ceremonies on Friday, July 18 and is well qualified for the role having taken an active part in St. Ronan’s Games Week since he moved to Innerleithen from Horsbrugh Ford in 1975.
Esmé Pringle, who was Dux Girl in 2009, will buss the crozier and staves at this year’s festival of the Cleikum. Esmé is a fifth-year pupil at Peebles High School, currently undertaking her Highers.
Following the introduction ceremony, Innerleithen Pipe Band led the principals and townsfolk on a circular route back to the Memorial Hall where a large crowd watched the official party dance a very energetic Standard Bearers’ Reel. A reception was then held when visiting principals from Peebles, West Linton, Penicuik and Musselburgh, as well as other invited guests, were entertained.
Mr Belleville will introduce St. Ronan, the Dux Girl, Monks, Sash Girls and Lantern Bearer on Friday, June 14 , completing the line-up for this year’s celebrations.
This week, back to the chooks. Or rather, the getting of new chooks. And, therefore, new egg colours. After extensive research, we decided to send off for some hatching eggs. We had already decided what colour of eggs we wanted, so then it was on to the mighty interweb to source some.
A teletext or two later (as my friend Biff’s mum used to call emails), we were waiting for the overnight mail to arrive and bring us half a dozen (let’s not get carried away, just the six will do) Old English Pheasant Fowl eggs.
No, they are not old. No, they are not pheasants. Yes, they are fowl. And yes, these ones are English, coming all the way from Lancashireshiredom as they did. In an egg box, surrounded by corrugated card, with each individual egg packed in cotton wool.
They survived the journey and we placed them, lovingly, in a special run with its own lovely living accoms, with lovely nest, shavings on the floor for those gi-nor-mous poops that broodies get off the nest every so often to have (if you have never experienced this phenomenon, you’re soooo not missing out), and an individual drinker and individual feeder. Chookie bliss.
Or so you would have thought.
Broody hen No 1 had been Olympic-standard broody for almost two weeks. We had been waiting for the eggs (the Lancashireshiredom lady sending them had been collecting for herself for a few days, then there was a Bank Holiday or three) for a wee while, all the time watching her for signs of non-broodiness.
She was committed enough on the days the eggs arrived to still behave like a chook possessed, squawking and grabbing fingers with her vice-like beak. Painful.
We grabbed her and popped her on the eggs. She sat on them for a while... then appeared in the run. Not good.
The next morning, she was out in the run, pacing up and down, desperate to get back to the rest of the flock. Epic fail. Out she went, and without a second glance.
A quick rummage in the main coop and, hurrah! Potential broody No 2. Flat to the floor? Check. Growling? Check. Pecking at all approaching fingers? Check. Tail up and in fan formation? Check. Weird, unpleasant odour? Check.
So, we lifted her out (avoiding her beak) and placed her gently on the eggs. Down she hunkered and we breathed a collective sigh of relief. Second time lucky, we thought.
Next morning, same old story. Pacing the run and desperate to get away from the eggs. And, for good measure, she had added to the clutch. Broodies don’t lay, so this was Bad News.
And so we liberated No 2.
And panic set in. Now what? We needed No 3, and fast. A chicken-y friend up the road has the most broody hens in the whole of Scotlandshire, so a few hours later we had No 3 in a box in the back of the pick-up and our fingers well-crossed.
Despite the trauma of escaping from the box and having to be chased aboot the back o’ the truck, then screeching and flapping all the way to the special lovely pen, she has spent the last 24 hours sitting very tight.
Thank you, Tracy Henmummy. You’re a star. And so is Broody Brenda.
For whatever reason, there hasn’t been a great deal going on to titillate my nimble keyboard fingers – and even less to stir the old grey matter that lies beneath my ever-growing head of hair.
All that will change soon with the arrival of the season of common ridings, festivals and, of course, The Gathering. With regard to the latter, I was saddened to hear of the death of Bert Naismith who was president of the Braw Lads’ Gathering from 1984 to 1987. He was 95 and had enjoyed a good innings, but I was still saddened when I heard the news at the weekend.
All our towns and villages need stalwarts to ensure our traditions are maintained, and that any tweaking is done for the right reasons and with tender, loving care. Bert was one of those guys.
He joined the Braw Lads’ Executive Council in 1972, shortly after arriving in the burgh from the Peebles ilk where he and his wife, Ann, had taught at Castle Craig School. He took over as headmaster of one of my old schools, the Burgh Primary in Gala Park. My youngest sister was a pupil and he was popular with staff and students – which can be a rare thing in a headteacher.
The Braw Lads’ Gathering underwent change about that time. The Saturday ceremonials were shifted to the Friday and The Gathering became a two-day event. In actual fact it had always lasted a week – and sometimes a wee bit more.
As a reporter, I remember attending meetings in the Maxwell Hotel where the pros and cons were hotly debated over – for me a few pints, and for the older generation a few nips. I was working, but a couple of pints at an evening job was acceptable then. I had one editor who only took a drink when it was free at a Burns supper or rugby dinner.
I wouldn’t say the one-day/two-day Gathering debate and subsequent two-day change split the town as much as the lady riders’ dispute did in Hawick. I seem to recall that much of the opposition came from the shops – the big ones like the Co-op – who didn’t want to lose two days’ trade.
But perhaps my memory does them an injustice.
Bert was a fervent advocate of moving main ceremonies back to the Saturday, and as chairman of the Braw Lads’ Executive Council in 1974, he ensured that is what happened. The Gathering was back to how its founding fathers in 1930 had intended it to be. Each common riding, each festival and, of course, The Gathering can yield a thousand and more tales and stories – some that can be told, others best kept for those quiet moments when only the participants are present.
Like the time during the early hours after a Braw Lads’ Danny Ha’ Dinner when access was somehow gained (don’t ask) to the swimming pool (the baths) in Wilderhaugh, and an impromptu swimming gala and water polo match took place. When pool staff opened in the morning, 10 bob and pound notes floating on the water were all that signified something that shouldn’t have had taken place. All part of the fun that is about to be unleashed in the Borders over the coming few months.
I now accept that summer is here and I will get my quarterly hair cut this weekend.
When wildlife documentary-makers need tough-to-get, never-before-seen film footage, one cameraman’s name always comes top of the list.
For over 30 years, Doug Allan has travelled the world capturing some of the most jaw-dropping wildlife imagery ever seen.
In contributing to telelvision series like The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Life, Human Planet and Frozen Planet, he has made over 60 filming trips, including such famous footage as orcas attacking gray whales off California; polar bears trying to capture belugas in a frozen hole in Arctic Canada, and the incredible shots of killer whales washing seals off ice floes in Antarctica – all on-screen firsts.
He has enjoyed a glittering career which has brought him five Baftas and four Emmy awards, despite Dunfermline-born Allan never having had a lesson in photography and being completely self-taught.
Next month, an audience at the Brewin Dolphin Borders Book Festival in Melrose will get a rare chance to hear Allan, described by legendary wildlife broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough as “the toughest in the business”, talk about the images in his recent book, Freeze Frame.
Braving the elements and depths of the Antarctic and Arctic Oceans, Allan has produced a superb 240-page book filled with stunning photographs and secrets of life behind the lens, giving you a peek into the often hostile yet inspiring world of a freelance wildlife cameraman. Speaking this week to The Southern, Allan, whose lifelong love affair with the Earth’s polar regions started as a research diver at Signy Island in 1976, said he was looking forward to his talk at the festival.
“I’ve done quite a few of these ‘talky’ tours now and so far they’ve drawn good attendances, so hopefully the same will be true when I come to Melrose next month,” said Allan. “The book is going fine. I self published it in 2012 as I couldn’t find a publisher who understood what I wanted. So far it’s sold 6,000 copies.”
Allan says audiences seem to enjoy hearing someone with first-hand experience talk about subjects from an informed viewpoint.
And there are few who have more experience of what it takes to live and work in some of the world’s most inhospitable environments than Allan.
A qualified marine biologist, he joined the British Antarctic Survey in 1976 as a research diver and was stationed at Signy Island in the South Orkneys in what was the start of an affair with ice that lasts to this day.
Over the next decade, Allan spent four winters and nine summers ‘down south’ and was awarded the Fuchs Medal, then the Polar Medal, for his work.
A winter spent at the Halley Station as base commander gave Allan a first opportunity to try out his fledgling film-making skills on resident Emperor Penguins.
The BBC bought the footage for their forthcoming series, Birds for All Seasons, and Allan’s career took a new direction.
Since then, he has returned frequently to both the poles, with a string of high profile award-winning films and series for the major TV networks worldwide.
But he likes the challenge of filming people as well as animals, and has done documentary shoots for many programmes, including assignments in the Andes, the deserts of Africa and Mount Everest.
“I had no idea about being a wildlife film-maker when I was younger.
“When David Attenborough came to the base where I was stationed, I got to spend two days chatting to him – something really clicked and we got on very well and I felt this was something I really wanted to do – and could do.”
“But it is becoming tougher and tougher to satisfy the demand for unique footage.
“I work in high-end film-making. The BBC is really the only people who do this now and what they want from me is beautifully filmed, preferably new, high-impact footage.”
z Doug Allan, Friday, June 13 in Homecoming Scotland Marquee, 6pm. (£14, £12c)
Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction: shortlist reviews
An Officer and a Spy, by Robert Harris. Review by Jonathan Tweedie, of Brewin Dolphin
In his page turning novel, An Officer and a Spy, Robert Harris has masterfully brought to life perhaps, until recently, the world’s most infamous miscarriage of justice story: that of Alfred Dreyfus, through the eyes of the whistle blower Major Georges Picquart.
While many readers may know of the tale of treachery, deceit and corruption within the French military and political classes, which results in Dreyfus being incarcerated on Devil’s Island and Picquart having his career, reputation and almost life destroyed, few will know much about it. The story is one packed with intrigue, conspiracy and wrong doing.
Dreyfus is convicted in 1895 of passing secrets to France’s most feared enemy, Germany, and consequently spends the next 11 years in such a severe solitary confinement on Devil’s Island that even the guards are forbidden to speak to him.
He is innocent, but makes a convenient scapegoat for the Army, being Jewish, wealthy and from the recently no longer French but now German region of Alsace. The real spy, a non-Jewish minor aristocrat, is left at large and even defended by the establishment, rather than admit their mistake.
Our hero, a high-flying young army officer being prepared for the very highest echelons of the military, unearths the treachery and then cannot let it go. Despite his own anti-Semitic tendencies he sacrifices everything to see justice done.
Harris stays true to time and place, understanding and treating with great sympathy the sense of loyalty and honour of many of the lead characters.
One can not help but draw comparison with Edward Snowden, when one considers the might of the State being turned upon the individual, but what makes this book so compelling is the ease at which Harris put you back into late 19th century France. The tension he creates at the degradation of Dreyfus is almost unbearable, while it would be a stony heart that is not touched by the picture painted through his letters home of the torture and suffering on Devil’s Island.
There is no doubt that there is a great deal of historical faction in this wonderful novel, but what makes it a contender for the Walter Scott Prize is the way Harris brings the time and characters to life.
As he himself admits “ the various sleights of hand in narrative and characterisation invariably required to turn fact into fiction, remain my sole responsibility” . So good a storyteller is Harris that even the most treacherous characters are understandable, and even almost defendable. This is a stunning book that deserves its place amongst the front runners for this year’s prize.
Three members of the Army Cadet Force (ACF) from Minden Company, Lothian and Borders Battalion, have been recognised for their skills.
Cadet corporals Shannon Atkinson, from Hawick, Aaron Millar, Eyemouth, and Steven Rattray, Melrose, passed the ACF level of Three Star at a course held at Drumshoreland Weekend Training Centre near Broxburn.
During their time in the ACF, cadets learn skills, from map reading and navigation through being able to survive living “in the field” to working together as a team. Progress in these type of skills is recognised through a Star system. To reach the level of Three Star, cadets also have to demonstrate the ability to teach skills back to junior cadets.
Each cadet was presented with a certificate and badge by the battalion’s honorary colonel, Gavin Hastings, pictured third from left. The others are, from left, Steven Rattray, Aaron Millar and Shannon Atkinson.
A story-telling session organised by Scottish Borders Libraries and The Big Lunch was held in Galashiels library for local children and parents.
The youngsters listened to a reading of George and Flora’s Big Party – an Eden Project book based on The Big Lunch concept, about neighbourly get-togethers and how getting to know your neighbours makes people happier, while enjoying party treats.
The Big Lunch happens on the first Sunday in June and last year more than 3.65million people took part in Big Lunches across the UK, including thousands from Scotland who held street parties, picnics in the park and community hall gatherings. This year The Big Lunch in Scotland has joined forces with the Scottish Libraries and Information Council to encourage more communities to take part.
Anyone interested in hosting an event can request a Big Lunch pack from.thebiglunch.com.
The photograph taken at the Galashiels lunch shows, from left, Norman Given, senior library assistant; local toddlers and mums/caregivers; Lauren Stillie, library and information assistant; Emily Watts, communications manager for The Big Lunch in Scotland; Emma Smith, PR for The Big Lunch in Scotland.
There was cross-party agreement last week in the House of Commons after I, with Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border Rory Stewart, made the case for UK cross-border unity at Scottish Questions.
Alongside Mr Stewart, I asked specifically about what independence would mean for Border constituencies.
The future shape of Scotland, and the very existence of the UK, is at stake in the forthcoming referendum. If Scotland were to leave the UK, the Border constituencies would be the first to feel the effects of an international frontier.
There are no easy answers to the question of what could happen if Scotland goes it alone. There would be a new international border and – however close our co-operation – that could mean more bureaucracy and extra controls for people travelling to visit family, go on holiday or do business.
Common UK citizenship and the unrestricted movement of people and goods between Scotland and other parts of the UK have been crucial in enabling the integration of communities and businesses.
If Scotland votes Yes it may signal potentially-dramatic changes to the personal finances of many thousands who live on one side of the border, but work on the other. The number is estimated at around 30,000 – but this rises to 110,000 once longer-distance commuters, such as those working on North Sea oil rigs, are included.
Scotland’s largest customer is the rest of the UK. Independence would mean greater costs for business with different regulatory and tax regimes.
Management of the UK’s external border is complex, expensive and relies on a fully-integrated system across the UK. Currently, all activity to manage, control and secure the UK’s border, and every penny spent, benefits each UK citizen wherever they live or work.
Of course Scotland could be independent, but there is a price to be paid by both countries if that happens, and that price includes serious problems at the border. If the UK, minus Scotland, does not have control of, and does not know what Scotland’s immigration policy is going to be, it cannot commit itself to an open border with Scotland.
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 continue to be a mutual meeting point between two nations, rather than an international border point separating two states.
Our correspondent Union Jack is into the last week of his deployment to Afghanistan. This week it is press monitoring over press-ups.
“One of the consequences of long hours at my desk has been rather fewer hours than I hoped in the gym.
Sadly, for me (and my wife) confident predictions by my Borders triathlon colleagues that I would arrive home “ripped”, have proved rather wide of the mark along with my waistline which remains consistently wide of my 32” aim (dream).
However, working with US Army paratroopers here in the office as well as out in the field at Mazar-e-Sharif is a motivating factor. In fact my whole command chain leads by example.
My PAO boss is a former US Ranger and the three star IJC commander can be found running round the base most mornings. Waking up to sunshine and blue skies almost every morning means there is no weather excuse for not getting up and exercising either.
But even when it does occasionally rain the large gym is impressively stocked with weights and cardio equipment.
Another motivating factor has been the sacrifice and commitment of others in this long campaign. This was dramatically illustrated when watching the movie ‘Lone Survivor’, based upon a true story, which was given extra poignancy by the fact we were watching it in Afghanistan.
US Navy SEAL lieutenant Michael Murphy, who sacrificed himself in the compromised 2005 mission to call for help, was awarded the US highest bravery award, The Medal of Honor, for his actions.
His legacy lives on in the world of CrossFit and the workout named after him.
The ‘Murph’ consists of a 1 mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 press-ups, 300 squats finished off by a second mile run!
True aficionados will wear a 20lb vest throughout to mimic the body armour Lt Murphy used to train in. Elite athletes can complete it in 25 mins. I am aiming to just be able to complete it when I am 50, which give me less than four years to train…
There are many CrossFit fans here at NKAIA and some very fit people. But when your life literally depends on your fitness, you have an added incentive to exercise. Answering hostile media questions is not so physically demanding, although pages of staff work at the computer and hours spent in meetings do require mental stamina.
The senior UK officer here is the Chief of Staff IJC or COS and his military aide is a very fit officer decorated with the Military Cross for former actions in combat. Led by him, all of team in COS’s office have developed a strong fitness ethic and conduct their own Cosfit routine once a week.
Having never made it before today and as I head for Kelso next week, it was my last chance to take part this morning and I ventured along at 0630.
This morning’s routine was 7 Man Makers (burpees + press-up + one-arm raises) with two 25lb dumb-bells followed by the rowing machine while your training partner did his 7 Man Makers and alternating like this for 30mins or if we reached a total of 100 Man Makers or 7500m in under 30mins.
However, as were all likely to reach the 100 target our coach changed the goalposts to 30mins or 7500m to ensure we suffered for the full 30mins. Fortunately, my training partner was a young athletic captain in the Coldstream Guards so we managed about 120 Man Makers and just over 6000m rowing. My discomfort continued as we had an abs workout to finish. With our instructor calling the timing and my two star general exercising on the next door mat, there was no way I could stop. Pity I didn’t start a proper workout routine back in October…
It was a very slow walk back to my accommodation for a shower and consequently I only had time to grab my breakfast in a box before the first meeting of the day. Next week will be the heat and dust of Helmand, before arriving home in time for Ladies’ Day at Kelso Races.”
Stuart and Amanda Clink have enjoyed four years running The Restaurant at Kailzie Gardens, but this month they have expanded with the opening of The Larder.
The shop, in the courtyard next to The Restaurant, sells many of the ingredients used by chef Stuart, including meat from Peelham Farm, Berwickshire, cheese from Stichill Dairy and salmon from the Ettrick Valley Smokehouse.
The local couple are passionate about using Borders ingredients in their menus and the same applies to the produce available in the new shop, which also sells their freshly made bakery goods and homemade chutneys and sauces.
The conversion of the former gift shop has breathed new life into the courtyard area, and the couple have plans for even more developments, including a local beer festival and live music.
“The Larder is like an extension of The Restaurant,” said Stuart. “People can sit down and have lunch and then can go next door and get a lot of the products in the shop.”
Amanda added: “The most important thing for us is offering a really excellent standard of food but not hiking up prices in line with that.
“It is great food, it is not pretentious, it is just making the most of what we have around us, and we have amazing farmers and suppliers in this area.”
Amanda said that the lack of a farmers’ market in Peebles had also prompted them to establish The Larder.
In addition to the opening of The Larder, the couple also organised a performance on Sunday by rising music star Nina Nisbett, and sold the 250 tickets in just five days.
That success has given the pair the confidence to continue to drive forward with plans for more events in the courtyard and The Restaurant, which was also used as a wedding reception venue on Saturday.
Amanda said: “We’re keen to make the most of what we have in this wonderful location.”
Stuart added: “When we first set up here we could see that when you scratched beneath the green paint there was something special underneath.”
Elusive members of the weasel family, Pine Martens are light to dark brown in colour and sport a creamy yellow throat bib.
Opportunistic hunters, they can race deftly along branches in pursuit of squirrels.
Caddonfoot Kirk, pictured, is participating in a new approach to encourage congregations – and those who do not attend church – that praying does work.
Churches of all denominations across the Borders have seized on the initiative to develop praying as a means of people seeking answers to their worries.
The Reverend Elspeth Harley, of Caddonfoot linked with Trinity in Galashiels, has asked her members to read “trypraying”, a booklet which examines the benefit of saying prayers – such as before an examination, when a friend is sick in hospital, or the hours ahead of an interview. She said: “I would hope that people, having read the booklet, will then hand it on to neighbours and friends.”
On Sunday morning at Caddonfoot, the theme of the service was Christian Aid to mark the beginning of Christian Aid Week.
There will be an open day at the churchyard on May 23 (10am-2.30pm) when there will be officials and councillors in attendance, as well as graveyard workers to explain what is needed to maintain the area. Workers are at present replacing the foundations of several headstones to make them more secure.
Kelso-based family company Gill Orde in Catering is targeting further expansion following a threefold increase in sales over the past four years and its recent shortlisting for the prestigious Catering in Scotland Excellence Awards.
The company, which has been operating for almost 20 years, has seen an increase in demand for its services in recent years, which include bespoke wedding, corporate and private event catering.
The business also operates visitor centre cafe restaurants and an event catering service at a number of historic houses in the area.
To keep up with the increased demand, the company is looking to recruit a senior sales and event manager and an operations assistant.
They will join a team of 18 full and part-time staff, which is also bolstered by around 30 casual staff.
Last week it was announced that Gill Orde in Catering, which is run by brothers Justin and Christian Orde, along with their parents Gill and Michael, is one of three finalists in the Independent Event Caterer category of this year’s CIS Excellence Awards.
In partnership with the Abbotsford Visitor Centre, the business has also reached the final of the Sustainable Business category for its operation of the Ochiltree’s restaurant at Abbotsford.
Justin Orde, director, said: “We’re delighted that our business is going from strength to strength and we are extremely proud to be one of only three companies to make it to the final of the Independent Event Caterer category of the Scotland-wide CIS Excellence Awards.
“We think the nomination, and our continuing success, prove that our commitment to customer service and to using the finest local ingredients is a real recipe for success.
“We would like to thank our staff, suppliers and customers for their continued support, which enables us to deliver delicious food and incredible events that are amongst the very best in the country.”
Justin added: “We are greatly looking forward to the awards final.”
The CIS Excellence Award winners will be announced at a dinner and ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on May 29.
A Borders firm with roots deep in the agricultural machinery business has clinched a major deal with Europe’s top trailer maker.
Thomas Sherriff & Co Ltd, which has branches in Alnwick, Berwick, Dunbar, Haddington, Stow and Coldstream, has been appointed by Ifor Williams Trailers as its distributor in the Borders and north Northumberland.
The deal means two new jobs will be created at the firm’s Coldstream depot, located five miles north of the town near Leitholm on the main road to Greenlaw.
The firm was established almost 200 years ago in Dunbar to build and supply machinery for the farming community and has now expanded across both sides of the border.
According to Thomas Sherriff’s group sales director Colin Weatherhead, the company is excited about the new arrangement which he describes as a “very good fit”.
Colin said: “This agreement significantly enhances the product range we offer our customers and strengthens its position by becoming the region’s official distributor for Ifor Williams Trailers.
“Our company has been around almost 200 years and in all those years has obviously gone through a lot of peaks and troughs in the agricultural machinery business.
“I believe we are very good fit for each other and as a result of the distribution arrangement we are looking forward to a very bright future together.”
The new arrangement will mean Thomas Sherriff will supply the full range of Ifor Williams Trailers from its six depots, at Alnwick, Berwick, Dunbar, Haddington, Stow and Coldstream.
Colin explained that the centre of these operations will be a new trailer centre which the company is setting up at its Coldstream depot.
He said: “We’re currently recruiting a manager and an additional technician for the new centre, which will include a spacious display area for the Ifor Williams Trailers range.
“The other five depots will all have dedicated trailer sales people.
“Our new trailer centre will be the springboard for the ambitious plans we have for the development of the trailer business. We recognise that the Ifor Williams Trailer range has a customer base which encompasses much more than only agricultural customers.”
Apart from the horsebox range, Ifor Williams products include a huge range of trailers for construction use including flat bed and tippers as well as many plant trailer options – widely used in the hire industry. In addition their car transporters and box vans further expand the customer base and sales opportunities.
He added: “We will do all that is necessary to develop the business as much as we can over the next 12 months and beyond and are looking forward very much to working closely with Ifor Williams Trailers.”
Colin said that Sherriff’s would debut the Ifor Williams Trailers range at two events over the next few months.
The first appearance will come at the Floors Castle Horse Trials in Kelso from May 16-18 and then at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh from June 19-22.
Established 1816 at Beltonford, Dunbar, the company that was to become Thomas Sherriff Ltd was owned and named by a man named Sherriff Robertson, who eventually relocated to a site where the Village Hall now stands in West Barns.
In 1865 new premises were built at the current site, designed to expand the manufacture of all types of seed sowing machinery and repair of the various machines used in farming at that time.
In the following 100 years the company changed and evolved several times as it continued to serve the needs of the farming community.
In the 1970s a period of expansion followed the appointment of the company to the John Deere dealership network, with the setting up of new premises in Haddington, Stow and Alnwick.