Good news, we’ve had the warmest spring on record in Scotland since at least 1910, and by implication that must also be true for much of the north of England.

Bad news, the wet, mild winter, followed by such a warm spring is encouraging record numbers of midges and ticks, plus large numbers of bugs and diseases liable to affect crops and livestock.

True, the worst affected areas for midges and ticks are in the West of Scotland and Highlands, but we get our share. Ticks in particular can be a menace to humans and animals so never ignore a tick bite. Infection can lead to severe health problems, including neurological and joint pains, and they don’t do sheep or cattle much good.

I’ve always contended that women never get the credit they deserve in farming and rural businesses. Many have off-farm jobs while still responsible for most family activity, meals, book keeping and records, emergency stockperson and go-for at busy times, not to mention nursing male egos and providing consolation for those inevitable farming disasters.

I’d also bet that most farm diversifications such as B&B, farm shops, holiday lets and livery stables originate with women. In spite of that, farming is still seen as a man’s world and with chauvinism remaining prevalent, change is slow. But perhaps not as slow as I thought, according to a survey of more than 2,000 men and women carried out in a joint effort by Farmers Weekly and Barclays Bank. An encouraging two-thirds of women said that they are treated mostly or always as equal to men for pay, benefits and daily work routine – as they should be.

The survey also found that 59% of men and women said that agriculture is the same as, or better than, other industries for equal opportunities, and believe that will continue to improve. Confirming my belief, suggested above, most women think they deal with most of the farm paperwork, administration and domestic chores and usually slot in to a supportive role.

Most feelings of unfair treatment related to the thorny problem of succession. Two thirds of women responding to the survey felt they were rarely or never treated equally when it came to the crunch of who would take over a farming business. Ironically, given the ages-old advice to men trying to get into farming that the three main routes are patrimony, parsimony and matrimony, only 2% of men in the survey said that marriage had got them a start in farming. For women, marriage brought 25% of them into the industry.

Is it possible that genetically modified crops could soon be grown in Britain on a large scale? I think, and have thought for 15 years and more, that would be a good thing and that non-scientific opposition to these crops is nonsense. But whether relaxation of European Union rules to allow individual countries to decide whether GM crops can be grown or not will make any difference I’m not sure.

The ‘Are they? Aren’t they?’ broody hen saga (a farce in three acts) seems to be playing out to its conclusion. Hopefully, by the time this column comes out, we will have some chicks. Yes, real, live, new little chickens.

This is the first year we have bought in eggs to hatch under broodies, rather than just used our own. The late, beloved Bruce (RIP) is very much missed in this respect.

So far, not so good. These ‘shop bought’ eggs have just had to be thrown away. Remember the Old English Pheasant Fowl eggs that our own broody rejected, which then necessitated us ‘borrowing’ Brenda the broody from the lovely Tracy Henmummy down the road?

Well, Brenda suddenly decided that she wasn’t really broody after all, and that she actually couldn’t be bothered with the whole ‘sitting on eggs until they hatch’ nonsense, and simply jumped off the eggs and shot off, putting as much distance as she could between herself and our lovely eggs (which cost a not inconsequential £11). Motherhood, moi? No thanks.

So we were left looking for another candidate before the eggs went cold. There was a potential mum around, thank goodness. She had been squeezing into the coop and raking eggs out of the nest boxes in order to sit on them.

Sally the turkey.

Not wanting to deny Sally her shot at motherhood this year, we decided to give her a go. She is unlikely to be hatching any turkey eggs any time soon.

Vic, the boy turkey, is pretty rubbish at his job. No, let’s be honest, he’s hopeless. He fluffs up and makes a great show of hissing like a garage air line, shimmies about in front of the girls, then goes to the wrong end and dances about a bit before giving up.

The girls sit patiently as he treads on their heads and necks with his big clod-hopping feet. Tragic to watch. And pretty gutting for the girls.

Sadly, Vic isn’t the only clod-hopping turkey, and every few days or so the over-eager and fairly hefty Sally would squash one of the eggs and, come the day they were due to hatch there were only two left. And this day passed, with the eggs very ‘slooshy’ inside, which means no chick. So we took them away and gently lifted Sally out of the broody coop and watched her waddle sadly back to the the turkeys. Bless.

After this sad episode, we were delighted that one of our home-bred hens was suddenly broody. Wasting no time, I ordered some more eggs from a hatching egg Facebook group. Just two days later they arrived.

Broodiness can be catching – Jean’s Chicken (who is a fantastic mother) caught it first, then passed it on to Lily (Savage), who is the meanest, peckiest chook ever. Last year she started pulling her chicks’ feathers out. Why? Because she could. When Gamford went in to check all was well, she flew at his face.

We currently have three hens sitting on three different types of eggs, obtained over the interweb. Will keep you posted.

A footnote: A Girls Day Oot at the marvellous Manderston House for Aunty Rupert, the Young Mistress and myself. YM suddenly points to an object and pipes up: “What’s that?”

Me: “Well, that’s a record player, of course.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, that was before cassette tapes were invented.”

Blank looks.

“Erm, that was how they used to play music.”

“Well, that would be ages and ages and ages ago. Like in the 1990s. When you were really little.”

I just found myself saying: “Yes, that’s right.”

Selkirk’s Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Greg MacDougall, and first woman Standard Bearer Fiona Deacon, secured their places in history at Friday’s Common Riding.

As ever, the festival began on Thursday, ‘the nicht afore the morn’, with the Crying of the Burley, when Senior Burgh Officer James Heatlie proclaimed the principals Riding the Marches, “with a great many more”, “all ready to start at the sound of the second drum” at 7am on Friday.

The smiling procession, decked in ribbons, cheered as Mr Heatlie, in black and white top hat and coat, read their names five times around the town: the 2014 Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Greg MacDougall; his ‘Burleymen’ (the four last Royal Burgh Standard Bearers) Martin Rodgerson, Gavin Henderson, Michael Craig, and Douglas Gunn; and his four Attendants, Scott Rodgerson, Darren Knox, Thomas Bell and Adam Nichol.

On Common Riding Day itself, at 4am, Selkirk Flute Band roused the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer, and Provost David Anderson, before the Act of Remembrance at Selkirk War Memorial at 5.30am, when Fiona Deacon, a former Royal Military Police Officer, laid a wreath in tribute to the fallen, and Reverend Margaret Steele spoke on the First World War’s 100th anniversary, and D-Day’s 70th anniversary, this year. All then joined Selkirk Silver Band, with hundreds of Souters linking arms, for the First Drum, singing Hail Smiling Morn’ round the town to folk gathered on doorsteps.

Greg, almost the tallest, and wearing a bowler hat, tweeds, yellow waistcoat, and stock shirt, greeted the cheers before his Installation at 6.45am on the Victoria Halls’ red balcony. The Provost’s wife, Sam, bussed the Burgh Flag, and wished Greg “safe oot, safe in”, before the 28-year-old auctioneer promised the Provost to return it from the Marches “unsullied and untarnished”.

The clicker counted 323 horses behind Greg on his steed, as he carried aloft Selkirk’s Standard, symbolising its identity and pride, down to ford the Ettrick Water at 7.30am, before all rode the Burgh bounds up to Linglie Glen, Peat Law, Foulshiels Hill, and the Three Brethren.

First-time Attendant, Darren Knox, voiced his “massive honour” carrying the Banner to the Three Brethren, saying: “I looked up at the Flag, and looked at all the followers, and it was a dream come true, a brilliant feeling.”

Before 10am, the horses appeared over the crest of Nettlie Wood to the thousands gathered at the Toll to cheer them home.

Heralded by the gritter lorry, Greg galloped past, flag a-flutter, followed by his four Attendants cantering together in a line, and clattering cavalcades of young and old, often at full charge, bearing expressions varying from concentration to satisfaction.

Greg and the Incorporation’s six Standard Bearers, David Main (Hammermen), John Black (Weavers), Ivor Ward (Fleshers), Kenny Thomson (Colonials), Andrew Anderson (Merchant Company) and Fiona Deacon (Ex-Soldiers), then processed to their big moment on the crimson dais in Market Place, when a thousand faces fixed upon them alone, for the Casting of the Colours.

First up, Greg had to rely on his weeks of Flag practice, and words of advice from his father Ewan MacDougall, the 1999 Merchant Company Standard Bearer, to ‘concentrate on the count’.

“It’s all in your homework,” Greg told us: “if you put the work in beforehand, it all goes right on the day.”

True to his word, Greg’s graceful cast looked effortless, drawing the biggest cheer from the crowd, as the Silver Band ended Up Wi’ The Souters o’ Selkirk.

“He got the count spot on,” Ewan told us. “When you walk up on that platform, all you can see is heads – you don’t recognise anybody. You have to focus on the job at hand, to make sure it’s properly cast, and that’s what he did. I think he’s conducted himself in a manner that befits the Royal Burgh Bearer. I couldn’t be prouder.”

The other Standard Bearers discharged their duty honourably too, with their nerves melting into a smile on the last loop, and a wave to Souters acknowledging a job well done.

Kiwi Kenny Thomson, Colonials’ Standard Bearer, told us: “I went from extreme nervousness to extreme happiness in about 30 seconds. I didn’t sleep last night. I’ve been practising at home in New Zealand, but I hadn’t cast a proper flag until I got here on Thursday.”

But the longest cheers went to the Ex-Soldiers’ Fiona Deacon, Selkirk’s first female Standard Bearer in almost 500 years, as she mounted the dais, cast her Flag, and, after standing to attention for the two minutes’ silence, rejoined the clapping crowds.

Fiona described the day as: “Exhilarating – filled with nerves and excitement, all at the same time.

“Every Common Riding Day is a historical event for Selkirk – not just today. Today, in my eyes, is no different to any other: we’re just the next generation of Flag bearers.”

Greg also paid tribute to Fiona, saying: “It was a great emotional moment as well – she got up and did her job.”

He summed up his own day: “It’s the best feeling in your life. The Casting of the Colours summed up the whole day – great emotions. There’s a saying in Selkirk, that ‘God’s a Souter’, and I think it was proved today, because it stayed dry for the event.”

We learned a valuable lesson on Saturday. By we, I mean Selkirk’s skiffling sensation the Bogie’s Close Stompers.

Actually, we learned quite a few lessons. Just to make sure we are all singing off the same hymn sheet.

The Stompers are a six-piece outfit consisting of Robin Wilson on guitar and vocals; George Irvine and Davie Scott on banjos; Jim Stillie on mandolin, Andy Sterricks (known as the Digger because he used to dig graves) on tea chest bass and yours truly on washboard and cowbell.

For this engagement, however, we were only five because Jim wasn’t able to join us. The occasion was the colourful and noisy Newtongrange Children’s Gala Day.

Like many of the band’s engagements, this one came by a strange route. The X95 Selkirk to Edinburgh First Bus. That’s where George met an old pal who helps organise the Nitten week which culminates in a major Saturday parade. We were booked. We learned we would have to play being towed through the crowded streets on the back of a trailer. Our combined brains couldn’t find one, but George’s pal did. And so, on Saturday, with a borrowed generator to power our amplification system, we headed for Newtongrange.

The Gala Day started 100 years ago and brings the entire population of what was once a thriving mining community onto the streets that are known only by numbers. We arranged to meet Jock, our driver, whom we hired for a bottle of brandy, and the borrowed trailer in the Co-op car park. There’s a lot of pipe bands at the Gala Day and we got some strange looks as we loaded it with said genny, mic stands, music stands, amp and mixer desk and then ourselves. It was twin axled – both in the middle – narrow, and had no sides.

This was the first time in the 14 years since we banded together that we had played on a trailer. We should have realised there might be problems by the somewhat wary expression on Jock’s face and the way he fussed around us like mother hen. We really should have realised.

Jock towed us from the Co-op to The Square where the parade was about start. We bounced over a sleeping policeman and realised staying on our feet wasn’t going to be easy. But we got there.

As the pipe bands massed and the Guides, and Scouts and BBs gathered around us, we steaded ourselves for our first Newtongrange Gala Day parade. But not for long.

When the parade started and we struck up Putting on the Agony and it almost became agony.

We jerked and stotted. Andy seemed to be heading for the Scouts, I thought I was about to join the Guides, while George saw the youth club looming.

For the rest of the parade we sat on speakers, the jenny and the tailboard. Davie stood because there was nothing left to sit on.

I think our music went down well as we headed through crowded streets. Our antics at trying to keep mic and music stands and even our seated-selves on board also provided entertainment. It was a great day. But we learned that next time we’ll check the trailer and take along some seats and perhaps a length of rope.

Melrose’s Harmony Garden welcomed almost 17,000 visitors to this year’s 2014 Brewin Dolphin Borders Book Festival, say delighted organisers.

Famous personalities like Absolutely Fabulous creator, Jennifer Saunders, former prime minister Gordon Brown, Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and veteran news journalist, Jon Snow, mingled with some of the country’s top authors over the four days of the 11th such event, which ran from last Thursday until Sunday night.

As well as the main festival, there was a two-day family book festival and a massively popular special schools day on Friday.

The festival’s Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction, which comes with a £25,000 cheque, was this year won by novelist, Robert Harris, for An Officer and a Spy.

Festival director Alistair Moffat told The Southern - which was a media sponsor for the event - that it had been the best yet.

“This was simply the best, the best festival ever. Not only did 17,000 come through the gates at Harmony, the variety of events was startling and the audience responded hugely,” said Mr Moffat.

“We started with Nick Mason of Pink Floyd and Jennifer Saunders, then Jon Snow talked of the world of news, followed by a rousing speech from a world statesmen in the shape of Gordon Brown, Walter Scott’s Waverley was wonderfully celebrated and at the end Nina Conti was utterly brilliant, the laughter ringing round the Borders.

“And these were only some of the marvels at Harmony last weekend. Can’t wait for next year.”

Harris came top from a six-strong shortlist for the Walter Scott Prize after having been pipped four years ago by Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall.

Receiving his award in a packed marquee on Friday night from The Duke of Buccleuch, who sponsors the award together with his wife, Mr Harris said he was overwhelmed.

“It’s absolutely wonderful to come here and win such a prize. I’m triply honoured - honoured to receive such a generous prize from the duke and duchess; honoured to be on a shortlist with such astonishingly talented authors and particularly honoured to win a prize named after Sir Walter Scott, who has been a hero of mine for 17 years after I found, in a second-hand book shop, a copy of Scott’s journals, a wonderful book about writing.”

An Officer and a Spy is the author’s ninth novel and is a compelling recreation of a scandal that became one of the most infamous miscarriages of justice, in which a young Jewish officer was convicted of treason in Paris in 1895.

The judges said the book was a masterwork written by a story-teller at the pinnacle of his powers.

“In making compelling literary drama out of the Dreyfus affair, an episode familiar to many, Robert Harris has done something Walter Scott would have been proud of,” they said.

“Exactly 200 years ago, Scott pulled off the same transformation with Waverley and another familiar episode, the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion.

“From a shortlist of extraordinary quality a clear winner emerged and the judges were unanimous in their choice.”

Extracts from each book were read by actor John Sessions – master of the historical role.

Four of the shortlisted authors were present to hear the announcement, including Ann Weisgarber who had travelled from Texas to attend.

Announcing the winner, the Duke of Buccleuch said it was impossible to be in Melrose without having a powerful sense of Sir Walter Scott, especially since next month sees the 200th anniversary of the publication of Waverley.

He told the audience: “Above all I want to thank, those who have come to help us celebrate, our four wonderful authors; I thank all six [on the shortlist], but four have joined us for this wonderful evening.

“You have, I think, honoured the extraordinary work of Sir Walter Scott with your words and your presence.”

Comedian Rory Bremner, an honorary patron, as well as one of the event’s regular star turns, said the book festival together with Border Union Show were two of best reasons to be in the Borders.

“You never know who you going to bump into and the audience is so welcoming,” he told us.

“It’s here on the doorstep and it’s such a lovely event. Having this festival in the heart of the Borders is just the best thing.”

MARIE CURIE TEA PARTY

I was delighted to be able to do my bit for Marie Curie Cancer Care by hosting my own Blooming Great Tea Party.

The initiative is designed to raise money to help Marie Curie Nurses provide more free care to people with terminal illnesses in their own homes.

With every £20 raised helping to pay for one hour of care, we in the Borders need to do everything we can to help.

That’s why I was happy to invite people into my officefor tea, cake and a chat. I hope more people in the Borders will be hosting their own tea parties over the next month, as any amount of money raised will be a great help.

TOWN CENTRES

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has highlighted 11 town centres in the Borders which are under threat due to local closures.

They warn that these closures – be it bank branches or police counters – pose a threat to efforts to turn around Scottish high streets and rejuvenate local economies. They have all restricted the number of jobs and visitors in our town centres, counteracting a lot of the good work that has been achieved.

It is no wonder that the FSB have chosen to voice their concerns, as many of the small businesses they represent will be under increased danger of closing if something is not done to boost these local economies.

It is now up to the SNP Government to listen and take action to save our towns.

We cannot afford to see the economies of these towns suffer any more, but without further investment from Holyrood we face seeing more significant closures in years to come.

JIM CLARK RALLY

Kenny MacAskill, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, recently announced that the Scottish Government will carry out a review into motorsport event safety in Scotland.

It follows this year’s rally, during which three spectators were tragically killed.

The review should be a positive step towards ensuring we never see a repeat of these deaths, however, I am keen to urge caution against any knee-jerk reactions in response to this incident.

The Jim Clark Rally is a long-established event in the Borders and whilst everyone is shocked by what happened, I think it would be regrettable if any premature decisions were taken about the future of the rally. That is why the Cabinet Secretary must work closely with the Motor Sports Association and with the Border Ecosse and Berwick and District motor clubs before implementing any controls on events of this nature.

We cannot allow this historic rally to cease running altogether, and any suggested changes must be realistic and achievable.

It’s amazing, isn’t it. The Act of Union that joined Scotland and England was enacted in 1707.

That’s 307 years ago. So you would think that every Scot who lived at some point in those intervening three centuries, would have had ample time to make up their mind on how they would vote if they ever got the chance to decide on being an independent country once again.

But with less than 100 days to go until September’s referendum it looks too close to call.

However, a new survey of voters in this region and our southern Scotland compatriots in Dumfries and Galloway, carried out for ITV Borders, has indicated that a majority of those polled plan to vote to stay in the UK.

The ComRes survey found 61% propose to vote No, up from 59% in January. But there was also a similar rise in support for independence, with this increasing from 24 to 26%.

And already campaigners have latched on to the figures, trumpeting that it shows a majority are for this or for that. But politicians are only interested in polls when they can use them to persuade the undecided among us that everyone else is planning to vote their way and, therefore, so should they.

However, as Mary Frances Berry, former chair of the United States Commission on Civil Rights, so eloquently put it when debating the merit of polls:

Yes vote based on fantasy and magic

I am not aquainted with the Potter books and films, but I understand that fantastic realities and magic supply their infrastructure. A bit like the Yes campaign, actually.

Consider the other-worldly reality of the Yes campaign’s Great Leader, for example.

When EU President JM Barroso said that it would be impossible for Scotland to continue as an EU member, Alex Salmond dismissed his argument and said there would be no problem in Scotland joining.

When Chancellor Osborne stated that there could be no currency union in the event of a yes vote, Salmond said that there would and that Osborne was bluffing.

When numerous leaders of mighty corporations and huge financial institutions warned of the risks of independence Salmond dismissed them out of hand.

When President Obama said that the UK should remain united, the SNP leader replied that this was a minor intervention.

When Sweden’s foreign minister warned of the Balkanisation of the British Isles if Scotland voted yes, Alex Salmond said this was foolish and an insult.

In other words the Great Leader is right and everyone else wrong.

As for the magic element, look no further than the special phrases used by Scotland’s cargo cultists. The SNP’s abracadabra words allow the user to dispense with facts, and conjure up a rosy future which contrasts sharply with the actuality of everyday life, risk, and the laws of economics.

Here are a few of their magic words. The Levers of Power. The Fiscal Powers Given by Independence. The Arc of Prosperity. Control Our Own Destiny. Unlocking Our Potential. A Positive Vision. The National Mission.

They could all be joined together in one Yes sentence for the party faithful to chant round the peat fire, the bagpipes wailing, the drums beating, the tartan glowing, the laptops tapping, and the wind turbines motionless.

On the one hand we have an infallible leader, on the other voodoo politics.

Why should the sensible elector vote for either? The truth is that by voting No we have the guarantee of the pound sterling, with our banks supported by the Bank of England. We will continue to have unfettered access to a single market of 63million. We will avoid paying the start-up costs of 200 new institutions. Prices and interest rates will be lower, and pensions and savings will be secure.

We will continue to enjoy an open border with England, our scientists will still be able to pull and share resources across the UK, and in an increasingly hostile world we will enjoy the protection of the RN, the RAF and the British Army.

William Loneskie

Oxton

Forget the bluff and focus on the real issue

Better Together’s arguments are being systematically demolished in meeting after meeting across Scotland.

Opinion polls are moving to Yes, and even prominent figures in their own campaign have now declared they have changed their minds and will vote Yes.

Now they have decided to focus on one simple, if cynical, tactic. Ignore the argument. Scream loud accusations of vile behaviour at your opponents. Make this the issue. The actual facts are irrelevant – froth, noise and hysteria are the key to success. Demonise your opposition. The national press are your friends – use them, get the undecided public to think your opponents are not the calm, rational, friendly people they meet on the streets and in meetings, but angry, pathological zealots who stalk anyone friendly to “No” and vilify and abuse them. Abuse is easy to find. It’s one of a number of unpleasant aspects of the internet. Anonymity encourages bad behaviour in certain sorts of people.

Aggressive drivers, litter louts, the small minority of dog walkers whose animals foul our pavements and parks are encouraged by anonymity.

Abusers exist everywhere on the internet – I’ve seen some horrible examples on sports, music and celebrity pages, and no doubt model railway enthusiasts and morris dancers have their own versions. Internet abuse is noxious and cowardly. It is the darkness of any campaign.

Studies of the subject to date have shown that the amount of abuse directed at Yes campaigners by those on the No side vastly outnumbers that in the other direction.

Chris and Colin Weir, who have donated large sums to the Yes campaign, have been remorselessly vilified for doing so. There has been no visible press hysteria over this.

When George Galloway MP circulated a photograph of two fat pigs purporting to be the Weirs, I do not recall outraged headlines in any newspaper.

Also, if anyone really wishes to read abusive comments, they need go no further than online comments right across the national press. These newspapers host abuse. It is their “click-bait”, an exercise to try to boost visitor numbers, and a measure of their cynicism. Decent people, fortunately, are the overwhelming majority. None of us wants to see J. K. Rowling or the Weirs abused online.

But we can no more wish away the machinations of politicians and the outrageous behaviour of a small minority amongst us than we can guarantee sunshine.

We can, however, do ourselves one favour. We can shun abusers and manipulators of all kinds, and focus ourselves on the real issue, the compelling importance of the biggest decision any Scot has been allowed to make on the future of our country, which is now less than 100 days away.

Eric Faulkner

Galashiels

Deferred

A St Boswells woman who falsely obtained £7,500 benefit, has had sentence deferred until July 23.

First offender Tina Mackenzie, 48, of Jenny Moore’s Court, admitted obtaining income support, housing and council tax benefit of £7,500 to which she was not entitled, between August 2011 and August 2012.

To stand trial

A Kelso teenager who denies assaulting two police officers, will stand trial on October 14, with an intermediate diet on September 22.

Nineteen-year-old Dean Brown of Orchard Park, denies breaching an ASBO by being drunk and disorderly at The Policies woodland in Galashiels on May 30,

He also denies assaulting two police officers by repeatedly spitting in a police vehicle on May 31, and repeatedly threatening their families with violence.

On indictment

A Galashiels man who denies having indecent photos of children and extreme pornographic images depicting sexual acts, has had a further first diet set for July 1.

Jason Thomson, 40, of St Andrew Street, is due to stand trial by jury after he denied possession of indecent photos of children at a house at Woodstock Avenue, Galashiels between September 11, 2012, and July 1 last year.

He also denies taking, or permitting to be taken, indecent photos of children.

Thomson, who appeared on indictment, further denied possession of extreme pornographic images depicting sexual acts.

Denies assault

A 30-year-old who denies assaulting a man to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and danger of life, has had a further first diet set for July 1.

Brian Cassie of Beech Avenue, Galashiels, is due to stand trial by jury after he appeared on indictment and denied assaulting a man at the Bridge Inn, Island Street, Galashiels, on August 18 last year, by repeatedly punching him on the head, seizing him by the body and dragging him to the ground and repeatedly kicking, stamping, and jumping on his head as he lay on the floor, rendering him unconscious.

Jailed for eight months

A 25-year-old who breached a Sexual Offences Prevention Order by being drunk in the street, has been jailed for eight months.

Dean Smith of Beech Avenue, Galashiels, appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Friday, and admitted breaching the Order – which prohibits him from being intoxicated in a public place – at Aster Court, Galashiels, on June 12.

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre also ordered Smith to complete 24 days of unexpired sentence before beginning the new jail term.

Appeared in private

A 39-year-old man has appeared in private, charged on petition with being concerned in the supply of cannabis in Hawick.

Colin Richardson of Charles Street, Hawick, made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody meantime.

Hawick man in alleged assault

A Hawick man has appeared in private charged with assault and robbery in the town.

Carlos Castro De Veiga, 33, of Allars Bank, faces an allegation of assault to severe injury and robbery, believed to involve an elderly woman, on June 12. He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody meantime.

Sentence deferred

A local man, who admitted assault and robbery in Hawick, will be sentenced on July 18.

Twenty-one-year-old Robert Searle of Fraser Avenue, Hawick, appeared on indictment and admitted assaulting a man at a house in the town’s Oliver Crescent on August 12 last year, forcing him on to a bed, repeatedly punching him on the head, uttering threats of violence and robbing him of a games console and games.

Co-accused Stephen Scott, 31, of McLaren Court, Hawick, denied assaulting the man and robbing him, and his not guilty plea was accepted by the Crown.

Searle’s not guilty plea to a second charge of assaulting a woman there and presenting a handgun at her was accepted by the Crown.

Sentence was deferred until July 18 for reports, and Searle’s bail was continued.

Gala man fined over argument

A Galashiels man who shouted and swore, throwing items about the house, has been fined £200.

Rowland Swatton, 30, of Overhaugh Street, Galashiels, appeared from custody and admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at his home on June 12.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told how police received a call and could hear a woman shouting.

“They were able to trace the address through the telephone number and could hear raised voices when they arrived,” explained Mr Fraser.

“She was crying and upset, and he said he had called the police, but didn’t mean it to connect.

“He has been in a relationship with this lady for a year and said they had an argument which got out of hand,” added Mr Fraser.

Admitted violent struggle

Upset at being arrested, a drunken man struggled violently with police officers.

William Devlin had to be taken to the ground and re-handcuffed as he kicked out and headbutted the floor.

Devlin, 22, of Trinity Street, Hawick, admitted struggling violently with police at Hawick Police Station on July 31 last year.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told an earlier hearing how officers had attended an incident in the centre of Hawick.

Devlin, who was very drunk, was warned about his behaviour and told to go home.

When officers returned to another incident, Devlin was still there, and arrested.

He was taken to Hawick Police Station where he began to struggle with the officers.

“He had to be taken to the ground and rehandcuffed,” explained Mr Fraser.

“He kicked out and head-butted the floor, and it took three officers to subdue him.”

Solicitor Rory Bannerman, defending, described his client as “reasonable and sensible without alcohol”.

“Alcohol tends to get him into trouble,” explained Mr Bannerman.

“He really didn’t think he should have been taken to the police station in the first place,” he added.

Sheriff John Halley previously deferred sentenced for four months, until June 13, and sentence was further deferred until June 27 for him to deal with the accused.

Kelso woman admits fraud

A financial agent who fraudulently obtained more than £3,900, and embezzled a further £697, has had sentence deferred until July 18 for reports.

Lorna Waddell, 39, of Orchard Park, Kelso, was working as an agent for Provident Financial Management Services Ltd when she obtained £3,936.82 by fraud between February 1, 2012 and February 20, 2013.

She also admitted embezzling £697.75 from the company between November 1, 2012 and March 12, 2013.

Calling for reports, Sheriff Derrick McIntyre told her: “You were working as an agent for this company and this was a breach of trust.”

Deferred for reports

A Kelso man who ran his finger across a woman’s body in a local pub, and assaulted another woman, has had sentence deferred until July 18 for reports.

George Lees was released on bail not to enter the Black Swan at Horsemarket, or to contact the woman he assaulted.

The 57-year-old of Pinnaclehill Park, Kelso, admitted committing both offences at the Black Swan on March 15.

Dangerous dog allegation

A woman who denies having a Labrador which was dangerously out of control and seized a terrier in its mouth, will stand trial on October 30.

Maureen Lewis, 46, of Roxburghe Drive, Hawick, denies being in charge of a golden Labrador at Alemoor Court, Hawick, on November 22 last year, which was dangerously out of control and seized a Patterdale terrier dog in its mouth.

An intermediate diet was set for October 3.

Shoplifter jailed

A persistent shoplifter has been jailed for 240 days.

Kevin Millar of Buccleuch Street, Innerleithen, appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday and admitted a series of thefts from local shops.

The 33-year-old stole a computer game from Tesco’s Galashiels store on November 5 last year, when he was also found with a jacket lined with foil for the purpose of committing theft.

On April 28, Millar admitted stealing an energy drink, pasta, a tin of meat and a bottle of wine from the Premier shop in Scott Street, Galashiels, and stealing a bottle of wine from the Co-op in the town’s Gala Park.

Both offences were committed while on bail.

On January 13, Millar failed to appear at Selkirk Sheriff Court, having been granted bail.

He also failed to attend at Peebles Police Station while on bail between May 22 and June 11, and on June 10 he stole food, and shaving items from Keystore in Eastgate, Peebles.

Hearing Millar had a chaotic drug-fuelled lifestyle, Sheriff Peter Paterson told him there was no alternative to a custodial sentence.

In contempt 
of court

A drunken woman, found in contempt of court after appearing in the dock when four-and-a-half times the alcohol limit, has been jailed for 30 days.

Louise Boughen was remanded in custody over the weekend when she appeared before Sheriff Derrick McIntyre at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, after she provided a breath/alcohol reading of 156mcgs – the legal limit being 35 – in the court cells.

The Sheriff, who officially retired on Friday, returned to Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday to deal with the case and jailed the 34-year-old of Roxburghe Drive, Hawick, for contempt of court.

Solicitor Ross Dow, defending, explained that his client had a “chronic alcohol problem” and wished to apologise to the court.

“She accepts she had a considerable amount to drink before attending court, and apologises for being intoxicated,” said Mr Dow.

Boughen appeared in the dock with two black eyes.

The 30-day jail term was back-dated to June 13.

Trial by jury

A 31-year-old who denies brandishing a knife in Galashiels, will stand trial by jury on July 7.

Andrew Gillies, c/o St Martins Court, Haddington, appeared on indictment and denied having a knife in the common stair at Beech Avenue, Galashiels, on December 13.

He also denies brandishing a knife at two people and kicking a bucket.

Court date set

A Hawick woman who denies having cannabis with intent to supply, will stand trial by jury on July 7.

Clare Parker, 40, of Wilson Drive, Hawick, denies an alleged offence at her home on August 10 last year.

A Hawick man, seen with a knife at a rugby club function, claimed it was for his own protection.

Andrew Birnie declared: “I need the knife as people will do worse to me than it will do to them,” adding that he wouldn’t have used it.

Concerned friends persuaded him to put the knife in a bin.

Birnie, 20, of Sunnyhill Road, Hawick, appeared on indictment and admitted having a knife at Volunteer Park, Hawick, on December 1 last year.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told how a social event was being held at the Volunteer Park, attended by about 120 people, most of whom were under 18.

Birnie approached a couple of friends and said he had a knife, and when told to hand it over, put it in a nearby bin.

“A friend went to the bin and took it out and he was stopped by the police,” added Mr Fraser.

Solicitior Iain Burke added: “At no time did his friends think there was a threat, they were more concerned for him.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson told Birnie: “People carrying a knife are a potential danger to others.”

He sentenced Birnie to a 12-month Community Payback Order with 130 hours of unpaid work, warning him, “This is a serious matter and it is a direct alternative to custody.”

On a further complaint, Birnie was fined £200 after he admitted making repeated 999 calls to the control room at Bilston on October 19 last year.

In the early hours of the morning, Birnie phoned around 10 times.

“He was basically trying to attract attention to himself,” said Mr Fraser.

Mr Burke added, “He was in a state of upset at the time and said that the 999 number was the only one he could remember.”

A Galashiels Academy teacher has been struck off the teaching register for three months after giving two pupils false extra marks to pass an assessment.

Scott Shields, a business management teacher at the secondary school, provided false information to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) regarding two pupils’ NAB assessments in 2010.

The pupils were taking an Information Technology for Management Course and a NAB is an end-of-unit assessment that pupils must pass before sitting an external exam, and is short for National Assessment Bank, which is marked by subject teachers.

The deception came to light when one of the two girls reported the incident to her pastoral teacher – after Mr Shields told the two pupils what he had done, and asked them to keep quiet.

Believing he might be under investigation, Mr Shields then sent one of the pupils and her family a letter asking them to withdraw the allegations against him.

However, although ruling this week that the allegation of falsifying NAB results was proved, members of the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s Fitness to Teach Panel said Mr Shields’ actions were out of character and an attempt to assist the two pupils.

The panel also found the letter was sent by Mr Shields when he was “under stress”.

At the three-day hearing earlier this month, Mr Shields admitted there were a “couple of marks” he would not now have awarded when marking the pupils’ NAB.

He said at the time he genuinely believed the girls had passed – despite the fact two other teachers who remarked the same papers were clear the pupils had failed.

The panel determined that Mr Shield’s conduct was fundamentally incompatible with being a registered teacher and removed him from the register for three months.

The official report stated his conduct fell significantly short of the standards expected of a registered teacher and that Mr Shields was unfit to teach.

However, panel members accepted that, prior to the allegations of this case, Mr Shields was held in high regard by colleagues and pupils, and unlikely to repeat such conduct.

Although ordered to be struck from the register, he is permitted to reapply for restoration in three months. Mr Shields has 28 days in which to appeal.

A spokesperson for Scottish Borders Council told The Southern this week: “This matter was fully investigated by the council and appropriate action was taken. We cannot comment further on an individual case.”

Borders MP Michael Moore backed a joint statement published this week by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, Scottish Labour Party leader Johann Lamont and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, which guarantees the delivery of more powers to Scotland in the event of a No vote this September.

The statement says: “Power lies with the Scottish people and we believe it is for the Scottish people to decide how we are governed.

“We believe that the pooling and sharing of resources across the United Kingdom is to Scotland’s benefit in a partnership of four nations in which distinct national identities can flourish and be celebrated.

“We believe Scotland and the United Kingdom have been strengthened since the advent of devolution.

“We support a strong Scottish Parliament in a strong United Kingdom and we support the further strengthening of the Parliament’s powers.

“We now pledge to strengthen further the powers of the Scottish Parliament, in particular in the areas of fiscal responsibility and social security. We believe that Scotland should have a stronger Scottish Parliament, while retaining full representation for Scotland at Westminster. Our common agenda can bring people together from all of Scotland, from civic society and every community.

Commenting, Mr Moore said: “I am convinced that as Scots we are stronger and safer as part of the UK and I will be campaigning passionately for this in the lead-up to the referendum.

“At the same time, I have always supported devolution for Scotland and I was extremely proud to deliver the Scotland Act as Secretary of State, which saw powers on a new Scottish rate of income tax, borrowing limits as well as air guns, drink-driving and speeding delivered to Holyrood.

“I also fully support the strengthening of the Scottish Parliament in the event of a No vote in September.

“Tomorrow (Friday), I will be involved in a hustings at Duns Volunteer Hall from 7.30pm. Anyone is welcome and it should be an interesting event.”

Local MSP Jim Hume used Question Time at Holyrood to urge the government to launch a study into extending the Borders Railway from Tweedbank to Hawick.

He said later: “The extension to Hawick has always been an ambition for the Lib Dems, and campaigners, and is a natural progression of the line.”

Fifty cyclists visited Kelso recently during the Tartan Express charity bike ride from Edinburgh to London for Help for Heroes.

Kelso Wheelers youth club presented a £500 cheque

Our photographer Stuart Cobley was out and about yesterday (Wednesday) following the Queen’s Baton as it was relayed throughout the region.

Here’s a few of the photographs he took.

If you have some photos of the day and would like to add them here, why not add them using the UGC module on this story?

Local reaction to the new CAP package for 2015-2020 announced last week is that it’s about as good as could be expected given the circumstances.

New rules aim to ensure only active farmers will get direct payments. The country has been split into three regions, there will be coupled support for the hill sheep and beef sectors and basic direct farm payments will be capped at around £400,000 per year after labour costs.

There will be a five-year transition from 2015 to 2019 to change from historic to area-based farm payments. New entrants will get the regional average. And there will be a new £45million three-year beef improvement scheme, in addition to the retained eight per cent coupled support scheme for beef.

Announcing details last Wednesday, rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said it would also be “a greener CAP, with farmers being rewarded with Pillar 1 top-up payments for taking action to protect biodiversity and reduce emissions”. And he confirmed development funding is to increase by more than £10million per year.

NFU Scotland vice-president and former livestock committee chairman, Rob Livesey of Firth, Lilliesleaf, told us: “Under the circumstances and given the limited budget, it’s the best deal we could have got.

“Borders farmers will be relieved that they know a bit more about where they are going. It’s been going on for a long, long time. We have got a compromise: those people locked out of entitlement are going to get money, but that’s at a cost to every other farmer receiving payment.

“We’ve got extra Pillar 2 money for cattle, which is going to be useful. And at least we have got a four-year transition period instead of a sudden change.

“It will by no means be perfect for everybody, but it’s a pretty reasonable compromise within the constraints the Government faced.”

NFU Scotland combinable crops committee member, Neil White of Greenknowe, Swinton, said: “The combinable crop sector can only hope that there are some SRDP pillar 2 options accessible to us as our basic payment is low and the coupled money doesn’t look like it will ever be available to us.

“The gradual introduction of the new rate will help some farms who are facing a considerable drop in their basic payment and will give them some time to adjust.

“The detail on greening and ecological focus areas (EFA) is crucial now, but it does look like NFUS may have had some success in shaping some of the eligible criteria. Personally, I will always have a moral problem with leaving good land producing nothing, and the more choices we have in the EFA criteria the better for all.

“The new entrant scheme and funding for genuine new farmers can only be good as new ideas and enthusiasm into the industry are always necessary.”

Union president Nigel Miller, Stow livestock farmer, said: “This was always going to be a tough package.

“For established businesses, the reality is, many face a steep reduction in support levels. For new entrants and developers, we welcome that they will be brought immediately into the support system.”

wooler

At their weekly sale of primestock last Monday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 865 new season lambs, 47 hoggs and young sheep and 195 ewes.

More lambs about nationwide, trade slightly easier.

New season lambs, leading prices per head:- Tex.x:- £115 Chesterhill, £110 Ewart, Holy Island, £108 Chillingham Home Farm, £107, £106 Lilburn Estates, £106 Branton Eastside, £105 Lilburn Estates, £104.50 Cresswell Farms, Holy Island & Holy Island (M Patterson). Sfx:- £105 Holy Island, Holy Island (M Patterson), £100 Lorbottle, Chesterhill, Doune Brae. Zwa:- £100 Stickle Heaton.

New season lambs – Leading prices per kilo:- Tex.x:- 255.6p Chillingham Home Farm, 255.1p Cresswell Farms, 252.6p Ewart, 246.3p Lilburn Estates, 244.9p Brandon, Lilburn Estates, 244.6p Chillingham Home Farm, 243.6p Marshall Meadows (2), Lilburn Estates. Sfx:- 243.8p Cresswell Farms, 242.3p Pallinsburn, 241p Dunslaw, 238.6p Holy Island, Holy Island (M Patterson), 238.1p Doune Brae. Bel:- 236.1p Ladykirk.

Hoggs – Leading prices per head:- Tex:- £98 Black Heddon, £86 West Longridge, £74 Lorbottle. BF:- £90, £80, £71 Faughill.

More ewes on offer, selling at similar rates.

Leading prices:- Tex:- £105 Black Heddon, £100, £93 Pallinsburn, £90 Fowberry Moor, £88 Pallinsburn, £84 Pallinsburn and Fowberry Moor. Suf:- £103 Little Swinton. Bel:- £101 Chillingham Home Farm. Sfx:- £101 Chillingham Home Farm, £91.50p Fawdon Farms, £87 Titlington Mount, £86.50p Branton Eastside. Mule:- £87 Pallinsburn, £80 Branton Eastside, £78 Fawdon Farms, £77 Titlington Mount, £74.50p Marshall Meadows. BFL:- £90 Fawdon Farms. CHV:- £77 Fawdon Farms, £73.50p Chillingham Home Farm. BF:- £70 Fawdon Farms, £69 Branton Eastside, Titlington Mount, £65 Reavley Greens.

Rams:- Zwa:- £139 Stickle Heaton. Tex:- £104 Lorbottle Farm.

st boswells

At the annual Summer Show and Sale of prime cattle, sponsored by ATS Euromaster judge Mr S. Ramsey, Falsidehill, awarded the champion to Low Middleton Livestock for a heifer which scaled 540 kilos and made 250p pkg (£1350) to M/s M Malone, Edinburgh.

Reserve was awarded to a heifer from WB Hamilton, Bee Edge, which scaled 582 kilos and made 240p pkg (£1396) to WTS Forsyth and Sons, Peebles.

Results were:

Single native bred bullock - 1. Lauder Mains weight 626 made 2.12 to Scottish Borders Abattoir, 2. Longnewton weight 658 made 2.10 to M/s JA Waters and Sons, 3. Wester Middleton weight 602 made 2.20 to M/s Cropper.

Single Continental bullock - 1. Lennoxlove weight 652 made 2.21 to M/s Cropper, 2. Bee Edge weight 584 made 2.32 to M/s TA Shaw, Lauder, 3. Longnewton weight 610 made 2.03 to M/s Cropper.

Single native bred heifer - 1. Chapelhill weight 464 made 2.30 to Smith, Raeburn Place, Edinburgh.

Single Continental heifer - 1. Low Middleton weight 540 made 250 to Malone of Edinburgh, 2. Bee Edge weight 582 made 2.40 to WTS Forsyth and Sons, Peebles, 3. Upper Nisbet weight 658 made 203 to M/s Cropper.

Single cow - 1. Wester Middleton weight 706 made 1.60 to M/s I Ford, 2. Dunslaw weight 738 made 1.53 to M/s Foley Bros, 3. Phantassie weight 676 made 1.47 to M/s Foley Bros.

At their weekly primestock sale on Monday John Swan Ltd sold 101 clean cattle, 55 OTM cattle, 1,091 new season lambs, 202 old season hoggs and 533 ewes.

Bullocks (41) averaged 207.3p per kg and sold to 232p (+8.3p on week), heifers (59) averaged 208.3p per kg and sold to 250p (+1.3p on week) and 55 beef type OTM cattle averaged 132.5p per kg and sold to 180p (+4.1p on the week).

New season lambs averaged 246.1p per kg (-2.5p on the week) and sold to £120, old season hoggs averaged 137.9p per kg (n/c on week) and sold to £91.50.

New season lambs per head: Suff.x;- £120 Thornington, £114 Huntington, £113 Upper Bolton, £111 Coltcrooks, £110.50 Headshaw. L, Tex.x;- £116 Thirlestane,£114.50 Marvingston, £114 Legars, £113 Thirlestane, £112 Corsbie, £111.50 Thornington, Ham;- £106 Marigold, £100 Coltcrooks.

New season lambs per kg: Bel.x;- 269.4,261,255 Sydenham, Tex.x;- 260.8, 257.7 Huntington, 257.3 Corsbie, 256.4 Legars.

Old season lambs per head: Tex;- £91.50 Headshaw. A,£88, £86 Boon, Suff.x;- £88 Marvingston, BF;- £73.50 Elmscleugh, Chev;- £72.50 Shaws.

Cast ewes: Tex;- £116, £110, £100 Elmscleugh, £101 Upper Bolton & Legars, £96 Hyndsidehill, Suff;- £94 Legars, £92 Ardivot and Hyndsidehill, £91 Cockburn, £90 Upper Bolton and Mayfield, CM;- £91.50 Legars, GF;- £82.50 Elmscleugh, £79 Cockburn, £78 Hyndsidehill, £76 Marvingston, Inchkeith, Ardivot and Mayfield, Chev;- £76 Whitsome East Newton, £75, £73 Ardivot, Lleyn;- £78 Upper Samieston, BF;- £60 Ardivot.

Rams: Chev;- £95 Shaws, £91 Ardivot.

longtown

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart plc had forward 28 prime cattle, four young bulls, 21 over 30 month cattle, 2,583 prime lambs, 1,582 prime hoggs and 4,114 cast ewes and rams at their weekly sale at Longtown last Thursday.

Prime cattle again followed national trend and plainer sorts harder to cash but good quality still in demand. Top price to 217.5p for a Limousin heifer shown by Messrs A. and W.J. Taylor and Son, Dashwellgreen.

Bulls sold similar on the week to a top of 151.5p per kilo for Limousin from Waterhead of Dryfe.

A plainer show of cast cows saw trade a shade firmer and topped at 144.5p for a Limousin cow shown by Mr J. Watret, Burnside.

An unbelievable show of 2,583 prime lambs (1,500 up on the same sale last year) sold very well, although overall trade definitely easier on the week as more numbers come forward everywhere. Heavyweight lambs over 45 kilos short or requirements with the supply of lightweight lambs outstripping the demand today. Best quality export lambs keenly sought after and many more could be sold to advantage. Top of 300p per kilo for Texels from Netherplace.

One of the jewels in the Borders wildlife crown is, in my opinion, Lindean Reservoir near Selkirk.

A gentle stroll round there on a nice June day is hard to beat.

On a recent outing, I was immediately impressed on setting out, that the orchids this year look to be particularly abundant.

Almost all the way round, these glorious spikes of purple were pushing through the vegetation to greet the summer sunshine.

Another plant which seems to spreading round the reserve is the cowslip.

Although most flowers were setting seed, their prominent leaves and stems were extremely widespread.

As the path wound through an area of predominantly sycamore trees, I paused to listen to the song of an unseen redstart, high in the canopy.

I seem to be encountering these lovely summer migrants in places I haven’t previously, this year.

I wonder if they are on the increase after a few years of decline.

On the loch itself, wildfowl was sparse, save for a pair of tufted ducks and some little grebes, but I was pleased to see that the resident pair of mute swans had successfully raised a brood of six cygnets, which were out of the nest with their parents, looking to be about a week old.

This pair of birds has had quite a good track record in recent years in getting their youngsters up to adulthood, unlike some swan broods which are extremely susceptible to predation.

Around the loch there are a few well-placed seats where you can sit quietly for a while and watch the abundant wildlife.

A few Orange-tip butterflies were on the wing and bird song was abundant and varied, with the singing skylarks high overhead particularly enjoyable.

Later in the summer, more butterfly species will be around and the thousands of damselflies and dragonflies on the wing will be a particular highlight.

Halfway round, I paused to have a blether with another local newspaper columnist “The Pilgrim”, who also spends a lot of time at Lindean Reservoir.

My pup Treacle was introduced to his dog Tam, who is a couple of months older at nine months.

Both are still full of youthful exuberance and managed to tire one another out while we stood and chatted.

I wish I could bottle some of that energy!

After logging my sightings in the bird hide diary, it was back to the car park, after yet another brilliant walk round this lovely spot.

Galashiels is going through a fair bit of upheaval at the moment, thanks to work on the new Borders railway and town centre improvements.

But none of it will be allowed to detract from the fun and enjoyment of the Braw Lads’ Gathering for Galaleans, or from the chance it affords townsfolk to pay homage to their burgh’s ancient traditions and history.

Braw Lad Gavin Young and Braw Lass Alice Mackay and their Attendants are already in festival mode, with the first event actually having taken place on Tuesday night with the Swimming Gala.

For Andrew Johnston, this will be his third and final Gathering in the role of president and he is also stepping down, after 17 years, as chairman of the Borders common ridings and festivals organisation.

“I’m very proud to have had the chance to be president. I’m sad it will be all over after this year, but I am still going to enjoy it as much as ever.

“I’m sure it will be another great Gathering,” he told us.

David Houston, chairman of the Gathering’s Executive Council, knows only too well a number of challenges have had to be overcome on the route to this year’s Gathering, mainly due to the rail works and road improvements.

“However, I’m sure this year will be as good as ever and I wish everyone an enjoyable and safe Gathering.

“All the changes will be good for the town in the long run.

“I would like to thank everyone for their continued support.”

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

7.30am Cavalcade assembles at Netherdale

8am - Braw Lad receives Burgh Flag at Burgh Chambers

8.40am - Raid Stane

9am - Fording Tweed at Abbotsford

9.15am - Visit Abbotsford House

9.45am - Fording Tweed at Boleside

10am - Gallop over Gala Hill

10.30 - Old Town Cross Ceremony

11am - Visit Laird of Gala at Old Gala House

11.30am - Cavalcade proceeds by way of Scott Street, Kirkbrae, Hall Street, Island Street, High Street, Channel Street and Market Street, to war memorial at noon for Final Act of Homage

Noon - Burgh Flag returned to President of the Gathering

7.45pm - Langlee Community Choir at War Memorial

7.50pm - Processional walk from Bank Street Brae to War Memorial

8pm - Roses Ceremony at War Memorial