Ashkirk

Church

There will be a service on Sunday, from noon to 1pm.

Caddonfoot

Church

A packed congregation at Caddonfoot Parish Church, decorated beautifully for the special occasion, gave a ‘Braw’ start to another Gathering Week on Sunday at the annual kirkin’ service. Braw Lad Gavin Young and Braw Lass Alice Mackay, whose sister Nicola was Braw Lass two years ago, were joined by fellow principals Daniel Whitehead, Ryan Mania, Lucy Black and Nicola. They were led into the church by the Reverend Elspeth Harley, making her debut at the service after taking over the charge, linked with Trinity, in January. The congregation sang “Braw Braw Lads” and were joined by, among others, president Andrew Johnston, chairman David Houston, vice-chairman Jodie Millar, clerk Hazel Newlands, members of the Gathering executive council, parents of the principals, life members and friends. Past President Gordon Keddie recited “The Braw Lads’ Day”, while another past president, Johnny Gray, recited “Ganderscleuch Gathering”, by George Hope Tait – Ganderscleuch being another name for Galashiels. Mr Johnston read the Bible from Mark’s Gospel, while church members Julie Decoteau (Peter) and Bill Birch (Jesus) had a chat on the theme “Of Mouths and Money”. At the end of the service, at which the music was played by Derek Calder, the Braw Lad and Lass were presented with Bibles and a scroll each, from the church, to mark the occasion.

Denholm

Open gardens

An Open Gardens event will be held in the village on June 29 (2-4.30pm) in aid of Ruberslaw Church. Entry is by ticket in the form of a map showing the location of the gardens. Tickets are available from Denholm Post Office prior to the event and from the door of Denholm Church on the day.

EARLSTON

Parish church

The Sunday (June 29) service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods and held in the marquee to mark the start of Civic Week. Refreshments will be served after the service. There will be a service at 6.30pm in the church.

Eckford

WRI

Members travelled to the garden centre at Woodside, Monteviot, where a demonstration and advice on potting up large plant pots with summer bedding. This was followed by supper in the restaurant.

ETTRICK

Gardens

There will be an Open Gardens Weekend on June 28/29 in Ettrick, plus a floral festival in Ettrick Church, plant stalls, craft stalls as well as a “Find the Gnomes” activity for children. There will be afternoon teas on Saturday from 2.30-5.30pm, and lunches and teas on Sunday (12.30-5.30pm) in Boston Hall. Tickets for the gardens are available from Ann Blundell (01750 62267) or at Boston Hall on the day. Proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support and Ettrick and Yarrow Parish Fabric Fund.

galashiels

Open again

The public path over Redbridge viaduct, which sits to the east of Galashiels, has been reopened following repair works to the Victorian era structure. The viaduct, which will carry the footpath and railway over the River Tweed between Galashiels and Tweedbank, has been closed since February for restoration works. Additional work on the viaduct will continue over the coming months, with short-term closures of the path required. Notices will be posted in advance of these works.

Hawick

Bridge club

June 17 –N/S – 1, John and Marian Miller; 2, Bob Francombe and Valerie MacPherson; E/W – 1, John Urquhart and Sam White; 2,Kenneth Auckland and David King.

Rotary

President Scott Elliot welcomed members and their ladies to last week’s meeting. They heard an illustrated presentation by Margaret Skee on the creation of The Great Tapestry of Scotland in which she was partly involved. From an original idea by Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith, assisted by author Alistair Moffat and artist Andrew Crummy, the tapestry was three years in the making. It involved 1,000 stitchers, many of whom were amateurs and in the age range of three to 94. The tapestry is made up of 160 panels and, in total, is 140-plus metres long and depicts 12,000 years of Scottish history. Three hundred miles of yarn were used and it is estimated more than 55,000 hours were spent on the work. It was on display for the first time in the Scottish Parliament last year. It is hoped to have it housed in a permanent building at Tweedbank. Many questions evolved, after which Jim Walker gave the vote of thanks.

Hownam

Coffee morning

The church coffee morning will be held in Hownam Hall on Saturday, July 5, from 10.30am.

Innerleithen

Services

On Sunday there are two services – 8.30am, breakfast, a song and a story; and morning service at 10.30am.

KELSO

Thursday Group

Members are sponsoring a Palm Court Afternoon Tea on July 3 in aid of Scottish Borders Africa Aids Group in Abbey Row Centre (2.45-4.15pm). Music will be provided by Robert Fraser (violin) and Margaret Dick (piano).

Farmers’ market

There will be some new stalls at Kelso farmers’ market on June 28 (9.30am-1.30pm).

Volunteers appeal

Contact the Elderly, which offers people aged 75 and over a social lifeline, is looking to increase its number of volunteers in Kelso. Drivers collect the older person and join them at a tea party in a volunteer host’s home. The parties tend to welcome around 10 people, made up of around six older guests and four drivers, and take place monthly on a Sunday. To find out more, contact morna.o’may@contact-the-elderly.org.uk or 01786 871264.

Langholm

Common Riding

At the Common Riding committee meeting in the Crown Hotel, chairman Roger Maxwell informed members he had met with council officials and Councillor Denis Male with regard to road closures for the Common Riding day and had been assured that costs for this year’s event would be covered by the council. In regard to a suggestion at the previous meeting about having a seat in memory of former secretary Dick Hill in Rosevale Gardens, it was said that the council would possibly have to be involved, so Lynn Everett will be contacted. Jamie Fletcher had been in touch with the company that had provided the Cornet’s spurs in the past, but there were none in stock. He will see if they can make them and get a price. The high jump has been re-instated with prizes similar to when it last took place. In addition to the Borders High Jump for seniors, there will be a competition for boys and girls, and games secretary Iain Park will get a medal for the winner of the main competition. North Lakes Marquee Hire will charge £778, which was accepted, and was £10 up on last year. The public address system from John Little will cost £775, which is £40 more than in 2013. The Scottish Ambulance Service charge of £692.39p is £95 cheaper than last year. The times of attendance will be checked to make sure they are there from 11.30am to 5.30pm. Two quotes had been received for the luncheons, with The Lost Chef giving £12 per head, and Food@Broadway £10.75p per head, with the cheaper being accepted. These establishments will be contacted by secretary Kenneth Hill. There will be a check to see how many Common Riding ties had been left over from the 450 purchased last year, and if necessary the order will be reduced by 50. The cost of the ties will remain at £8, with a rosette £6.50 and the ribbon 65p a metre. An additional 50 guest ribbons will be printed this year and delivered to Graeme Murray, vice-chairman of the Ex-Cornets’ Society, for handing out on the Simmer Fair Night. Arrangements have been made for the manning of the bridge from the school area across to the Castleholm, and also the crossing at that part of the race course.

Golden wedding

Langholm couple Derik and Anne Nordon were married on June 24, 1964 – but in order that all the family could be present, they celebrated their golden wedding slightly ahead of the date in the Eskdale Hotel. Derik and Anne (Proudfoot) were married in the parish church in Newcastleton where Anne lived, and held a reception at her parents’ house in Henry Street in the village. The bridesmaid was Margaret Gordon and best man Robbie Graham. At the time Derik worked at the Ford Mill and the couple set up home in Rosevale Street. They first met at a dance in Newcastleton and have three children – Derik, Louise and Brian – and eight grandchildren – Darren, Jamie, Kayleigh, Daniel, Kieran, Josh, Kian and Kiera, along with two great- grandchildren, Tori and Riley.

LAUDER

Church

On June 29 at 11am, there will be a baptism in Lauder Church – Michaella Burne, infant daughter of Travis and Lisa Burne.

melrose

Church

June 29 – services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (11am); July 2 – church hall (7 for 7.30pm), Dinner with Mozart, fundraiser by John Brydon in aid of Holy Trinity Organ Appeal; July 6 – strawberry tea fundraiser after church instead of coffee/tea (for special projects fund); tinned goods are requested for the foodbank.

Trimontium

The Trimontium Walk’s last June event is today (Thursday) from 1.30pm. In July and August it doubles each week, being available on Tuesdays as well as Thursdays. July 6 sees the first shorter Sunday afternoon walk, under Ian Brown, from Newstead Milestone at 2pm (bring own refreshments). They go on till the end of August. On July 7 Ian Skinner takes the latest Old Melrose Walk from the tearoom at 1.30pm. That same day, the Royal Archaeological Institute party of 40, on its one-week visit to the Tweed Valley, calls in at the Trimontium Museum to see the £10,000 coin hoard and the Roman steering oar before driving from Newstead through the site to Leaderfoot and then on to Smailholm Tower.

Nursery

Old Station Nursery is investing in its outdoor learning space, following a successful grant application to Scottish Borders Business Fund. This follows the most recent Care Inspectorate inspection which graded the nursery as very good in two of four assessment areas, demonstrating continual improvement in the service it provides. The grant cash is going towards creating a “learning garden”, providing children opportunities for sustained periods of learning through outdoor play in a safe and stimulating outdoor environment.

Morebattle

Trysting Tree

There was a large attendance of riders and followers at Sunday’s meeting of the Kelso Laddie and Jethart Callant at the Trysting Tree in brilliant weather. The four dancers from Morebattle School were Emma and Lucy Thomson, Kym Cessford and Emily Letts. Simon Mountford chaired the platform party and David Welsh gave the address.

Fishing

Caverton Mill fishing competition will be held on June 28, with the draw being made today (Thursday) at 9pm. The winners of the pairs competition on Saturday were Stuart McNulty and David Gray with a combined weight of 3lb 12.5oz. Jim McNulty and Nigel Walters were runners-up.

Coffee morning

A Help for Heroes coffee morning will be held in the institute on June 28 from 10.30am.

Games Queen

This year’s Morebattle Games Queen, chosen by the school from the P7 girls, is Emma Thomson. The sashing will take place on July 27 at Morebattle Church at 11.15am. The programme of events for Festival Week is still being finalised.

Newcastleton

Fundraiser

Liddesdale Ladies’ Amenities Group (LLAGs) raised £228 with a nearly-new and jumble sale in the village hall. The LLAGs raise money for a number of local causes, but several members of the group were away on holiday, so they could not hold the full coffee morning and just had tea or coffee and biscuits on sale for £1, and the entry to the sale was free.

OXTON

WRI

Members enjoyed their evening meal at Clovenfords Country Inn last Wednesday. That was the last meeting for the season, although the rural will be having a sales table at Oxton Games on July 26.

Peebles

Something fishy

Peebles Creative Place 2014 celebrates visual arts this month. When the call went out for artists to submit competition entries around the theme of fish, dozens of them, professional and amateur, took up the challenge. Before long, shoals of drawn, painted,

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From page 27

carved, collaged and photographed fish were heading for the Anne Younger Studio at the Eastgate Theatre where they will hang until July 7. First, second and third-place prize winners were – Borders-based artist Liz Douglas; Toby Watts, commended framer and member of the Fine Art Trade Guild; and Peter Reith, secretary and treasurer of Peeblesshire Trout Fishing Association.

Traquair

Service

The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on July 6 at 10.30am.

Walkerburn

Service

The next service in Walkerburn Public Hall will be on July 20 at 10.30am.

Yetholm

Romany Ramblers

June 28 – meet 9am at Wauchope Hall for car sharing. Route – 10 miles – Craster, Low Newton, Beadnell, Seahouses.

Two Borders farmers have joined the Rural Better Together steering committee, the group promoting Scotland remaining part of the UK announced last week.

Kelso livestock farmer and noted Limousin breeder, Keith Redpath, who farms on both sides of the border, and has been involved in several farming organisations, most connected to the beef industry, is going to campaign.

And former NFU Scotland legal and commercial chairman, Berwickshire farmer Robert Lamont of Duns Law, Duns – father of Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP John Lamont – is also supporting.

In most cases of parasitic gastro-enteritis (PGE, gut worm disease) it is not carrying a worm burden in their stomach or intestines that affects lambs most, but having to fight off constant fresh infection from grazing worm-contaminated fields, writes the Borders Sheep Health vets.

The foremost question when working out a worm control plan is how can we avoid lambs grazing worm-contaminated pastures and how can we do this sustainably (i.e. without selecting too much for resistance)?

After midsummer, worm control is often based on a combination of grazing management and anthelmintic treatments (guided by faecal egg counts) to ensure that weaned lambs are grazing only low-contamination pastures. If lambs are on wormy pastures, then you can dose them as often as you like, but they will not perform well if you don’t move them.

Finishing lambs off the ewes before midsummer means that they are not exposed to the heavily worm-contaminated pastures that can build up in the second half of the grazing season.

If warm/wet conditions continue into July, then an increased PGE risk can be expected this summer. These conditions will also increase the fluke risk in the autumn.

Dry periods reduce the immediate risk of PGE, although when rain follows a dry spell of several days, there can be an immediate increase in worm challenge. If the summer as a whole is dry, then the overall level of worm disease can be expected to be lower, although autumn and winter PGE can be a problem when the wet weather eventually arrives.

Galashiels farmer Roderick “Rocket” Runciman of Allanshaws took the sheep interbreed championship for the first time at the Highland Show last week.

He also won, for the first time in the show’s history, the North Country Cheviot (NCC) championship for the fourth time in row.

He told us: “Seeing the stick put on the sheep’s back to win the whole (sheep) show is the pinnacle of anybody’s showing career: I was speechless. It’s some honour.

“But it’s not just for me, it’s for the Borders, too, where we have some of the best stockmen in the country.”

The champion Texel, a shearling from Ian Murray, East Horton, Wooler, took the reserve interbreed.

Ian said: “It exceeded all my expectations, I would have been happy if I got a ticket. I’m ecstatic.”

Other top results included the NCC reserve ticket going to Will Thomson, Hownam Grange, Morebattle, Kelso, with a homebred two-crop ewe; the Border Leicester champion from James Brown, Eildon Cottage, Mindrum Mill, near Cornhill, and the NCC hill sheep’s reserve champion from Michael Elliot, Woodside, Yetholm, reserve male champion from Charles and Mary Symmons, Attonburn, Yetholm, and reserve female champion from Will Thomson.

Among the Cheviots, Norman and David Douglas, Catslackburn, Yarrow, Selkirk, took the championship with the female champion; the reserve, and male champion came from Jim and George Irving, Mountbenger, Yarrow, Selkirk; the reserve male went to Bridgewater and Wood, Potholm Farm, Langholm, while reserve female went to Gavin Douglas, Upper Hindhope, Jedburgh.

Sam McClymont, Tinnis, Yarrow won the Bluefaced Leicester male champion ticket and Gordon and David Gray of Sunnycroft, Lindean, Selkirk took the Texel reserve female championship.

The Shetland champion, a two-shear homebred ram, came from the Kaimknowe Flock of Patrick and Denise Playfair, Stichill Eastfield, Kelso. The reserve female champion Jacob was Robert Locker’s of Greenlaw Mill Farm, Greenlaw, while Dr John Mosley, Kirkdean Farm, Blyth Bridge, West Linton won the best female Hebridean.

Among the cattle, Fraser Cormack, Whittaker and Co Farms, Stickle Heaton Farm, Cornhill, took the Aberdeen Angus reserve championship, with Houghton Laura LO26 who was part of the winning native interbreed team. Whittaker also took the best junior bull, reserve junior animal and reserve bull tickets. Kelso’s Ron and Robert Wilson, Cowbog, Morebattle, won the Hereford junior female championship; George and Avril Hamilton, Ramrig, Duns took the British Blonde bull’s reserve championship. The British Blue’s junior bull champion’s ticket went to Mr and Mrs Tom Cockburn, Kingside Farm, Leadburn, West Linton, while the Salers championship went to the female champion from Bryan Walling, Farmstock Genetics, Over Whitlaw, Lindean, Selkirk; Rob Livesey, Firth, Lilliesleaf won best pairs, best bull, best junior female and the junior championship, and Roy and Adam Crockett, Conker Cottage, Deanfoot, Hawick took the reserve junior animal’s rosette with the junior bull.

The children’s Superstars competition took place on the Tuesday of the big week.

The Aitchison Cup for the overall winners in the boys’ section resulted in a tie between Kenzie Winter and Ben Naylor.

TheSuperstar girl who lifted the Lugate Cup was Freya Docherty. Results:

Girls

Primary 0-4 – 1, Lucy Weir; 2, Emma Duffie; 3, Anna Murray.

Primary 5-7 – 1, Thea Naylor; Freya Doherty; 3, Rachel Holloway

Secondary – 1, Sophie Magowan; 2, Rhiannon Gerrard; 3 (=), Jade McKenzie and Anna Houston.

Overall for Lugate Trophy – 1, Freya Docherty; 2, Lucy Weir; 3, Thea Naylor.

Boys

Primary 0-4 – 1(=), Kenzie Winter; 2, Evan Holloway; 3, Archie Hendry.

Primary 5-7 – 1, Toby Denholm; 2, Lewis Runciman; 3, Matthew Comiskey.

Secondary – 1, Max Logan; 2, Corri Campbell

Overall for Aitchison Cup –1 (=), Kenzie Winter and Ben Naylor; 3, Archie Hendrie

Stow Gala Week always brings out some fantastic entries for the fancy dress parade – and this year was no exception.

It was obvious that a great deal of hard work had gone into a wide variety of costumes and once again the imagination behind the entries was almost beyond belief.

The Keddie Cup for the top entry went to the hilarious Mrs Brown’s Boys – a truly amazing take on the BBC Scotland comedy hit which has just been turned into a film.

The Pate Cup for the best dressed group was secured by Three Men in a Tub.

Results:

Best Dressed Under 8 years Boys – 1, Sponge Bob; 2, Andy’s Dinosaur; 3. Darth Vadar : Girls: – Princess Box; 2, Dragon; 3, Native American.

Best Dressed 8-10 years Boys – 1, Rubic Cube; 2, Stig; 3, Referee: Girls – Bird of Paradise; 2, Gymnast; 3, Hippy.

Best Dressed 11-14 years Girls – Purple Mission

Best Dressed Couple – 1, Mario Kart; 2, 118 118; 3, Tintin and Captain Haddock

Best Dressed Group Children – 1, Three Men in a Tub; 2, The Hobbit; 3, Three Craws.

Best Dressed Mixed Group – 1, Minions. Wizard of Ozz; 3, Lego

Best Dressed Float – Mrs Browns Boys

Best Dressed Rider - 1, Mini Mobile Mechanics; 2, Ryan Mania; 3, Braw Lad and Braw Lass

Most Humorous – Bam Pots

Pate Cup for Best Dressed Group – Three Men in a Tub

Keddie Cup for overall winner – Mrs Brown’s Boys

Wednesday of the village’s celebrations featured the Hillheid Race which resulted in some fine competative running.

Results

Primary Girls for Cockholm Cup – 1, Freya Docherty 13m 75 sec); 2, Beth Logan; 3, Thea Naylor.

Primary Boys for Cockholm Cup – 1, Nicholas Henderson (12.39); 2, Matthew Comiskey; 3, Innes Campbell.

Secondary Girls for Killochyett Cup – 1, Sophie Magowan (13.35); 2, Anna Houston; 3, Rhiannon Gerrard.

Secondary Boys for Killochyett Cup – 1, Jamie Logan (11.12); 2, Corry Campbell; 3, Euan Clark.

Naker Trophy for Ladies – 1, Leoni Cairns (13min); 2, Angela Hibbard; 3, Jen Knox.

Manorhead Rose Bowl for Men – 1, Andrew Lawrie (10.38); 2, Marcus Naylor; 3, Mark McCulloch.

Men – 1, Tom Weir; 2, Graham Spiers; 3, Chris Weir.

Oh how the clock turned back around noon on Tuesday when I spotted an emailed press release from Scottish Borders Council.

The headline wasn’t greatly inspiring: “Bike enthusiasts sought for new scheme”. But when I read it, I smiled and drifted back more than half a century to the days when boys were boys and did boys’ things. Those carefree days when the nights of spring, summer, autumn or winter provided challenges and fun.

Plundering for apples, plums and goosegogs; sitting by the trackside watching the steam trains and occasional diesel go by; putting pennies on the line to see them flattened by those mighty locomotives; playing rap-door-run; leaping from one garage roof to another – I wasn’t very good at that and landed first on the ground and then at Peel Hospital with a pretty sore wrist.

We raked phone boxes with their A and B buttons for pennies and, shame on us, cheated the Post Office (who ran the phone system then) by tapping the cradle to make contact with the few people we knew who had phones.

But back to this press release from the cooncil which revealed proposals for a scheme called Just Cycle – an idea to make use of the metal parts of scrapped bikes that are taking up expensive space on what were once rubbish tips, but which are now known as landfill sites.

The council states : “Recycled bike schemes are good news for the environment, our communities and our health. In all areas where these exist, the take-up of cycling has increased.”

Wonderful. A great initiative. But it’s not new. We did it more than 50 years ago and others did it before us. And we got chased for doing it. In Galashiels – and, of course, it happened all over the Borders – it meant finding a way into the council yard where the rubbish was stored. In Gala it was known as the Corpy Yard and was in Huddersfield Street, just down from the TA Hall. And it was also pretty close to the police station at the Burgh Chambers.

If you were bold enough you made a frontal attack on the maroon-coloured gates and clambered over – usually it meant squeezing between a building and a wall, and either under or over a few tiers of rusty barbed wire.

And the target, of course, was one of the concrete bunds that contained the scrap – bike frames, wheels, hand bars, brakes and saddles.

The object was to make a bike. They weren’t very bonnie, but in the most they were functional, although the brakes were often a bit dodgy and often the chain or the front forks were, what we now say, past their use-by date.

And it wasn’t just bikes. We built bogeys. Big bogeys, wee bogeys, fast bogeys and cumbersome bogeys.

Pram wheels were much sought after. Big ones at the back and wee ones stapled to a steering board at the front – the hole for the bolt burned through with a hot poker. Sometimes they had brakes and even seats.

Yes, we were in at the early days of recycling – and we got chased for it.

Nowadays you’d get a medal – a recycled one, of course.

A drunken man who assaulted three people after being refused entry to a house was sentenced to a 12-month community payback order with 200 hours of unpaid work.

Raymond Thomson, 18, who lives at Violet Bank, Peebles, appeared from custody and admitted grabbing a 19-year-old and pushing his thumb into his eye at a house in Kingsmuir Crescent in the town on May 9.

Prosecuting at Selkirk Sheriff Court, pictured, on Monday, Graham Fraser said: “There were a number of people in the house when the accused turned up. It was immediately obvious he was intoxicated through drink or drugs, and he was refused entry because of his state, but he went in anyway.”

Mr Fraser described Thomson as confrontational, adding: “He approached a 19-year-old and placed his thumb into his eye.”

The prosecutor said the “terrified” teenager, whose T-shirt was also ripped, fled to a neighbour’s house.

Thomson also pleaded guilty to grabbing a 29-year-old man by the throat.

“He turned his attentions to this man and seized him by the neck and tried to strike his elbow in his face,” explained Mr Fraser.

Thomson also admitted punching a 25-year-old in the face after he entered the house and tried to calm him down.

Mr Fraser said: “He lashed out and punched him in the face before a number of people restrained the accused and put him out into the garden.”

Thomson left by taxi and was later traced by police.

Mat Patrick, defending, said his client knew the people involved and regarded them as friends, adding: “He was at this house on a regular basis, but when he turned up was refused access.”

The lawyer said Thomson had taken alcohol and Valium prior to the offences.

Sheriff John Halley, describing the offences as “very serious”, said: “I am concerned by what I regard as a pattern of disorderly behaviour.”

He also ordered that Thomson – who had been on remand since May 12 – be on supervision for 18 months with a focus to address his alcohol and drug issues, as well as anger management.

Galashiels farmer Roderick (Rocket) Runciman of Allanshaws took the sheep interbreed championship for the first time at the Highland Show last week.

He also won, for the first time in the show’s history, the North Country Cheviot (NCC) championship for the fourth time in a row.

He told us: “Seeing the stick put on the sheep’s back to win the whole (sheep) show is the pinnacle of anybody’s showing career: I was speechless. It’s some honour. But it’s not just for me, it’s for the Borders too where we have some of the best stockmen in the country.”

The champion Texel, a shearling from Ian Murray, East Horton, Wooler, took the reserve interbreed. Ian said: “It exceeded all my expectations, I would have been happy if I got a ticket. I’m ecstatic.”

Other top results included the NCC reserve ticket going to Will Thomson, Hownam Grange, Morebattle, Kelso with a homebred two crop ewe; the Border Leicester champion from James Brown, Eildon Cottage, Mindrum Mill, near Cornhill; and the NCC hill sheep’s reserve champion from Michael Elliot, Woodside, Yetholm; reserve male champion from Charles and Mary Symmons, Attonburn, Yetholm; and reserve female champion from Will Thomson.

Among the Cheviots, Norman and David Douglas, Catslackburn, Yarrow, Selkirk took the championship with the female champion; the reserve and male champion came from Jim and George Irving, Mountbenger, Yarrow, Selkirk, the reserve male went to Bridgewater and Wood, Potholm Farm, Langholm and reserve female to Gavin Douglas, Upper Hindhope, Jedburgh.

Sam McClymont, Tinnis, Yarrow won the Bluefaced Leicester male champion ticket and Gordon and David Gray of Sunnycroft, Lindean, Selkirk took the Texel reserve female championship.

The Shetland champion, a two shear homebred ram, came from the Kaimknowe Flock of Patrick and Denise Playfair, Stichill Eastfield, Kelso.

The reserve female champion Jacob was Robert Locker’s of Greenlaw Mill Farm, Greenlaw while Dr John Mosley, Kirkdean Farm, Blyth Bridge, West Linton won the best female Hebridean,

Among the cattle Fraser Cormack, Whittaker and Co Farms, Stickle Heaton Farm, Cornhill, took the Aberdeen Angus reserve championship with Houghton Laura LO26 who was part of the winning native interbreed team. Whittaker also took the best junior bull, reserve junior animal and reserve bull tickets.

Kelso’s Ron and Robert Wilson, Cowbog, Morebattle, won the Hereford junior female championship; George and Avril Hamilton, Ramrig, Duns took the British Blonde bull’s reserve championship. The British Blue’s junior bull champion’s ticket went to Mr and Mrs Tom Cockburn, Kingside Farm, Leadburn, West Linton, while the Salers championship went to the female champion from Bryan Walling, Farmstock Genetics, Over Whitlaw, Lindean, Selkirk; Rob Livesey, Firth, Lilliesleaf won best pairs, best bull, best junior female and the junior championship and Roy and Adam Crockett, Conker Cottage, Deanfoot, Hawick took the reserve junior animal’s rosette with the junior bull.

A 39-year-old man from Galashiels who desecrated a mosque by attacking it with strips of bacon, has been jailed for nine months.

In April, Douglas Cruikshank, along with a teenage girl, had denied behaving in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause fear and alarm in the early hours of January 31 last year, when along with another person, they wrapped bacon around the main door handles of the Central Mosque in Edinburgh’s Potterrow and threw bacon into the premises.

The Crown claimed the offence was racially aggravated.

During the five-day trial, a security guard at the mosque, 34-year old Usman Mahmood, told the jury: “I was surprised if a person did it for a joke. It is against our culture and religion. We do not eat pork or even touch it. I felt very bad seeing this meat in my sacred place. It was very disturbing.”

Appearing for Cruikshank, Mark Harrower, reminded the Sheriff that his client had offered to plead guilty to the offence in June last year if the racial aggravation was removed, but The Crown had refused this.

“As a result of that, matters dragged on. Mr Cruikshank had no option but to proceed to trial because of The Crown’s stance,” he said.

He added that Cruikshank had been drinking heavily for 48 hours before the raid on the mosque, continuing: “He thought his actions were a joke at the time, but has expressed empathy that it was unpleasant for the witnesses at mosque.”

The Sheriff accepted that Cruikshank had tried to plead guilty and told him that if he had been found guilty at trial he would have sentenced him to 13 months, but given his plea to the amended charge, he reduced that to nine months.

The Conservative group leader at Scottish Borders Council says the new scheme for each child to have a ‘named person’ is worthwhile.

The Scottish Government’s Children & Young People (Scotland) Bill comes into force next year and includes the controversial scheme whereby every Scottish child up to 18 will have an appointed state guardian or ‘named person’.

But a major legal challenge is expected against the scheme after criticism from various groups and child welfare experts who claim it is unnecessary interference in family life.

Conservative MSPs failed in their attempt to limit the scope of the scheme, but Councillor Michelle Ballantyne, Conservative group leader on SBC, believes the scheme is a genuine attempt to address a growing and serious problem.

She says she is in a slightly different position from many of her Tory colleagues, having a previous professional career with youth organisations and those dealing with drug and alcohol problems among young people.

“In terms of my perspective, therefore, I don’t have the same fears and concerns that some others do,” she told The Southern this week.

“A lot of people have commented it will be interfering with parental rights and responsibilities. But it’s nothing to do with that.

“People are resisting this because they see it as some sort of ‘Big Brother’ scenario because of the ‘knowledge kept’ thing, but it is actually an opportunity to help ensure that every child gets the protection from society that it deserves.”

However, her views are in opposition to that of Tory colleague and local MSP John Lamont, who says it is easy to see why there has been a groundswell against the policy.

“Introducing a named person for every youngster in Scotland fundamentally undermines the role of parents and families as it gives monitoring powers to the state,” he said.

“What is even more concerning is that it will take resources away from the most vulnerable children.

“The time, effort and money being wasted on named persons should be spent identifying and supporting those children most in need of support.”

Struggling to come to terms with the end of a relationship, Dean McCallum persistently harassed his ex-partner.

The 23-year-old, of Winston Road, Galashiels, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, shouting and swearing, and making abusive and offensive remarks at High Tweed Mill, King Street, Galashiels, on May 20/21.

Prosecutor Graham Fraser explained: “The accused was in a relationship with this woman for three-and-a-half years, until October 2013, and she is now in a new relationship.

“At 10pm she was at home, with her new boyfriend, and saw the accused outside the house.”

At 3am, McCallum could be heard shouting and swearing, including accusing the woman of having a sexually-transmitted disease. At 6am, he was again shouting outside, asking her new boyfriend to “come out and play”.

An hour later, the woman heard McCallum shouting again, and at 9am he was outside again, accusing her of having a STD and calling her a “f*****g tramp”.

McCallum added: “You can’t hide forever, I will get you.”

His solicitor, Ross Dow, explained: “He struggled to come to terms with the end of the relationship, but says that he would never have caused her physical harm.

“He appreciates she was alarmed and upset by his behaviour.”

Sheriff John Halley told McCallum: “This was one extreme and prolonged episode of harassment, and I regard it as a persistent and serious offence.”

He fined McCallum £400, reduced from £600 for his early plea, and made a one-year non-harrassment order, prohibiting him from contacting or attempting to contact his former partner.

HEROIN POSSESSION

A first offender who had £20 worth of heroin was fined £200.

Paul Lawson, 39, of Craigend Road, Stow, admitted possession of diamorphine at Tesco, Paton Street, Galashiels, on April 24.

Defence solicitor Mat Patrick said: “He has struggled with a drug problem for some time and has had intermittent success overcoming it.”

He said Lawson had purchased the illegal drug earlier that day.

“It is the first time he had bought heroin for many months,” added Mr Patrick.

Sheriff John Halley warned Lawson: “Heroin is a particularly dangerous and destructive drug in society.”

CLUBBER LOST HIS TEMPER

A drunken man, out on licence, lost his temper and punched a window at a Galashiels nightclub.

Thomas McCall, 28, of Carlin Court, Tweedbank, appeared from custody and admitted recklessly damaging a window in Overhaugh Street during the early hours of Sunday.

“He was released on licence on September 6, 2012, and on Saturday night went to the Indigo Rooms around 11.30pm, but was put out because of his increasing level of intoxication,” explained procurator fiscal Graham Fraser, adding: “He came back at 1.30am and got into an argument with the door supervisors, lost his temper and punched a window, causing £100 damage.”

The incident was captured on CCTV.

Defending, Ross Dow said his client told police: “I’m sorry for what I’ve done and will pay for the damage I caused.”

The solicitor told the hearing that McCall had abstained from alcohol for seven years, adding: “This was his first drink since 2007 and he says he is not going to drink again.”

Sheriff John Halley told McCall: “You have pled guilty to an offence of vandalism and drunken behaviour that is not acceptable. Of greater concern is that you committed this offence while on licence.”

McCall was fined £200 and ordered to pay £100 compensation for the damage he caused.

ASSAULT ALLEGATION

A Kelso man was ordered not to contact his neighbours and to stay elsewhere.

Steven Greener, 44, of Redden Farm Cottages, appeared from custody and denied assaulting a neighbour by dragging her out of a vehicle by the hair and repeatedly punching and kicking her on Sunday.

He will stand trial on October 16, with an intermediate hearing on September 19.

Greener was released on bail to an alternative address in Newcastle, with a condition not to return to his home address or to contact the alleged victim and her husband.

THREW TV OFF BALCONY

A teenager who breached an ASBO (antisocial behaviour order) by being drunk and disorderly has been warned that any further offending could see him locked up.

Eighteen-year-old McRae Fairbairn told police: “I don’t give a f**k.”

Fairbairn, of Inchmyre, Kelso, appeared from custody and admitted breaching an ASBO at Inchmyre on Sunday.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told how a neighbour heard banging and loud music at 5.30am.

Police could hear the music 100 metres away. Officers noticed a television lying on the grass under the balcony of the accused’s address. Inside the house there was an upturned couch and clothing strewn across the floor.

Fairbairn told police he had thrown the television off the balcony.

On his way to the police vehicle, he continued to shout towards the flats, telling officers: “I don’t give a f**k.”

Mr Fraser added: “He said that he was dependent on alcohol and had drunk vodka, whisky and rum in the last 24 hours.”

Iain Burke, defending, said his client could remember little about the offence, adding: “The catalyst for this seems to have been his father going into hospital. He lost the plot and had been drinking very heavily.”

Sheriff John Halley warned Fairbairn: “I am very concerned by the nature of this offence in light of your history – and you need to get the message that if you don’t stop this you will end up deprived of your liberty.

“This is completely unacceptable and you cannot afford any slip-ups.”

Sentence was deferred for reports, until July 25 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

SENTENCE DEFERRED

A woman who assaulted her long-term partner – whom she had previously saved from a heart attack – had sentence deferred until July 21 for reports.

Anne-Marie Gass has been in a relationship with the victim for some 14 years.

Gass, 37, of Hawthorn Road, Galashiels, appeared from custody and pleaded guilty to assaulting her partner at their home on June 20, seizing her by the arm and throwing a hairbrush which struck her leg, all to her injury.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser described the background as “fairly complex”.

He explained: “The 
accused was largely responsible for keeping her alive after she had a heart attack,” adding: “An argument over family matters spiralled out of 
control.”

RELEASED ON BAIL

A Galashiels man appeared in private at Selkirk Sheriff Court, charged with house-breaking with intent to steal in Galashiels on June 5.

Twenty-one-year-old Steven Finlay, of Halliburton Place, made no plea or declaration and was released on bail.

The people of Galashiels came out in force on Wednesday evening to either dress up or watch others do so.

And, with the weather holding out (just), it was the usual mixture of madness, merriment and fun.

The Southern’s digital content manager Kevin Janiak set out armed with a video camera – and this is the result.

And when the fancy dress passed, Gala folk watched the procession of horses, led by the Braw Lad and Lass, as they returned to the town from their visit to Torwoodlee. Video from Stuart Cobley to come later.

Results to follow.

The news this week that the Sheriff courts Selkirk and Jedburgh are to be retained has been welcomed by local campaigners as justice served, and should put to an end months of uncertainty.

The recommendation was part of a feasibility study into the future of justice services in the Borders, in which a working group looked at three possible options, the others being one large central justice centre in Galashiels, or a number of smaller centres throughout the region.

The study decided the best approach was to keep the two courts but improve the use of technology between them.

And the recommendation was accepted by the Scottish Court Service Board, with SCS chief executive Eric McQueen saying: “I am confident this gives us a solid platform to deliver the best services for the people of the Scottish Borders.”

The study makes for interesting reading, and offers reassurance, in that there has been a drop in serious cases coming before a jury over the last three years in the Borders, with the same being said for the less serious cases which make up the bulk of Sheriff Court criminal business.

But of the cases that do come to court, it is right that people have them heard and dealt with here in the Borders, without stress, time and cost being added for all those involved.

Having just returned from a lovely week on South Uist, I have to say that it was good to get back amongst the hills and trees of the Borders.

It is amazing how everyday things like that are taken for granted, when you are surrounded by them every day.

The joined-up islands of South Uist, Benbecula, Eriskay and North Uist are virtually devoid of woodland, but the miles of silver sand and wild flower-rich machair meadows have their own special beauty.

I am used to waking up at home to the calls of the likes of blackbirds, crows, pigeons and chaffinches. Up there, it was the sound of rasping corncrakes, drumming snipe and the calls of lapwing and redshank, which came in through the cottage windows at first light.

I also had sedge warbler and twite in the garden, not to mention a visiting hedgehog, which was extremely pale in colour compared with ours.

The best bird was probably the corn bunting, which I had never seen in the Borders, but I even managed to get close enough for a photograph.

My last bird of the week was a white-tailed sea eagle, which I saw flying overhead as I waited in the queue for the ferry back to Oban.

The wild flower meadows were spectacular, although not quite at their best yet, with miles and miles of buttercups, daisies, mountain pansies and birdsfoot trefoil peppered with poppies and various orchids.

Soon after my return, I was informed by a neighbour that a cuckoo had been spotted in woodland by the river, on a stretch much frequented by myself.

I have never seen or heard a cuckoo near Selkirk for many years, so a couple of nights later I went up to check it out.

By now, they are not calling much, especially in the evening, so I didn’t hold out much hope.

About halfway through the wood I heard a hoarse, gurgling call, which I thought had potential.

I did my best cuckoo impersonation by blowing through cupped hands, and sure enough, a few minutes later, I was treated to a flypast by a male cuckoo being hotly pursued by a small unidentified bird.

It was great to have this now rare summer visitor on my local patch and even better to manage a good view of it, however brief.

Let’s hope their numbers will start to recover and once more the Border cleuchs will resound to the haunting call of this iconic bird.

You can email me on
corbie@homecall,.co.uk

Yetholm enjoyed a wonderful festival week with sunshine and good crowds, organisers reported this week.

Last Wednesday’s Stob Stanes rideout saw a cavalcade of 137 leave the village following Bari Gadgi Scott Gillies and Bari Manushi Rebecca Mather to the stones in the Cheviot foothills.

Community council and festival committee chairperson Susan Stewart said: “The festival was absolutely wonderful, the weather was amazing all week and everything was really well supported.”

New this year was a tea dance last Thursday, enjoyed by everyone attending, said Susan, adding: “It was really good fun.”

The committee also brought back indoor bowling this year, which was popular.

Susan continued: “The family day was held on Kirk Yetholm Green and we had lots of sports, bouncy castle, sumo suits and that was all good fun. And the dance went well on Saturday night.”

Bari Gadgi 50 years ago, Bill Cockburn welcomed the cavalcade back to Kirk Yetholm Green last Wednesday night and presented prizes to Frances Cromarty, the youngest rider; Louise Hebden, best turned out horse and rider under 16; and Gwen Fraser, best turned out overall.

A new prize this year was a quaich, from Patsy Kelly and the Kelly family, for the oldest rider completing Stobs Stanes, which was awarded to Doug Redpath, chairman of Duns Summer Festival.

Bari Gadgi Scott told us: “The festival went very well – we couldn’t have wished for better weather.

“A highlight for me was achieving the Stob Stanes rideout – it was my first rideout. The best bit was leading the cavalcade back into Kirk Yetholm with the pipe band in front. And we got a lot of support – I didn’t expect so many folk to come out.

“Being Bari Gadgi was a once- in-a-lifetime experience. I’m glad I did it, it was great.”

Bari Manushi Rebecca said: “It was an excellent week, it was very busy but really good. We had huge support for Stob Stanes. I had never taken part on a rideout before – it was such as achievement for us both to complete.

“My favourite part of the week was catching up with everyone. And we had a primary school visit which was great. Primary is where it all started for Scott and I. We remember the visits when we were there and that was when we started to dream of being a Yetholm principal. We both felt we wanted to do that and lead the village.”

There was another first last week, when ex-principal Jonathan Dixon (2009) surprised his girlfriend – 2012’s Bari Manushi Zoe Keddie – after the ceremony at Stob Stanes, by asking her to marry him.

Zoe said: “It was amazing, it was lovely. We’re the first ex-principals to get engaged there.

“It’s going to be such a memorable spot for Jonathan and I.”

Ladies Darts - Linda Quashie, runner-up - Anne Yeomans; Quiz Night - Team Gadgi/Manushi; Mixed Darts - Mike and Anne Marsh, runners-up Caroline Burnett and Shane Black; Dominoes - Ross Gillie; Mens Darts - Jimmy Moscrop, runner-up - Clive Kelly; Whist - Mrs Tait/Charlie Donaldson, 2, Pat Young/Hannah Wilson, 3 Kenny Tait/Greta Middlemass; Bowling - Scott Gillies/Gil Telfer, runner-up - Eddie Robertson/Sarah Gillie; Le Boule - Angie Swan, Dave Christie and Chantelle Paisley, runners-up - Bari Manushi Team; Car Treasure Hunt - Janice Gillies, Wendy Little and Murray Gillies, runners-up - Shane and Margaret Black and friends; Duck Race - Murray Gillies, 2, Bari Manushi Rebecca Mather, 3, Bill Todd; Best Boat – Gnome Garden, Ashley Yeomans; Boat Race - Will Butler, 2, Ashley Yeomans, 3, Jack Lee.

Court chiefs are ruling out a single justice centre for the Borders and say that sheriff courts will remain in Selkirk and Jedburgh.

A report just published reveals that the cost of building and fitting out a super court, probably in Galashiels, would be a staggering £7.5million.

Sheriff courts in Peebles and Duns will be axed next year and those in Selkirk and Jedburgh were under review.

One option was a single justice centre to be used only for the more serious criminal cases and complicated civil hearings, with other cases being held in different locations across the Borders.

Another was – the hub and spoke model – a smaller-scale centre in Galashiels, with Jedburgh as a satellite court.

A third was to retain both Selkirk and Jedburgh. And this week the Scottish Court Services Board backed that option which was supported in a feasibility study conducted by the court service, the council, the police, the Crown Office and Prosecution Service, and Lothian and Borders Community Justice Authority.

But the report stresses the decision is not being made on costs alone – although it is a major factor. Crime and consequently the number of court cases – and in particular trials – are falling in the Borders.

The report states: “The study comprehensively tested the justice centre model in the context of the Scottish Borders, as well as rigorously examining other options. There is no doubting the appropriateness of the justice concept in the right setting.

“It is also clear, however, that Scotland’s communities do not lend themselves to a one-size-fits-all approach, and that the work of the study has allowed a fully informed conclusion to be reached.”

Chief executive of the Scottish Court Service Eric McQueen commented: “The feasibility study shows that, while it is right we test the concept of justice centres, it is equally important that we tailor approaches that are right for local communities, and we will continue with this approach as we consider justice centres in other areas.”

The news that Selkirk and Jedburgh courts will remain open was welcomed by local MP Michael Moore.

He said: “It is great news for our local justice services. I am glad the study has seen sense.”

I have been working to ensure that we debate Scottish independence in the Borders before making one of the most important decisions of our lifetimes.

I know many people feel ill-informed as to what is at stake, so a few months ago I launched a series called the Road to Referendum. These local meetings held across the Borders are an opportunity for people to discuss and debate the question of Scottish independence. I have added a few extra dates to this series. Please feel free to contact my office for more information.

In recent weeks I have also taken part in a hustings in Duns and debates in schools in Hawick and Jedburgh. It has been particularly encouraging to see young people enthusiastic about debating this issue – and the discussions have been lively and always good natured!

The UK Government published the conclusions of its Scotland Analysis programme last week which has looked at Scotland’s place in the UK. The series concludes that, as part of the UK, Scotland has the best of both worlds. With a strong Scottish Parliament, Scotland can make its own decisions in devolved areas, while sharing risks and resources with the other parts of the UK.

Motorsport Review

Last week I welcomed news that a new expert group is to be established to review motorsport event safety following the tragic events at this year’s Jim Clark Rally.

It’s vital that the safety of the rally is looked at carefully. Everyone wants to ensure that this year’s tragedy is not repeated.

The work of this group will be pivotal to this and I am glad to hear that Sir Jackie Stewart will be contributing to the review and bring his vast experience of motorsport safety to the table.

Royal Highland Show

I was pleased to be able to attend the Royal Highland Show last week and see local firms well-represented there.

It was clear that farm businesses are thriving across Scotland – and the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of our farmers is exciting to see. This is a critical time for implementation of the reformed Common Agricultural Policy, so it was useful to hear concerns of local producers on this issue.

Likewise, land reform is back on the political agenda and there were many I spoke to who are fearful about the Scottish Government’s direction of travel on this matter.

Unemployment figures

Figures released recently show that unemployment has fallen again in the Borders with 188 more people in work this month compared to March.

This is good news for each individual involved and shows that local business have the confidence to create jobs and recruit new staff.

There is, however, still a long way to go with more than 1000 people in the region still on Jobseeker’s Allowance.

They came from eight countries, were aged from eight to 80, and went home after three days excited by their experiences.

I had joined the 30-strong group which assembled in Melrose Corn Exchange on Friday for the first day of a three-day training session with Bill Hubert – founder of what is said to be a revolutionary exercise system that can help everyone, from children with autism and difficulty concentrating, to the elderly and even sports people.

There was much anticipation about what would be his third visit to the Borders by Mr Hubert, a long-term educator and martial artist who now trains teachers, parents, and occupational and physical therapists in his system.

The event was again organised by Galashiels couple Jane and Mike Oliver – earlier this year Jane became the only Bal-A-Vis-X Trainer in the UK.

As well as those from the United States, Germany, Sweden and France, the seminar was attended by Usha Patel, of London – the first person to bring Bal-A-Vis-X to Europe in 2011.

Bal-A-Vis-X comprises a mix of balance, auditory and vision exercises, using small sandbags, tennis balls and balance boards in a rhythmic way.

But the Olivers were thrown a curve ball of their own before the event even started with visa problems resulting in Mr Hubert being forced to return home to Kansas. While there were other experienced practitioners at the event, it was left to Jane to take charge of three days of training – something she had never done before.

So did Bal-A-Vis-X live up to its reputation as something that can make a real difference? On the evidence of what I saw and experienced, I’d have to say yes.

There was a definite sense of calming and improved concentration that flowed from the bouncing and catching of balls and bean bags in a synchronised and rhythmic manner. Others I spoke with at the event’s conclusion also rated the training as well run, professional and an enthusiastic success – with all convinced Bal-A-Vis-X has real merit.

Kerry Dixon, from Swindon, who has a young son with Asperger’s, told me: “As any parent, you want to do anything you can to make your child’s life easier. I loved it and got a lot out of it.”

Wendy Kitson, from Lanark, has specialised in working with children with autism and Asperger’s.

She said: “It’s been excellent. I really enjoyed it. It challenged me and brought confidence that you can master something you think you can’t. I can see how this will be very useful in my other work and is something I can certainly apply. I was very impressed.”