More than £9,000 has been raised for Radio Borders Cash for Kids from the Wooler Wheel Borderlands cycling event, held in May.

Beth Mills from Wooler Cycle Hub this week presented a cheque for over £8,700, the profits from the entry fees of over 700 riders, to Candy Rafferty, Radio Borders Cash for Kids manager. ­

Over £200 was raised on the day for disadvantaged children in the Scottish Borders and north Northumberland by three masseurs, who offered their services in return for donations to the charity from the riders.

A further £100 has been raised by the official photographers, AndersonDrummond Photography, who have donated a percentage of photo sales to the charity.

Candy Rafferty, Radio Borders Cash for Kids manager, said: “Over the past few months I have witnessed the dedication and sheer hard work that goes in to organising the Wooler Wheel events.

“Having also taken part, I know they are everything a cyclist could dream of ­challenging routes in stunning scenery with outstanding management and hospitality that knows no bounds.

“Thanks to the incredible efforts of Wooler Cycle Hub, their sponsors, supporters and dedicated team of marshals and volunteers the lives of many of our local children will change for the better.

“On behalf of those children, their families and carers, we would like to say a huge ‘thank you’.”

Over £1,000 has been raised by riders who took part in the event in aid of Cash for Kids, with their sponsorship money going to the charity in their local area.

Beth Mills of Wooler Cycle Hub said: “We would like to thank everyone who contributed to help raise this amount for Radio Borders Cash for Kids, including John Swan Ltd, Farm to Freeze, The Great Northumberland Bread Company, Doddington Dairy and Edinburgh Bicycle Co­-operative.

“We could not have held the event without the support of all those venues who allowed us to use them as feed and water stations, and not forgetting the army of marshals and helpers who gave up their time to make he day go smoothly and safely.”

The next Wooler Wheel sportive takes place on October 4 and features routes of 50 and 100km.

A pilot project to help over 50s manage their finances better and avoid the health impacts of money worries has been launched in the Borders by the charity Age Scotland.

The scheme will raise awareness among carers and health professionals of the danger signs of money worries and help them point people in the right direction for help and advice.

Age Scotland’s money advice project worker, Geraldine Day, said: “We really don’t want people lying awake at night worrying when they could be getting the help they need from Age Scotland.

“We hope that by developing links with health professionals and care workers in the Borders area we can encourage people to seek help sooner.”

The pilot project, which will last for a year, is being funded under the Scottish Legal Aid Board’s ‘Making Advice Work’ grants programme.

In addition to working with local health professionals, Geraldine will work directly with older people through Age Scotland’s member groups and other organisations in the area that work with over 50s in the Borders.

Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee has said the Borders has been ‘consistently overlooked’ and ‘inadequately served’ by successive governments.

As a result, it has launched an inquiry and has called for residents to respond to a series of questions.

It follows a Northumbria University report called ‘Borderlands’ which recommended more joint working between councils on both sides of the border.

This was taken forward by the councils with the creation of the Borderlands Initiative.

Committee chairman, Ian Davidson MP, said: “Our initial visits to the Borderlands, with what we knew already, told us that people in the south of Scotland are not getting as good a deal as they should.

“Centralisation into Edinburgh undermines the ability of local people to control their own lives and the lack of any development support similar to that provided in the north of Scotland limits social and economic regeneration opportunities.”

He added: “We hope our inquiry, together with our report and the consensus that we would hope to build, will bring about a fairer deal for the Borderlands.”

The committee’s initial research included visits to Galashiels and Peebles, which identified many issues shared with the north of England.

The inquiry aims to address two main questions: are the current structures working for the benefit of people in the south of Scotland, and how the UK and Scottish governments can work together with councils to support economic development and growth in the area.

The inquiry is specifically looking at whether a regional enterprise body could successfully co-ordinate development, infrastructure and transport initiatives, and is also seeking views on how the centralised Scottish Enterprise has affected the area.

With the south of Scotland having the highest rate of people with multiple jobs, lower wages than the Scottish average and high transport costs, the inquiry is also looking at what can be done to tackle these issues.

Michael Moore MP said: “I am glad to see that the inquiry is looking into issues such as unemployment, economic development and the need for a new enterprise body.

“I want to encourage Borders businesses and local people to take part in this inquiry and make their views known so that we can raise awareness of the obstacles that are holding our region back and begin to tackle them.”

John Lamont MSP added: “What is needed in the Borders is serious investment in transport links, broadband and mobile communications, all of which are crucial to businesses and jobs.

“And more could be done to promote both sides of the border as a tourist destination. With our beautiful landscape, great history and high quality local produce, it is a real missed opportunity that the Borders is too often seen as a place to pass through, rather than a fantastic tourist destination in its own right.”

wooler

At their weekly sale of primestock last Wednesday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 1,107 new season lambs, 282 hoggs, young sheep and ewes.

As with early week markets lamb trade took another lapse, quality in spec types again easiest to cash.

New season lambs, leading prices per head:- Tex:- £80 West Longridge, Todrig and Holy Island (2), £78.50 Pallinsburn, £76.50 East Fleetham and Holy Island (2). Suff.x:- £80 Holy Island, £75.50 Shipley Lane and Holy Island, £75 Chesterhill. Bel.x.:- £79, £77, £76 Chillingham Home Farm. Mule:- £67 Lilburn Estates.

New season lambs, leading prices per kilo:- Bel.x:- 208.1p, 207.9p, 196p (2), 190p Chillingham Home Farm, 188.9p Ladykirk. Tex.x:- 184.6p Village Farm, Seahouses, 184.2p Black Heddon, 183.8p Great Ryle, 182.6p Pallinsburn, 181.6p Yetlington Lane, 180.8p Alnham.

Hoggs and young sheep sold to £77 Lilburn Estates. Ewe numbers similar but more leaner sorts on offer.

Leading prices:- Tex:- £125 Wrangham East. Tex.x:- £88 Wrangham East, £80 West Longridge, £79 Branxton Moor and Todrig. Suff.x:- £91 Branxton Moor, £88 Holy Island, £83 West Longridge, £80 Dunslaw. HB:- £86.50 Dunslaw. Mule:- £77 Mayfield, £76 Brockley Hall and Hedgeley Farms, £75.50 Holy Island, £75 Branxton Moor. Swa:- £62 Hedgeley Farms. Rams:- Tex.x: £99. Suff.x:- £98 Ladykirk.

st boswells

At its weekly primestock sale on Monday John Swan Ltd sold 87 clean cattle, 41 OTM cattle, 1,207 new season lambs, 20 old season SQQ lambs and 316 ewes.

Bullocks (46) averaged 207.6p per kg and sold to 230p (n/c on week), heifers (39) averaged 210.8p per kg and sold to 229p (+0.9p on week), beef type OTM cattle averaged 120.9p per kg and sold to 155p (n/c on the week) and young bulls averaged 2.00p and sold to 130p (n/c on week).

New season lambs averaged 1.83p per kg (-3p on the week) and sold to £95.50, top price 2.03p per kg for Texel ewes averaged £72.51, and sold to £110 for Suffolk. Heavy ewes averaged £83.43 and light ewes sold to £80 for Cheviot and averaged £66.70.

Principal prices per head: Lennoxlove £1399.68, £1329.24, £1327.14; Longnewton £1392.56, £1289.40; Bee Edge £1374, £1347.80, £1330.22, £1312.74, £1285.70, £1270.22; Kirkton £1339.52, £1254.40; Dunslaw £1328.94, £1254.54; Lurdenlaw £1274.58.

Principal prices per kg: Bee Edge 2.30 Shaws Butcher, Lauder, 2.29 Anderson, Leith, 2.29 W. Taylor (Lockerbie) Ltd, 2.27 W.T.S Forsyth and Sons, 2.21 W.P. Tulloch, Paisley; Wester Ulston 2.28, 2.21 J.Gilmour and Co Ltd; Kirkton 2.26 Scottish Border Meats, 2.25, 2.24 Michael Malone of Edinburgh Ltd, 2.24 Shaws Butcher, Lauder; Mosstower 2.25 J.F. Findlay and Co Ltd; Dunslaw 2.24 Robert Pringle and Sons; Muircleugh 2.23 J.Gilmour and Co Ltd; Lennoxlove 2.22 Michael Malone of Edinburgh Ltd; Haughhead 2.21 Michael Malone of Edinburgh Ltd.

Cows per head: Ford Westfield £1194.72; Burnhouse Mains £1071.98; Halidean Mill £1031.38, 1003.86; Kirkton £1023; Torsonce £1014.30; Mossburnford £1002.84.

Cows per kg: Kirkton 1.55; Upper Samieston 1.49; Torsonce 1.47; Huntington 1.43; Burnhouse Mains 1.39; Halidean Mill 1.39; Cockburn 1.37; Mossburnford 1.37.

New season lambs per head: Tex:- £95.50 Kaeside, £91 Birkenside, £90 Edrom Mains; Suff.x :- £85 West Moneylaws, Birkenside; £84 Sunnyside Cottage, Ladyflat; CHM:- £75 Torwoodlee, £71 Gilston; Bel:- £94.50, £92.50, £91 Redden; Cha:- £77.50 Ladyflat, £74, (twice) Falsidehill; Zwa:- £70 Lauder Barns; HB:- £69.50 Haltree.

New season lambs per kg:-. Tex:- 203 Lower Ashtrees, 202 Lauder Barns; Suff.x:- 192 Traprain, 188 West Moneylaws, Birkenside; Bel:- 206, 205 Redden, 204 Sydenham.

Ewes: Suff:- £110, £84 Oxmuir; Mul:- £82, £77 Thirlestane, £77 Birkenside; Suff.x:- £90 Birkenside, Greenhead, £83 Gilston; LLe:- £80 Whitriggs, £78 Lustruther, £76 Whitriggs; Tex:- £106 Huntington, £98 Birkenside, £86 Lower Ashtrees; HB:- £85 Haltree; CHM:- £85, £72 Gilston. Rams: Suff:- £101 Kaeside; Bel:- £94 Hartside; Tex:- £107 Craig Douglas, £102 Huntington; Chv:- £75 Floors Farming.

longtown

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart plc had forward 24 prime cattle, four young bulls, 15 over 30 month cattle, 2,326 prime lambs and 3,809 cast ewes and rams at their weekly sale at Longtown last Thursday.

More prime cattle forward sold well to a similar trade, although plenty of weight on offer. The sale was topped at 217p for a Charolais heifer shown by Messrs Armstrong, Sceughdyke, Limousin bullocks topped at 213p from Messrs Taylor, Dashwellgreen.

Cows remain a good trade with more required. Charolais to 142p and 140p from Messrs Watret, Burnside, other to 132p for Limousin shown by Messrs Vevers, High Stenries.

A similar show of 2,326 prime lambs sold to an average of 182p per kilo, better than expectations considering the collapse of lambs midweek in other centres across the country. All classes of lambs easier on the week, with only lightweight lambs under 33 kilos realising around the £2 mark.

Another good show of 3,809 cast ewes and rams were forward and short of buyer’s requirements with trade being every bit as dear as last week. Many more could have been sold to advantage. Tups short of requirements.

border livestock

Last week Border Livestock Exchange sold 142 prime cattle including 36 cows, 2,019 prime lambs including 516 small lambs (ewe lambs), 391 cast ewes and 88 store and breeding cattle. Aberdeen Angus cross heifers from South Farm, Newcastle, sold to 370p per kg to Well Hung and Tender, Berwick.

Export lambs from Eastfield of Lempitlaw, Kelso, sold to £94.50 for Continental crosses with Texel crosses from Cherrytrees, Yetholm, selling to £93.50. Quality Suffolk crosses from Easington Grange, Belford, and Outerston, Corbridge, sold to £92.40.

Breeding cattle sold extremely well with Limousin cross cows and calves selling to £1,800 and £1,460 for mixed ages. Aberdeen Angus bulls sold to £3,000.

One of the problems with farming is that production of crops and livestock can’t be turned on or off at short notice.

Crops such as oilseed rape, winter barley and wheat are drilled, weather permitting, almost a year ahead of being harvested. Conception to sale for beef cattle is two years and more, for lambs 10 to 18 months. Deciding to drill or not drill crops is marginally easier than long-term investment in livestock for breeding, but even in these much more flexible times for crop rotations most arable growers have an annual outline plan they try to stick to.

The obvious corollary is that decisions have to be made for expected returns at least a year and more ahead that might have little relation to prices at the time crops are drilled or animals mated. Farmers more than most have always been aware of the thinking behind that old Chinese saying “May you live in interesting times.”

That has been particularly true of the past few weeks, when even farmers with long memories have noted that the countryside has seldom looked better. Grain and oilseed crops look good and promise heavy yields, silage and hay crops have been excellent quality and heavy yielding, sheep and cattle mainly in top condition on good grazing. The sun has often shone and most rain has been beneficial. What could there possibly be to complain about?

The answer is prices. It’s another truism of farming that too much of a product will mean lower prices. A good lambing and excellent grazing have brought large numbers of lambs to market and the price has plummeted. We’ve also been reminded that lamb is the least popular of the main meats with shoppers. Barbecue weather might increase chicken, sausage and burger sales, but not lamb. The Muslim festival of Ramadan that involves daylight fasting also reduces demand for sheepmeat.

Beef prices are also down, exacerbated by more complaints from producers that the big supermarkets are bringing in cheaper imported beef. It might be pointed out that when great efforts are being made to increase exports of Scotch beef there is no point complaining about imports, but I won’t risk that. What I will say is that holding an all-industry conference to implore processors and retailers to be more sympathetic to home-produced beef is a waste of time. Supermarkets under the cosh from shareholders and competitors don’t have many tears to shed for anyone else, and they won’t.

Potatoes aren’t exempt. One report last week indicated that about 50,000 tonnes of last year’s potato crop have been dumped because demand is down more than 10 per cent. That seems on the verge of criminal waste, until we remember the years of the Potato Marketing Board when growers were paid to dye tens of thousands of tonnes of unwanted potatoes blue and dump them in holes and quarries.

The Borders’ first gin tasting event is to be held in Kelso next month.

Distiller Simon Fairclough set up Scotland’s first Gin Club (www.ginclubscotland.com) in June on World Gin Day.

Dedicated to toasting and tasting home-grown gins, he is staging the Kelso event to give local gin-lovers a chance to sample small-batch Scottish craft gins alongside the big brands.

The event will be held in The Cobbles in Kelso and Mr Fairclough, former consultant for Johnnie Walker, Cardhu, Talisker and Jura, commented: “The Cobbles prides itself on handcrafted drinks and has won CAMRA’s Regional Pub of the Year award for the last three years.

“We think craft gin deserves the same recognition as craft beer – and that’s why we’re touring Scotland teaming up with the best pubs in the drinks industry.”

The founder of Glenshee Craft Distillers, a start-up artisan distillery in Perthshire, Mr Fairclough added: “Gin is undergoing a revival which shows no sign of abating anytime soon. Whether it’s with new artisanal brands, product variants or cocktail recipes, our Gin Club tastings bring to life the whole experience.”

The tasting in The Cobbles takes place on Thursday, August 21 at 6pm and runs until 7.30pm.

An exhibition celebrating the history of St Boswells Fair and gypsy life opens in the village tomorrow (Friday), the traditional fair day.

With its origins dating back almost 400 years, the fair is an important part of the history of St Boswells, with the gypsy connection probably dating back to its very earliest days.

The exhibition, organised by the community council in partnership with various other organisations, will see displays of arts and crafts, photographs, maps, wood carvings and information on the fair’s history and gypsy life.

Exhibition co-ordinator Ralph Parker said the idea stemmed from a meeting of community council representatives and gypsy families last year, and will hopefully give residents the chance to find out about the background to the fair and the crucial involvement of gypsies in it.

Mr Parker added: “The fair used to be a major event, and up until the early 1900s it attracted as many as 1,000 gypsies.

“Records show that in 1904 there were over 1,000 horses for sale that year, with most of the dealers gyspies, but there were other horse traders there from Dumfries and Carlisle and the Borders.”

A grant from Scottish Borders Council has enabled the community council to stage the exhibition, which will also feature displays from the Borders Family History Society and Hawick Heritage Hub.

Peter Munro, society chairman, said: “We will have resource material at the exhibition covering gravestones in the area, and the 1841, 1851 and 1861 censuses for St Boswells and the surrounding parishes.

“What we are hoping is that people will come and say they’ve got gypsy roots and want to find out more about them, and also have people come and speak to us about tracing their family history, which we can hopefully help with.”

There will also be stalls from the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, police, fire service and NHS at the exhibition, which takes place in the village hall.

It is open tomorrow and Sunday, from 1pm to 4pm, and Saturday, from 1pm to 7pm.

On Saturday afternoon, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm, Tom Tokely will give a talk about the Yetholm gypsies in St Boswells Church Hall.

It is free admission to both the exhibition and the talk.

It wasn’t as sunny as of late on Saturday, but the lovely warmth was still there, as I set out for a riverside ramble with Treacle the cockapoo in tow.

I had intended following the Ettrick upstream to its meeting with the Yarrow, then following the latter into Bowhill, crossing the suspension footbridge at Oakwood Mill and returning by the opposite bank of the Ettrick.

However, it was so warm that a prolonged section on the road held little appeal, so it was off with the shoes and socks when I reached the “meetings”and a refreshing paddle across the Yarrow, from where it was a short stroll to the footbridge.

Once on the other side, the path disappeared into a veritable jungle of long grass, sticky willies and other rank vegetation, and it wasn’t long before Treacle resembled a commando on manoeuvres.

Despite the tough going, this section of riverside haugh proved to be very interesting from a wildlife point of view.

It was full of butterflies, all of which were brown, with one exception. A common blue suddenly popped up and I took off after it with my camera at the ready.

It landed on a seed head and briefly opened its wings.

As I took its picture, a fly appeared from nowhere and settled on its wing. Now that’s a picture I bet nobody else has.

The tall flowers which were managing to out-compete the grasses included woundwort, meadowsweet, giant bellflower and spear thistle, but the most profuse was valerian, whose pale pink flower heads were attracting hundreds of hoverflies.

One plant which I did come across in a couple of locations was agrimony.

Quite uncommon, this tall, drooping plant has spikes of bright yellow five-petalled flowers, which are quite noticeable, even to the untrained eye.

Further down the river, on another grassy (but this time shorter) section, I managed another butterfly photographic scoop.

I noticed that a ringlet was having difficulty in flying, so I followed it until it settled in the vegetation.

No wonder it was having a problem – it was in mid copulation and was flying in tandem with its mate.

Despite being caught in an uncompromising position, the pair obligingly posed for a couple of snaps, before continuing on their way, in a most ungainly fashion.

This week I’m spoiled for choice as to what picture to use.

Anyway, while I decide, I’ll make a start in trying to rid Treacle of her burr-infested coat.

PS. Reader B.S. of Galashiels also had a humming bird hawkmoth in his garden on July 12.

Kelso Laddie Ross Henderson this week officially unveiled his town’s new £40,000 piece of public artwork in the shape of the Kelsae Stane.

The winning submission for the Sainsbury’s Public Art competition , the giant block of Indian basalt was carved into shape by Maxton sculptor, Jake Harvey, who has spent the last few weeks etching local place names onto the stone’s surface.

The unveiling was timed to coincide with the start of Kelso Civic Week, with a ceremony that involved the local pipe band, a rendition of ‘Kelsae Bonnie Kelsae’ and a speech by Kelso-born author, Alistair Moffat.

The 20-ton stone is of a similar material to the town’s iconic cobbles, appearing to ‘grow’ out of the existing historic square’s surface.

Mr Harvey commented: “I have derived a great deal of pleasure from the process of conceiving and making a significant work that compliments Kelso’s cobbled square and which represents an enduring embodiment of the town.

“The journey has been arduous and lengthy, but wonderfully inspiring. While working on site in Kelso Square, I’ve immensely enjoyed meeting and working with 220 local folk who were involved during the inscription phase.

“Place names were provided by a broad spectrum of individuals ranging from those very young and just beginning to write, to someone almost 102 years old, as well as people from a wide range of backgrounds.

“I consider a point in time to have been established with the making of this sculpture, and anticipate that in due course, like myself, all the contributors and their forebears, along with those countless hundreds of interested observers who came to talk with me and to watch the sculpture evolve, will derive much pride from being actively involved with and witnessing the period of creating the Kelsae Stane.”

Charlie Robertson, Chair of the Kelso Stakeholder Group, added: “I am delighted by the unveiling of the finished Kelsae Stane and to have such a unique, original and timeless representation of the town as an integral part of the fabric of Kelso Square.

“This is a great day for Kelso.”

And as for the Kelso Laddie, what did he think? “I think it’s a great thing for the town,” Ross commented.

Record numbers of followers supported Jethart Callant Jack Fraser throughout the sun-drenched festival this summer.

A new record total of 1,068 riders followed the young figurehead on rides to Morebattle, Southdean, Crailing and Nisbet, Redeswire, on the Queen’s ride and to Lanton and Ancrum.

Festival Day itself attracted a cavalcade of 274, following Jack and his Henchmen to Ferniehirst Castle last Friday.

The sun beamed down on happy crowds throughout the day after the morning haze cleared. Supporters lined the street from early morning, eagerly awaiting the spectacle. Then the strains of Jedforest Instrumental Band was heard as the musicians made their way up High Street to Abbey Place to applause, marking the start of Festival Day.

Sounding his horn, Herald Allan Learmonth then rode into view, with Jedburgh Royal British Legion Pipe Band playing behind him and the crowd cheered again.

Finally, Callant Fraser, flanked by his Right and Left-Hand Men, Garry Ramsay and Iain Chisholm, rode in and townsfolk once again gave a rousing welcome.

The young principal dismounted before striding to the platform with the Jethart Flag on which Provost Richard Gordon’s wife, Pamela, pinned the traditional rosette.

Silence fell as Callant Fraser remounted; anticipation grew as the young leader took a few moments to prepare.

He then held the flag aloft and roared out the mighty battle cry: “Jethart’s Here!”

Music and wild cheering followed, and supporters sang Jethart’s Here as the cavalcade made off towards Ferniehirst Castle, stronghold of the Kerr family.

Arriving at Ferniehirst, the Callant and other principals were piped down to the castle, where, in 1575, the men of Jethart joined the Kerr family to break an English siege.

Friday’s meeting was of a more peaceful nature, however, as Jedburgh Grammar School pupil Abigail Stephenson, 14, gave the recitation of Walter Laidlaw’s Reprisal and Lord Lothian’s nephew, Jamie Kerr, welcomed riders on behalf of the family.

The London-based 24-year-old, who works in the policy unit of the Institute of Directors, spoke of the link between Jedburgh and Ferniehirst, which has been strong for 700 years.

The Edinburgh University graduate talked of his luck in being able to bring friends to Ferniehirst and his gratitude at having the opportunity to develop his links with the castle and town.

Referring to September’s referendum, he said: “This year everyone north of the border is being asked to look very carefully at themselves and make an important decision about their identity.

“Being able to take part in this festival and make a connection with Jedburgh – that means such a great deal to my family and is one of the strongest expressions of identity that I could hope for.”

Callant Fraser thanked the Kerr family and led supporters in a rousing rendition of a verse of Jethart’s Here.

He then rode on with his henchmen to the Capon Tree where Callant’s Club president Ivor Hughes pinned a sprig of the ancient Jed Forest oak onto Callant Fraser’s sash.

The cavalcade rode on, returning to the Royal Burgh, where riders crossed Jed Water, sparkling in the midday sun.

Callant Fraser laid a wreath at the town’s war memorial before returning to the Abbey Place platform where he was presented with the Callant’s Cup.

Speaking to The Southern afterwards, Callant Fraser said: “It’s gone too fast. I have loved every minute of it and hopefully I have done the town proud.

“We’ve had fabulous weather all summer, culminating with today. It’s been excellent, I couldn’t have asked for better.”

He said the new record number of followers is due to festival organisers and volunteers.

He added: “That’s not down to me, the credit goes to our marshalls and Herald and committee. Our rides are superb; we have the best rides in the Borders.”

Asked what his festival highlights were, Jack said: “The whole thing. Redeswire was my favourite ride.

“The whole festival week was brilliant and the two ceremonial days, Thursday and Friday: it’s difficult to pick one thing, there were so many good points.

“I wasn’t nervous about shouting out ‘Jethart’s Here’ until I came round the corner and saw the crowd. (As the crowds waited to hear him) it was so silent, you could hear a pin drop, all eyes are on you.

“Being Callant is something I didn’t think I would get the opportunity to do. It’s been brilliant from the first minute to the end.”

Increased numbers of riders took part in seven of the festival’s eight ride-outs. A cavalcade of 84 rode to Morebattle last month; 95 to Southdean, Crailing attracted 148, Redeswire saw 93 form the cavalcade, 161 took part in the Queen’s Ride, 52 in the Lanton rideout and 161 joined the cavalcade to ride to Ancrum.

A Kelso man who denies releasing a live fox from a sack to be pursued by foxhounds will stand trial on August 5.

John Cook, 53, of Main House Lodge, pleaded not guilty to the offence which is alleged to have been committed at woodland at Rink Farm, Galashiels, on November 19 last year. He also denies causing an animal fight to take place there and releasing a live fox from a sack in the presence of two foxhounds which held it at bay before attacking and killing it, along with the remainder of the hound pack.

Cook further denied deliberately hunting a wild mammal.

Two Galashiels men, accused of exposing their buttocks, have been found not guilty after trial.

Twenty-five-year-old Jordan Wood, of Tweed Crescent, and 24-year-old James Johnstone of Kirk Brae, always denied behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, gesticulating in an offensive and sexual manner and exposing their buttocks, at Galapark Court, Galashiels, on February 23 last year.

A Hawick man who denies repeatedly posting abusive messages about a woman on a social networking site will stand trial on November 11.

Craig McNeill, 21, of Bourtree Terrace, also pleads not guilty to repeatedly making telephone calls to the woman, sending her a voicemail containing threatening remarks and repeatedly attending at her home address, between April 19 and April 27.

At Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday, an intermediate hearing was set for October 20.

The people of Scotland have a unique opportunity on September 18. We have the chance to take our future into our hands and create a better country for ourselves and for generations to come.

From renewables to life sciences, engineering to the creative industries, food and drink to tourism, we have the strong economic foundations to make sure that Scotland will flourish. We know from analysis by the Financial Times that Scotland is one of the top 20 wealthiest countries on Earth – wealthier per head than the UK, Italy or France.

For too many, though, it just doesn’t feel that way. Only a Yes vote gives the Scottish Parliament the powers it needs to make the most of this country’s vast wealth and resources, so that we all feel the benefit in our day-to-day lives.

Making our own decisions in Scotland works – with the limited powers of devolution, we’ve protected our NHS from privatisation, supported free education and put in place a child-poverty strategy. But crucial powers over the most important economic matters – taxation, investment and industrial strategy – are still held by distant and out-of-touch Westminster governments which are far more concerned with the City of London than Scotland’s economic needs.

With independence, we’ll have the job-creating powers that we need to create more opportunities for people in Scotland.

For example, an independent Scottish Government could provide VAT breaks for businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector to boost the industry and create more jobs, as has been successful in Ireland. We could also secure a better deal for Scots farmers, who receive some of the lowest levels of agricultural funding in Europe.

An independent Scotland would have been eligible for an extra €1billion in CAP support over the next six years. And with a Yes vote we can take important action like bringing Royal Mail back into public hands to safeguard service levels, and increasing free childcare to help young families.

These are just some of the powers that we need to make Scotland better and improve the lives of people north of the border – but a Yes vote is an opportunity for the north of England too.

A new economic powerhouse in Scotland can rebalance the UK economy away from London and move the centre of power and opportunity in these islands northwards. That means even stronger cross-border cooperation and opportunities than today.

The No campaign’s interests lie in making independence seem as difficult as possible. It pretends families will be torn apart, businesses will cease to trade and a new Hadrian’s Wall will be erected across the A1.

But other successful partnerships between independent countries demonstrate that this is just not the case. Just as people travel freely between the UK and Ireland, business links flourish between Denmark and Sweden, and close family and social ties prosper around the world. So too will Scotland and the rest of the UK continue to work together after a Yes vote.

Independence can deliver a new partnership of equals – one where Scotland has the powers to grow its economy and improve the lives of its people, while continuing and building on strong links with the rest of the UK.

That has to be the best future for Scotland – and for our neighbours south of the border too.

September 18 will be a crucial day for everyone in Scotland. That’s the day when we get to decide the future of our country.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime, irreversible decision – and it’s in your hands. This will be a vote like no other. It’s not a general election, nor is it a referendum on the track records of either the government in Westminster or the one in Holyrood.

Becoming an independent country and leaving the UK – which has seen our nation flourish and grow – is not a decision to be taken lightly.

I believe all voters – whether they intend to vote Yes or No, or have yet to decide – should be able to make an informed choice. That’s why we have responded to demands for information by sending a booklet to every household in Scotland to set out the facts.

While this is a decision which affects everyone who lives in Scotland, it’s undoubtedly true that people in the Borders would feel many of the effects almost immediately.

If Scotland were to leave the UK there would be an international border created between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK. Unless Scotland manages to negotiate an opt-out from the European borderless travel area (the Schengen area), which covers most EU countries, but not the UK and Ireland, border controls would be required by law. The prospect of queues and passport checks is not a welcome one, but it would be a real possibility.

If an independent Scotland does get an opt-out from Schengen, it might be possible to join a Common Travel Area (CTA) with the UK and Ireland. This exists today and means that passports are not needed for travel between those countries.

But that is only possible if CTA members keep very similar immigration policies, as the UK and Ireland do – and the Scottish Government says that this would not be the case as its policy is to increase immigration in an independent Scotland. There could be passport-free travel, or there could be different immigration policies – but there could not be both.

The extra bureaucracy caused by a border would hinder businesses which are currently able to sell goods and services on both sides of the border without restriction. And it will potentially mean less choice – for healthcare or education, for instance – for local residents.

Another obvious consideration is currency. With a currency union ruled out, it’s uncertain what currency an independent Scotland would use. But what is certain is that if you live near the border you’re likely to find yourself facing a different situation when you want to spend money on the other side of it.

Prices may well rise in an independent Scotland because independent experts predict higher interest rates and costs which will have to be passed on to shoppers – which could mean people in the Borders paying more for their mortgages, loans and insurance than their friends and family just over the border.

However, all this is unnecessary. There is a way to ensure that we don’t face these problems – and that’s to vote to stay in the UK family. Personally, I don’t believe it makes sense to make it more difficult for businesses to flourish and create jobs, or to introduce unnecessary hurdles into people’s lives.

But whatever you believe, I’d ask you to consider the consequences carefully and make sure you’re in the know before you vote.

A Hawick dentist and his wife, a dental nurse, are aiming to raise £5,000 to enable them to go to Tanzania to help train local health workers.

Ian and Gillian McInnes, who work at North Bridge Dental Clinic, will fly out in August 2015 for two weeks, working with charity Bridge2Aid.

Gillian said: “The way they work is brilliant because they send teams of dentists and dental nurses out to train local health workers in emergency treatment and they continue the work once you leave, so it is an entirely sustainable system of getting healthcare to people who need it the most.

“The trainees will also learn about infection control and how to sterilise instruments with the very basic equipment they have, often only a pressure cooker and a small gas burner.”

In Africa, Ian and Gillian will work as part of a larger team, including experienced volunteers and interpreters.

Gillian added: “We are particularly keen as a practice, once Ian and I have been, that other members of staff maybe go out and volunteer too.

“We see this as a long-term commitment, where we focus our fundraising activities in one direction and really make a difference.”

The practice has a range of fundraising events planned, including Gillian and Ian organising a pop-up restaurant in their Jedburgh home.

To donate, visit www.northbridgedental.co.uk

A drink-driver was fined £2,000 and banned from the roads for two years at Selkirk Sheriff Court, pictured, on Monday.

Patrick Harte, 50, of Raeburn Place, Selkirk, admitted driving a car in the town’s Shawburn Road on April 7 with a breath/alcohol reading of 161 mcgs – the legal limit being 35.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley said the offence happened in a residential street during daylight, when traffic was moderate. A police officer was driving a marked vehicle when he noticed a black Audi being driven in an erratic manner.

Ms Bradley went on: “It struck the nearside kerb and crossed on to the wrong side of the road, causing an oncoming bus to brake sharply. The blue light was activated on the police vehicle, but the car driver seemed oblivious. He eventually noticed it and pulled over.”

Harte was alone in the car and smelling strongly of alcohol.

Other officers attended and the accused provided a positive roadside breath test. He was taken to Galashiels police station and made no reply to caution.

“Given the exceptionally high reading, there is a Crown motion for forfeiture of the vehicle,” concluded Ms Bradley.

Harte’s lawyer, Mat Patrick, said his client acknowledged the seriousness of the offence and fully accepted his responsibility, showing genuine remorse.

Mr Patrick said his client, who was currently signed off work, had bumped into some friends and had too much to drink, adding: “There is no rational explanation for why he drove.”

Referring to the Crown motion, he argued it would be disproportionate to forfeit the vehicle, telling Sheriff John Halley: “It is a 2011 Audi A4 with a low mileage, valued at between £15,000 to £16,000.”

The sheriff told Harte: “This is a very serious offence, standing the reading which was taken, which is of great concern to the court. There is an element of risk to the public, but I note the offence is completely out of character and that you are unable to undertake unpaid work in the community.

“Therefore, I intend to impose a substantial fine of £2,000, reduced from £3,000 for the early plea.”

The forfeiture request was refused.

A heroin addict who admitted stealing more than £800 worth of property from cars parked in Galashiels was placed on a 12-month DTTO (Drug Treatment and Testing Order).

Gareth Jones, 44, of Torwoodlee Road, Galashiels, forced open a locked car with intent to steal in King Street between December 24 and 30. On December 26/27, he entered an insecure vehicle at Scott Street and stole a satellite navigation system and a bottle of alcohol. There was no recovery of the property, worth £115.

Jones committed a similar offence at Riddle Dumble Park on January 19/20, making off with footwear and a wallet worth £165, of which £40 was recovered. On January 20/21, he entered another insecure car at Balnakiel Terrace and stole a CD player, keys and a purse worth £400, of which £300 was recovered. Jones also pleaded guilty to entering another unlocked vehicle at the same place, between January 20 and 23, and stealing jump leads, battery pack and a pump, worth £150, with no recovery.

Scott McKenzie, defending, said his client had a significant heroin addiction and had been assessed as suitable for a DTTO.

ROW OVER BEER BOTTLE

Angered by a barman clearing away his bottle of beer, Christopher Graham started shouting and throwing furniture about.

The 21-year-old, of Tweedside Caravan Park, Montgomery Street, Innerleithen, appeared from custody and admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at Tow Bar, which is at the caravan site, on Sunday.

Tessa Bradley, prosecuting, said the caravan park was owned by the accused’s family, and his parents were in the bar with him around 1.15am.

She went on: “He had been there drinking most of the evening and became verbally aggressive towards his father, shouting and swearing, banging on top of the bar and throwing chairs about.”

Graham told police: “I would really like to apologise.”

Ross Dow, defending, said his client was ashamed of his behaviour, adding: “He feels he has really disappointed his parents and let them down. He works as a groundsman at the caravan park. He had been drinking and got carried away after the barman cleared away a bottle of beer.”

Graham was fined £333.33, reduced from £500 for his early plea.

HAWICK VODKA THIEF

A Hawick man who stole a bottle of vodka from a shop will be sentenced at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on August 22.

David Connolly, 30, of Bright Street, appeared from custody and admitted stealing a bottle of vodka from B & M Bargains, Croft Road, Hawick, last Thursday, while on bail.

Sentence was deferred for reports and Connolly released on bail, with a condition not to enter the premises.

CANNABIS FARM CHARGE

Two men and a woman have been accused of running a cannabis farm near Newcastleton.

This follows a police raid on a remote property at Whisgills Farm and the seizure of 67 plants and drugs to the value of £30,000.

Mattias Eugene Berry, 44, Shelby Sada Gilligan, 21, and Wayne Marc Chadwick, 41, all from Manchester, appeared in private charged with producing a controlled drug and being concerned in the supply of cannabis. All three made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination. Chadwick was remanded in custody, while Berry and Gilligan were released on bail.

NOVEMBER TRIAL DATE

A 29-year-old man who denies breaking into a Galashiels pharmacy and stealing prescription medication will stand trial on November 18.

William Kennedy, of Craw Wood, Tweedbank, appeared from custody, pleading not guilty to committing the offence at Farren Pharmacy in Bank Street on Saturday.

He was released on bail to attend an intermediate hearing on October 27.

DRINK-DRIVE ACCUSATION

A Galashiels motorist who denies driving a car when almost three times the alcohol limit will stand trial on November 18.

Colin George, 39, of William Law Gardens, appeared from custody, accused of committing the offence at Wilderhaugh, Galashiels, on Saturday. It is alleged his breath/alcohol reading was 104 mcgs – the legal limit being 35.

George also pleaded not guilty to failing to give information as to the car driver at William Law Gardens the following day, and failing to co-operate with a preliminary breath test.

An intermediate hearing was set for September 29. George was released on bail with a condition not to drive any vehicle meantime.

SENTENCE DEFERRED

A Hawick woman, due to stand trial by jury on a charge of having an illegal drug with intent to supply, admitted an amended allegation of possession of cannabis at her home in Wilson Drive on August 10 last year.

Sentence on Clare Parker, 40, was deferred sentence until August 8 for reports.

Not guilty of knife crime

A jury at Selkirk Sheriff Court took less than five minutes to clear a 31-year-old man of possession of a knife.

They returned a not-guilty verdict on Andrew Gillies, c/o St Martin’s Court, Haddington, who denied having an offensive weapon in a common stair at Beech Avenue, Galashiels, on December 13.

TEENAGER ACCUSED

A teenager, accused of driving dangerously on the Gattonside to Leaderfoot road, will stand trial on November 11.

Robert McMullen, 19, of Killiecroft, Tweedbank, denies repeatedly driving at speeds excessive for the road conditions, entering the opposing carriageway and colliding with a car, and losing control of the vehicle, causing it to leave the road, damaging both vehicles and injuring a 16-year-old and himself, on the B6360 on April 8.

An intermediate hearing was set for October 20.

APPEARED IN PRIVATE

A man appeared in private charged on petition with having indecent images of children at his Newtown St Boswells home.

David Orlowski, 58, made no plea or declaration. The case was continued and he was released on bail.

‘PROLIFIC REPEAT OFFENDER’

A Kelso man was remanded in custody pending sentence on August 1.

Roderick Kennedy, 32, of Roxburgh Street, pleaded guilty to being found in the curtilage of a house at Dow Brae, Yetholm, in suspicious circumstances on Saturday.

Kennedy also admitted spitting at an officer in Kelso police station and breaching a bail curfew.

Sheriff John Halley described the accused as “a prolific repeat offender with an underlying drug issue”.

SEARCH REVEALED DRUGS

Illegal drugs were found during a search of Darren Crawford’s home.

The 30-year-old, now living at Lothian Street, Hawick, admitted having cannabis resin worth between £30 and £40, and diamorphine valued at £20, at a house in Glendinning Terrace, Galashiels, where he was living on March 6.

“The background to his recent offending is all related to his drug addiction,” explained defence solicitor Mat Patrick.

Sentence was deferred until August 11 for a Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO) assessment.

INTERMEDIATE HEARING

A Selkirk man who denies having indecent photographs of children at his Bleachfield Road home has had a further intermediate hearing set for July 28.

William Brown is due to stand trial on August 5.

The 35-year-old pleads not guilty to possession of indecent photographs of children on May 8 last year.

RELEASED ON BAIL

A 66-year-old man who pleads not guilty to sexually or indecently assaulting a woman at his Galashiels home will stand trial on November 11.

Robert Pupkis, of Tulley Court, Glenfield Road West, is alleged to have committed the offence on May 29.

An intermediate hearing was set for October 20. Pupkis was granted bail, with a condition not to contact the woman and another person.

TEXT MESSAGES ALLEGATION

A Galashiels man accused of sending grossly-offensive or obscene text messages to a woman will stand trial on November 11.

Stuart Gillan, 35, of Thistle Street, denies committing the offence at his home on April 29. An intermediate hearing was set for October 20.

There are fears for the future of the BMF Bikefest event in Kelso and the impact on the local economy after the organisers went into liquidation.

The event has attracted tens of thousands of motorbiking enthusiasts to the region since it was first held at Springwood Park in 1999.

Mulberry Events Limited announced it was going into voluntary liquidation shortly after the motorcycle event concluded at Springwood Park earlier this month.

Mark Hay, vice-chairman of Kelso Chamber of Trade and owner of the Queen’s Head and Cheers Bars, said should the event not run next year, or be moved from Kelso, the impact on the town’s economy would be significant.

“All the licensed premises and shops in Kelso get a good turn from the BMF event, the same as the scooter rally, and you see people laden with bags walking back over the bridge to the showground.”

Mr Hay added that his company had provided bars for the event, but confirmed he had been paid by the organisers.

He said that the general state of the economy, the clash with the Tour de France in Yorkshire, and a lack of advertising for the event may have contributed to a fall in attendance.

“On the Sunday you would normally have thousands come in on the day, but this year it was only hundreds,” Mr Hay said.

However, he added that the event seemed to have been more appealing this year with more bands playing across two full days.

Mr Hay said he hoped the event would return next year under new management.

Ron Wilson, Border Union Agricultural Society secretary, said the liquidators had been in touch, but would not comment further regarding financial matters until he had spoken with them directly.

He added that annual events at the showground get first option for booking for the next year, but due to the circumstance nothing was yet in place for Bikefest for 2015.

BMF (British Motorcyclists’ Federation) chairman Roger Ellis said: “The BMF is sorry to learn that its contractor used for organising the three BMF shows, Mulberry Events Limited, has announced that it is now entering into voluntary liquidation.”

Mr Ellis added: “There will be a lot of hard work and planning from this point so the BMF can reorganise arrangements to carry on with its events, in whatever form, for 2015 and onwards.”

Commenting on the news on the BMF Motorcycle Rider magazine webpage, one Edinburgh biker said: “Not surprising. I was just at the Kelso show and it was dead.

“Very few stands and not a lot of people. A pity, in days past it was huge.”

Today – only two months and 24 hours before D-Day on Scotland’s future – The Southern moves up a gear in its coverage of the referendum debate.

We begin with two heavy hitters from each side of the argument. In the Union corner, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael puts the case for staying together, while Yes Scotland head honcho Blair Jenkins fights for the independence cause.

But it won’t just be those who regularly feature on the national media stage who we seek contributions from, movers and shakers from our region will also get a platform to put forward personal views on one of the biggest decisions Scots will ever have to take.

Whichever way the vote on September 18 goes, the ramifications will be felt for generations to come – and that’s why it’s good, and important, for all of us to talk. At least on this subject anyway.

Whether it’s in the workplace, at home or in the pub, each one of us is entitled to his or her opinion – but we must also be prepared to listen to opposing views.

Many will no doubt be fed up with the seemingly-endless debate Scotland’s constitutional future has generated over the past few years – our letters pages are guilty of aiding and abetting in this – but such is the magnitude of the choice we will soon be asked to make that putting up with it for a wee bit longer is a very small price to pay.