Renowned Texel breeders Gordon and David Gray of Sunnycroft, Lindean won the Champion of Champions prize with a gimmer on her first outing at the Border Union Show, Kelso, last Saturday.

The father and son team are regularly in the ribbons and achieve good prices for their stock, but Saturday was the first time they’d taken the show’s top award.

A delighted David said: “This is a dream come true. It was one thing to win the Texels, it’s a lottery to win the inter-breed and even more of a lottery to win the champion of champions.”

Utterly Butterly became the Grays’ second Texel to win the sheep interbreed trophy earlier in the day (1998 was the last time).

Sired by £6,000 Knock Topaz, her mother was interbreed champion at Perth Show last year and her grandmother was Kelso’s reserve interbreed in 2011.

Champion of Champions judge Tom Tennant of Gilmanscleuch, Ettrick commented: “It was a very good line-up, every champion was worthy. The gimmer has tremendous breed character, she’s just an outstanding sheep.”

The pair had a successful showing year last year when they took the Scottish Texel Breeders Club’s Jubilee Trophy, awarded for the most points gained at five nominated shows, for the second time in three years. And former Texel Sheep Society president Gordon had the honour of judging Texels at the Highland Show last year, the highlight of his farming career so far.

I am resisting the temptation this week to comment on the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – other than to say I didn’t enjoy the early stage of the opening ceremony which I thought was bamboozling, embarrassing and pretty pathetic.

The good thing is that the Glasgow Games have gone well. The English competitors weren’t booed by patriotic Scots as some pundits and the odd politician had predicted – they were given a rousing reception as they entered Celtic Park and applauded when they won medals.

Competition has been keen and, on the whole, sportsmanship has been great. As I write, only one allegedly-positive dope test and a wee bit barging on the running track. Oh, and a weightlifter has courted trouble by apparently – allegedly – misbehaving in the toilet.

The baton carrying the Queen’s message safely made its way to Celtic Park – but nobody had told the dignitaries how to get the top off and it was left to that shining knight, Chris Hoy, to step forward and save the day. Queen Victoria might not have been amused, but Queen Liz took it all in her majestic stride and I’m sure there was a hint of a smile.

I smiled – actually, I laughed – when I spotted the pictures and story in one of the red tops about HM and one of her ladies-in-waiting turning up in almost identical dresses. I couldn’t quite fathom how the lady that dresses and chaperones the monarch failed to spot they looked like peas in a pod in their light-green outfits. I’m not sure if that was at the Games or some other royal outing, but since I’m resisting the temptation to mention the Games, it doesn’t really matter.

Now, what about the tartan for the Games. It attracted its fair share of criticism when it was unveiled – likened to a picnic rug or granny’s shawl.

It didn’t please me too much at the time, but I’ve come to like it. Its brightness fits in with the total atmosphere of the Games and looks far better that those dark, sombre suits worn by the officials – some of whom wouldn’t know a smile if it hit them in the face.

Contrast them with the competitors who show a wealth of emotions as they taste the joy of victory – and disappointment of defeat.

From bowling, to swimming, to athletics, to rugby, to table tennis, to wrestling, to any of the 17 sports at the Games, the competitors have been true ambassadors to their chosen volition and their country.

I have few mementoes to mark my unspectacular sporting career. A Brydon Cup sevens medal with Gala ‘A’ from a win against Gala YM that left me with a broken finger, a silver teaspoon and egg cup from a bowling victory at Gala Abbotsford, a photo of Sandy Grieve and myself when we won the Selkirk Open Bowling Pairs (against a Scottish internationalist and trialist) and another when Galashiels were finalists in the Borders BB Battalion rugby sevens. But there are many memories.

Winners from the Games will take home medals. But every competitor will take home the memories. You just need to look at the beaming face of Libby Clegg – the golden girl from Copshaw Holm – to see why memories will never fade.

The Galashiels Bipolar Self Help Group is relaunching at the Langlee Community Centre, Galashiels, on August 11, from 7-9pm. Borders consultant psychiatrist Cliff Sharp will host a Q&A for the first half of the meeting. All who have bipolar disorder and their families, friends and carers are welcome to attend.

Call Aileen at Bipolar Scotland on 0141 560 2050 for details, or simply turn up on the night.

A booklet of poems by a long-time editor of the Southern Reporter has been republished to commemorate the start of the Great War.

David Mackie was in the editor’s chair from 1925 until his death in 1956.

In 1916, aged 25, he penned a series of war poems while recuperating from a serious illness contracted while serving in Flanders.

They were published that same year under the title Bandolier & Bandages and sold in aid of the Red Cross.

Now his daughter, Davina Morrison, who was born when her dad was 51, has had the booklet reprinted by Bordersprint Ltd, of Selkirk.

In the book’s foreword, she states: “It was some time after his death, when mother and I were sorting through my father’s many books in the attic, that I became familiar with his earlier works, including Bandolier & Bandages. Now, 100 years on from the start of that terrible war ... it seems appropriate to share the still-sharp observations and emotions expressed by father.”

When war broke out he was a junior reporter on a newspaper in Carlisle, but he quit and enlisted with the Lothians and Border Horse.

Melrose and District Community Council will be hosting the BBC Radio 4 Any Questions programme on Friday, August 22.

Chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby, the programme will go out live following the 8pm news and will be repeated on Saturday, August 23 at 1.15pm and followed at 2pm by Any Answers, the phone-in programme which allows members of the public to respond to the programme.

The audience consists of members of the public who submit questions on the day of the broadcast. The questions usually cover the topical news items of the day.

The panel has not yet been revealed but usually comprises leading politicians, well known critics or distinguished figures from commerce, the arts and other areas of public life.

Tickets are available on a first come basis from William Windram, by calling 01896 822542 in the evening or at weekends.

Tickets can also be applied for by emailing: windram.waverley@virgin.net.

If necessary a waiting list will be organised for any returned tickets.

Persons accepting tickets should be prepared to put forward a question. Any member of the audience whose question is selected must ask his or her question his or herself.

Police are appealing for information following recent break-ins at two businesses in Newcastleton.

Enquiries are under way after thieves broke into Rock UK in Whithaugh Park sometime between 6pm on Sunday, July 27 and 8am on Monday, July 28, making off with a lap-top, a drill and other electronic devices.

And at around 10.45pm on Friday (August 1), a lap-top was taken during a break-in at office space in Whitchester Lane. Three mountain bikes were also stolen from an outhouse at the same location, although the bikes were later recovered close by.

Inspector John Reid said: “These break-ins happening in the same area and in the matter of a few days is obviously a concern, and our officers are working hard to identify those responsible.

“Police Scotland is keen to raise awareness among local residents and workers and to remind people of the need to make sure that premises are securely locked when not in use.”

Anyone who has seen anything suspicious in the Newcastleton area in recent days or who has any information which may help with the investigations should contact Police Scotland on 101 or, alternatively, phone the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Vital equipment used in life-saving rescue has been stolen from a members of the Birders Search and Rescue Unit.

A sophisticated two-way radio, specialist gear and a team jacket were in a campervan stolen from outside James Burt’s Edinburgh home.

The rescue volunteer also had a large amount of his personal mountaineering equipment.

Members often keep their team gear in their vehicles to ensure a rapid response when an emergency alert is received.

Team spokesman Damon Rodwell said their stolen gear was valued at around £2,500.

He added; “There have been a few instances of theft from team members down south, but this is the first time equipment has been stolen from a BSARU member.”

The registraion of the stolen white VW Transporter is R168 GAA.

Information can be passed in confidence to secretary@bordersar.org.uk

An attack on a horse has been described as deliberate and cruel by police.

The animal in a field at Troweknowes Farm near Hawick suffered two large leg cuts which had to be treated by a vet.

Police say it happened on Monday or Tuesday – July 28 or 29.

Inspector Carol Wood confirmed: “These injuries were not sustained accidentally and this incident is being treated as a deliberate act of cruelty.

And she appealed for anyone who spotted anything suspicious in the area of the farm to come forward.

Inspector Wood added: “Give the fairly remote location of the field , those responsible most likely travelled by vehicle and we would also urge anyone with information than can help us progress this line of enquiry to get in touch.”

Information can be passed to police Scotland on 101 or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The count for the Scottish independence referendum will take place at Springwood Park in Kelso overnight on September 18/19.

The council and its partners have been working on plans for several months.

Scottish Borders Council chief executive and local counting officer, Tracey Logan, said: “We have chosen Springwood Park as the location for the Borders’ count centre as it has the required space and facilities to ensure we can provide the most efficient count possible.

“Although the count will not be open to the public – our team will be working throughout the night to ensure the public are kept up to date with key stages of the count via our website and social media channels.”

Ms Logan is reminding voters that they must be registered to cast their vote. Young people can also vote if they are aged 16 or over by September 18. Registration must be completed by September 2. For more information, visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/elections

A drop-in session for young voters is also being held in Market Square in Galashiels on August 23, from 11am till 4pm, where the council’s electoral registration officer Mark Dickson will be on hand to help them register or answer any other questions they may have.

Mr Dickson can be contacted on 01835 825100 or by emailing: ero@scotborders.gov.uk

Meanwhile, members of the public who would like to work on polling day either at a polling station or the count are being invited to complete an application form which is available from.scotborders.gov.uk/elections or by calling 01835 826502.

Completed application forms should be emailed to elections@scotborders.gov.uk

Melrose and District Community Council will be hosting the BBC Radio 4 Any Questions programme on Friday, August 22.

Chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby, the programme will go out live following the 8pm news and will be repeated on Saturday, August 23 at 1.15pm and followed at 2pm by Any Answers, the phone-in programme which allows members of the public to respond to the programme.

The audience consists of members of the public who submit questions on the day of the broadcast. The questions usually cover the topical news items of the day.

The panel has not yet been revealed but usually comprises leading politicians, well known critics or distinguished figures from commerce, the arts and other areas of public life.

Tickets are available on a first come basis from William Windram, by calling 01896 822542 in the evening or at weekends.

Tickets can also be applied for by emailing: windram.waverley@virgin.net.

If necessary a waiting list will be organised for any returned tickets.

Scottish Borders Councillor Alastair Cranston is to face a full hearing before the Standards Commission for Scotland over claims he’s breached the Code of Conduct set down for councillors.

He’s already been probed by the the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life (CES) who decided to refer the claims to the commission.

The allegations were discussed by the Standards Commission last week who could have shelved the case, asked the CES to make further investigations or hold to hold their own hearing.

Their decision to mount a hearing into the issues raised against the councillor was made public today.

The councillor for the Hawick and Denholm ward had been told by the CES that he had breached guidelines laid down for councillors.

The section of the code under which he is being investigated relates to declaration of business interests of financial and non-financial matters.

A date for the hearing hasn’t been fixed but will will be held at the headquarters of Scottish Borders Council at Newtown St Boswells.

Sanctions include being removed from office and disqualification from council duties for a year

The Scottish National Championships sheepdog trials start tomorrow (Thursday August 7) at Bedrule, near Denholm

The 150 triallists are competing over the next three days for the 15 places available to represent Scotland at the International Sheep Dog Trials in southern Ireland in September.

Scottish National Sheepdog Trials president Ewan Mackinnon said: “We’re hoping for a good standard of competition. There are a lot of excellent handlers and we hope at the end of Saturday to have a good team to represent Scotland.

“Farm owner John Richardson has been very accommodating to us. It’s a challenging course but it will be interesting. It’s on the side of a hill and some dogs could go too wide on the outrun but apart from that it’s relatively straightforward.”

There will also be a cafe and International Sheep Dog Society shop at the venue (which will be signposted from the A68), and, on family day on Saturday, dog and duck demonstrations, a children’s dog show and facepainting.

Local competitors include Andrew Emmerson from Selkirk, Oxton’s Andrew Dickman, John Allan from Yarrow, Bobby Dalziel from Ettrick, Earlston’s John Foster, Johnny Robinson and Cameron Dickson, both from Coldingham, Keith Preston and Stewart Craig from Lauder, Yarrow’s Viv Billingham and Julie Hill and Bobby Henderson from Heriot.

Every so often, we come across something that doesn’t really fit with any of our stories, but we want to show it to you anyway.

Our photographer Stuart Cobley captured this footage of a donkey handler during the recent Border Union Show at Kelso.

It made us smile ... have a look, it’s very short.

Tributes have been pouring in for a teenage farm worker who died on Friday after suffocating in a 50-feet high silo tower following a tragic accident.

Nineteen-year-old Zach Fox died at the scene, at Deanfoot Farm, which overlooks Denholm.

He is understood to have fallen into the tower and became trapped. Emergency services were alerted shortly after 9am.

Fire crews from Hawick and Jedburgh raced to the remote farm and cut a hole in the tower using a turning saw.

They managed to retrieve his body and paramedics were on hand to assist, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The farm, owned by Peter Manners, was sealed off as an investigation got under way.

Tributes started to appear on social networking sites, with Alison posting on Facebook: “Devastating news, my thoughts are with the family x.”

And from Maria: “very sad news indeed, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, Rest in peace, Zach.”

It is not known whether the silo was storing grain or fermented feed known as silage at the time of the tragedy.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “Enquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this incident are ongoing and officers are currently liaising with the Health and Safety Executive.”

Lifesaving equipment has been stolen from a volunteer member of the Border Search and Rescue Unit.

The £2,500 worth of stolen gear includes a two-way radio, various items of specialised equipment and a brand new team jacket.

In addition, James Burt also lost a large amount of his own mountaineering equipment which was all stored in his campervan when the vehicle was stolen from outside his home in Edinburgh. Rescuers often keep equipment in the vehicles because it leads to a more rapid emergency response.

Team spokesman Damon Rodwell said: “It’s mercifully rare for this sort of thing to happen. There have been a few recent instances of theft from team members down south, but this is the first time in memory that equipment has been stolen from a BSARU member.

“It’s particularly galling coming at a time when the team has had some very significant financial outgoings, including the replacement of a Landrover and a £5,500 bill for new team jackets.

“Fundraising is difficult for all charities in the current climate and this is going to make a dent in the money we’re putting aside for the essential upgrading of GPS equipment.”

The van is a white VW Transporter – R168 GAA. Information can be passed in confidence to secretary@bordersar.org.uk

The decision by Border Television to restrict Tuesday’s independence referendum debate between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling to Freeview was likely to have disenfranchised thousands of voters in the south of Scotland, according to SNP MSP Christine Grahame.

The member for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale expressed her anger after learning that many of her constituents, and the electorate in Scottish parliamentary seats across the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, would not be able to watch the exchanges between the First Minister and the former Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Speaking prior to the debate, she said: “We’ve had all the negative campaigning by the No campaign and by the Westminster Select Committee covered by Border TV, yet we are to get restricted coverage of this week’s debate which will be one of the most important events in the run-up to September 18.

“Apparently, while the rest of Scotland will hear arguments from both sides of the divide on Tuesday evening many viewers in southern Scotland will be treated to the delights of Love Your Garden from 8-9pm, followed by a programme called Kids Behind Bars between 9-10 o’clock about youth custody in Nevada.”

Ms Grahame said there was a widespread feeling that democracy in the south of Scotland was about to suffer apparently because the region was served by an English-based TV station.

She added: “One Borders resident who emailed me wrote, ‘I expect this will not be the only contact you receive expressing dismay, anger and bafflement ... choose any words that fit a sense of impotence that I live in the Scottish Borders and am served by an English-dominated ITV station’.”

A Hawick man appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Friday and admitted stealing alcohol the previous day.

Barry Hayward, 32, of Howdenbank, pleaded guilty to taking a £14.99 bottle of whisky without paying from B&M Bargains in Hawick on July 31.

Claire Bottomley, prosecuting, said: “The accused was seen by witnesses putting a bottle of whisky down the front of his trousers and leaving the shop. It was not recovered.”

Sheriff Kevin Drummond noted it was Hayward’s 13th conviction for shoplifting.

Sentence was deferred until September 5 when Hayward has another matter calling.

He was released on bail with the special condition that he is not allowed to enter any shop in Hawick unaccompanied unless it’s for the purpose of uplifting prescriptions.

A recently-released prisoner arrested for repeatedly ringing a hospital doorbell in the early hours of the morning is to be assessed for a Drug Treatment and Testing Order.

Roderick Kennedy also constantly banged on the doors of Kelso Community Hospital which is mainly occupied by elderly residents and does not have a casualty department.

The 32-year-old of Roxburgh Street, Kelso, also obstructed police officers when they arrived on the scene last month.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow told Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Friday that his client had just been released from a four-month prison sentence and had been struggling with a valium addiction.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond deferred sentence until next month for the assessment to be carried out and admonished him on four other outstanding complaints.

The Berwickshire County Show is always a great time for old friends to catch up and despite the slight blip in the weather this year’s show was no exception.

Duns Castle grounds are a pefect setting for the show stands, cattle, sheep, horses, ponies, poulty vintage vehicles and food and drink stands and there was plenty to see and do throughout the day.

Judging took place in the morning, then Duns Pipe Band heralded the start of the main ring events for the afternoon which included quack commandos, and livestock parade, pony club games, vintage vehicle parade, gundog demonstration, hunting hounds, terrier racing and children’s sports.

The Aberdeen Angus cow, Halbeath Kim owned by Andrew Hodge, Rulesmains Farm, Duns swept the board in the cattle section and was also awarded the BAA Angora Cup for the overall show champion.

Cattle

The overall champion in the cattle section, and winner of the R J Forrest Cup and Centenary Trophy, was Halbeath Kim, an Aberdeen Angus cow with an April born calf owned by Andrew Hodge of Rulesmains Farm, Duns.

Bought last year, she was fifth at the Highland Show this year and was female champion and reserve overall at Kelso’s Border Union Show.

Reserve champion was Golden Delicious, a Charolais heifer owned by Ross MacPherson of Castlehills Farm, Berwick.

Limousin champion was Meadowrig Eva, a home bred five-year-old cow owned by Renton and Redden Partners, Berwick, who also won the multibreed section with their British Blue bull.

Best Simmental, and winner of the NFU Mutual Cup was a cow owned by A and K Gamble of Palace Farm, Crailing; best Limousin, winner of the Broadmeadows Quaich, was the under two years bull, Meadowrig Ivan, of Renton and Redden; winner of the Challenge Cup for Champion Aberdeen Angus was Halbeath Kim, the Aberdeen Angus cow shown by A Hodge; and winner of the Chapman and Frearson Perpetual Challenge Trophy for best Aberdeen Angus of opposite to the champion was J & W Arnott; the Lloyds Tractor Trophy and Cross Bred Cattle Cup winner was the heifer Golden Delicious shown by Ross MacPherson; Berwickshire Agricultural Association Cup in Cross Bred Cattle section was James Anderson; RJF Challenge Cup, James Anderson.

Sheep

Overall sheep champion was a Texel shearling ram owned by J and P Anderson of Headshaw, Oxton.

Home bred by Teviot Topper out of a Tweed ewe he was being shown for the first time and is going to Kelso Ram Sales in September.

Reserve champion and winner of the Moira Ingoldsby Cup was the Blue Faced Leicester of Bill Hedley.

Champion blackfaced and winner of the Hopes Silver Rose Bowl was the ram of Prof Penny.

Suffolk champion and winner of the Millar Salver was the ewe of R Laing & Sons; winner of the Derek McLain Cup and the J D Wilson Millennium Tankard was the ram shearling of R G Laing & Sons.

Winner of the Northfield Bowl for best Scotch Mule & Greyfaced was the ewe of J W Fullarton & Sons. The Lord Brockett trophy for best Blue Faced Leicester also went to J W Fullarton; The Broxmouth Perpetual Challenge Trophy in the Multibreed Sheep category was won by James Royan’s ram; and the Greendykes Bowl for Prime Cross Bred Lambs was won by Murray Perring. Mr and Mrs A Bain took home the G E & J Meikle Perpetual Trophy and R K& B Sharp Rose Trophy in the Shetland Sheep category.

Hunters

The Silver Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best young hunting stock under four years was won by Broadstone Love Affair, shown by Lorna Aylward who also won the Championship Paxtgon Agricultural Society Cup; The Manderson Bowl for best ridden and working hunter classes went to Clive Storey on Barney; the Silver Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best hunter bred in the county of Berwick was Doreen Calder’s Just Joey; and the Young Trophy for highest placed veteran horse was won by Equibuddy, with Hopevalley Sparky.

Ponies

The Millennium Trophy for the overall champion was won by Jane Dow with Dessie Island; The Glen Silver Perpetual Challenge Cup was also won by Jane Dow with Dessie Island; and the Silver Salver for best member of the Berwickshire Pony Club went to Fiona Robson and Bobby Dazzler.

In the Riding Pony Classes the Lady Clementine Waring Perpetual Challenge Cup was won Lucy Brown with Waxwing Rosary; and the Andrew Hamilton Cup was won by Olivia Prentice and Chandler. The Mountain and Moorland champion Hopelaws Perpetual Challenge Trophy was won by James Whiteford Fuinseoig Boy. Winner of the Stair Brown Perpetual Challenge Cup for children’s pony gymkhana games was Katy McFadyen on Carla.

Jumping

The Barclays Bank Perpetual Challenge Trophy for junior jumping was won by Ellie Meldrum and Sylvester 60; and the West Cumberland Farmers Trading Society Ltd Rose Bowl, minor adult jumping competition was won by Louise Clark on Kalewater Creme Brulee.

Poultry

In the poulty classes, entry numbers were very similar to last year, the Poultry Cup for overall champion going to the German Langshan male bird belonging to D P Fontana from Peebles. The Renton Cup for reserve champion also went to D P Fontana, winning with a Cockin female; and the D Cochrane Shield for best exhbit in show and best junior championship went to Lewis Renton.

Industrial

Cup Winners: Silver Bowl for individual with most points - Catherine Dickson; Homecraft Shield, SWRI with most points - Ayton; BAA Challenge Cup for (SWRI branch with 20 members or less, with highest points - Allanton; Steel Cup for farm produce - Jo Scott; Baillie Cup for jams etc - Maureen Cranston; Wightman Cup for baking - Catherine Dickson; Mitchell Cup for hand knitting - Elizabeth Berry; Elspeth Cup (miscellaneous) - Maureen Cranston; Forrest Cup for flowers - Aileen Orr; Mole Cup (under 15 years) - Ellen Hamilton; Miller Cup for stick dressing - John Rennie; Prentice Trophy, stick dressing best in show - John Rennie.

The Scottish Oils Trophy (large stands) - Peter Redpath Tyres Ltd; Peter Redpath (large stands) Reserve - Greenvale AP Ltd; Peter Redpath (small stands) - Woodland Management Services; Ian Peek Cup (craft exhibit) - Graham Ambrose Woodturner. In the vintage rally section the John Cron Cup for the best classic tractor was won by R Wardhaugh with a Leyland 154; and the Robert Thomson Cup presented for the vest vintage tractor was won by George Giddell with a Fordson Paraffin.

NHS Borders is providing the best stroke care in the country, an annual report by NHS Scotland has revealed.

The health board provided 81 per cent of stroke patients with the “appropriate stroke care bundle” in 2012, up from 64 per cent the previous year and significantly above the national average of 58 per cent.

The “care bundle” includes admission to a stroke unit, a test of the patient’s swallowing capabilities and a brain scan within 24 hours.

According to the annual Scottish Stroke Care Audit, 97 per cent of the 210 stroke patients at the BGH were in the dedicated stroke unit within one day of admission in 2012 – well above the 90 per cent national target.

NHS Borders stroke co-ordinator Sandi Haines said: “We are delighted these results reflect the positive changes we have made over recent years.

“These targets are incredibly important to meet as we use it not as a target, but as a benchmark for good patient care.

“It is the staff from right across the system and their commitment to quality patient care that makes these results possible.”

She added: “There has been a huge change in attitude to stroke in recent years, with a growing understanding that it should be treated with the same sort of urgency as a heart attack because rapid treatment can make a huge difference in preventing further damage to the brain and can help someone make a full recovery.

“Delay increases the risk of death or major long-term disabilities, such as paralysis, severe memory loss and communication problems.

“It is vital that the symptoms are not ignored in the hope they will go away.”

The overall length of stay in the BGH for stroke patients was 18 days in 2012, five days less than the national average.

A refurbished stroke unit opened at the BGH in 2013.