This summer, I took my children to various country shows near our home in the Borders.

This year, amongst the black-faced sheep, tractors and bouncy castles, there was a new attraction: A ‘Yes’ tent and a ‘Better Together’ tent. (You could say the debate was in tents).

‘Yes’ campaigners passionately painted a picture of an Independent Scotland and ‘No’ campaigners hard-headedly dissected the issue of currency. Further down the line, beyond the cake stalls, I spotted a Lib Dem tent and wondered what aspect of this Constitutional Crisis was gripping the third party. A distinguished gentleman inside voiced the key question: “So how are your tomatoes, Donald?”

Well, Donald’s tomatoes are frying now in the heat of the debate. A debate that’s raged since 1707, when a nation bankrupted by speculating Scottish financiers had to be bailed out from Westminster. Can you imagine anything like that happening in the 21st century? I know. Hard to believe.

The temperature’s rising. It’s hardly surprising: we’re having a referendum. We’ve been having one for years, it seems. Perhaps we should call it the Neverendum.

But that is history. Now, like millions of Scots, I’ve wrestled and agonised with the decision whether to go for Independence or remain with the Union.

My background – born, raised, and educated (up to age 13) in Scotland, married to a Scot, having our main home here, but working mainly in London, where I went to university – epitomises a ‘best of both worlds’ life.

Yet I see and feel the appeal of independence to the heart, and have entertained the vision of a Nordic social democracy, with progressive politics, Scandinavian lifestyle and exciting crime dramas (“Herr Taggart, there’s been a mørder”).

And if I hadn’t considered those already, I was left in no doubt about their appeal by the forceful and passionate entreaties of my friends on Twitter and elsewhere. I get it. I feel Scottish.

When Cameron and Osborne come north, two thoughts come to mind: 1) They’ve come to collect the rent, and 2) I remember being in the crowd in 1990, when Will Carling, Brian Moore and Margaret Thatcher – cunningly disguised as lock forward Wade Dooley – arrived at Murrayfield with an immense sense of entitlement (full of hubris) and, thanks to Tony Stanger’s dramatic try, were sent homeward, tae think again. I get all that, and I never tire of reminding English friends that, whatever recent results, 1990 was the only game that mattered.

When Cameron, Osborne and (God help us) Farage implore us not to leave the Union, I’m reminded of comedienne Kit Hollerbach’s response when asked by a loud-mouthed bloke if she was a lesbian: “Are you the alternative?”

And yet. And yet. They’re not the alternative. If Scots say, we didn’t vote for this coalition government, guess what? The rest of the UK didn’t either. And the rest of the UK – from Newcastle and Liverpool to Swansea and Belfast – will get a chance to vote them out next year.

What’s more, social justice, a fairer society and the NHS don’t stop at the Border. We can all fight for those things within the Union. One of my greatest sadnesses at the prospective break-up is that it will set English, Welsh and Northern Irish against Scots in a bitter division of the debts and resources of the whole of the UK. It’s already evident.

We saw that in the Future of England Survey published last month. Make no mistake, whatever Alex Salmond says about the Sovereign Will of the Scottish People, the sovereign response of the rest of the UK will be, fine then, you’re on your own.

To say nothing of the economic risk. It’s disingenuous of the SNP to blame the fact that on Monday the pound fell – and £2billion was wiped off the value of Scottish companies – not because of the refusal of London to concede a currency union, but as a direct response to the prospect of a Yes vote.

Much as we’d want to – love to – the fact is, Scotland can’t operate in a vacuum from the financial markets. What we can do is fight for the fairer distribution of the greater wealth of our British – and indeed European –Union. A bigger slice of a bigger cake, if you like. Under Independence, Scotland may get a bigger slice, but the cake will be smaller.

The thing is, speaking purely for myself and my family, I don’t want to have to choose between more powers for Scotland or retaining ties with the Union. I want both. In trumps. Devo Max. With a timetable chaser. I want to have my heart and eat it too.

My Union isn’t the Union of Cameron and Osborne, Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage. It’s the Union of Gordon Brown, of Ming Campbell, of Douglas Alexander, Michael Moore, historically of Robin Cook, John Smith and Donald Dewar, and, yes, of Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney – Scots working both within and beyond Scotland to promote Scottish values.

And more than that. My Union is also the Union of Alan Bennett, of Victoria Wood, of David Attenborough. Of Tony Benn and Nye Bevan. Of Chris Hoy, Andy Murray and Jackie Stewart, brilliant Scots, turbo-charged by the full resources of Great Britain. This is something unique and special we have here. Do I want us to be divided by a border and a currency?

The scientific and cultural history of Scotland is uniquely inter-connected with the Union. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in a messy lab at St Mary’s, Paddington. Dolly the Sheep was invented by an Edinburgh bioscience company, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture.

John Logie Baird invented the television in London – interestingly, it is now unable to function without Scots working in London studios: Andrew Marr, Kirsty Wark, Kirsty Young, Lorraine Kelly.

Scottish MPs have punched above their weight at Westminster (literally, in the case of Eric Joyce) for decades. For some time, Scotland’s greatest exports to England have long included whisky and Scottish MPs. Or, in the case of Charles Kennedy, both. All these links are part of my Union. Would Glasgow’s brilliant Commonwealth Games or the Edinburgh Festival be any better for our being Independent? I doubt it.

There’s no doubting the power of Hope and Change as political forces. Comedically, change has more energy. “We shall overcome” will always be a more inspiring anthem than “we shall stay the same”.

But now, things don’t have to stay the same. We’re promised new powers on tax, spending, and welfare. More than that, we are seeing a timetable for those things. And that’s just the start of a new political settlement revolution across the Union.

For, think of this: if we in Scotland can demand/achieve greater devolved powers, why not the rest of the UK? The North East, the North West, the Midlands, Cornwall? Politically, the UK is shot. Its institutions tired, discredited and in disrepute. Scotland can inspire change.

I learned early on in this debate not to tell people what to think, or how to vote. All I can say is how I feel and how I will vote, with full respect to others who differ.

Some years ago, British Rail removed kippers from the menu on the London-Brighton line. A campaign sprang up to bring them back, led by Lord (Laurence) Olivier. BR relented, and the following week, Lord Olivier was greeted on the train by the steward.

“Ah! Lord Olivier! I expect you’ll be having the kippers?” “No, dear boy”, he replied, “I’ll have bacon and egg.” “But…I thought you wanted kippers?” said the steward. “No, no, dear boy,” replied Lord Olivier, “What I wanted was the CHOICE”.

Well, now we have it.

Whether you’re bacon and eggs – better together – or kippers, choose wisely. But remember the words of Icelandic Prime Minister Geir Haarde (Icelandic for Keir Hardie) after his country’s fish-based economy collapsed.

“This has left us all with a very big haddock.”

Iceland has since recovered. Complicated, isn’t 
it?

After a summer break, the Borders Prostate Cancer SupportGroup resumed its monthly meetings with a talk from Dr Duncan McLaren, Consultant Oncologist at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.

The Prostate Cancer Support Group meets monthly and welcomes anyone, and their partners, who are affected by prostate cancer. There is usually a speaker, followed by refreshments and a chat.

The next meeting is on Wednesday, October 1, at 7pm, in the Macmillan Centre, Borders General Hospital. For information call 0141 314 0050.

Police are appealing for witnesses after several vehicles were vandalised in Hawick.

The incident happened sometime between September 4-6 in Ivanhoe Terrace.

Nine cars sustained scratching to the bodywork, resulting in around £2,000 worth of damage.

Inspector Carol Wood said: “We would urge anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity in Ivanhoe Terrace between Thursday and Saturday to contact police.”

Contact Police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for information following a report of a man acting suspiciously in Kelso early on Friday (September 5) morning.

Officers were called to a property at The Linn in Kelso at around 2.45am after a resident spotted a man in the garden of their home.

Nothing was stolen from the property and no-one was injured during the incident.

The suspect is described as being in his early twenties and approximately 5ft 5in. Anyone who saw any suspicious activity can call Police Scotland on 101 or on 0800 555 111.

Borders shoppers have been tempted with fresh, tasty Scotch lamb as part of a brand new initiative from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), NFU Scotland and the National Sheep Association Scotland.

The initiative has focused on ‘Love Scotch Lamb Weekend’ and local farmers along with the stunning Miss Scotland, Ellie McKeating, were out in force to remind the public that Scottish farmers not only produce some of the best tasting lamb in the world, but it’s being reared right here on their doorstep!

To reinforce the message to buy local and embrace Scottish produce, samples of tasty Scotch Lamb were cooked BBQ style and given out for consumers to try.

Along with the sampling events, visitors to a select group of restaurants in the Scottish Borders were encouraged to try some delicious Scotch Lamb. Burts in Melrose, The Auld Cross Keys Inn in Hawick and The Caddy Man in Jedburgh all had special Scotch Lamb menus on offer over the weekend.

Suzie Carlaw, Marketing Controller from Quality Meat Scotland said: “This initiative is a great way to show people that Scotch Lamb isn’t just for a Sunday roast - it can be eaten any day of the week.

“Its versatility and ease of cooking means that even a busy working mum can still cook a Scotch Lamb dinner mid-week with no fuss. There may be some shoppers who have never tried Scotch Lamb before or have never considered it as an option when cooking. We want to get them to give it a go and see for themselves just how delicious it tastes.”

Reacting to an independent report recommendation that the Food Standards Agency set up a food crime unit, Stow farmer, NFU Scotland president Nigel Miller said last week: “The horsemeat debacle not only confirmed the huge importance that consumers place on provenance and accurate labelling but the extent to which food is now traded across thousands of miles, passing through several hands and opening up the scope for fraud to take place.

“While a Food Crime Unit within FSA is an appropriate response, it must be supported by an appropriate level of funding and resource if it is to deliver.”

This year’s ScotSheep hosts John and Ian Macfarlane of Quixwood, Grantshouse were presented with an award for their role in the successful biennial event.

United Acutions chairman David Leggat, who chaired the NSA Scotsheep Organising committee, was also presented with a crytal bowl at the United Auctions Scotch Mule ewe lamb sale in Stirling last Monday.

NSA Scottish regional manager George Milne, said: “NSA Scottish Region is delighted to thank the host farming family for all the work and effort they put into making NSA ScotSheep such a success. Appreciation must also go to David Leggat, chair of the organising committee, who made an excellent job of chairing the event.”

The Macfarlane family hosted the industry event in June - and invited farmers to return for a farm walk a few weeks later afterfarm tours on the day were cancelled because of the weather.

John and his son Iain run 1,500 ewes and 700 suckler cows on ground rising to 850 feet at Quixwood, and adjoining farms, Ferneylea and Drakemyre, with another 200 acres farmed on a contract basis.

Incessant rain throughout the ScotSheep day itself failed to dampen the enthusiasm at Scotland’s national sheep event which attracted an estimated 6,500 visitors, down on the 8,000 at ScotSheep 2012 “but still a strong turnout given the weather,” said an NSA ScotSheep spokesperson

The 200 trade and sheep breed society stands had reported brisk business as visitors headed undercover to get away from the relentless downpour.

NSA president, the Duke of Montrose, officially opened the event telling those present: “We have less than 20 years to deliver 40% more food, 30% more fresh water and 50% more energy to meet the demands of a rising world population, the rapid development of emerging economies and shortages of land, water and energy,” he said.

“Agriculture, including the sheep industry, is going to have to grasp every innovation and opportunity on offer.”

The UK Government had made initial funds of £70 million available to the academic world and industry under its Strategy for Agricultural Technologies initiative.

“We are particularly lucky that here in Scotland we have a concentration of bodies at the fore-front of sheep health research and their discoveries must be quickly brought to commercial application. Let us be sure that a sufficient amount of this assistance is won by Scottish innovation and industry,” The Duke of Montrose said.

The Duke also renewed the NSA’s plea to MEPs to move the European Food Safety Authority to remove the need for carcase splitting, a practice which is costing the sheep meat industry £23 million a year.

“There is no evidence to show a natural link to BSE or a threat to human health so there should be no need for carcase splitting under the TSE rules,” the Duke said.

The presentation group are pictured with a pen of Scotch Mule ewe lambs owned by the Duke of Montrose, which sold at the sale for £138 per head.

wooler

At their weekly sale of primestock last Wednesday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 1,444 lambs and 433 ewes and rams.

As in keeping with national trend all classes slightly easier on the week, numbers similar.

Lambs, leading prices per head:- Tex.x:- £82.50 Holy Island, £76.50 Kimmerston, £75 Holy Island, £74 South Charlton, £73.50 Holy Island, £73 Kettleburn, £72 Lilburn Estates, £71.50 Elwick, £71 (2) Bewick Folly. Suff.x:- £77.50 Lilburn Estates, £77 Edlingham Newtown. BFL:- £76.50, £76 Lilburn Estates. Bel:- £72 Ladykirk. Mule:- £67 Ladykirk.

Lambs, leading prices per kilo:- Bel:- 200p Ladykirk. Tex.x:- 179.5p, 166.7p Elwick, 166.1p West Rennington, 164.1p Lilburn Estates, 162.9p West Rennington, 162.8p Edlingham Newtown, 161.9p Bewick Folly and Elwick, 161p Village Farm, Edlingham Newtown and Yetlington Lane (2), 160.7p Kettleburn.

Larger number of ewes, very similar on the week.

Leading prices:- Sfx :- £94 Holy Island, £93 Reavley, £90 Marigold, £89 Springhill, Seahouses, £86 Kettleburn, £85 The Hagg and Fawdon Farms, £81 Clarence House. Tex.x:- £92, £87 Clarence House, £86 Holy Island, £85 Yetlington Lane and West Rennington, £84 Reavley, £82 Doune Brae. Chev:- £80 Marigold, £76 Reavley, £74.50 Humbleheugh. CM:- £77.50, £75.50, £74 South Charlton. Mule:- £76 The Hagg, £75 Fawdon Farms and Holy Island, £73 Springhill, Seahouses. EC:- £68 Edlingham Demesne.

st boswells

At their weekly sale of primestock on Monday John Swan Ltd sold 84 clean cattle, 63 OTM cattle, 1,909 new season lambs and 770 ewes.

Bullocks (45) averaged 217.1p per kg and sold to 239p (-0.4p on week), heifers (39) averaged 216p per kg and sold to 249p (-1.0p on week) one young bull sold to 210p and 63 beef type OTM cattle averaged 133.9p per kg and sold to 208p (+5.7p on the week).

New season lambs averaged 1.53p per kg (-7p on the week) and sold to £88, top price 195p per kg for Beltex.x.

Ewes averaged £61.92, and sold to £117 for Char. Heavy ewes averaged £69.26, Light ewes sold to £67 for Lleyn and averaged £46.63.

Principal prices per head: Longnewton £1624.98, £1578.32, £1514.98; Sydenham £1560.26; Lurdenlaw £1534.24; Lennoxlove £1500.92.

Principal prices per kg: Bee Edge 2.49, 2.38 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons, 2.33 W. Taylor (Lockerbie); Upper Nisbet 2.39 M/s W.T.S. Forsyth and Sons, 2.32 Shaws of Lauder; Lennoxlove 2.39 Denholm Meats; Ramrig 2.35 M/s Moor, 2.32 Charles Wilson Ltd, 2.29 W.W. Wales Ltd; Mosstower 2.34, 2.30 M/s Moor; Snawdon 2.34 M/s J Saunderson, 2.30 Robert Wilson Edin; Lurdenlaw 2.32 M/s Moor; Woodhead. A 2.31 M/s R. Pringle and Sons; Caverton Mill 2.29 M/s Robert Pringle.

Bulls: Northhouse £1191.40 (1.15p)

Cows per head: Hermiston £1279.22, £1111.36, £1075.90; Thirlestane £1250.60; Willowford £1247.40, £1182.44, £1164.80; Butchercote £1187.30, £1183.78; Greenknowe £1177.28, £1128.96, £1089.92; Laidlawstiel £1168.20; Crosscleugh £1137.02; Queenscairn £1104.90.

Cows per kg: Willowford 2.08, 2.06, 1.98; Greenknowe 2.08, 1.96, 1.84; Thirlestane 1.69; Hermiston 1.67, 1.51, 1.45; Laidlawstiel 1.65; Butchercote 1.57, 1.55; Stoneypath 1.43; Crosscleugh 1.41.

Lambs per head: Suff.x;- £88, £85, £80 Huntington, £80 The Lee, £73.50, £72.50 Burnhouse mains, Tex;- £87 Crookston, £84 Thirlestane, £83 Bow, Bel;- £85, £83 Craigsford Mains, £84, £80 Crookston, Suff;- £70.50 Inchkeith, Mule;- £65 Stoneypath, £60 Threeburnford, Cha;- £63.50 Ladyflat, HB;- £64, Stobshiel Mains, CM;- £64.50 Stoneypath.

Lambs per kg: Bel;- 1.95, 1.86 Crookston, 1.92, 1.90 Bow, Tex;- £1.86, 1.77 Craigsford Mains, 1.84, 1.77 Bow, Suff.x;- 1.67, 1.59 Stoneypath, 1.66 Huntington.

Ewes: Tex;- £105 Wantonwalls, £97 Hyndsidehill, £94 Rumbletonrig, Suff.x;- Inchkeith £107, £93 Rumbletonrig, £87 Preston, £83, £87 Hyndsidehill, Bel;- £80 Threeburnford, CM;- £77 Blegbie, £75 Torwoodlee, £73 South Common, Mule;- £71 The Lee, £69 Meigle and Middlethird, £67 Whinfield, Lleyn;- £67 Dolphinston, Zwar;- £88 Eildon Mains, Chev;- £65 West Deloraine. Rams: Char;- £117 Symington Mains, Tex;- £110, £80 Elmscleugh, Lleyn;- £89 Ednam West Mains, BF;- £56 Elmscleugh, £52 Meigle.

On the first day of their two day sale of breeding sheep, John Swan Ltd sold 3,701 gimmers and ewes.

Strong, well bred gimmers and young aged ewes sold readily. Half Bred gimmers averaged 177.67 (-1.91); Suffolk Cross gimmers averaged 141.39 (-10.08); Scotch Mule Gimmers averaged 151.15 (+4.21); Texel Cross gimmers averaged 137.81(+6.65). Half Bred Gimmers;- £190 Haltree and Mains of Auchleuchries (Champion Pen).

A feature of the sale was the stock dispersal of the Howden flock, the property of M/s G. and L. White.

On the second day the principal sale of ewe lambs was held in conjunction with the fortnightly sale of feeding lambs.

longtown

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart plc had forward 23 prime cattle, six young bulls, 12 over 30 month cattle, 3,649 prime lambs and 6,253 cast ewes and rams at their weekly sale at Longtown on Thursday.

Prime cattle were a very similar trade to last week with all classes of stock achieving prices very competitive with other local centres. Many more could have been sold to advantage.

Following the national trend this week of a falling trade due to large amounts of lambs being forward, a smaller show of 3,649 in Longtown managed to average 155p per kilo, well in line with other centres this week. Top was £97 for Texel lambs from Messrs Byers, Cubby Hill, and 217p per kilo also for Texels from A.R. Bell,

Another large show of 6,253 cast ewes and rams were forward to our usual ring of buyers, with trade being a pound or two easier on the week, but all classes still remaining easily sold. Top price of £280 for Texel rams from Low Lonning.

As we count down to referendum day on Scottish independence – one week today – in a blizzard of opinion polls with most decision making in farming, as in many other businesses, on hold until we know the outcome, an opinion poll of another kind caught my eye.

It was actually conducted some time ago by Ipsos MORI on behalf of a farm tenancy review group, but I was reminded of it by the tireless Professor Donald MacRae in his most recent Bank of Scotland farming bulletin.

The survey found about 80% of landlords were very or fairly satisfied with their current tenants and that 65% of tenants were similarly satisfied with their current landlords. As the survey was completed by more than 3,000 tenant farmers and more than 1,100 farming landlords it can be accepted as representative. The significance of it, for me, is that that satisfaction rate with the status quo is difficult to relate to the acrimony and bitterness expressed in the past year or so by tenants’ spokesmen after a number of controversial Land Court decisions on tenancy rights and rents.

I guess that reflects the fact that when we’re reasonably happy with our affairs we don’t say much about it. When we’re unhappy – and 15% of tenants said they were very or fairly dissatisfied with their landlord – we say so. Analysing the results, Professor MacRae notes that the 80% and 65% general satisfaction level applies to most of the other questions relating to tenancies, with both sides agreeing on main problems facing the tenancy system, including – not a surprise to anyone who attends NFU meetings or talks to landowners – an allegedly unfair tax system. Hmm. I think wage and salary earners having tax deducted at source might have views on that.

But there was a significant difference between the 58% of landlords who thought that farmers can make an adequate living and the 43% of farmers who thought that they could. That, as Professor MacRae rightly concludes, could have something to do with ambitious rent demands by landowners and the court cases and the acrimony. Where levels of agreement on both sides reached 80% and more was that uncertainty about future legislation on farm tenancies was detrimental to farming and that tenants and landowners should have more freedom to develop individual business contracts. An independent Scottish government – if the vote goes that way next week – might have views on that.

Having noted when driving through a wonderful start to harvest along the Moray coast at the beginning of August, I was sorry to hear that part of the country, and much of north-east Scotland, is still struggling to clear fields because they have had much more rain than us. So sorry for claiming last week that harvest was done and dusted in the Borders, although thanks to a few days of superb September weather it probably is now – I hope.

Organisers of Pennymuir Show are delighted with how this year’s event went, saying the weather helped make the day special.

Lillias Elliot told The Southern: “The show has been very successful and has taken very good income.

“There appeared to be good crowd and the usual good atmosphere was there.”

The trophy for the person gaining most points overall in the show was this year won by Jan Little, Teviothead, and presented by Ailsa Tweedie.

Other results:

Vegetable & Flower Sections

Most Points in the Vegetable Section: Jock Cessford, Morebattle and Derek Anderson, Eastfield of Lempitlaw

Best Exhibit in Veg Section: John Todd, Blakelaw

Best 4 Potatoes: Derek Anderson, Eastfield of Lempitlaw

Best Onions: Selby Wilson, Jedburgh

Best Rose in Show: Tim Elliot, Hindhope

Best Floral Art: Olivia Cowens, Hownam Mains

Industrial Section

Best Exhibit in Baking Section: James Bell, Roxburgh Mill

Best Fruit Cake: Jean McNulty, Morebattle

Best Exhibit in Eggs, Jam & Needlework: Jan Little, Teviothead

Most points in Industrial Section: Jane Bell, Roxburgh Mill

Photographs

Best Photo: Chris Rhodes, Mindrum

Most Points in Photography Section: Jan Little, Teviothead

Children’s section

Best Exhibit: Harry Grant, Wester Softlaw

Most Points in Children’s Section: Sophie Smith, Bonchester

Shepherds Crooks:

Best Exhibit: Ian McGillivray, Eastfield of Lempitlaw

Sheep Section

Interbreed Champion: A North Country Cheviot Gimmer from William Thomson, Hownam Grange

Cheviot Sheep:

Overall Champion Sheep: Jim Scott, Philogar

Best Hirsel Cheviot: Jim Scott, Philogar

Best Pack Cheviot: James Smith, Bonchester Bridge

Best Group: Tom Elliot, Hindhope

Most Points in Cheviot Section: Tom Elliot, Hindhope

Best Pair of Ewe Lambs: W J C & S J Weir, Mainside

Blackface Sheep:

Overall Champion Sheep - Ken Hedley, Plenderleith

Champion Blackface Group - Steven Mackay, Dudlees

Most Points in Blackface Section - Steven Mackay, Dudlees

Most points between Blackface & Cheviot Section - Steven Mackay, Dudless

North Country Cheviot Lairg Type Sheep Section:

Champion - William Thomson, Hownam Grange

Any other Breed of Sheep Section:

Champion - William Thomson, Hownam Grange

Black Sheep Section: W J C & S J Weir, Mainside

Dog Section:

Best Collie Dog - Gary Leece

Best Border Terrier - Gordon McKenzie

Reserve Border Terrier - Jane McKenzie

Jack Russell - Ally Teasdale

Best Any Other Breed of Terrier - Amy Chorlton

Best Whippet - Jilly Hedley

Best Foxhound - College Valley Hunt

Kelso’s former Trinity North Church proved a major attraction at the weekend, drawing 500 visitors during the town’s ‘open doors’ event.

The event was part of the nationally-coordinated Doors Open Days, organised by the Scottish Civic Trust, which runs throughout September each year as part of the European Heritage Days initiative.

Organised locally by Kelso and District Amenity Society, with support from the Kelso Townscape Heritage Initiative, it saw 13 buildings in Kelso throw open their doors, offering a variety of complimentary events alongside access to some of the town’s fascinating properties.

Kelso Town Hall acted as the base for the showcase, with information on participating properties, as well as an exhibition, organised by Kelso Connections, looking at historical images of the town’s buildings.

Several years ago, a local group saw its ambitious plans to rescue the crumbling East Bowmont Street church from further deterioration and convert it into a community, cultural and arts facility fail when the B-listed Gothic building was sold off to a firm of Edinburgh developers.

The new owners began to tidy up the property at the end of last year, and visitors on Saturday were informed by Scottish Borders Council staff, that the owners’ new plans involved turning the building into two private homes.

A planning application has now been lodged seeking consent to turn the church hall into a domestic dwelling.

However, in a statement issued this week, owner Nerinder Jandoo told The Southern that no final decision had, as yet, been made on the future of the church building itself.

“We remain undecided as to the future use of the building,” she said.

“Having met many people on Saturday during the St James’ Fair, we took the opportunity to listen to their suggestions as to the future use of the building. They are clearly interested and have given us only positive feedback and encouragement.  

“The suggestions and ideas are wide-ranging with an emphasis on the provision of recreational and community facilities for those living in Kelso.”

Local community councillor Colin McGrath says if firm action does not happen soon, a community buy-out of the property should be considered, utilising the same legislation used in community land acquisitions in the Hebrides.

“The latest story is the scheme to convert it into two private properties. But if this doesn’t go ahead, I’ll be suggesting we look at a community buy-out before it’s too late to do anything with it, he said.

Sixteen-year-old Lace Farrell of Penman Place and 19-year-old co-accused Charley Brown, of Croft Street, appeared on indictment at Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Friday and denied, while acting with a child, breaking into a house at Hall Street, Galashiels, and assaulting a 64-year-old disabled man, on December 5 last year.

They are alleged to have pinned him to the ground, kicked him on the head, and robbed him of a mobile phone, a quantity of tobacco, and cigarette papers.

The accused, who are due to stand trial by jury on October 6, had a further first diet set for September 19, with bail continued.

Case continued for Hawick duo

Two Hawick women have appeared in private, charged on petition with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Twenty-five-year-old Kella McFarlane of Cheviot Road, and Lisa McFarlane, 43, of Rosebank Road, made no plea or declaration when they appeared at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

The case was continued and both accused released on bail.

Pay-back order over cannabis

A 21-year-old who grew cannabis at his Hawick home with a potential value of £4,000, has been sentenced to a six-month Community Payback Order with 100 hours of unpaid work.

Andrew Clamp of Earl Street, admitted producing cannabis at his home on August 4.

Police found 11 plants, which Clamp was growing to feed his own long-term habit.

“Officers received information that he was in possession of cannabis,” explained Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser, “and went to the property with a warrant.

“They found 11 plants and had these all been female they could have been worth £4,000, and if they were all male they would have had no commercial value,” he explained.

“There is no suggestion that this was for anything other than his personal use,” concluded Mr Fraser.

Defence solicitor Mat Patrick said his client had been using cannabis for “a significant period of time.”

He said Clamp was in full-time employment “chicken catching” and making efforts to change his life around.

Admitted medic assault

A Hawick woman has been warned she faces jail if she fails to comply with a nine-month Community Payback Order.

Louise Boughen, 34, of Roxburghe Drive, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at a house in Bright Street, Hawick, on May 6.

Sentence was deferred until October 31 on a further charge after Boughen admitted assaulting an ambulance technician at Sandbed, Hawick, on April 30.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond warned Boughen: “If you do no cooperate, you will be going to jail.”

Ordered to pay compensation

A man suffered a two-hour- long nosebleed after being assaulted by a teenager.

The 20-year-old also suffered a split upper lip in the attack.

Accused Ross Oliver was admonished, after being of good behaviour during six months of deferred sentence, but ordered to pay his victim £200 compensation for his injuries.

Eighteen-year-old Oliver of Abbey Road, Coldstream, admitted pushing his victim and punching him on the head to his injury at Bowmont Street, Kelso, on January 7.

“The 20-year-old suffered a heavily bleeding nose, which was still bleeding two hours later,” explained Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser.

“He was walking towards his father’s house at 11.15pm when he heard males shouting.

“He saw three males approach and said “alright” and received a similar response,” continued Mr Fraser.

“Oliver then asked him, “What did you say about my Mum”, before the blow was struck,” concluded Mr Fraser.

Failed to comply

A convicted sex offender failed to comply with a condition of his Registration Order over a two-year period.

Iain Blake, 36, of Main Street, West Linton, appeared from custody and admitted two charges of failing to comply with the Order between September 4, 2012, and September 4, 2014.

“This is essentially a continuous offence, where he had gone to stay with a new partner,” said Procurator Fiscal Graham Fraser.

“He thought he was allowed to go away for seven days without reporting,” explained defence solicitor Ross Dow.

Sentence was deferred until October 1 at Peebles Sheriff Court, and Blake was released on bail.

Admitted stealing steak

A meat thief claimed to have no recollection of his crime.

Sean Johnston, 22, of Scott Street, Galashiels, admitted stealing £78.82 worth of meat from Marks and Spencer’s store in Gala Water Retail Park, on July 12.

He was seen walking out of the store at 11.30am with a carrier bag and ran off when challenged.

“He had taken steak worth £78.82, and there was no recovery,” explained prosecutor Tessa Bradley. Johnston told police: “I’m sorry, I didn’t know what I was doing.”

Defence solicitor Ross Dow previously explained: “He didn’t know what he was doing because of his Valium misuse at the time.”

Sentence was deferred until October 6 for a previously-ordered report to be prepared.

‘No great train robbery’

With no money following his release from custody, Taylor Wright stole from a local shop in a bid to pay for electricity for his cooker.

The 20-year-old of Allars Crescent, Hawick, appeared from custody and admitted stealing two DVDs from Sainsbury’s Commercial Road store on September 7.

The items, worth £23, were fully recovered.

“He had been released from prison and had no money,” explained defence solicitor Ross Dow.

“He was going to sell them for £5 each to buy an electric card for his cooker,” he added.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond told the accused: “It is not the great train robbery, but you are building up a fair number of offences in the community.”

Sentence was deferred until November 21 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Sentence deferred

A 22-year-old who behaved in a threatening or abusive manner towards his pregnant partner has had sentence deferred until October 6 for reports.

Beau Reid, c/o Kenilworth Avenue, Galashiels, appeared from custody and admitted the offence at Galapark Court, Galashiels, on September 7.

Admonished over text abuse

A husband, who sent his wife abusive text messages, including one hoping she crashed while on a car journey, has been admonished after being of good behaviour during six months of deferred sentence.

Michael Clark, 30, of McLaren Court, Hawick, admitted sending offensive text messages to his wife on various occasions between December 13 and December 14 last year.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the couple had been in a relationship for 11 years, marrying in 2010, but they broke up last year.

“The break-up did not go well,” he explained.

Clark sent his wife 24 abusive and “distasteful” texts, calling her names.

He also sent one saying “hope you crash”.

“They were utterly disgraceful and offensive,” said the fiscal.

Defence solicitor Ross Dow said Clark realised “the error of his ways”.

“He and his wife broke up and he struggled to come to terms with it, and this was the consequence,” he explained.

A violent man who threatened to rape police officers’ daughters and decapitate their sons was jailed for four months at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday.

Leg restraints and a spit hood had to be placed on Gregory Cranston as he struggled with police and tried to bite them.

The 20-year-old, of Glenfield Road East, Galashiels, appeared from custody and admitted shouting and swearing and uttering threats of violence to police and their families at the town’s Market Square on August 16.

He also admitted assaulting two police officers by spitting at them and repeatedly trying to bite them. Cranston had earlier admitted assaulting his partner 
by punching her on the 
head, and committing the 
offence while on an ASBO.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley told a previous hearing how there was an altercation between the accused and his partner outside a local kebab shop at 3.15am, when the street was busy with people leaving licensed premises.

Cranston punched the woman and a police sergeant was alerted to the incident.

As the sergeant spoke to the victim, other officers attended to assist and approached the accused.

“He began shouting and swearing, and trying to get away from them,” explained Ms Bradley.

“He continued to resist arrest and was taken to the ground, where the level of violence escalated, and he was struggling on the ground with three officers.”

Cranston continued to shout and swear, repeatedly head butting the ground and lashing out with his legs.

“Leg restraints were applied, but he spat at the officers and tried to bite them, and they had to apply a spit hood.”

Cranston continued to shout abuse at the police.

“He said he would rape their daughters and decapitate their sons,” said Ms Bradley.

His physical violence persisted and he had to be lifted into the cage of the police van.

Cranston, who suffered injuries in the fracas, was taken to Borders General Hospital where he was assessed as fit for police custody.

Solicitor Heather Stewart, defending, said her client fully accepted his actions and was “horrified” by his behaviour.

The four-month jail term was backdated to August 
18.

As summer merges into autumn, the countryside takes on a whole new face and if the weather is kind, a simple walk can be filled with interest and beauty.

Selkirk Hill is at the opposite end of town for it to be my first choice of walk, but my infrequent visits are set to increase following a recent early morning stroll.

In late August and September, the glorious colour of the heather tends to dominate, but in between the purple patches, other late summer flowers are vying for attention.

Huge areas of black knapweed with their deep pink brush-like flower heads, were interspersed with blues and purples of harebells and devil’s bit scabious.

The latter derives its unusual name from ‘scabies’ – one of the many ailments that flowers bearing this name were supposed to help cure. According to one legend, the devil grew angry about these medicinal properties and tried to get rid of them by biting the roots off.

Hence why this wildflower has short and stubby roots and why it is called ‘devil’s-bit’ scabious.

Those of us with gardens with buddleia still in bloom or with some late flowering Michaelmas daisies, will not have failed to notice a resurgence in the butterfly population.

After a very lean year last year, things seem to be getting back to normal with good numbers of late red admirals, peacocks and even a few commas.

Small tortoiseshells which were worryingly scarce last year have bounced back in 2014 and seem to be on the road to recovery, barring another hard winter and cold wet spring.

Around my house at the moment, the swallows are gathering on the wires and their excited chattering awakens me every morning as they seem to be discussing the prospect of their amazing up and coming migration to warmer climes. Many swallows have had second broods and seem to have had an excellent breeding season. This is borne out by an amazing sight at Rutherford around the middle of last month when there was a report of a vast flock of hirundines (swallows and martins) near Rutherford – the observer had at least 1,000 on the wires and estimated that the flying birds could have numbered up to 10,000 or even 20,000 birds – mostly swallows, but other martins too. These would not just be local birds but those on passage, heading south, nevertheless, a sight to behold.

Moving the Peebles Highland Games to the Saturday has proved to be a popular decision, as a good number of people enjoyed watching the various events in warm and dry conditions.

There was plenty for visitors to see – and the new format allowed them to take part as well – as the sun beat down on Hay Lodge Park.

Vice-chairman of Peebles Highland Games Association committee, Chris Patterson, told The Southern: “It went fantastically and there were plenty of success stories.

“The heavy throwers took on the new haggis hurling competition and they had great fun with it – there was quite a queue of people waiting to take their turn as well.

“The whisky tasting went down really well – as did the pipe band competitions.

“The park was in such a superb condition, and takings were up this year – early indications are that we have made a decent profit, so it looks like the move to the Saturday was a good one.”

Full round-up of results

Heavy Events Championship

1, Neil Elliott (Helensburgh); 2, Pete Hart (Glenisla); 3, Roy Valentine (Auchenblae); 4, Willie Falconer (Glasgow); 5, Paul Dearie (Glasgow); 6, Ernie Weir (Arran).

Mark Hunter Memorial Trophy For 56lb Weight For Height

Winner – Pete Hart 13ft throw.

Peebles Stone And Haggis Hurl

Winner: Neil Elliott.

Pipe Band Competitions

Juvenile Drum Majors: 1, Gibb Fraser, Upper Nithdale; 2, Cameron Finch, Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia; 3, Aimee Forbes, Scottish Borders; 4, Becky Cox, Troon Blackrock.

Adult Drum Majors: 1, Campbell Waddell, Kirkcudbright & District; 2, Graham Wilson, Newtongrange; 3, Andy Lyon, Royal Burgh of Stirling; 4, Michael Binder, Stockbridge.

Grade N/J: 1, Preston Lodge High School; 2, George Heriot’s School; 3, Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia; 4, Davidson’s Mains District.

Grade Four: 1, Kinross & District; 2, Bo’ness; 3, Hawick; 4, Bowhill.

Grade Three: 1, Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia; 2, George Heriot’s School Juvenile; 3, Stockbridge; 4, Scottish Borders.

Grade Two: M&D and the Alex Finlayson Memorial Trophy, Stockbridge; 1, George Heriot’s School Juvenile; 2, Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia; 3, Scottish Borders; 4, Stockbridge; BDC and B. Bass, George Heriot’s School Juvenile.

Langholm is all set to celebrate the life and work of its most famous son, poet Hugh MacDiarmid, with a major festival this weekend.

Titled the ‘Huge Festival in the Muckle Toon’, the aim of the event is to raise the profile of MacDiarmid, and in doing so, create opportunities for education, cultural development, artistic expression, social participation, and economic regeneration in Langholm.

The first event actually took place last month, with a party to mark MacDiarmid’s birthday in the Eskdale Hotel in Langholm.

The main event, however, takes place on Saturday (September 13), when celebrations begin at 9am with a Glenmorangie toast to the poet at his memorial on the Whita Hill; the commencement of the ‘MacDiarmid’s Footsteps’ poetical journey, and conclude with the last dance at the ceilidh in the Buccleuch Centre at approximately 1am on Sunday.

It is envisaged that the festival will become an annual feature of the Langholm cultural calendar, and it is the hope of organisers that the Glenmorangie company, the David Mc Govan Johnston Trust, and the Arthur Bell Trust, who have all given generous support, will consent to be key sponsors for the future.

The Buccleuch Centre is hosting a full programme of events on Saturday. These kick-off at 2pm with some traditional music and song from Robert Charlesworth on fiddle and concertina, Walter Steele on guitar and vocals and singer Steven Milligan.

This is followed at 2.30pm by Border Pipe duets featuring Bill Telfer and Matt Seattle.

At 3pm there will be readings of work by MacDiarmid and other poets before a ‘light-hearted’ political debate, involving students from Langholm Academy.

At 4pm it will be ‘MacDiarmid on Film’, with archive and contemporary pieces featuring the image and voice of the poet. This is followed, at 4.40pm, by readings featuring Mairi Jammeh and contemporary work by Scottish female poets.

At 6pm it is Langholm Folk with traditional and contemporary songs, with young local musicians performing music of their choice at 6.30pm.

Blind Fiction at 7pm sees new music from an acoustic trio led by singer/songwriter Lucia.

Then at 8.15pm, storyteller Robert Graham will keep the audience enthralled before being followed, at 8.55pm, by performance poet Robin Cairns.

Stand-up comic Bruce Morton will get the laughs going from 9.40pm, before dancing gets under way at 11pm with the Two Left Feet Ceilidh Band.

HUGH MACDIARMID

MacDiarmid was born Christopher Murray Grieve in 1892, in Langholm, where his father was a postman.

MacDiarmid worked as a journalist in Scotland and Wales, before spending the First World War in the Royal Army Medical Corps in Greece and France.

He resumed his journalistic career after the war, but was already interested by developments in contemporary poetry and literature.

The first collection of his own poems, Sangshaw, was published in 1925 with his major work, ‘A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle’, coming out in 1926.

A founding member of the National Party of Scotland – today’s SNP – in 1928, his political stance would later shift towards communism and he spent much of the 1930s on the Shetland island of Whalsay.

His last 27 years were spent living with his second wife, Valda, near Biggar, where MacDiarmid died in 1978.

Police found breakfast cereal and dry dog food strewn across the floor of a house in Galashiels, and a woman visibly shaking and crying.

John Chapman admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the home of his “on/off partner” in Beech Avenue, Galashiels, on August 15, shouting, swearing, and throwing items.

The 24-year-old, who was bailed to an address at Laurel Grove, Galashiels, further admitted possession of Diazepam and diamorphine.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley said neighbours heard “a racket” coming from the flat.

One witness described it as “a good going domestic”.

Police attended and could hear a woman crying.

“She was visibly shaking and there was cornflakes and dry dog food strewn over the floor,” said Ms Bradley.

“She was very upset, but said she didn’t want to be a grass.”

Chapman was taken to Galashiels police station and, during a search, a bag containing 100 blue tablets was found in his pocket.

These were confirmed at Diazepam, valued at £60.

“He tried to conceal an item in his foreskin, but removed it,” continued Ms Bradley.

Chapman told police the wrap of brown powder was “half a gram of gear”.

It tested as heroin, worth £20.

Defence solicitor Ross Dow said his client has spent the weekend in custody, and could remember very little of the offences.

“He and his partner had been arguing and it was a prolonged affair,” said Mr Dow.

“He says he does not have an addiction to heroin, and says he can take it or leave it,” he added.

Sentence was deferred until October 6 for a DTTO (Drug Treatment and Testing Order) assessment.

Iain McCallum, 30, of Bannerfield Drive, Selkirk, appeared from custody and admitted being found in the curtilage of a house near Darnick in circumstances it may be inferred he intended to commit theft, on September 5.

At Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday, Prosecutor Alasdair Fay told how McCallum was seen “hanging around, looking through domestic waste bins.” When he spotted police, the accused “legged it”.

“He was wearing two pairs of socks, often done rather than carrying gloves,” added Mr Fay.

McCallum also admitted stealing a charity box of sweets at Business Gateway, Ettrick Riverside, Selkirk, on July 26.

Defence solicitor Ross Dow said his client had “re-established a drug addiction.

Sentence was deferred until October 20 for reports and a DTTO assessment.

A week today we will take the most important political decision of our lives. Across the Borders, in the privacy of the voting booth, we will each face the question: should Scotland be an independent country?

It’s the moment of truth as we weigh up what’s best for our families, our communities and our country.

I am proud to be a Borderer; I am proud to be Scottish; and I am proud to be British. For me the answer is straightforward – I want to continue to be a part of this family of nations which we call the United Kingdom, so I will be voting ‘No’.

Looking around me, I see families whose stories tell the tale of these great British Isles – parents and children from all corners of the country; life stories of careers down south, up north and all parts in between; shared experiences with others across the UK in our armed forces, on the sports field or in the culture of Coronation Street and the Olympics.

I don’t have to look far to see people earning a living in our textile mills, farms or tourism, working easily with customers and suppliers in all four nations of our country.

I can see in our great health and other public services people drawn from all over Britain, working hard for local communities.

Rivalries exist, of course, but we thrive on the opportunities that being part of a country of 60million people allow – whether selling coat hangers, fibre optic cable or high-quality food.

And when times are tough, those same 60million stand alongside us in solidarity to keep things going, pay pensions on equal terms and support people back into work.

Visit our Scottish Parliament – all our valued public services, especially health, are under our control here in Scotland, shaped by our decisions and our needs.

What we teach our children, how we build our communities or keep our homes safe – all these and more are decided here in Scotland already. And in two years’ time we start deciding our taxes here, too, with other powers to be devolved before long, as well.

Beyond these shores, we face a world grappling with new economic realities, political instability and threats from terrorist and others.

With our neighbours in England, Wales and Northern Ireland we sit together at the top tables in Europe, the UN and NATO where the big decisions are weighed up and taken. Of course, the UK is far from perfect – there is much we can and should change. But let’s do that together, rather than taking the irreversible step of going it alone.

Let’s be confident together and stick with the family of nations that is the United Kingdom.

A selection of entrepreneurs from across the Borders will be aiming to inspire business owners in a series of talks and seminars at the inaugural Scottish Borders Business Week.

The programme of business support events and workshops runs from Monday, September 29 until Friday, October 3, and focuses on growing and developing a business, with each day taking on a different theme.

Each morning, keynote speakers will focus on the topic of the day at a series of business breakfasts.

Amongst the entrepreneurs taking part will be Peter Murphy from Turnbull and Scott, Veronique Lapeyre from Eribe Knitwear, Alex Feechan from AF Clothing, and John Henderson from the Scottish Borders Brewery.

Themes include: Building on Your Business Success; Resourcing Your Business; Successfully Marketing and Trading Online; Want to Become Your Own Boss; and Developing Your Business Internationally.

Other entrepreneurs taking part in the programme of events will be Gavin Oattes from Tree of Knowledge, David Taylor from Merlin Export and Raymond Kerr from Qube GB.

Borders Businesswomen’s Club will meet during the week and other sessions focusing on Google Analytics, social media strategies, exporting, accessing finance, renewable energy, debt recovery, recruitment and trading in the Gulf states are planned.

Jim Johnstone, principal officer for business at Scottish Borders Council, which runs the local Business Gateway service, said: “This is shaping up to be a cracking event and I am sure our top-class speaker line-up and informative seminar programme will give business owners a real boost.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for local business owners to get together, share ideas and get some professional advice on how to grow their businesses.”

A full schedule is available at www.bgateway.com/scottishborders or by calling 01835 818315.