Speculation that the region’s four community hospitals could be closed has “got out of hand”, according to the chairman of NHS Borders.

Leading a delegation at Scottish Borders Council’s (SBC) final meeting of the year in response to what he admitted was a “furore”, John Raine claimed some media coverage of a review of all clinical services in the region had been alarmist.

“At no time has the health board spoken about closures, but that is unfortunately how the review has been interpreted,” said Mr Raine.

“However, the public reaction has served to reinforce just how passionately communities care about their local facilities.”

NHS Borders has already confirmed that a report on how its review will be taken forward, starting with the process for the 23-bed community hospitals in Hawick, Kelso, Peebles and Duns, will be considered at the board’s February meeting.

A timescale for “effective engagement with the public, staff and other stakeholders” will also be set at that gathering.

After listening to Mr Raine’s presentation, Councillor Stuart Marshall said closing the Hawick hospital would “rip the heart out of our town”.

Councillor Watson McAteer, also from Hawick, said: “No one should be surprised that people have a passionate interest in maintaining their community hospitals.

“What we need now is an assurance that any consultation with the public on the outcome of the review is as inclusive and transparent as it can be. It must not be seen as a fait accompli.”

And a third Hawick councillor, Davie Paterson, demanded a “categorical guarantee” from Mr Raine that the town’s hospital would not be closed.

Mr Raine responded: “Such speculation has got out of hand ... we are carrying out a review so it would be wrong of me to give absolute assurances because we cannot pre-empt the outcome.” But he promised full consultation with councillors and their constituents on any review proposals through the SBC network of area forums.

Earlier, the NHS Borders delegation had stressed the unsustainability of the status quo for a health service under severe financial pressure, not least from the demands of an ageing population.

“We need to change the way we do things,” said medical director Dr Sheena MacDonald, claiming that, under current in-patient arrangements, provision of an extra 27 beds a year for the next seven years would be required.

And she cited cost pressures beyond the control of the board, including the price of drugs.

“One drug, which cost us £3 just four weeks ago, now costs us £47,” she revealed.

Selkirk was the place to be on Christmas Eve for a night featuring carol singing and a living nativity.

Backed by the Selkirk Silver band, people young and old sang a host of seasonal tunes at the top of their voice with some of the locals donned in costumes, and some feasting on mince pies during the seasonal fun.

A wooden stable was built with shepherds, the three kings and a Roman centurion all in attendance as local youngsters watched Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus.

With the tree in the Market Square beautifully lit, observers wrapped up warm and braved the dipping winter temperatures to ensure Christmas was heralded with some annual yuletide cheer.

An ear which was ripped from a lamb by a dog is being kept on ice and a search is under way for the injured animal.

It’s hoped the sheep can be found and a vet can stitch the ear back on, and the animal saved.

The incident happened around 3pm on Sunday and police have appealed for witnesses.

Police Scotland say two men in their early 20s were seen walking three out-of-control dogs over the hill between Martin’s Bridge and Hawick Moor.

One of the dogs, said police, attacked a lamb on the Moor and tore its ear. It is being kept on ice, but the farmer is still searching for the mutilated animal.

The area is well used by walkers and police believe a number of people will have seen what happened.

Constable Brian Murray said: “This incident has not only caused considerable distress to the sheep and its owner, it has also caused destruction to the farmer’s property.

“We are appealing for witnesses to contact is immediately. A vet may still be able to save the sheep and attach its ear.”

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

Work is now under way to upgrade the local gas supply network in the Bank Street area of Galashiels and will last approximately 17 weeks.

The existing metal gas mains and services in Bank Street will be replaced with modern plastic polyethylene (PE) pipe which has a minimum lifespan of around 80 years.

To minimise disruption, work will be carried out in three phases.

Phase one will take around three weeks and will take place in Bank Street Brae between Bank Street and Gala Park. Traffic will not be affected during this phase.

However, road closure will be put in place during phase two, lasting around eight weeks. Bank Street will be closed between the junctions with Bank Street Brae and Sime Place. A local diversion will be in place via Albert Place, Braw Lads Brae, George Craig Bridge, Currie Road, Ladhope Vale and Bridge Place.

Work has been planned in close collaboration with the council, which will be carrying out resurfacing works in Bank Street and High Street when phase two is completed.

Phase three will see work carried out in Bank Street between the junctions with Bank Street Brae and St.John Street, for approximately six weeks. Traffic will be able to pass the roadworks. All businesses will be open as usual.

Access for pedestrians will be maintained at all times. Assistance will be given to maintain deliveries to businesses.

Work will be carried out Monday to Friday, 8am to 4.15pm during phases one and three. During phase two work will be carried out seven days a week.

A compensation scheme in place for small businesses which suffer genuine loss of trade due to the works. Details of this scheme and how to apply are at www.sgn.co.uk

During the work, SGN will l have a base in the vicinity and at allocated times will have a member of their finance team available to help with questions about our compensation scheme.

SGN Construction Manager Stuart Pender said: “We will be doing everything we can to minimise disruption and complete our works as quickly as possible.

“We understand that roadworks can be frustrating and we’re sorry for any inconvenience caused. We would like to thank everyone for their patience while we carry out our essential works.”

DETECTIVES have stepped up the hunt for the killer of an artist who was bludgeoned to death with a hammer just months after leaving her Borders home to settle in the south of England.

The bloodstained body of 55-year-old grandmother Valerie Graves, who ran a craft studio at Harestanes and lived at Maxton, was discovered in her bed by her sister Jan at a house in the Sussex village of Bosham on the morning of December 30, 2013.

The pair, along with their elderly mother Eileen and Jan’s partner Nigel Acres, had been “house sitting” the luxury mansion for friends who had travelled abroad for Christmas.

A post mortem revealed that Mrs Graves had suffered significant head and facial injuries.

Despite the offer of a £20,000 reward, a BBC Crimewatch appeal and the involvement of the National Crime Agency, her brutal killer has never been found.

But, last week, detectives announced plans to DNA test every man aged over 17 in the 3,000-population village as well as outlying areas in a bid to make a breakthrough in the investigation, codenamed Operation Ensign.

The voluntary testing will take place in a Bosham hotel over three weeks, starting on January 21.

Detective Superintendent Nick May, who is leading the investigation on behalf of Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said police had a limited DNA profile of the killer, but it was not enough to match on the police database.

“We need to match it to the person,” he told a press conference which was attended by Mrs Graves’ two children Tim Wood, 32 and Jemma Harrison, 35.

Both fought back tears as they described spending their first Christmas without their mother.

It is understood the partial DNA sample was obtained from the handle of the murder weapon – a 16oz claw hammer which was discovered on New Year’s Day, 2014, half a mile from the house.

“The weather the night Valerie Graves was killed was terrible and Bosham was not quite, but almost, flooded,” said Det Supt May.

“That is one of the reasons we think the person responsible for this crime has connections to Bosham – what else would they have been doing in such an out-of-the-way location at a time like that? Maybe they were visiting, working or perhaps a resident of the village.”

The officer also revealed that the owners of the house – Malcolm and Caroline Chamberlain – had not moved back since the murder and the property was now up for sale.

Mrs Graves had lived in the Borders for 10 years before moving to West Sussex to look after her 87-year-old mother. She had graduated from Heriot-Watt University in Galashiels in 2007 before setting up her Harestane studio, showcasing her flair for felted textiles.

Rod Webster, the founding managing director of Radio Borders, died shortly before Christmas at the age of 69.

He was recognised as a highly successful radio executive who delivered high ratings, major awards and commercial success at a string of stations.

As an inspirational manager, commercially-savvy salesman and talented broadcaster, Rod was ideally suited to the world of independent local radio.

He helped set up Moray Firth Radio in Inverness and also served as managing director at Northsound in Aberdeen and as head of training for Scottish Radio Holdings.

But his greatest achievements arguably came at Radio Borders, which celebrates 25 years on air this month.

Rod set up the station from scratch and led it to instant success. The first set of ratings showed 68 percent of potential listeners tuning in – a record audience reach for any UK radio station that stands to this day.“Rod was a great innovator and mentor, a commercial radio genius,” said Danny Gallagher, the first Radio Borders breakfast presenter who succeeded Rod as managing director and also went on to run Moray Firth Radio.

Rod lived in Galashiels with his family while he ran Radio Borders.Rod was diagnosed with lung cancer two years.

Rod is survived by his wife Anne, a close partner in all their endeavours who was also a key member of the Radio Borders staff; by their three children, Sharon, Stuart and Colin; and by 10 grandchildren.

A plumber killed his partner’s 20 goldfish by pouring washing-up liquid and pepper into their tank.

Andrew Davidson also assaulted Amy Currie by pushing her and throwing a glass at her in a Hogmanay domestic bust-up at their home at Weaver’s Linn in Tweedbank.

At Selkirk Sheriff Court the 25-year-old admitted assault and behaving in an threatening or abuse manner.

He told police he killed the fish because he knew it would annoy Miss Currie. He later sent a text, apologising for scaring her.

Davidson’s lawyer told Monday’s court hearing that the relationship was over.

Sheriff Peter Paterson imposed fines totalling £400 and ordered him to pay his former partner £100 in compensation for the loss of her pet fish.

Borders Sport and Leisure has launched a new initiative to help Borderers kick-start a healthier lifestyle through low-cost access to fitness facilities.

The Fight for Your Life campaign is offering Borderers the opportunity to sign-up for six-months of access to a number of the region’s leisure centres for just £99.

The deal, which is only available during January, offers unlimited access to gym, pool and fitness class facilities, enabling those who have not participated in exercise before to find out what suits them best.

Ewan Jackson, chief executive of Borders Sport and Leisure, explained: “We have never taken an approach like this before, however inactivity is now such a huge issue and has such dramatic effects on lifespan that we feel it is time to try something different.

“The campaign aims to take away barriers that may prevent people from participating in exercise – whether it is cost, apprehension over attending formal inductions or difficulties in sticking to a rigid attendance schedule.

“Our Fight for Your Life access provides free rein to experience what we have on offer for an amazing low cost.

“It gives people the chance to kick-start the new year with a healthier outlook and provides access to a range of activities, from gym facilities and swimming to a wide programme of different classes.

“Our hope is that this will enable people to find an activity they enjoy so they can opt for the right kind of leisure membership for the future and change their lives for ever.”

The new Fight for Your Life campaign will run for one month only (throughout January).

For more information, just drop into your local leisure centre or BSLT-run swimming pool.

Borders MP Michael Moore has been appointed to the Liberal Democrat election team as European spokesperson.

Over the past year Mr Moore has been acting as European Business Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg. He will now have a broader role on European policy on behalf of the Liberal Democrats.

Commenting on his appointment, Michael said: I am pleased to be asked by Nick Clegg to take on this role for the election. Europe is a key issue for people in the Borders, including farmers and exporting businesses. Nationally, it matters hugely and making the sensible case for a reformed European Union is very important at this time.”

As promised, here is a look at the second half of 2014, as reflected through my weekly wildlife scribblings.

JULY

Having a long-haired dog, the abundance this summer of the “sticky willie”, or cleavers plant, was brought home in spectacular fashion as I was trying to extricate the hundreds of burrs from Treacle’s coat. I had an unexpected visit to my garden by the unusual day-flying Humming Bird Hawkmoth. A scorching hot walk up the banks of the Ettrick produced some photographic firsts for me, including a pair of copulating ringlet butterflies and a common blue with a fly on its wing. On a similarly hot day, Treacle encountered her first red grouse, as well as ravens, wheatear and meadow pipits, on an energy-sapping walk to the Three Brethren cairns near Selkirk.

AUGUST

After a changeable week on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, dodging the midges and thunderstorms, I arrived back in time to capture a moth simply called the Gem in my light trap. It turned out to be a new county record for Selkirkshire. By the middle of the month the swifts had gone and I discovered a strange phenomenon on alder cones by the river near my house. It was a kind of gall similar to witches brooms on birch, called alder tongue, and turned out to be quite rare. By the end of the month I was getting my annual crop of elephant hawkmoth caterpillar sightings from readers.

The sight of these huge and imposing beasties never ceases to have their finders reaching for their preferred Corbie communication method.

SEPTEMBER

Early in the month I had a scorchingly hot walk in the hills near Selkirk. Butterflies seem to have had a good year, particularly small tortoiseshells

OCTOBER

After the driest September on record, October arrived with a splash. The weekend began with almost two days of incessant rain, which brought the rivers into full spate for the first time in months. Early in the year I created a small pond in my back garden and I was delighted to discover that a palmate newt and a toad had taken up residence. Wintering geese were flooding into our region. Wilton Park in Hawick was the setting for a lovely walk to enjoy the spectacular autumn colours and to have the unusual experience of watching a goosander diving for fish, from a vantage point immediately overhead, on a footbridge.

NOVEMBER

The warmest Halloween on record coincided with the last night of the Garden Moth Survey, resulting in more moths in my trap than for many years at this time. A lovely autumnal stroll was had through Speedy’s Wood at Earlston. The chalet village up the Soonhope Burn, behind Peebles Hydro, rekindled memories for me of my days holiday “hutting” in the Yarrow Valley. A wet and miserable walk in thick mist along the Duchess’s Drive at Bowhill was saved from being a disaster by an intriguing look at the micro world of mosses, lichen and fungi.

DECEMBER

The first snow of winter arrived mid-month but didn’t last. A walk round Lindean Reservoir brought home to me the damage which can be inflicted on nest boxes by great spotted woodpeckers. After I had packed away all of my moth trapping equipment for the year and sent in my annual list to the county recorder, I came home one night to find a moth on the window sill at the back door – a new one for my garden list at this time of year. It was a male Mottled Umber which flies in winter (I knew it was a male as the female is wingless).

I hope you have enjoyed my weekly observations in 2014 and look forward to your company again in the coming year. Happy new year!

Dozens of complaints from unhappy parents have been lodged following the staging of a children’s event at Springwood Hall in Kelso last week.

Organised by local Borders firm, Def Con 4 Entertainments, the party took as its theme Disney’s blockbuster animated film Frozen.

Billed as turning the hall into the imaginary land of ‘Arendelle’ for the afternoon on December 30, tickets were quickly snapped up by parents at a cost of £11 per child, £5 per adult or £30.50 for a family of four.

However, various local Facebook pages were swamped with complaints from angry parents afterwards, with many describing it as an overpriced ‘shambles’.

One comment accused organisers of being out of touch with regards to youngster’s expectations.

“Most five-year-olds would have had a similar, yet better, experience at their friends’ birthday parties,” it continued.

“If it had been advertised accurately, there would be no queuing in the cold to get into this disappointment. That’s the real travesty, this may have been the highlight of some kids’ Christmas. The kids should at least get compensated.”

Although there were a number of compliments, these were outnumbered by complaints.

One local grandparent claimed too many tickets had been sold, leaving many children unable to see the show or any space for the promised party games.

“As a result of this I have three disappointed girls; a lot of the parents were asking for refunds and leaving early,” he said.

Border Events was just one of several ticket distributors and later released a statement saying: “We are aware some people were unhappy with the event ... organised by Def Con 4 Entertainments.

“Border Events sold tickets for this event along with four other outlets and we are extremely disappointed on your behalf. We are currently seeking advice. Please email the organisers directly.”

The Southern had received no response from Def Con 4 Entertainments by the time we went to press.

A plumber poisoned his partner’s pet goldfish by pouring pepper and washing-up liquid into the fish tank.

Andrew Davidson killed the 20 fish during a domestic bust-up with Amy Currie as he knew it would annoy her.

The 25-year-old appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court, pictured, on Monday and pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by pushing the nurse and throwing a glass at her at their home in Weaver’s Linn, Tweedbank, on Hogmanay.

Davidson also admitted a second charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing, breaking bottles of champagne and pouring washing-up liquid and pepper into the fish tank, killing them.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said Davidson told police: “I just killed her fish just to annoy her because she enjoyed having them.”

He added that he sent her a text message later to say sorry for scaring her.

Defence lawyer Stephanie Clinkscale said the first offender had been very upfront with the police about the incident which started after an argument broke out between the pair.

She added: “He is no longer in the relationship and has no intention of reconciliation.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson imposed fines totalling £400 and ordered that Davidson pay Miss Currie £100 compensation for the loss of her goldfish.

Jim Clark Rally organisers say they are not surprised at the recommendations made to improve safety after three deaths at the 2014 event.

Russell Blood, clerk of the course for the world-famous event, normally staged each May on closed public roads, was commenting after the review group set up to look at safety published its final recommendations.

The Review Group on Motor Sport Event Safety was set up by the Scottish Government after the three people were killed near Coldstream last May and another accident at the Highland Snowman Rally in 2013, in which a spectator died and a child was injured.

Key recommendations include tighter controls over volunteer marshals, which would see the introduction of a mandatory marshal licensing scheme.

This would require marshals to obtain a licence after undergoing mandatory training and gaining experience.

There is also a call for input from Police Scotland, including, where appropriate, police support for the implementation of safety plans, a liaison officer attending rallies and training support at a national level.

Improving safety for the media through better management of press attendance was highlighted and the review also recommends rules for spectators, marshals and competitors on assisting cars back onto the road – a common practice at rallies – as well as improved communication with spectators and adoption of international standards for identifying high-risk spectator areas.

Mr Blood, who is stepping down as clerk of the course to concentrate on bringing the recommendations into force for a return to road racing in 2016, said: “Ninety per cent of these are things that we are doing already, so nothing in there took us by surprise.”

And following news the rally is listed as a round of the 2015 Scottish Rally Championship, with the Reivers Rally scheduled for Sunday, May 31, Mr Blood added: “The rally will take place using forest stages this year – we’re not panicking at all.”

Scottish Borders Council has already said publication of the recommendations will not affect its earlier decision that the rally could not take place on closed public roads in May/June of this year until the ongoing Police Scotland and Health and Safety Executive investigations were complete.

Racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart, a member of the review group, said that in recent years motorsport had been safer than ever, but that risks still remained, as was demonstrated all too tragically at last year’s Jim Clark Rally.

And he added that he was proud to have been part of the review.

He said: “I believe it is a great step forward in making the sport safer than ever.”

A Peebles rugby stalwart, a Hawick Common Riding legend and a specialist cancer nurse were among this year’s New Year’s Honours list.

Donald Swanson receives the British Empire Medal for almost seven decades’ service to rugby in Peebles; Henry Douglas also receives the BEM, in this case for services to his local community of Bonchester; and Mrs Judith Smith, a Macmillan Nurse Consultant in Cancer and Palliative Care at Borders General Hospital gets the MBE for services to oncology in the region.

Donald told The Southern this week he was delighted to have been recognised for his service to rugby in Peebles, but says it is far more important for the positive publicity it generates for the club he first joined in 1947.

A native of Peebles, or ‘Guiterbluid’, Donald was not long back from military service when he met up with some players from the club and the rest, as they say, is history.

“I got a letter in November informing me I had been rcommended for the BEM, but that I wasn’t to say anything and I didn’t hear anything else until it was confirmed in The Scotsman newspaper,” said Donald.

“Obviously I’m delighted and feel very honoured that my efforts for the club over the years have been recognised and my family are all over the moon, but personally I feel it is more important because it brings extra publicity to Peebles Rugby Club, which is the main thing.”

After being demobbed from the forces, Donald, now 88, joined Peebles RFC committee in 1948, as well as playing for the club’s various teams and going on to become captain in 1954.

“I became secretary not long after I joined the club, basically because I was the only one who had access to a typewriter!” laughed Donald, a retired head postmaster.

During his playing career, Donald played in almost every postion from front row to scrum half: “The only position I never played was stand-off,” he laughed. “In those days the game wasn’t as fast or as brutal as today, so you could get away doing that kind of thing.”

An honorary president of the club and a life member. Donald is still an active member of the committee and looks after certain treasurer’s duties.

A father of four children, with four grandchildren and five great grandchildren, he still swims 20 lengths of the town’s local pool every day.

“I feel still being involved with the club helps keep me young and active, and that’s the key, I think,” he added.

Henry Douglas, of Howahill at Bonchester, is also to receive the BEM, for his service to his local community.

One of the region’s best-known amateur singers, he has given years of service to local organisations and community groups, such as the church and village hall, and his voice has graced many a Hawick Common Riding function and rugby gathering over the decades.

Born into a farming family at Catslackburn in the Yarrow Valley, he is still actively involved in the running of the family farms at Howahill.

“I was delighted when I found out about the honour,” Henry told us. “It came out of the blue, though, and was a bit of a shock. The family are all delighted as well.”

Henry says Bonchester is a great community to be part of: “It’s a super place to live - it’s somewhere where everyone always rallies round to help each other.

“Saying that, I’m also very proud to be from Catslackburn, to have been born in the Yarrow Valley as well.”

With three children – including former Southern journalist and television sports presenter Jill – and eight grandchildren, there were plenty of people to help celebrate news of Henry’s BEM.

And he also paid tribute to Donald Swanson: “I was delighted to hear Donald had also been honoured – that is thoroughly deserved for his tremendous service to his local rugby club.”

NHS Borders cancer nurse Judith Smith has been awarded with an MBE for her significant achievement and outstanding service to the Borders community through her role firstly, as Macmillan haematology/oncology clinical nurse specialist, then as Macmillan nurse consultant in cancer and palliative care within NHS Borders.

Judith, from Galashiels, started her nursing career as a staff nurse in the Royal Infirmary at Edinburgh 30 years ago, before eventually moving back to the Borders in 1990. Since 1998 she has been involved with the development of cancer services in NHS Borders. In particular, she has challenged traditional models of care and championed the development of a nurse-led chemotherapy service in the Borders Macmillan Centre which now treats more than 95 per cent of patients locally, saving them the trip to Edinburgh.

Judith commented: “To be awarded this honour has been an overwhelming experience. I was shocked when I received the letter, thinking initially it was for jury service.”

Judith was keen to point out that cancer care is provided for patients, not just in specialist areas by specialist teams, but right across community and hospital settings by a huge variety of teams and people.

“I see it as a team award which reflects the hard work and commitment of so many people past and present as well as NHS Borders’ commitment to cancer care,” she said.

“I consider myself very lucky to have worked with many dedicated people over the years, but in particular the late Drs George Stockdill and Lillian Matheson, both of whom worked hard to lay the foundations for delivery of specialist cancer and chemotherapy services within NHS Borders.

“I hope in some way I have been able to build on their achievements.”

NHS Borders chairman, John Raine, congratulated Judith, calling her an “extraordinary” person.

“Judith has been working with NHS Borders for 24 years and is an exceptionally kind and caring person,” said Mr Raine. “She has dedicated her life to nursing and this accolade demonstrates her commitment to person centred care. She is a treasure to NHS Borders.”

Employees at bus operator First Borders are backing the battle against prostate cancer, writes Bob Burgess.

First Group staff across the country have voted to make Prostate Cancer UK their Charity of Choice for the next three years.

They aim to raise awareness of the disease – as well as £1million for the charity – from a variety of events and promotions.

The managing director of First Borders, Paul McGowan, said: “My colleagues across the Borders voted in massive numbers, with many telling us they chose Prostate Cancer UK with family members that they care about in mind.”

The three-year project gets under way in April and includes advertising space on buses, trains and trams, as well as credit card-sized awareness leaflets.

Owen Sharp, the chief executive of the charity, commented: “This partnership will offer us an excellent platform in transforming public awareness of a disease which affects one in eight men, and reaching them early will make a life-saving difference.”

More than 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.

First Group currently back Macmillan Cancer Support and previously Save the Children – raising £5.5million.

Health chiefs have confirmed there are no plans to handle any cases of Ebola at Borders General Hospital.

Any local suspected or confirmed outbreak will see the patient admitted to a specialised unit elsewhere.

In neighbouring Dumfries and Galloway, the health board has established a specialised secure Ebola unit at the Royal Infirmary in Dumfries.

A spokesperson for NHS Borders told The Southern: “If a doctor in NHS Borders identifies a possible viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) case, such as Ebola virus, the patient will be isolated and discussed in detail with an infectious diseases consultant at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

“If the consultant agrees that the patient could be a VHF case, then the patient will be admitted to a specialist unit such as the Western General Infectious Disease Unit, where further tests will be undertaken to confirm the diagnosis.

“There are currently no plans to admit such patients to the Borders General Hospital.”

After almost 18 months of widespread discussion, the draft Borders pilot regional land use framework is available for public consultation, and Tweed Forum, in conjunction with Scottish Borders Council, is hosting a series of consultation events.

At these events, a short presentation will be made on the draft framework document. This will be followed by a discussion regarding the various maps generated.

The first of these will be held in Kirkhope Hall, Ettrickbridge, on January 14 at 7.30pm.

The coalition which has run Scottish Borders Council since 2012 has been rocked this week by the resignation of two councillors from its 10-strong Independent group.

Last month, Hawick backbenchers Watson McAteer and Stuart Marshall broke ranks with colleagues on the Independent/SNP/Lib Dem ruling administration at Newtown and voted against spending £3.5million on a visitor centre for the Great Tapestry of Scotland at Tweedbank.

According to council leader and fellow Independent David Parker, all elected members had a free vote in the debate.

But Tuesday’s letters of resignation from Messrs McAteer and Marshall to Independent group leader Sandy Aitchison allege that both felt under pressure, not for the first time, to support a policy with which they did not agree.

“I have a growing concern in my ability to execute my role as an Independent councillor when any lack of alignment is met with shouts of dissent from within the group and others in the council’s administration,” wrote Mr McAteer, a former divisional police commander.

He added: “This may well help expedite council business, but I consider it at best unhealthy.

“In addition, I find myself working alongside some in the [Independent] group that I do not trust and respect and I have witnessed behaviour, excused as ‘politics’, that I will not be associated with.”

Mr McAteer cited an article in last week’s Hawick News in which Independent councillor David Paterson, executive member for environmental services, was reported as claiming the two rebel councillors would be in “hot water” for voting against the tapestry.

“Once again I am being tarnished by an alleged Independent colleague,” said Mr McAteer.

He later told The Southern: “I cannot represent those who elected me in an open and transparent way without fear of petty censure.”

In his letter of resignation, Mr Marshall stated: “I find it difficult as an Independent councillor to constantly hear members of this administration, some of whom are portfolio holders, repeatedly calling for me to be brought into line simply because I have a different opinion on matters which I deem to be of the highest importance to those I represent.”

He said Mr Paterson’s reported comments had merely reinforced his decision to resign and to “vote on matters ... without being party to any three-line whip arrangement.”

Both councillors stressed they would not be joining the Conservative opposition group.

Councillor Aitchison said he was “naturally very disappointed” at the resignations and intended to travel to Hawick today to meet both men.

He said: “These are two dedicated councillors who will be a loss to our group and I will do my best to convince them that they can achieve more for their constituents within the administration rather than outside it.”

Who would have thought that a length of cloth with some fine, intricate needlework would have led to such a major fuss.

Hawick councillors claim they have been stitched up by colleagues, and the populace have steam coming out of their ears because the cooncil – with the backing of Holyrood – is to provide a home for the Great Tapestry of Scotland right here in the Borders.

Yes, in the Borders. OK, it’s at Tweedbank and not in Galashiels, Hawick, Peebles, Selkirk, Stow, Earlston or Hownam, where, of course, they already have the mighty attraction that is the Hownam Duck Race.

No, our elected members – well the majority of them – have decided it should be at Tweedbank. And I, for one, say well done and the very best of luck.

From all the rumblings – some well intentioned, some purely mischievous – I know I am in the minority. But I am backing the Tapestry for Tweedbank project. Bring it on.

Away back in the 1960s, what was to become Tweedbank were a few fields and a pond that were the subject of a couple of public inquiries because the owners – Mrs and Mrs Hamilton – didn’t want their estate turned into an industrial one with homes built by the Scottish Special Housing Association. They lost and Roxburgh County Council won.

As a young reporter, I was there when Lord Polwarth planted the obligatory tree to mark the long-delayed start of construction work.

Changing times meant Tweedbank became more of a village than industrial estate. It is now a thriving community in its own right. It has a school, shops, pub, summer festival, radio station and government agencies.

According the last census, it has a population of 1,716.

And in seven months’ time it will have trains. A village established from nothing linked by a railway to the very heart of Scotland’s world-renowned capital city.

In the timeline of this region, Tweedbank is really just a youngster. But it is a youngster maturing with age.

If the tapestry was to have been homed in Gala, Hawick or even Hownam, I don’t think the people of Tweedbank would have whinged.

I may well be in the minority, but I believe the Borders – yes, the Borders – can reap the benefits of this project.

Stop the girning and needling, and get behind this project.

Last year was either the warmest on record for the UK or the second warmest, a zillionth or whatever of a degree behind 2006 when the final calculations are made.

Not surprising when almost every month was warmer than average, although there were few, and those short-lived, “phew, what a scorcher!” heatwaves. What we did have were spells of exceptionally heavy rain and the effects of the most recent downpours can be seen still lying in fields near you.

The pattern might seem to have continued into 2015 with reports that New Year’s Day was the mildest since 1916. That might have had more relevance if it had not also been horribly wet and windy when the only reason to go outdoors was if work had to be done.

I thought about that in relation to a finding by the National Office of Statistics that only 2.9 per cent of the national workforce kept the country’s show on the road on Christmas Day – care workers, nurses, nursing auxiliaries, chefs and security guards among them. Paramedics, prison officers and communications staff had the highest percentage of members at work. Except, of course, for the 49 per cent of clergy on one of their big days.

Notice anyone missing? That’s right, dairy farmers and their staff, if they have any, because cows have to be milked twice a day every day. Also, anyone with any form of livestock would turn out at least twice to make sure animals were fed, clean and watered. Not a full day, but not a day off either. And the same applied to New Year’s Day. What was odd when I read the report more thoroughly was that the statistics referred to Christmas Day 2012. The pattern probably hasn’t changed much in two years, but it’s just as well that the National Office isn’t issuing weather figures.

It’s the Met Office that does that, although as well as keeping right up to date, it reports interesting data from the past. Such as that 100 years ago the UK had its wettest winter – until the one of 2014.

The Met Office also helped report, indirectly, that as an adult Charles Dickens seldom saw snow round and about Christmas. But the six out of 10 white and frozen Christmases he saw as a child fixed forever his – and now our – idea of what Christmas weather should be. Year after year of mild, wet Victorian festive seasons as an adult didn’t change his view.

The Met Office notes that many “warmest ever” records have been broken in the past 20 years, few “coldest ever”. The same applies to wettest ever records compared with driest. More to the point, David Attenborough weighed in again last week as a believer that something must be done if possible to halt climate change. I guess that trumps Dickens and the Met Office.