Labour candidate for Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk at the general election, Kenryck Lloyd-Jones, says it is time for real change in Borders politics.

Mr Lloyd-Jones was declared as his party’s candidate last month and is hoping, after Labour candidates’ improving results at the last local authority elections, that there is now an upsurge in support for the party of the red rose.

A Labour Party member for 20 years and chair of its Berwickshire branch for the last five, Mr Lloyd-Jones was born in Wales and moved to the Borders over two decades ago. Married with two daughters, he works for a trade union for health professionals. But his party has not even had a Labour councillor in the Borders since 2003, and the retiral of the late Tweeddale member, Bryan Brockie, means that the area’s only current Labour representative is South of Scotland MSP Claudia Beamish.

Mr Lloyd-Jones says that he is well aware of Labour’s failings in the past to convince enough Borders voters to support at the ballot box, saying: “But we weren’t that far off getting councillors elected at the last council elections and that definitely gave us something to build on for the future.

“We are firmly on the side of public services, education and health and can make a real difference to people’s lives in this region,” he told The Southern this week.

“What we are seeing in the Borders is cuts to education, which is last thing you need if you are trying to fight for a better economic future.

“What we want to see is improving public services for the working people of the Borders.”

On the subject of long-sitting popular local Lib Dem MP Michael Moore, Mr Lloyd-Jones said he was sure Mr Moore had been a very strong constituency MP.

“My concern, however, is that for the last five years it is his party which has kept in power the Tories who have wrecked the economy.

“Many of those who voted Lib Dem at the 2010 general election did so to keep the Tories out of government and instead got exactly the opposite.

“It’s time for real change here and that will only happen if people get out and vote for a Labour government.”

The Lavender Touch is once again running its Wear Lavender to Work Day on Friday, March 27, in which people across the region are asked to wear something lavender as a way of showing support for the work of the local cancer charity.

The Lavender Touch raises funds to help support people in the Borders living with cancer, through fundraising also and selling their own products, which have been developed to help people with cancer.

This year, The Lavender Touch are running a special competition asking entrants to get people to sign up to the charity’s new Standing Order Donation Form before the end of March.

The charity needs to raise in excess of £40,000 annually and the standing order donations help a great deal towards this.

The competition prize, generously donated by the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel in St Boswells, is an overnight stay for two people with dinner, bed and breakfast, and the stay will be enjoyed in one of the hotel’s spacious Tower Suites, with majestic views over the River Tweed and the Borders. You will be able to relax in the beautiful countryside, have a swim, a walk around the Abbey, the Wallace Statue or simply relax by a roaring fire in the lounge.

To enter the competition, email admin@lavendertouch.co.uk or telephonne Janice on 01896 208255 for a standing order form. All forms then need to be returned to Unit 1, Craft Centre, Tweedbank, Galashiels, TD1 3RU. The winner will be drawn on Friday, March 27, the Wear Lavender to Work Day.

Speaking to The Southern, charity co-founder and Galashiels photographer Sheila Scott said: “More and more businesses have come on board this year, RBS are going to take it up as well. Every year is a challenge and we’re getting more and more people referred, so we have to raise more and more money.

“That’s why we’ve kicked off the competition.”

After being awarded a £1,665 grant from the War Memorials Trust for the refurbishment of Gattonside war memorial, village hall committee members agreed that the adjacent garden area should also be improved.

The work was undertaken by Barry Templeton of Lowood Gardens at no cost. Flower boxes were constructed by Home Basics of Walkerburn, slate by Kelso Aggregates and flowers by Bob Johnston of Philiphaugh Gardens, at discounted rates.

Borders Scrapstore takes unwanted materials from local industry and households and turns them into valuable resources for play, arts and crafts, benefiting some 4,000 users right across South East Scotland.

In 1992, a group of teachers decided they needed low-cost supplies for local schools and set up Borders Scrapstore to collect, sort and store unwanted material from local firms. Now, 23 years later, Scrapstore supplies schools, nurseries and community groups right across the Borders, Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Manager John Cannell said: “Anyone can come and use the Scrapstore. We operate a membership scheme, from just £7 per year for groups and individuals, which helps to defray delivery and rental costs.”

The Scrapstore has generated three part-time jobs and is a registered charity (SC020023). Day-to-day running is organised by John, who has two members of staff as well as a team of 11 volunteers across the two bases in Selkirk and Musselburgh.

There is also a van outreach service which visits outlying areas.

While Scrapstore doesn’t take in normal domestic waste such as yoghurt pots, “We encourage people to reuse such items themselves. Reuse is more eco-friendly than recycling, which can involve expensive and polluting transport and input of processing chemicals,” said John.

The Scrapstore collects donations of unwanted fabric and textiles, wool, sewing materials such as zips, binding, knitting and sewing needles, buttons, beads, paper and card as well as art and craft material of all sorts.

These are sorted, stored and sold cheaply to anyone who has a use for them.

“We also carry a range of new craft supplies,” explained John, “Things like pipe cleaners, glue, stick-on shapes and stars and a good range of paint and brushes for children.”

The Scrapstore at Shepherds Mill, Dunsdale Road, Selkirk, is open on Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am-4pm and on Thursday, 2-5.30pm. Tel 01750 725961, or check out the Facebook page.

Two keen runners will take on 10 consecutive marathons in 10 days to raise money for a charity that works with vulnerable young people.

Bus driver Chris Renton from Melrose and Mark Bradshaw, who works at Wood Mackenzie but lives in West Lothian, start their monumental challenge in the Lake District on Friday, May 8, and finish on Sunday, May 17.

Along with 14 others, they will run the same 26.2 miles each day, an anti-clockwise route circumnavigating England’s longest lake, Windermere. Only 79 people have completed Brathay Trust’s 10in10 since it started in 2007.

One of those is 50-year-old Chris, who is hoping to be successful a second time. It will be 44-year-old Mark’s first attempt.

When asked why he is returning to the event, Chris said: “I feel very close to Brathay Trust for personal reasons linked to my own youth in the 70s. I was very glad to have raised £5,000 in 2014 and I will work just as hard to meet my 2015 target.”

Father of four Mark, whose first marathon was the 2012 Edinburgh marathon, says he hopes his challenge will inspire others to run.

He said: “The more I looked into what the charity achieved, the more I wanted to do this event.

“Hopefully, by completing the 10in10, I can help a bit towards giving a brighter future to those that need it and who have the courage to try.”

Scott Umpleby, head of fundraising at Brathay Trust, says the challenge “is surely proof that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. It’s an ethos that inspires our work with young people.”

Local people and businesses have already helped the pair raise more than £4,800 towards their combined target of £6,000.

To help them reach their targets, visit www.justgiving.com/mark262/ or www.justgiving.com/Rents/

Blogs and video updates charting Chris and Mark’s progress will be posted here: brathaywindermeremarathon.org.uk/team.aspx and tweeted using #10in10.

Dennis Connolly noticed a hole in a weathered tree trunk that formed a picture frame for the Waterloo Monument.

He was on a walk along St Cuthbert’s Way near Ancrum

A review of all in-patient health services in the Borders will be launched in April and take over a year to complete.

A detailed timescale for the exercise, which will consider how care is delivered at the Borders General Hospital and the region’s four community hospitals, was unanimously agreed at last week’s meeting of the board of NHS Borders.

And with that decision came more assurances that there are no plans to close the community hospitals which each provide 23 beds in Peebles, Hawick, Kelso and Duns.

“There is no plan to close community hospitals and no hidden agenda,” stated health board chairman John Raine.

“What the board has agreed to embark upon is a rational and sensible way to look at how services might be better organised within tightening budgets.

“Unfortunately, the debate so far has been hijacked by controversy about hospital closures.”

The review will dovetail with the ongoing integration of health and social care services, traditionally delivered separately by NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council respectively.

Councillor Catriona Bhatia, chair of the shadow integration board, accused local and national politicians of “scaremongering” over the future of the four hospitals.

“This has been a race to the bottom which has done nothing and will do nothing to contribute to better care for Borderers, which is what this review is aiming to do,” said Mrs Bhatia.

The study will get under way in April with the appointment of a review group which, in May and June, will collect data based on an analysis of all those currently using in-patient care in various settings across the region.

The first “dialogue with communities” will take place in June and July before best practice approaches to care nationally and internationally are examined.

Further community consultation is planned for September before “all potential ideas are considered and subject to robust appraisal” by November.

A shortlist of options will be drawn up and prioritised by January 2016 prior to “conversations with all key stakeholders” by next March.

Full implementation of agreed options by the board is earmarked for July next year.

NHS Borders medical director Dr Sheena MacDonald stressed the need for NHS hospital beds to be available for those most in need.

“As we move towards 2020, there will be a requirement to deliver care in very different ways, maximising self care and community support, and avoiding hospital admissions wherever possible,” said Dr MacDonald.

“From time to time, people will experience episodes of ill-health and we need to ensure we are in a position to look after ill people in hospital for when that care is needed.

“A lack of planning could mean care is delivered in a reactive way and our acute services are likely to be stretched beyond their limits.”

Tourism expert Giles Ingram has been announced as the new chief executive of The Abbotsford Trust which looks after Sir Walter Scott’s historic former home near Melrose.

Mr Ingram, 46, has extensive experience in the field of tourism and culture, having worked in Europe and England.

In 2006 he moved to Northumberland where he set up the county’s first tourist board, still operating as Northumberland Tourism.

Mr Ingram joins Abbotsford from Experience Oxfordshire, where he was chief executive of the county’s tourism and cultural development agency.

Mr Ingram said he was delighted to be returning to the borders region and joining the team at Abbotsford.

“It will be an incredible privilege to have a role in looking after and welcoming so many people to as fascinating, beautiful and iconic a home as Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford.”

Artist Moy Mackay presents a cheque for £1,500 to David Pye, chairman of Peebles-based musical charity, Nomad Beat. The money came after Moy created a special painting to auction in aid of the charity, as a tribute to her friend, the late Alison Cameron, who co-founded Nomad Beat.

A spokesman for the charity told us: “Ram in a Poppyfield is a really amazing piece of art, and the proceeds from its sale will be put to very good use. It was a really generous thing to do, at what has been a very sad time for everyone – we all miss Alison Cameron terribly. But the work she did at Nomad Beat is important to so many people. And Moy’s donation will support us in taking forward her vision to promote music and musicianship, through affordable musical education, and reduce isolation through shared musical development, education and opportunities .

The future looks bright, the future looks green. Or at least it did until a couple of weeks ago when Scottish Borders Council pulled the plug on plans for a state-of-the-art £23million advanced thermal treatment facility to deal with around 25,000 tonnes of our biodegradable municipal waste every year. The deal included turning the gas that would be produced by the process into electricity worth an estimated £80million a year.

It all looked good on paper, but four years down the line, and after hundreds of man hours and £2million of public money being swallowed up by the project, the council has called it a day.

It was a pioneering project, and sometimes you have to be bold and visionary when looking for long-term solutions.

However, the question is should our council have been taking such risks with ordinary taxpayers’ money? Money that could have been used to fund other seriously stretched services, such as our roads infrastructure, schools, social services, or even to reinstate green waste collections.

Andrew Farquhar and Councillor Watson McAteer may have a point in wanting the whole process to be referred to the spending watchdog Audit Scotland.

Officers who may have been involved in the process may not be the best people to conduct an ‘appropriate review’.

Sometimes, an independent outside opinion is the only way we will listen – and learn.

The Solicitor General, Lesley Thomson QC, has today announced a full review of the way agricultural crimes are prosecuted in Scotland.

The issue of agricultural crime was recently discussed at a round table event in the Scottish Parliament.

During the event, those affected by agricultural crime expressed some concerns about the impact agricultural crime was having on communities throughout Scotland.

Ms Thomson has listened to those concerns carefully and has invited the National Farmers Union (NFU) Scotland to meet with her to discuss what further action can be taken to deal with the problem.

Ms Thomson said: “The Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service treat agricultural crime extremely seriously. We are aware of the severe impact that crimes which result in damage or the death of livestock can have on the farming community and the ramifications for industry when the theft of vehicles, equipment and machinery is committed.

“It was clear from the recent Justice Committee round table event on agricultural crime that it would be helpful for prosecutors to have more information on the full impact of the crime on victims and local businesses and not just the value stolen.

“I have therefore instructed a review of prosecution policy in this area to focus on this area of criminality. The review will ensure that full consideration is given to the impact of these crimes and where appropriate this information is passed to the court for consideration in the event of a conviction.

“It is important that prosecution policy is aligned with the concerns of the public. We want to ensure that we have a comprehensive understanding of this area and that our policies take into account the context in which these crimes take place and the effect they can have.”

She added: “I have also instructed specialist prosecutors within the Crown’s Serious Organised Crime division to examine agricultural crimes with a view to taking action against them under Proceeds of Crime legislation.

“Seizing criminal assets in this way not only causes financial pain to those who commit such crimes, it also disrupts their ability to continue to run their criminal enterprise.”

The Crown Office regularly reviews prosecution policy to ensure it reflects the concerns of the public and takes account of emerging trends. Recent reviews have included the approach taken to crimes committed on social media, offences against older persons and housebreaking.

Gemma Thomson, legal and technical policy manager for NFU Scotland said: “We are extremely encouraged by the positive response from the Solicitor General, in particular as it has come at a time when figures suggest that this type of crime is on the increase.

“NFU Scotland greatly supports a policy review, as this will ensure that it is fit for purpose and able to reflect modern circumstances.

“It is not just the immediate loss of livestock or equipment that causes distress and inconvenience to farmers, but the ongoing impact of consequential losses, including loss of fertility in animals and the cost of having to hire machinery.”

The Solicitor General was recently asked about the Crown’s approach to agricultural crime by MSP Jamie McGregor.

Ms Thomson has today written to Mr McGregor to inform him of the review.

Borderers are being encouraged to see their GP if they have been coughing for three weeks or more in a bid to boost early detection of lung cancer.

With latest analysis showing you are almost 20 times more likely to 
survive lung cancer if it is detected early; the Scottish Government’s lung cancer campaign is highlighting the importance of getting 
a persistent cough 
checked.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in Scotland, with 5,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Experts say one reason 
patients are diagnosed so late is that they are 
unaware of the symptoms, which include a persistent cough, chest pain, breathlessness and weight 
loss.

The campaign is fronted by Sir Alex Ferguson, who lost both parents to the disease.

He said: “Everyone should be aware of the signs of lung cancer. If you or someone you know has a cough that won’t clear up, don’t ignore it.

“With higher survival rates for people who seek help at an earlier stage, it’s worthwhile raising it with your GP sooner rather than later.”

Galashiels: Bank Street and High Street SGN gas main replacement and SBC resurfacing schedule.

Part 1 – SGN Works – Closure 1: To March 8, the closure will be carried out in two sections: Section 1: Bank Street – from its junction with Bank Street Brae to its junction with Overhaugh Street. Section 2: High Street – from its junction with Overhaugh Street to its junction with Sime Place. Alternative Route – A7 and A72 through traffic: Eastbound via Braw Lads’ Brae, George Craig Bridge, Currie Road, Ladhope Vale, Bridge Place, Bridge Street and Sime Place. Alternative – local traffic: eastbound via Bank Street Brae, Livingstone Place, Scott Street, Gala Park, Hall Street, Island Street, Bridge Place, Bridge Street and Sime Place.

To March 20: Overhaugh Street from Bank Close to High Street. No alternative.

Reverse of One-way Order: While Section 2 closure is in effect, the One-way Order on Bank Street from Bank Street Brae to Overhaugh Street reversed for access only. To March 20 from Overhaugh Street to Bank Street reversed for access only.

No Waiting: Parking prohibited until March 20: High Street/Bank Street – lay-by outside chip shop. High Street – southwest side from Sime Place to bus stop. St John Street – both sides (extend existing no waiting for 10m). Livingstone Place – both sides (extend existing no waiting for 10mins). Hall Street – both sides (extend existing no waiting for 10m). Gala Park – northeast side from Kirkbrae to Balmoral Place. Parking prohibited to March 20: Bank Street from number 35 to 54 and 10 to 31. Restrictions only when indicated by signs and/or cones.

24-hour closure on Glenfield Road West from Glenfield Road East to Glenfield Court until March 20 to replace water main. No alternative route. Residents’ access maintained.

Rescind One Way: The following roads will have the One Way Orders rescinded until tomorrow (March 6). High Street – From its junction with Sime Place to its junction with High Street CarPark East entrance. High Street Car Park – Eastern & Western Access. Bridge Street (For local access only). Sime Place (For local access only).

Closure: – C20 Borthwickshields to Blawearie (two days) and C20 The Laird of the Linns to Essenside Bridge (three days) will be closed from March 9-13 due to patching works. Alternative Route – Northbound via – C20, B711, A7, C19 and C20 to point of closure, Southbound via – The above in reverse.

Closure:

A drunken man, who spat at a police officer, has been sentenced to a 12-month Community Payback Order, with 100 hours of unpaid work.

Twenty-year-old Dean Brown, of Clevedon Road, Blackpool, admitted breaching an Anti Social Behaviour Order when drunk and 
disorderly at woodland in Gala Policies on May 30, last year.

He also admitted spitting at a police officer in a police vehicle travelling from Borders General Hospital to Hawick Police Station on May 31, and threatening police with violence.

“Police received a report about under-age drinking, and found him coming out of woodland clearly intoxicated,” said procurator fiscal Graham Fraser.

“He was unsteady on his feet and slurring his words,” he added.

“When arrested, he spat on a police officer, and was very abusive and made various threatens to police,” concluded Mr Fraser.

Brown was also sentenced to a further 50 hours of unpaid work after he admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at Adam Purves Garage in Galashiels, on November 1, resisting arrest and obstructing police.

When his card was rejected in the garage forecourt shop, drunken Brown remonstrated with staff, kicking over an outdoor sign as he left the premises.

Mr Fraser told how Dean went to the shop, where staff were serving other customers, at 4.45pm and tried to pay for items using a bank card, which was declined.

He told staff it was “the right f*****g PIN” and insisted he had enough money in the account, claiming the problem must be their card machine.

“He was taken to another till and the card was again declined,” continued Mr Fraser.

Staff suggested he try the ATM and the card was again declined, so he left the shop.

Some 15 minutes later, he again returned, and tried to buy cigarettes with the same card, which was declined.

He began shouting and swearing and, as he walked outside, kicked over a Costa Coffee sign.

“The shop was busy and customers were upset by his behaviour,” explained Mr Fraser.

Police attended and were viewing CCTV footage when Brown again returned, and tried to use the cash machine.

“It was clear he was under the influence of alcohol, and he was told he was being arrested,” continued Mr Fraser.

He told officers they would have to “ask nicely” if they wanted him to go into the van, and he was eventually put to the ground and handcuffed.

Defence solicitor Mat Patrick explained: “In each of these cases, he was under the influence of alcohol, and remembers very little about them.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson warned Brown the sentence was a direct alternative to custody.

Mother fined over neglect

A mother neglected a young child by leaving the youngster alone in a house with dog faeces and urine on the floor.

The sole toilet was overflowing with faeces, and there was no hot water or central heating.

The house also had a collapsed ceiling, electrical wires were exposed, and there was a Rottweiler and Collie dog there.

The 34-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was fined £150.

Sentence had previously been deferred on the accused, since the offence took place in 2013, and Sheriff Peter Paterson was told there had been “significant progress”.

“There is no satisfactory option open to the court,” he commented.

Threatened police officer

An agricultural contractor who threatened a police officer has been fined £200.

Greg Armstrong, 25, of The Knowe, Ancrum, appeared from custody and admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at the cells complex of Hawick Police Station on September 2.

“He was apprehended on a non-appearance warrant,” explained procurator fiscal Graham Fraser, “and it didn’t please him when he was told he would be kept in custody.”

Armstrong told a police constable: “Wait ’till I see you outside. It will be boom.”

He also added: “I’ll have the last laugh.”

Defence solicitor Iain Burke said there was “a history” between his client and the police officer.

“He was previously found not guilty of a road traffic matter and it is his perception that this officer was not happy about that, and asked him how he got away with it,” explained Mr Burke.

“He also says that he was gripping him quite tightly.

“He was angry and made a foolish comment,” concluded Mr Burke.

Abusive behaviour

A drunken woman who shouted and swore, has had sentence deferred until March 30 for reports.

Louise Poulton, 40, of Balnakeil Terrace, Galashiels, appeared from custody and admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at Balnakiel Terrace on February 28.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the first offender had a “major alcohol problem”,which resulted in the breakdown of her marriage. He said the offence happened at around 11pm, when Poulton returned from the pub.

“There is also a suggestion she collapsed in the toilets before leaving the pub, which gives an indication of the level of her intoxication,” he added.

Poulton was released on bail for reports.

Homophobic remarks

After being detained by police, Christopher Haddock made homophobic remarks, referring to officers’ colleagues as their “boyfriends”.

Thirty-three-year-old Haddock of Lauriston Gardens, Selkirk, admitted repeatedly shouting and swearing and uttering homophobic abuse at Melrose Road, Galashiels, and at Galashiels Police Station on October 28.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told how police were suspicious of the accused and he was detained for a drugs search.

“He became belligerent, telling them to f*** off,” explained Mr Fraser.

“This happened in close proximity to a primary school, at about 9am.”

Mr Fraser continued: “He became increasingly abusive, referring to them all as each other’s boyfriends.

“When it was suggested to him his comments were homophobic, he replied, ‘That’s why I done it’,” added Mr Fraser.

Haddock’s solicitor said his client was initially spoken to by plain-clothes officers.

“He didn’t think he had been doing anything wrong, but accepts his reaction was entirely inappropriate.”

Haddock was fined £200, and received a further £100 fine after he also admitted breaching a 7pm to 7am bail curfew at West Port, Selkirk, at 9.15pm, on February 23.

Sold alcohol 
to youngster

A youngster was rushed to hospital after drinking alcohol.

Alistair Carrick, 18, of Fairfield Crescent, Selkirk, admitted buying alcohol for a young teenager at Premier Store, Raeburn Meadow, Selkirk, on November 30 last year.

“She contacted him to buy her a bottle of vodka and Lucozade, and he purchased it, knowing her age,” explained procurator fiscal Graham Fraser.

“She, and a number of friends, went to a wooded area and consumed it.

“One of the girls had a bad reaction, and was taken to Borders General Hospital by ambulance and kept in overnight.

“She had also consumed Buckfast supplied by a different person, but the accused’s purchase contributed to what happened to her,” concluded Mr Fraser.

“He got the request and, without thinking too much about it, he went ahead and bought the alcohol,” explained defence solicitor Mat Patrick.

“He is just 18 and it is not long since he has been able to buy alcohol himself,” he added. “I haven’t had to impress upon him how serious the situation is,” concluded Mr Patrick.

Carrick was fined £100.

Community payback order

A woman who fraudulently obtained £5,000 benefit, has been sentenced to a Community Payback Order with 80 hours of unpaid work.

First offender Sarah Hook of Balmoral Road, Galashiels, admitted obtaining £5,000 benefit to which she was not entitled, between November 2011 and July 2013.

The 34-year-old qualified beauty therapist is currently making repayment. She was self employed and always thought she was under the threshold,” explained defence solicitor Ross Dow.

“This happened at a chaotic time in her life,” he added.

Shouted at partner

After shouting at his partner, David Begg made off when he heard police sirens.

Begg, 49, of Crookston Court, Peebles, admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at Channel Street, Galashiels, on November 14.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told how the accused met his partner in the centre of Galashiels at around 3.30pm, adding: “She was aware he had been drinking and tried to walk off, but he became very loud,” said Mr Fraser. “He began to shout in her face and stood in her path, preventing her moving on. When he heard police sirens, he made good his escape.”

Begg was sentenced to an 18-month Community Payback Order, with a requirement he undertakes alcohol treatment.

“This is a direct alternative to custody and, given your record, there are few alternatives open to me if you fail to comply,” warned Sheriff Peter Paterson. “This is a last chance, or you will be going to custody,” he added.

Selkirk man admonished

A Selkirk man who made derogatory remarks and placed a woman in fear for her safety, has been admonished, after being of good behaviour during a period of deferred sentence.

Christopher Silverstein, 40, of Thornfield Crescent, denied an alleged offence at Bleachfield Road and Scott’s Place, Selkirk, on January 1 last year, but was found guilty after trial.

Sentence deferred

A former Territorial Army soldier, convicted of assaulting “a complete stranger” in a Galashiels pub, has had sentence deferred until March 30 for a supplementary report.

Thirty -year-old Brian Cassie, of Beech Avenue, Galashiels, appeared on indictment and denied assaulting a man at the Bridge Inn, Island Street, Galashiels, to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement, on August 18, 2013.

He was found guilty after a three-day jury trial.

The victim required major surgery after suffering facial injuries in the attack.

Banned for drink driving

Driving a car when over the alcohol limit cost David Charlton a £200 fine and he was banned from the roads for 13 months.

The 62-year-old of George Street, Peebles, admitted driving a car at George Street on June 20, with a breath/alcohol reading of 59 mcgs – the legal limit being 35.

“He had been seen in the pub at 5.20pm, drinking two large vodkas, and when he drove off police were advised,” explained Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser. “The car was found at his home address and he admitted he had been driving,” he added.

Defence solicitor Greig McDonell said his client, a first offender, worked as an IT contractor, and the mandatory driving disqualification “may cause him difficulties in his employment”.

With more than 1,400 entries crowing, cackling and quacking away in Peebles recently, the town was once again host to the biggest annual one-day poultry show in Scotland.

The committee of Peebles Poultry and Bantam Club were delighted with the huge success of this year’s show, held at the town’s community centre, which club chairman Davy Cuthbertson and show secretary Hazel Dickson said had been probably the best show in the club’s 30-year history.

There were more than 50 breeds in attendance – in every shape, size and colour – showcasing absolutely the best of exhibition poultry and waterfowl in the UK.

Top honours went to H. Shanklin from Aspatria, a regular exhibitor at Peebles, who won the Overall Show Champion with a stunning old English game pullet originally nominated by judge Mrs Joan Barry of Wigtown as winner of the Hard Feather Bantam section.

The exhibitors and judges came from all over the UK to Peebles, with many staying over in town.

Exhibitors came all the way from Country Tyrone in Northern Ireland to take many honours back with them. Peter Hamill from Dungannon had an enviable two birds achieving Championship Row. He had Reserve Champion with a coloured call duck, and Best True Bantam with a black pekin male. This pekin previously won Show Champion and Best True Bantam at the Balmoral Show, Northern Ireland, last year.

Peter also went onto win the points trophy awarded to the True Bantam section this year.

True Bantams are those with no Large Fowl counterpart and the breeds under this heading are usually for ornamental purposes. They are a particularly well-supported section with 234 exhibits from 40 exhibitors, very hotly-contested.

So the following exhibitors who had top points from this section deserve massive congratulations: 1, P. Hamill, Dungannon; 2, S. Taylor; 3rd – S. Chambers, Bonnyrigg; 4, D. Moore, Dungannon.

The club always has the greatest of respect for the exhibitors who do well in this points competition, as success needs consistency of results across a number of classes or breeds in a section, or great success in one breed. Thanks go to Sheena Dickson of Dolphinton for carefully calculating these results.

Local exhibitors also did very well, with Ed Glass of Earlston winning Best Rare Breed with a simply stunning Sumatra male, and the team of Glenn Keay and Hazel Sterricks of Peebles winning Best Goose, with a very handsome African gander.

Marie Evans from Duns won best Hamburgh in the Hamburgh breed club, despite tough competition from a number of Hamburgh specialists. The club is always delighted to see these local exhibitors holding their own amongst challenging competition.

Last year’s winners, Waterworth and Woods from Lancashire, repeated their consistent success in recent years by winning Best Large Fowl Light Breed and Best Light Breed Bantam, both with Leghorns. These gentlemen are renowned for their Leghorns across the country.

Large fowl sections continue to be very popular and Best Large Fowl went to Robert Waugh with an exceptional Old English Game male. Robert was showing at Peebles for the first time, but brought along an exceptionally strong and varied team of Large Hard Feather birds. He went home to Newcastle with a number of well-deserved awards, commenting what a fantastic, friendly show Peebles is.

The Utility section is for breeds that would have been originally bred for/most suited for egg production or meat, purebred, and the winner was Jim Finlayson Jnr of Dumfries. He received a special embossed card supported by his HRH The Prince of Wales (the current Poultry Club of Great Britain patron).

Jim’s winning bird was a strong, large Wyandotte male, one of a great number of this breed at the show. Best Wyandotte – a gold-laced Wyandotte pullet – went onto win Reserve Heavy Breed Bantam and Best Ladies was a silver-laced Wyandotte, both shown by club secretary Hazel Dickson.

This year’s egg classes were judged by Bill Oldcorn of Preston. Ben Goulding of Cockermouth took Best Eggs from 216 entries with his amazing plate of 12 large fowl eggs. The egg to show is as near to perfection as possible, with the judge considering shape, shell texture, colour and size and looking for a fresh appearance and bloom.

Eggs should be as well-matched as possible. Getting three or six perfect eggs to match is difficult, so getting 12 is nearly impossible, so many congratulations to Ben.

The poultry photography classes again drew a good entry this year and were judged by keen photographer Mark Beedie of Biggar. Mark kindly also photographs the winning exhibits.

The winning photograph was taken by Y. & N. Hastie of Tarbrax.

One of the show highlights is the well-supported auction, again hosted by popular and professional auctioneer Alex Young of Lawrie & Symington, who will be known to many readers through his work at Lanark auction market.

There were 24 selling pens of exhibition quality birds. Only exhibitors or judges are allowed to sell at the show and there were breeding stock, several pens of female-only birds and ducks. Top prices were £58 for a trio of barred Wyandotte bantams sold by J Hardie of Ayrshire to Yvonne Hastie of Tarbrax, and a pair of Pekins from Daniel Hodge of Ayrshire which went for £55 to DM Smith of Stranraer.

Once again, the show received sponsorship from the Peebles branch of agricultural merchants Harbro, who supplied most of the shavings and feed for the 1,000-plus pens at the show. Thanks go to Brian Beattie.

z In addition, the junior handling competition was sponsored by WCF Country Centre, Lanark. In this section, six young exhibitors were assessed by the judge/show manager, Callum McConnell, of Gorebridge.

The juniors were required to take the birds out of the pens and demonstrate their handling skills, and talk about the breed and how to look after them.

Experienced enthusiast Sean Dunbar from Lockerbie defended his title of 2014 Young Handler of the Year with another strong win this weekend.

Many thanks to all the amazing volunteers who helped to erect and dismantle the show.

For more information and full results, please see the Facebook group, Peebles Poultry Club.

This week, a tale of two halves. Just like Scotland v Italy at the weekend – but without the crushing disappointment, obvs.

Both tales have something in common – chickens. And both are happy, uplifting tales. Hurrah.

The rescue chickens have been here a week now, and they are all still alive. Which is good.

And the first morning we were rewarded with an egg. And each day since they arrived we have had between two and five eggs from them, so all good so far. They are in varying states of baldness, and from their chook quarantine (a separate coop and run) they are able to observe what life will be like in the near future – trees, branches, dust baths, green stuff to nibble, mixed corn treats. Laying in the pale sunshine or sheltering under the shrubs when it rains.

Choosing when to wander over to the feeder or the drinkers when they like.

Chook Heaven.

It’s enough to blow their chicken-y minds.

Meanwhile, some chicks have arrived. Unlike the usual home-bred mongrels, I had the chance of some rather sexily-titled (not) Ross 308 Broiler Breeder parent stock.

Basically, the mommies and daddies of the big, fat, white, mass-production supermarket eating chickens.

Stuart on the Scots Grey Chickens Faceache group I belong to had bought some to breed with and had to take a minimum of 100 – small fry for a company which supplies them by the million, but rather a lot for a backyard chicken keeper like me.

Stuart had various folk who’d gone in with him to buy them, but someone had dropped out.

I asked if he could sell me five girls, and so on his rounds in the Borders yesterday, visiting mates and picking up and dropping off poultry here and there, he brought the five new arrivals to Shoogly Towers.

They are now ensconsed in a nice big run in the summerhouse under a heat lamp, on lots of snuggly bedding with plenty of food and water.

Apparently, they can eat for Scotland. That’s how they get so chunky and why the supermarkets love them. They are usually up to about 3kg within 56 days.

Frightening.

Right now they are very cute, but very hungry. This, and the size of their trunk-like legs, gives a clue as to their genetic make-up as the big mommas of the chicken world.

Hopefully, I am going to try a cross between these hens and my Scots Grey boy, and my ‘French eating chicken’ boy.

The hens should make good, big layers and the spare boys will go in the pot.

A culinary twist on the auld alliance. Bon appetit.

Major expansion plans have been unveiled by a local IT services and software company.

Based at Tweed Horizons and founded eight years ago by Andy Smith from Galashiels, Agenor Technology is set to double its £10million turnover – and recruit 75 new full-time staff over the next three years.

It follows the news that the firm has been awarded £240,000 by Scottish Enterprise in regional selective assistance (RSA) aimed at job creation.

The announcement was confirmed yesterday (Wednesday) during a visit by Roseanna Cunningham MSP, the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training.

“This is an ambitious company and one with an already strong track record of employing young people,” said Ms Cunningham after meeting some of the firm’s new recruits.

“I am pleased Agenor has been able to secure this funding to further enhance its workforce and I would urge other firms to follow its example and look to the future.

“Young people can add enthusiasm to any business looking to expand.”

Ms Cunningham heard that Agenor, which also has offices in Edinburgh and Amsterdam, currently employs 25 permanent staff and 100 associates.

Last year, the firm was recognised in the latest Deloitte Technology Fast50 when it was named as Scotland’s fastest growth tech company and the seventh fastest in UK growth over the last five years.

“We have established a reputation for helping organisations implement complex technology and business change,” said Mr Smith, whose brother and fellow Galashiels Academy old boy Steve is Agenor’s chief financial officer.

“The award from Scottish Enteprise will support the company as we look to recruit 75 full-time staff over the next three years in skilled positions, such as project management and digital application design.”

During her visit, Ms Cunningham met recent law graduate Sam Eguchi who is helping develop ICEFLO, the company’s flagship Cloud solution, which enables clients to dispense with cumbersome spreadsheets and adopt a sophisticated solution for delivering complex IT change.

“We are at an incredibly exciting phase in our growth and development and we see harnessing the skills and energy of young talent as underpinning our future success,” said Mr Smith.

“The opportunity for the company is not limited to UK markets. Through the commercialisation of ICEFLO, we have set our sights on the international stage, and I firmly believe our strategy of recruiting and developing our own young talent will give us the ability to compete and be successful against the very best in the world.”

Other new young staff members who met Ms Cunningham yesterday included customer service analyst Jill Hamilton, a Heriot-Watt graduate recruited from the retail sector, and financial and business administrator Eilidh Young, who previously worked for a local groundworks company.

Small shops are often the hub of our local communities, bringing people together and providing jobs and services to the local area.

About a month ago, I heard about the Small Shops Competition which was being run from the UK Parliament and encouraged local shops in the Borders to apply.

I was therefore very pleased when I heard that Mainstreet Trading in St Boswells had made it onto a shortlist of 20 from 300 applications.

Mainstreet Trading is a fine example of a small, local shop which engages with the community and provides a fantastic place for people to meet, eat and shop in the region. I attended the reception last week where they were announced as one of two runners-up. It was great to see the Borders represented and doing so well, and I was pleased to be able to congratulate Bill and Rosamund de la Hey in person.

SCOT project

A couple of weeks ago, the Scottish Centre of Textiles (SCOT) project group announced that the centre would be based in Galashiels. Ever since I heard about the possibility of a Centre for Textiles, I have been working with the project leaders to ensure that it is located in the Borders, where 80 per cent of the textile industry of Scotland is based. We have a world-class textiles industry and this centre has the potential to further enhance its reputation, as well as boosting local tourism.

Choosing where to locate the project in the Borders has been a difficult process, but following a consultants’ report and discussions with key stakeholders, it was decided that it should be based in Galashiels.

I now look forward to working with the project leaders, our local textile industry and Heriot-Watt University to put in place the first stage of the project to establish a Scottish National Textile Archive, which will bring together historic and contemporary textile collections produced in Scotland, for the public and global researchers.

International affair

I am currently piloting a Bill through Parliament to enshrine in law the UK’s aid spend at the UN target of 0.7 per cent of our national income. International development and foreign affairs are among the top issues which my constituents contact me about, so it has been a real privilege to pilot this Bill through parliament. The Bill will enable the UK to focus on spending the aid effectively and sustainably, and enable us to better support long-term initiatives to end poverty, protect human rights, improve education and save lives.

The Bill concluded its report stage in the Lords last Friday and is due to receive its third reading soon at which point it becomes law.

When MSPs agreed in 2006 to include a stop at Stow as part of the restored railway project, Scottish Borders Council had concerns it would be incompatible with the village primary school, which had opened next to the original station building just six years earlier.

Indeed, two other possible sites for the little station were investigated, but were dismissed because of road safety and flooding concerns.

Councillors were reminded of these misgivings last week when they were told they had a duty of care to the school and its 100 primary and nursery pupils. A report indicated that measures under
taken and paid for by Network Rail to mitigate the impact of the railway on the school 
were not enough to meet the concerns of staff and 
parents.

These included the provision of footpaths in the school grounds and the erection of a three-metre-high barrier to ensure lessons were not disturbed by the noise of trains, the platform tannoy and vehicles using the 34-place station car park.

Jonathan Hepton, SBC’s railway liaison manager, said the effectiveness of that barrier would only be gauged when test trains started running in the summer.

He said Network Rail’s CCTV cameras would not extend beyond the station perimeter and that more people and traffic would be generated if the station buildings were used for new purposes, such as a bike hire centre and café.

“Additional traffic, the potential for trespass and train incidents are some of the concerns that have been raised by school staff and parents, now that works are well advanced and their impact can be more readily determined,” reported Mr Hepton.

“Arising from the council’s duty of care, officers have considered the current situation which includes poor school traffic arrangements, lack of safety features, such as CCTV, and low quality and degraded perimeter fencing.”

SBC’s executive committee agreed it had no option but to spend £97,490 to address these issues.

The cash, the bulk of which will be spent in the coming financial year, will come from “emergency and uncommitted council funds”.

A new wire mesh perimeter fence will cost £40,000, CCTV to cover the school will cost £6,785 and a permanent traffic barrier, to keep rail-related vehicles out of school grounds, will cost another £11,000.

Mr Hepton said although Network Rail had been invited to financially contribute to the measures, it had declined on the basis that any additional works were outside its scope.

“These works will ensure the council has made reasonable provision…to address the concerns that have been raised,” he added.