After 18 months of work, Melrose and District Fairtrade Group has submitted its application to the Fairtrade Foundation seeking to have Melrose recognised as a Fairtrade Town.

Group chair Jenni Young is seen putting the finishing touches to the application.

Members now have an anxious wait to see if they will join Selkirk and Peebles as an additional beacon for the cause in the Borders.

The awareness-raising work of the group has seen it provide extensive support to the sustainability curriculum at Melrose Primary School, and the strong partnership with both staff and pupils has resulted in some valuable local data gathering and high-visibility events. A number of pupils have attended steering group meetings and contributed. The school hopes to achieve Fairtrade School status.

In addition, group members have been out and about talking to other schools, business groups and local community organisations about Fairtrade, and the benefits that it brings to farmers and producers in developing countries. This has often included slide shows of visits that group members have made to see at first hand how Fairtrade brings not only fair prices for the produce supplied, but also how the additional Fairtrade Premium supports local infrastructure projects such as the provision of better local health care and education facilities.

A remarkable outcome of the work of the Melrose group was to discover through a local survey the number of local shops that already stock and sell Fairtrade items, and the number of local businesses that already use Fairtrade products as a matter of course.

A feature of the talks given by group members has often included providing samples of Fairtrade products to taste, including wines and homemade traybakes using fairly-traded and locally available ingredients. A small directory of local businesses, accompanied by the traybake recipes, has ensured that the link is made between shop and customer in the High Street.

The group has also been a contributing member to the Greener Melrose series of winter talks and will continue to support this initiative, and continues to receive invitations to give talks and presentations to other local community groups.

Agriculture Modern Apprentice Ryan Paxton from Selkirk, runner-up at Lantra Scotland’s Land-based Learner of the Year Awards, is one of many young Scots choosing a vocational route into work through Scotland’s Modern Apprenticeship Scheme, instead of going to university.

Between May 18-22, Scotland celebrated Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Week, an initiative set up by the Scottish Government’s national skills body, Skills Development Scotland (SDS), to highlight the benefits apprenticeships bring to businesses, individuals and the economy.

The Modern Apprenticeship scheme offers new and existing employees the opportunity to gain skills and qualifications in the workplace, without the need for full-time study. They are also a highly-effective way for employers to recruit new staff and training employees to meet the specific needs of a business.

According to SDS, three-quarters of modern apprentices expect to remain with their current employer after completing their training, while around two-thirds will take on increased responsibility and improved pay. These kind of figures are making the scheme an attractive option for many young people who are concerned about running up student debts at university.

Ryan has taken full advantage of the scheme, which has helped him excel as an Agriculture Modern Apprentice working with BQ Farming Partnership in Selkirk. He has recently completed his Modern Apprenticeship Level 3 in Mixed Farming at SRUC Oatridge while working at his first job at Buccleuch Estates.

Ryan said: “I had very little knowledge about farming before coming to college and starting my Modern Apprenticeship, but the course and my tutors have taught me a lot, to the extent that I can now single-handedly manage a lambing shed, and many other jobs on the farm. The college and tutors have been a great support and have helped me progress my career and get the start that I needed.”

During the first week in June – which is Dementia Awareness Week in Scotland – Alzheimer Scotland wants to get people in the Borders talking about dementia.

The worry that someone, perhaps even you, might have dementia is one of the hardest issues any of us will have to face.

However, having difficult conversations about dementia – with partners, with family and friends, or with medical professionals – can make a huge difference to someone’s future quality of life.

That’s why Alzheimer Scotland will be having tea and talk events all over Scotland, as well as a wide range of other awareness-raising and fundraising activities, including information stands in public locations, concerts, takeover days in town centres and supermarkets, plus lighting up some of Scotland’s most famous landmarks in purple – the internationally recognised colour for Alzheimer’s disease.

The events planned for the Borders are:

June 4: Duns Church Hall, 7-9pm, to hear about plans to make Duns a dementia-friendly community.

June 3-4: Pop-up shop in centre of Galashiels to find out how people living with a diagnosis of dementia, and their families and carers, are supported.

June 5: Peter Lerpiniere, Alzheimer Scotland dementia nurse consultant, and Stephen Fox, service manager in the Borders, will be at Borders General Hospital all day. Find out how to become a Dementia Friend and learn a little about what it’s like to live with dementia and turn that understanding into action.

For additional information about any of our events during Dementia Awareness Week please contact Abby on 07795 316741 or email aparkhouse@alzscot.org

Peebles footwear specialists Young & Co has been put up for sale.

For more than 125 years there has been a history of continuous trading from the same premises at the town’s 13 Eastgate.

The sale is triggered by the up-and-coming retirement of the current owners, who have successfully run the business for the last 16 years.

Walker Scott Ireland, chartered surveyors and property agents based in Peebles, have released details of the sale of Young & Co as a going concern, with the flexible option for buyers to purchase the business goodwill and heritable title, or lease the shop on full repairing and insuring terms.

Michael Ireland, of Walker Scott Ireland, said: “Young & Co is a Peebles institution, with a strong reputation for quality of service and attention to detail, especially for kids’ shoes, which attracts huge loyalty locally and pulls people in from much further afield.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for someone to take on a great business and continue with its success.

“Let’s face it, if it’s been in the same use for so long, it must be the right business in the right place.”

An unseasonably windy spell is likely across the Borders later on Monday, overnight and well into Tuesday, as active frontal systems sweep across the UK.

The Yellow Warning is valid from 2pm on Monday, June 1, until 6pm on Tuesday, June 2.

An initial swathe of southerly gales, accompanied by heavy rain will move east across many parts later on Monday, giving gusts of 40-50 mph widely but 60-70 mph on the coast.

Winds will become west or southwesterly on Tuesday, with further gusts to 40-50 mph more locally, before gradually easing later.

Given the unseasonable nature of the winds, the public should be aware of the potential for disruption to transport and outdoor activities.

This is due to a powerful jetstream stretching across the Atlantic into the UK will steer a number of active weather systems across the UK during Monday and Tuesday.

Michael Moore has paid tributes to his friend and former parliamentary colleague Charles Kennedy who died on Monday, aged 55.

“He was a wonderful human being, full of kindness, warmth and humanity,” said Mr Moore of the man who led the party from 1999 until his resignation in 2006.

“We always had a strong bond, not least because of the kind of constituencies we represented,” added Mr Moore, the recently deposed Lib Dem MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, .

“I first met Charlie when the Scottish Grand Committee, which at that time comprised all 72 Scottish MPs, came to Selkirk in 1997.

“I was a rookie candidate, recently selected to fight Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale and attempting to succeed David Steel, and Charlie, just five years older than me but already an MP since 1983, made a point of taking me aside.

“He was so warm and supportive, telling me with that twinkle on his eye that, while I may be headed for Westminster, I should always keep my home base secure.

“He was a welcoming and reassuring friend when I did get elected later that year and, throughout the next 18 years, he never changed. He always treated people on equal terms, no matter how successful, and that was his great gift.

“And he was a great party leader although his congeniality and relaxed manner was often misinterpreted.

“Anyone who witnessed his impassioned public stand against the Iraq War could see his leadership strengths and it should be remembered he led the party in two general elections, increasing our strength from 46 to 62 MPS.

“I could not have asked for a better colleague: someone who really understood the responsibility and privilege of representing a rural seat in Scotland.

“On one visit to the Borders for a speaking engagement, Charlie asked me to take him to see the Bear Gates at Innerleithen which, at that time, was in my constituency.

“As a proud Highlander he was fascinated to see this great symbol of the Jacobite movement. He loved the Borders and always said how lucky we both were to represent such beautiful, historic areas.

“Charlie had a genuine interest in everything and everyone and his passing at such a young age is a great tragedy. He was, indeed, one of a kind.”

The Borders has earned an unenviable accolade – coming top in a league table of Scotland’s mainland local authority areas for people of working age with two or more jobs.

Between 2012 and 2014, the number of Borderers aged 16-64 working for at least two employers rocketed from 2,800 to 4000 – a hike of 42% - according to figures published last week by the Scottish Government.

The surge, revealed in an audit of local area labour markets, will be further ammunition to Scottish Borders Council as it attempts to broker alliances with Dumfries & Galloway and the Edinburgh City Region.

Such deals will seek to raise the region’s eligibility status for major infrastructure funding – considered vital to encourage inward investment and well paid employment.

Official figures for 2013/14 showed that only £810,000 of EU structural funding found its way into the Borders by way of capital income.

And last month councillors heard that the gross domestic product (GDP) per head in the region, reflecting aggregate incomes, was just £17,000, compared to £24,000 in Edinburgh.

Borders SNP MP Calum Kerr admitted this week that the two-job statistics were “deeply worrying”.

“I shall be writing to the Scottish Government to see if it can provide a fuller explanation,” said Mr Kerr.

“I suspect it will confirm that pay rates in the Borders are low and that hours of employment can be unpredictable which means people are having to take on two jobs to pay the bills.

“Of course, some people may be genuinely content with this, but others may be forced to work very long hours simply to stay afloat – something which deprives them of a social life, relaxation or spending more time with their families.

“I find this highly alarming, indicating its hard getting a good, well paid job in the Borders.

“In order to turn things around, we need to see an end to austerity and a programme of growth for local businesses and sorely needed improvements in our transport and communications infrastructure.”

While the proportion of multi-employed jobs in most of the rest of Scotland had been declining, the percentage in the Borders has leapt from 5.6% of the working population in 2012 to 7.5% in 2014.

Second in the league table is Argyll & Bute with 5.9% (2,200 people).

The escalation in the Borders is in stark contrast with neighbouring Dumfries and Galloway where 3,600 had two or more jobs last year (5.3%). To the north, Midlothian had 1,700 (4.3%), while the Scottish mainland average was 4.1%.

Famous chef Albert Roux is set to transform the 19th hole at the Roxburghe by launching a Franco-Scottish inspired restaurant in the clubhouse.

Golfers will be able to enjoy a more relaxed Roux dining experience at the Roxburghe from a menu specially designed with golfers in mind.

Mr Roux, head of London’s triple Michelin Starred restaurant Le Gavroche, said: “Having already established a fine-dining presence with Chez Roux in the hotel, I look forward to launching the new restaurant at the clubhouse.

“A high calibre course deserves a menu to match, and, inspired by the clubs loyal members, it will feature country-styled food crafted using local produce.”

Chez Roux on the Green will overlook the first tee.

Borderer Peter Scott Aiton is celebrating after being promoted to partner at CKD Galbraith.

The country’s leading independent property and rural consultancy firm announced five key promotions last week.

This included Peter staying within the building survey department, while becoming a partner, working from Edinburgh.

The 30-year-old is the youngest member of staff to be made a partner of the firm.

Tim Kirkwood, chief executive for CKD, said: “We have continued to enjoy growth across our various business streams, particularly in the commercial and building surveying sectors. Our building surveying service continues to grow rapidly.

“Peter joined the firm in 2010 and after rapid promotion to senior associate, joins the partnership as the youngest partner. Having started his career in London, he returned home to the Borders, where he originates from.

“Currently, he is working across the UK in both the commercial and rural sectors of the firm.”

BOWDEN

Coffee morning

The village hall is hosting a Blooming Great Coffee Morning to raise funds for the Marie Curie charity on June 6 (10am-noon).

caddonfoot

Parish church

Sunday’s congregation heard a graphic account of the recent Nepal earthquake, which cost over 7,000 lives. Ongdi Sherpa, who was in Kathmandu at the time and now stays in Galashiels, said that his own village had been devastated. His talk was illustrated by slides. There was a retiring collection for the Nepal Relief Fund. The service was conducted by the Reverend Elspeth Harley and a Bible reading performed by Christine Dorward. Georgie Bird, as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award, does voluntary work for Riding for the Disabled and is holding a sponsored silence for 48 hours this month to raise funds. Music was played by Andy and Catriona Bird. It was announced that one of the church’s elders, Margaret Black, had died. There will be an afternoon Sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday at 3pm when anyone who can help with transport should contact the minister.

Earlston

SWI

Members held their AGM before Dorthe Stevold provided lots of fun with gentle exercises and advice. Competition – baby’s bootees – 1, Alix Grierson; 2, Edith Cockburn. All bootees will be donated to the Blythswood charity. Competition points for the year – 1, Heather Smith; 2, Edith Cockburn; 3, Barbara Greer. The outing is on June 11 (change of date), leaving The Square at 11am with tea at the Stair Arms on the way home. The trip is to Ocean Terminal with an option to go on board the royal yacht Britannia. Anyone wishing to travel should contact Trish Grierson on 01896 822 859.

Auld Earlston

It was back to school for Auld Earlston group members, who were delighted to accept an invitation to participate in the Learning Partnership Open Day at Earlston Primary School. A photographic display was created of schooldays past, together with pictures of wartime Earlston, the railway era and Simpson & Fairbairn Mill. Visitors could also watch a lap-top slide show and browse through the albums of press cuttings on Earlston.

ETTRICKBRIDGE

AGM

The following appointments were confirmed at Kirkhope Village Hall AGM – chairperson, George Jack; vice-chair, Alison Blackadder; treasurer, Alan Ross; interim secretary, Gordon Beveridge.

Coffee morning

The next coffee morning and sale in aid of hall funds will be held on June 6 (10am-noon). Anyone with anything to sell should come along, take a table and give a small donation to hall funds.

Quartet

On July 31, the Keats Quartet will play in the village hall, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Linda on 01750 52257.

FOUNTAINHALL

SWI

The meeting on June 10 will be the final night before the summer break, meeting at Herges on the Lake, Tweedbank, at 7pm for 7.30pm. Meetings will resume again on September 16. Competition winners from the May meeting – floral arrangement – 1, Agnes Mathison; 2, Fiona Walters; vase – 1, Fiona Walters; 2, Janice Currie.

galashiels

Trinity church

Ongdi Sherpa – who comes from Nepal, but lives in Galashiels – was in Kathmandu when an earthquake recently hit his country. He showed slides of the devastation to the congregation at last Sunday’s service. Ongdi has decided to raise money for victims of this disaster and a retiring collection was taken for this cause. Elspeth Harley conducted the service, Andy Bird was at the piano and Marette Hose delivered Bible readings. Session clerk Bill Cheyne announced that Trinity had raised £1,113.84 for Christian Aid and that the joint guild coffee morning had realised £349.60. There will be a coffee morning in the church hall from 10am-noon on June 6. The kirk session meets on June 9 at 7pm.

Rotary

Stephen Paterson of TD1 Radio, a community station broadcasting on 106.5FM – covering Galashiels, Selkirk and Stow – told the history of the station. From its birth in a room in David Henderson’s house in Galashiels, Steven took members through its various stages when the group of radio enthusiasts had to apply first for permission to transmit online only until they were able to apply for a licence to broadcast on FM. Much of the initial costs were borne by David and his team of volunteers, though eventually they were able to apply for grants, lottery funding etc. After much searching, the station found accommodation within Ladhope Golf Club and launched on FM at 6am on March 30 this year.

Waterways group

On June 6, Gala Waterways Group will be cutting back bushes and trees near the lade at the back of the High Street car park (behind Iceland). Saws, loppers and secateurs would be handy. Volunteers should wear boots or wellies. Meet at 10am by the public toilets in the car park. For more information, contact Alastair Lings 01896 757861/07763 850087.

glendouglas

Callant date

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the date of the “Evening with the Callant” has been changed from June 10 to June 24 (7.30pm).

SRI

The SRI trip is today (June 4), meeting at the town hall car park at 3pm.

Whist

A whist drive will be held on June 8 at 7.30pm.

Lunch club

The lunch club meets on June 10 (11.30am-1.30pm).

Plant sale

The plant sale on May 31 raised more than £2,500 for the Lavender Trust charity.

hawick

Rotary

The club’s coffee morning, held in Trinity Church Hall, raised nearly £1,000 for those suffering from recent earthquakes in Nepal.

Bridge club

May 26 – 1, Mary Millar and Patsy Gilligan; 2, Valerie Johnstone and Marion Miller; 3, John and Marian Miller.

SWI

The Roxburgh federation’s spring rally was held in Hawick where a large number of members from the 23 institutes attended. Entertainment for the evening was a fashion show of hats, hatinators and fascinators by April Fleming of Teviothead, and dresses by Eden, Hawick. Members tried on the various hats before supper was served. Congratulations were extended to Joan Duncan and Caroline Tully on receiving Honours for the Afternoon Tea test, Jan Little on gaining Honours for Preserves and Shona Morrison in respect of Honours for Baking and first class for Sugarcraft.

The competitions for the evening were judged by Aileen Cavers and Isa Cavers – jar of marmalade – 1, J. Little, Newmill and Teviothead; 2, A. J. Mitchinson, Newcastleton; 3, B. J. Hopkins, Roberton. Jar of chutney – 1, A. Cochrane, Midlem; 2, N. Anderson, Morebattle; 3, K. Neasham, Hermitage. Liqueur – 1, J. Little, Newmill and Teviothead; 2, G. Francombe, Newmill and Teviothead; 3, S. Gray. Mobile phone cover – 1, H. Cessford, Morebattle; 2, S. Morrison, Cogsmill. Fresh f lower corsage – 1, J. Little, Newmill and Teviothead; 2, G. Williamson, Midlem; 3, A. Cochrane, Midlem.

Innerleithen

Service

The service on June 7 will be in the Hall of Friendship at 9am.

jedburgh

Blood donors

At a blood-donor session, 137 volunteers offered to give blood and there were 125 donations, including four new donors.

Holocaust survivor

Jedburgh Grammar School students will hear testimony from Holocaust survivor Zigi Shipper on June 10 as part of a visit organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET). This will be followed by a question-and-answer session to enable students to better understand the nature of the Holocaust and to explore its lessons in more depth.

kelso

Youth project

Kelso Youth Project needs donations of old DVDs, CDs and books for its sale in Kelso Square on June 20. They can be dropped off at The Planet on Wednesdays (3-5.30pm) and Thursdays (3-9pm). Contact Ian on ianrendallreid@cheviotyouth.co.uk for further information or to help on the day.

Quilters

Abbey Quilters’ AGM is on June 9 at 7pm in Abbey Row Centre. As well as the AGM, there will be a “Show and Tell” and party. Members should remember to bring their challenge squares for judging, as well as mug and name badge. For further information, contact Rineke Sangster on 01573 229414.

Coffee morning

The Friends of Kelso Hospital are holding a coffee morning at Abbey Row Centre on June 6 (10am-noon).

U3A

The next meeting of the Four Border Abbeys U3A group will be held on June 8 at 12.30pm in Kelso Rugby Club, taking the form of a buffet lunch and social for members and their guests.

Bridge club

May 27 – match-pointed pairs – N/S – 1, Dominic and Diana Alkin; 2, Bob Stevenson and Annie Mitchell; 3, Rena Stewart and Beth Stark; E/W – 1, John Urquhart and Janet Kyle; 2, Alison Ireland and Jean McLaren; 3, Elinor Green and Caroline Sutherland. May 28 – aggregate pairs – N/S – 1, Alex Jeffrey and Archie Stewart; 2, Rena Stewart and Maureen Weightman; 3, Ian Watson and Georgina Hall; E/W – 1, Gerry Eglington and Jon Bridger; 2, Shirley Armstrong and Moira Ayton; 3, Jean Henry and Myra Thomson.

Langholm

Coffee morning

The local branch of the British Heart Foundation held a coffee morning in the Buccleuch Centre and raised well over £500. It was opened by the Reverend Scott McCarthy, and chairperson Betty Edgar then handed over to Dr Bronwyn McCall who launched the training to teach people what to do if they are present when someone has a cardiac arrest. Mr McCarthy was joined by a number of volunteers for CPR training using a specially-designed pack, including 10 resuscitation mannequins and a 30-minute DVD.

The local committee of BHF is working with the Langholm Initiative to help any group or individual to train in basic CPR, and anyone who would like more information should contact Judith Johnston at the Initiative.

Fundraiser

More than £1,000 was raised by a group of 20 runners for the Muckle Toon Adventure Festival. Starting at 7am, they took it in turns on the 24-hour run from the bottom of the hill road which leads to Newcastleton, up to the MacDiarmid memorial. The distances completed worked out as reaching the summit of Everest. The fundraiser was organised to boost the funds of the festival which will take place over the weekend of June 19-21, and involves trail running, mountain biking, guided walks and children’s activities.

lauder

Historical society

Michael Middlemiss is coming on June 24 and not June 10 as previously advertised. He will still be giving a presentation about Lauder Burgess Acres. At the AGM, the following were elected onto the committee – Eugene Brandeschi (chairperson), Pat Fairbairn (vice-chairperson), Grace Whellans (treasurer), Joan Stevens (secretary – tel. 01578 722559) and committee members Caroline Barr, Jean Landells, Elma Middlemiss, Michael Scott and Anthony Tucker. Grateful thanks were conveyed to outgoing committee members Alistair Smith (chairperson), Andy Neil (vice-chairperson), Rod and Cath Hanmer and Helen Neil for their work for the society.

melrose

Parish church

Communion at Bowden and Melrose took place on the last overcast May morning of what turned out to be a beautiful day. The sum of £3,165 has been raised for Christian Aid, plus £209 for Nepal. Foodbank contributions are still welcome and the church magazine is available. June 7 services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (11am).

Fair

Melrose Primary School’s summer fair is today (Thursday), from 1.30-4.30pm. Organisers have hired a cave simulator which will allow up to 12 children and/or adults at a time to experience caving in the safety of the back of a lorry.

Trimontium

The bookstall has a range to cover most interests and aspects. Books of a more humorous nature try to provide information – with laughter. Asterix and Obelix have been known for years as principal characters in the only village in Gaul holding out against the Romans, who give them a wide berth. Now the Gauls have teamed up with the Picts, whose village leader is, as you might expect, Heidbummerix.

morebattle

Coffee mornings

Morebattle fishing club coffee morning was held on Saturday when approximately £365 was raised. Competition winners – sweets in jar – Gail Gibson; lucky card – June Bell. Morebattle fishing competition will be held on June 6. Names to David Gray by June 4 for 9pm draw at Templehall. The institute coffee morning will be held on June 13 at 10.30am.

SWI

Members go to Minto golf club for their outing on June 10.

Youth project

See Kelso section.

Newcastleton

Craft fair

The annual craft fair attracted many locals, and visitors from both sides of the border. The event is the main fundraiser for the hall committee.

newmill

SWI

The open night began with a

talk and slideshow on the his

Turn to page 30

From page 29

tory between Langholm and Hawick, given by Ian Landles and Billy Young. Competitions – home-made savoury snack – visitors – 1, Rhona Glendinning; 2, Jean Umpherston; members – 1, Muriel Baptie; old photograph on any subject of something between /and/or including Hawick and Langholm – 1, Tina Ainslie; 2, Liz Howieson; 3, Jan Little. The sales table proceeds went to the MS society. The next meeting is the annual outing – a treasure hunt on June 9, beginning at The Haugh at 6pm, and a meal at Denholm Meet at 7.30pm.

newtown

Plant sale

Newtown in Bloom held its spring plant sale in the Community Wing, attracting well over 100 local residents. Bob Johnston, of Philiphaugh Plants, provided spring bedding plants and many villagers had brought along a bewildering variety of plants, from nasturtiums to tomato plants to tree peonies. The event made a net profit of £363 and there was a donation from John Gordon towards a new water bowser. There have been further donations since from people who were unable to attend, bringing the total to more than £500. The group will be able to use most of the unsold plants at various locations around the village.

oxton

SWI AGM

Elected – president/secretary, Agnes Bell; treasurer, Sylvia Thomson; committee – Denise Barclay, Wendy Gilchrist, Frances Dickman, Jackie Pinkerton and Margaret Smith. Following completion of business, members enjoyed a wide variety of taste-and-try dishes. The summer outing will be held on June 17.

TEVIOTHEAD

SWI

See Newmill section.

Walkerburn

Jumble sale

Walkerburn Community Development Trust is holding a jumble sale in the village hall on June 6 between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

Service

The service on June 7 in Walkerburn Public Hall starts at 10.30am.

Yetholm

Youth project

See Kelso district.

Service

Yetholm Church and Sanctuary will hold a rededication service on June 10 at 7pm in Yetholm Church, conducted by the Moderator of the Presbytery of Jedburgh.

Bowmont Theatre

Bowmont Theatre stages “Acting – it’s not Plumbing” in Wauchope Hall, June 12 (7.30pm).

Plant sale

Floral Gateway holds a plant sale on the village green on June 13 (9.30am).

Sinfonia

Yetholm Sinfonia will perform on June 13 at 7.30pm in Kelso Old Parish Church.

Kirkin’

The Bari Gadgi and Bari Manushi will attend the annual kirkin’ service at Yetholm Church on June 14 (10am), followed by coffee and sandwiches in the Border Hotel.

Disco

Festival Week children’s disco and party in Wauchope Hall on June 14 at 2pm.

It is almost – and I emphasise the ‘almost’ – possible, according to the Met office, that by the end of this week we will have warmer weather than May managed to provide.

Cue chorus of ‘That wouldn’t be difficult’, because in general and for most of us May was a miserable month. So welcome flaming June. Even a moderately warm June will be welcome, especially for farmers and gardeners waiting for signs of rapid crop growth to replace the reluctant slow-motion of plants inching upwards during the past few weeks.

If we could compare crops at the beginning of May with the end of the month we would, of course, see that they had developed. In fact there must be a mobile phone app or a lap-top function to show that.

But for those of us relying on memory and eyesight, both fraying a little round the edges, we seemed to have had four or five long weeks when nothing much happened in the fields. Given some warmth, crops will now, metaphorically, take off and race through growth stages towards harvest. We hope.

Scotland’s annual Beef Event, held this year at Mains of Mause, Blairgowrie, went well. There’s always an interest in visiting someone else’s farm and many Borders farmers were in the crowd and on the trailers going round a farm that has more than 1,000 Limousin suckler cows and more than 30 bulls. That’s quite a set up, impressively run.

Not for the first time the message for beef farmers was to improve management and efficiency and produce better quality animals. That might seem tough talk, but Ian Galloway, chairman of the company Scotbeef which processes more than 110,000 cattle annually – as well as about 750,000 lambs – pointed out several vital facts.

One is that supermarkets fighting for business need meat, but they want a quality product. They will also pay as little for it as possible. That means farmers controlling costs and production and getting carcase quality right. Quality has improved in recent years, said Mr Galloway, but there are still far too many overweight, lower grade cattle, as farmers think extra weight will compensate for a lower quality price per kilo.

Mains of Mause cattle reach slaughter about 170 days earlier than the Scottish average of 751 days, that is at 19 months instead of about two years. The significance of that is that calves born in the spring of one year go for slaughter at a time of early autumn peak prices the following year, rather than two years after birth when most cattle are sold and prices are lower.

As with every message along the lines of ‘could do better’ and ‘must try harder’, we can’t all respond as we would like. And as noted here recently, it has been found that the top third of farming producers of anything stay in the top third and the bottom third seldom move out of their lower league except to be relegated out of business.

Help and support for people in agriculture and their dependants is just a phone call away with the launch of a new service from RSABI, Scotland’s unique rural charity.

The new helpline, 0300 111 4166, which is run out of hours with help from Farm Community Network, is now open every day of the year from 7am to 11pm and provides a single point of enquiry, handling everything from questions about the benefits system and sources of help on farming issues, to delivering support on critical personal matters, including money troubles and emotional distress.

It will also act as an entry point to RSABI for anyone that may require financial assistance.

Launching the improved service, RSABI chief executive, Nina Clancy said: “RSABI’s new, single helpline 0300 111 4166 is for anyone, whatever their age or circumstances, who has worked on Scotland’s land and needs a helping hand. Just ask, we do more than you think.

“Every year, we work with hundreds of people with backgrounds in farming, working or retired, as well as their dependants, who have questions about what they might be entitled to or find they are struggling to cope for some reason.

“We deal with a much wider range of problems than you might think, including the benefits system, mental health issues, business and financial trouble. If we cannot help directly, we will know someone who can.

“All our calls are confidential and people often tell us how relieved they are to get things off their chest and to find that there is a solution.”

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) has announced the details of its 2015 Young Gamekeeper of the Year Award, part of its Year of The Rural Worker programme.

The prize recognises individuals whose passion and work, in line with best practice and responsible management, make them ambassadors for their chosen profession in Scotland.

This year’s award is open to young gamekeepers, stalkers, river or land ghillies, wildlife managers and rangers in the early stages of a career, and individuals may be nominated by estates, senior staff, shoot operators or college lecturers.

Youngsters who have excelled on work placement as part of their college education can also be nominated.

The winner will be selected following informal interviews, and the presentation of a cheque will be made at the 26th GWCT Scottish Game Fair at Scone on Friday, July 3.

Winning the SGA Young Gamekeeper of the Year Award is a significant career endorsement by an organisation representing over 5,300 members across Scotland.

A Parliamentary motion commending the last winner, Greg Sinclair, and the important contribution made to Scotland by responsible wildlife managers, was signed by MSPs across the political spectrum at Holyrood.

SGA Chairman Alex Hogg said: “We have altered the timescale of the 2015 award because we wanted the work of young people in our profession to be recognised more widely, hence the decision to announce the winner at this year’s Scottish Game Fair.

“These young men and women represent the future of an industry worth £200 million a year to Scotland. However, their sheer hard work, often during unsociable hours and in all conditions, helps to ensure Scotland can support a wildlife tourism product worth a further £65 million per annum.

“This is no insignificant sum. Similarly, the proven benefits for a broad range of species, from curlew to red squirrels and freshwater pearl mussels, are delivered at no cost to the public purse.

“Not only is it vital to have new entrants with the right passion and skill, it is also important to recognise all those who create relevant opportunities for young people in our less populated and remote areas. These jobs help to keep rural communities alive and families working in them.”

Candidates being nominated will be scored on their passion for good management, their adherence to best practice and the law, a willingness to learn and adapt and an understanding of why responsible management brings benefits in the public interest.

Nominations must be received by June 17, and should be sent to the SGA office or emailed to info@scottishgamekeepers.co.uk

Much as I enjoy the natural wonders shown on Springwatch, there’s nothing like getting out into the great outdoors with a group of local experts, to really appreciate our local wildlife.

That’s just what I did recently, to try and learn about a fascinating world which is hidden from our view for most of the time.

We all know the beauties of the River Tweed, with its abundant birdlife and glorious riverside wild flowers, but how much do we know about what is going on beneath the surface of the water?

The Central Borders Members Group of the Scottish Wildlife Trust teamed up with the Tweed Foundation to demonstrate the aquatic life found in the River Tweed and one of its tributaries the Glenkinnon Burn, enlisting the latter group’s senior biologist Dr Ronald Campbell to share his vast knowledge of freshwater life and electro-fishing expert Kenny Galt, the foundation’s trout and grayling biologist.

Seeing pictures of fish is not nearly as interesting as seeing them live, but how do you catch them to order without harming them? The answer is electro-fishing, which involves wading through the water with a powerful battery on your back, connected to a hand-held pole with a ring on the end. In the other hand is another pole with a sieve taped to the end.

The ring is inserted into the water and a charge released which attracts small fish, stunning them momentarily, allowing them to be scooped up with the sieve and popped into a bucket of water.

Special training and a licence is required as it can be dangerous. In no time at all, Dr Ron had an array of aquatic creatures in glass jars, laid out on a trestle table ready for his deliberations.

There were one and two-year-old trout and salmon and some only a few weeks old, also “Bessie Beardies” (a kind of loach), eels and lampreys. It was amazing to hear the complicated life cycle of the trout and salmon and the eels, which is still shrouded in mystery (no-one has ever seen one laying eggs in the wild).

The tiny eel-like lampreys, which live most of their lives deep in silt and mud without any eyes, really captured the imagination.

To top it all, Kenny told the group that he would go and get an adult trout to show us. We thought another high tech gizmo would be employed, but he appeared with a trout rod and fly and within five minutes had a lovely plump brown trout swimming around in a bucket.

The demonstration was free and open to all comers and those who dragged themselves away from the box were rewarded by a truly fascinating evening.

From this week, Phil Johnson is the new editor of the Southern Reporter and Selkirk Weekend Advertiser. He succeeds Susan Windram, who has joined Scottish Field magazine.

Mr Johnson, 38, started his career at The Southern in 1998 before spending 10 years at The Scotsman. He has edited the Berwick Advertiser and Berwickshire News for the past four-and-a-half years and remains Berwickshire News editor in a new, wider role.

Mr Johnson, 38, started his career at The Southern in 1998 before spending 10 years at The Scotsman. He has edited the Berwick Advertiser and Berwickshire News for the past four-and-a-half years and remains Berwickshire News editor in a new, wider role.

Scottish Borders Council has performed a spectacular U-turn which will see Hornshole recommended for inclusion in the new Hawick multi-ward at the next local elections.

In what will be seen by many as a credibility-restoring move, Councillor Ron Smith emailed all 34 councillors asking for their thoughts on “altering the line” to include Hornshole in response to the “controversy in Hawick” at the recent council meeting.

The news has been welcomed by Councillor Watson McAteer.

He said: “Ron Smith’s suggestion to move the proposed boundary at Hornshole to ensure its future within a new Hawick district ward, although late in the day, is welcome.

“There is no doubt this change has arisen because the full voice of the Hawick folk has been heard.”

In his email to Scottish Borders councillors, Councillor Smith wrote: “As a result of the controversy within Hawick following the council meeting, which has focused on the importance of the Hornshole site to Hawick, I have given this further thought.”

Councillor Smith added that following consultation with council officials they have concluded that “only a minor tweak is required to retain the association of Hawick with its historical and cultural site at the Hornshole memorial”.

Kieron Butler, 12, had the idea to run between Melrose and Gala rugby clubs – and back again – in aid of the dialysis unit at Borders General Hospital in memory of his great aunt who died recently.

Kieron, backed up by his brother Martin Lammie and Martin’s friend Alan Everett, completed the eight-mile run on Saturday morning in just 62 minutes.

With this, along with an earlier treadmill run and bake sale at the BGH, they have raised £1,460.

A sheriff has told a company boss who stole goods worth almost £200,000 over eight years that he betrayed the firm’s trust.

William Lauder was managing director of Aero Leather Clothing Ltd, based at Greenbank Mill, Huddersfield Street, Galashiels.

He denied stealing jeans, jackets, other clothing, books and badges, as well as other items from various places, including Galashiels and Hawick.

He was found guilty in April and at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday he was jailed for 21 months.

Lauder, 48, said he felt he was being insufficiently rewarded for his work.

Defence advocate Victoria Dow asked for the first offender to be spared jail and given a community-based sentence.

But Lauder, of Buccleuch Street in Hawick, was told by Sheriff Alistair Noble: “You were convicted of stealing just under £195,000 of property from a company of which you were the managing director.

“In part, this may have been because you felt you were being insufficiently rewarded for the work you were doing for the company. You had been in substantial control of the company and it is clear you were held in high esteem and trusted completely. You betrayed that trust”.

Sheriff Noble acknowledged that a substantial amount of the property had been recovered.

But he added: “Despite these factors, it is clear in my view the offences can only be dealt with by a custodial sentence.

“Giving you as much credit as I can, you are sentenced to 21 months.”

Ms Dow said Lauder continued to deny the allegations against him. She said he lived with his wife and three-year-old son, and that financing their home could be compromised by a custodial sentence.

The stolen goods were taken between September 2004 and March 2013.

Lauder’s crime came to light when the owners discovered he had been selling factory products on eBay.

Police found goods worth around £144,000 at his home.

Acting Detective Sergeant Ian Johnstone said: “I hope this custodial sentence will act as a deterrent to others.

“William Lauder abused his position of trust and stole a considerable amount of clothing over a period of years.

“The founders of the firm, Mr and Mrs Calder, had taken early retirement and Lauder was left in a position of trust.

“He was arrested and charged with the offence of embezzlement as a result of a detailed police investigation.

“Lauder alleged that Calder family members had also sold company products on eBay for their own personal benefit, but these allegations were investigated and proved groundless.”

A teenager who breached a community payback order for the second time was jailed for six months.

Mark McCarry, 19, of Allars Bank, Hawick, admitted the breach.

It had been imposed for threatening and abusive behaviour in Channel Street, Galashiels, last July when McCarry told a man: “I’m going to f*****g kill you”, forcing him to take refuge at the criminal justice office.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told McCarry: “This is your second breach and you conspicuously failed to comply. If the order is to mean anything, there is no alternative but custody.”

SEVENS SESSION LED TO ROAD BAN

After socialising at Earlston Sevens, Ewan Corbett crashed his car as he drove to work during the early hours of the morning.

Corbett, 22, of Kennetside Farm Cottages, Kelso, admitted driving a car on the A6105 Gordon-Greenlaw road on May 4 with a breath/alcohol reading of 36 mcgs – the legal limit being 22.

He was fined £200 and banned from driving for 12 months. Corbett was fined a further £100 after he pleaded guilty to failing to stop and give his name and address.

Prosecuting, Graham Fraser said: “He had been at Earlston rugby sevens with friends and very early on Monday morning he decided to drive his car to work.

“At 3am, paramedics came across a crashed Ford Focus car abandoned in the roadway. They saw the accused run off into the fields and he was later traced at an address in Ayrshire.”

Corbett’s solicitor said the address in Ayrshire was his client’s parents’ home.

The lawyer added: “He had been drinking with friends the previous evening and was starting work at 4am. It was a risk he shouldn’t have taken, and he panicked and ran off across the fields to his work. It was a fairly new job and he was keen to keep it.”

POACHER LANDS FINES OF £150

Fishing illegally cost Edward Ingle fines totalling £150.

Ingle, 47, of High Street, Dunbar, admitted taking salmon, other than by rod or line, by using nets at the River Tweed at Hornwell fishing shiel on August 13, 2013. He also pleaded guilty to a similar offence by the use of gill nets on the left bank of the River Tweed on August 18, 2013.

The court heard Ingle had been of good behaviour during 12 months of previously-deferred sentence.

WOMAN ADMONISHED

A Hawick woman – hospitalised after being found unconscious – admitted possession of a class A drug.

Danielle Lazzari, 24, of Chay Blyth Place, had methadone at a house at Leishman Place, Hawick, on September 30, 2013.

Lazzari was admonished after the court heard she had been out of trouble during a period of deferred sentence.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said: “She was hospitalised, having been found unconscious, but has since turned a corner.”

DIDN’T HANDLE BREAK-UP WELL

When his partner accused him of being too serious and controlling, and asked him to leave, Andrew Cowe returned in the early hours of the morning, calling her “a slag, a junkie and a whore”.

The 42-year-old first offender, of Wood Street, Galashiels, appeared from custody and admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at Scotts Place, Melrose, on May 24.

Graham Fraser, prosecutor, said: “He was in a relationship with a lady well known to the court which lasted until May 23. She felt he was too serious and controlling, and asked him to leave, but he came back to the house at 4am and was abusive, referring to her as a slag, a junkie and a whore.”

Defence solicitor Rory Bannerman said his client had never been in trouble before and didn’t handle the break-up well, adding: “He didn’t deal with it properly, and the last 36 hours in custody has certainly taught him a lesson.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence until December 7 at Selkirk Sheriff Court for Cowe to be of good behaviour. He was released on bail with a condition not to contact the woman.

THREATENED ESTRANGED WIFE

A Peebles man threatened his estranged wife after letting himself into the family home.

He told her: “I could deck you if I wanted.”

Stuart Jervis, 46, of Dovecot Lade, Peebles, appeared from custody and admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at Bellfield Crescent, Eddleston, on Saturday.

The court heard how the first offender had been watching football throughout the afternoon before ringing the family home.

At 10pm, he decided to travel from Peebles to Eddleston and let himself in with a spare key. During an argument, he told his estranged wife: “I could deck you if I wanted.”

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said: “He went to the kitchen and picked up a knife from the knife block, and started to cut one of his wrists. He told her, ‘I’ve lost everything, let’s just finish it right now’, before throwing the knife to the ground and leaving.”

Defending, Rory Bannerman said his client was upset by his behaviour and appreciated it was entirely wrong.

Jervis, who works as a car valetter, had sentence deferred for six months to be of good behaviour, until December 7 at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

CASE IS CONTINUED

A 24-year-old accused of using racially-offensive language in Hawick had his case continued without plea until June 29.

Liam Young, of Bourtree Bank, Hawick, is charged with threatening or abusive behaviour in the town’s High street on April 29.

DENIES DRIVING WHEN UNFIT

An Eyemouth teenager who denies driving when unfit through drink or drugs will stand trial on August 11, with an intermediate hearing on July 13.

Kaitlyn Shell, 17, of Killies Green, pleaded not guilty to the offence which is alleged to have taken place between Coldingham and the A1, near Ale Mill Farm, on September 21. She also denies driving without supervision, and without due care and attention.

KNIFE ALLEGATION

A Hawick man denies forcing open a car, grabbing the driver and attempting to pull him from the vehicle.

John Turnbull also pleaded not guilty to brandishing a knife, to the fear and alarm of the car occupants; possession of a knife; and wilfully damaging a car.

The offences are alleged to have happened at Minto Place, Hawick, on April 23.

Turnbull, 26, of Crailing Court, Hawick, will stand trial on August 11, with an intermediate hearing on July 13. He was bailed with a condition not to enter Minto Place, or to contact two named persons.

AUGUST TRIAL DATE

A man denies failing to provide adequate nutrition for a dog in his care.

The animal, named Bella, is alleged to have become emaciated.

Darran Whitelaw, 20, of Anderson Place, Hawick, pleaded not guilty to failing to provide adequate treatment for the dog at his home between September 19 and December 19 last year. He also denies failing to prove a suitable environment for the dog, alleged to have been found in a cage within a close cupboard.

He will stand trial on August 11, with an intermediate hearing on July 13.

DENIES RACIAL AGGRAVATION

A 51-year-old accused of using racially-offensive and sectarian language will stand trial on August 11.

Edward Cruickshank, of Hartrigge Poultry Farm, Oxnam Road, Jedburgh, had an intermediate hearing set for July 13.

Cruickshank denies acting in a racially-aggravated manner at Hartrigge Poultry Farm on January 1 last year, and again between March 1 and March 31, 2014.

PRETENDED TO BE A LAWYER

Posing as a solicitor, a man attempted to gain access to court cells.

John Kevan pretended to a police officer at Selkirk Sheriff Court that he was a solicitor in a bid to get into the cells complex on June 23 last year.

Kevan, 48, of Balmoral Place, Galashiels, denied the offence, but was found guilty after trial. He also denied pretending he was due loss of earnings as a witness and attempting to obtain £134.40 by fraud at the procurator fiscal’s office, Jedburgh, on June 13, and was also found guilty after trial.

Kevan had sentence deferred for reports until July 6.

DAVID ELLIOT: AN APOLOGY

In a report last week, we stated that David Elliot, of Forthill Avenue, Jedburgh, who denies three charges, was president of St Boswells Rugby Club. Mr Elliot has told us he not president of the club. We apologise to Mr Elliot and to the club for our error.

A fundraiser to help victims of the recent Nepal earthquake is to be held in Galashiels later this month.

The quiz and curry night on June 20 in the town’s Focus Centre is being organised by Ongdi Sherpa, who hails originally from the Himalayan country and narrowly escaped being killed when the earthquake struck.

Ongdi, who has lived in the Borders since 2007, belongs to Nepal’s well-known Sherpa clan which famously provides the legendary Himalayan mountain guides.

Ongdi, who lives in Galashiels with wife Alison, and five-year-old daughter Tamzin, was visiting his parents at the time.

Once safely back home in Galashiels, Ongdi decided to raise as much money as he can to help affected villages in the more remote parts of the country.

Ongdi has also recently been speaking about the situation in Nepal to members of the Rotary Club in Selkirk and the congregations of Trinity Church in Galashiels and Caddonfoot.

“I really enjoyed talking to such lovely people.

“I’m not used to talking in public, but it was a good experience for me and all the people were really supportive,” he told us this week.

“And I am very grateful to the Taste of Spice restaurant in Selkirk which is donating a three-course meal for the event.”

The fundraising event will run from 5-10pm, with tickets priced £10 per person and children going free.

Tickets are available at the Subway sandwich shops in both Galashiels and Hawick, as well as from the Taste of Spice restaurant in Selkirk.

Alternatively, those interested in attending the curry night can email Ongdi at ongdis@gmail.com or call him on 07765 207258.