Kelso parents worried about a convicted sex offender living in the town have been advised by police and councillors to “keep an eye” on him.

The advice was given to a small number of local mums who had turned up at Tuesday evening’s meeting of the town’s community council to voice their worries about the issue.

Last week The Southern reported the growing disquiet in Kelso that the man, believed to be a category three offender, was being accommodated in the town. Several of the parents at this week’s meeting wanted to know why he could not be stopped from buying alcohol, as it was felt this made him a bigger threat.

There is a multi-agency set of arrangements for supervising the man, but community police officer, PC Suzanne Howgego, explained these did not prevent him from buying or consuming alcohol.

“Our main priority is to keep people safe and this person is managed by an experienced officer, with a level of management appropriate to the risk he may pose,” she said.

PC Howgego said she understood the feelings of the community: “I’d ask people to keep an eye on what he is doing and if anyone is unhappy, then they report the matter to the police – what we’re not looking for is a vigilante group.

“We don’t want to see members of the Kelso community getting into bother. People have got to remain calm and let us manage the situation.”

However, one mother commented: “You have kids coming down the street from the high school to have their lunches and at the same time you have this individual shouting out at the top of his voice about the crimes he’s committed. Surely that’s unacceptable behaviour?”

PC Howgego responded: “If the man is committing a breach of the peace or displaying threatening behaviour then we need the public to come forward and report that.”

Council chairman, Provost John Bassett, told the meeting he had now spoken with many local pub owners who had agreed not to serve the man.

Scottish Borders councillor Tom Weatherston said that as much evidence as possible about the man’s behaviour needed to be gathered to justify having him moved on.

“Because there is now widespread knowledge of where he lives in the town and what we don’t want is a vigilante group turning up on his doorstep,” he said. 


The generosity of Kelso residents will see at least 50 cows provided to Ethiopian women and their families.

That was the theme for Christian Aid Week 2015, with the cows - costing £150 each - allowing the women to make butter they can sell and so lift themselves out of poverty.

Fundraising efforts by the Kelso Churches Together Christian Aid Action Group raised £7,521.17 from various events and activities. As well as a house-to-house collection, there was a photo exhibition, concert and quiz night with 13 teams taking part.

Ruth McGrath, Kelso Churches Together Christian Aid Co-ordinator, said church reps Elinor Docherty (Kelso North), Rhona Hastie (Kelso Old) and Moira Walsh (St Mary’s) deserved thanks for ensuring all the 61 districts were covered.

And she added: “I also thank the collectors, as without their dedication we would not raise the money. Grateful thanks also goes to the people of Kelso who, yet again, so generously supported the Christian Aid Collection.

“With the house-to-house collection and other fund raising events, the total to date stands at £7,521.17.

“It never ceases to surprise me how generous the folks of Kelso and area are; these are not easy times and yet again their generosity in giving of their time, talents and money is wonderful and is the best result we have ever had.”

Tributes have been paid to the Duns woman who died after a collision involving her car and a tractor and trailer near Chirnside.

Caroline Taylor-Smith, 18, sustained serious injuries when her Fiat Panda was in collision with the tractor and trailer on the A6105 on June 1. She was airlifted to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but died two days later. Police Scotland is continuing with its investigation.

Friends and staff at Borders College, where she was studying for a horse-care qualification, paid tribute.

College friend Jasmine Bellingham said: “We will never forget your gorgeous smile and how you always cheered everyone up.”

A chef had his jaw broken in two places when he was the victim of a late-night assault in Jedburgh.

Joshua Simpson, 23, of Priors Meadow, Jedburgh, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened on August 10 last year.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told Selkirk Sheriff Court, pictured, on Monday that the 35-year-old victim had been out drinking earlier in the evening, but had returned to his flat in the centre of town.

He explained: “It was round about midnight and the accused was part of a group who were coming along the High Street and making a lot of noise.

“The man took umbrage to this and there was a confrontation, both verbal and physical.”

Mr Fraser said the victim went to the police station to complain and was standing outside speaking to an officer when Simpson approached and punched him on the right side of the face.

He added: “The police were dealing with the situation and there was no need to do what he did.

“The man was taken to Borders General Hospital and then onto St John’s Hospital in Livingston to be treated for a fractured jaw. It was confirmed it was broken in two places from one single blow.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence until July 6 for background reports.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Hawick this week.

The incident happened around 2.30am on Wednesday at a residential property in Mill Path.

The occupants were disturbed and awoke to discover that entry had been forced to their property and various personal items, including jewellery, had been taken.

A 1967 blue and green Melrose 7s winners 
medal on a chain, which is inscribed, was also taken.

Inspector Carol Wood said: “This was a distressing incident for the victims who have had items of both monetary and sentimental value stolen.

“We’re urging anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in the area at the time of the incident, or who has information which can help with our enquiries, to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

No fewer than 283 complaints lodged against Scottish Borders Council by members of the public in the 12 months to March 31 were upheld.

Councillors heard this week that they were among 742 grievances received by the local authority over the year – a rise of 11% on 2013/14.

Of that total, the bulk of which were submitted by telephone or online, 619 were deemed valid. Invalid complaints included demands for compensation, insurance claims and first-time requests for a council service.

The nature of the valid gripes was not detailed in a report to the meeting of SBC’s executive when the definition of a complaint was given as “any expression of dissatisfaction about our action or lack of action or about the standard of service provided by us, e.g. delays in responding to enquiries, failure to provide a service, treatment by or attitude of a member of staff and failure to follow proper procedure”.

However, chief executive Tracey Logan said information gathered from complaints was “invaluable” and cited two examples where this had led to a change in council policy.

The first related to the practice of all phone calls from the council being received as “withheld” or “unknown” and the plight of a customer, who had arranged with his provider to block cold calls, who frequently had to rely on a council department ringing him back.

“After investigation it was found staff members were not aware that a code could be entered before dialing which would release the number to the customer,” said the report.

“This information has been publicised widely on internal newsletters and websites to ensure all staff members are aware of the code.”

The second case involved a resident who, in 2013, received a standard letter from the council to say he/she was no longer entitled to Single Occupancy Discount (SOD).

In January, the customer applied for Second Adult Rebate (SAR) and asked for this to be backdated to when SOD was halted, only to be advised that the rebate could only be backdated for three months from the date of application.

“The customer complained that if the first letter had given details of SAR, the customer would have applied for it at that time,” stated the report. “On reviewing the wording, it was found it did not signpost customers to the rebate. As a result, information on SAR is now in the standard letter.”

Ms Logan told councillors: “We pride ourselves in providing high quality services to our communities, but also on our ability to respond quickly and effectively when, occasionally, we get things wrong.”

Earlston residents are to be given the chance to vote on whether the controversial plan for a new play park gets the go ahead.

Earlston Community Development Trust (ECDT) was awarded £250,000 by the Big Lottery at the end of last year towards the costs of a new play park at Mill Meadow.

But feelings have been running high in the village ever since, with many against the proposed site next to the Leader Water.

The Big Lottery has been monitoring the on-going row and has already warned that the scheme has to have widespread community support if the cash is to be released.

ECDT has since carried out a community engagement exercise and, with that due to be completed at the end of this month, wants a ballot of villagers. The ballot proposal has the backing of the Big Lottery and ECDT will use the same benchmark for community support as set out in the community right to buy legislation.

Devised with rural small communities in mind, it requires a simple majority of voters to support a project on a turnout of at least 50%, unless there is reasonable justification as to why it was lower.

Local Scottish Borders councillor, David Parker, confirmed ECDT was now in discussions with Scottish Borders Council about options for a postal ballot.

“If the vote is a Yes, it is likely the play park would be developed, and if it were a No, no play park would be developed and Lottery funding would not be released,” he said this week.

“There are strong opinions both for and against and a postal ballot allowing everyone to express their views would seem very fair and inclusive.”

ECDT’s Mags Powell told The Southern: “Our next newsletter will be published shortly and will have full details of the ballot.”

ancrum

SRI

President Rachel Sinton welcomed Shona Morrison who gave a cake-decorating demonstration. The Fete Cup was won by Jeanie Butler for a French apple tart; 2, Joyce Charles; 3, Janet McDonald; fingerless mitts – Margaret Dorricott. The summer outing – to Denholm – was yesterday (Wednesday).

bowden

Cafe

The next meeting of the community cafe will be on June 17 from 11am-noon in the village hall.

caddonfoot

Parish church

There were two services on Sunday, when several visitors joined the congregation. The morning one was conducted by the Reverend Elspeth Harley, who held a short special communion service in the afternoon for those unable to attend on a regular basis. A Bible reading was delivered and a prayer led by Jo Lawson. It was reported that a retiring collection at the service the previous week had raised £187 for victims of the Nepal earthquake. It was also announced that the kirkin’ of the Braw Lad and Lass will take place in Trinity Church on June 21.

denholm

Open-air service

Hawick Salvation Army Band returns to Denholm this Sunday (June 14) for an open-air service at 6pm on the green. All attending are advised to bring a chair or rug. Tea and coffee will be available after the service in the church hall. Should the weather be unsettled, the service will be held in the church.

earlston

Coffee morning

The women’s section of the Earlston branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland is grateful to the people of Earlston for supporting its coffee morning – also a special thanks to Anne, Elsie and Mary for their help. The event realised £605.61.

Parish church

This Sunday’s service (June 14) is at 10.15am and Holy Communion will be celebrated on June 21 at 10.15am.

edgerston

Callant

Callant Grant Raeburn and his henchmen received a warm welcome at Edgerston last Wednesday evening where he was presented with cufflinks.

Tweed tale

Well Road Productions will present “Tale O Tweed” in the hall tomorrow (June 12) 7 for 7.30pm. Contact Christine on 01835 840246 or p10caw@aol.com for more information.

Clay pigeons

A clay pigeon shoot in aid of Edgerston Village Hall funds will be held this Saturday (June 13) – contact Doug Shanks on 01835 840332 for more details.

Ettrickbridge

SWI

Due to illness, the speaker had to cancel, but there was lots to discuss regarding the forthcoming federation show and 90th birthday plans. Competitions – quiche – 1, Ann Davies; 2, Marion McNeil; 3, Celia Wilson; a childhood memory – 1, Isla Young; 2, Celia Wilson; 3, Marion McNeil. The outing was to Woodside Garden Centre where members had a tour around the Victiorian walled garden and enjoyed supper in the cafe.

Galashiels

Camera club

The club is holding its annual summer outing this Sunday (June 14) – this year to Culross. Member Alan Kennedy has been awarded an L.R.P.S. Distinction in photography by the Royal Photographic Society. He was presented with the award by society president Derek Birch at the Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline. More than 1,000 applications for licentiateship, associateship and fellowship are received each year. The society is the UK’s largest organisation representing photographers, with more than 10,000 members in the UK and abroad.

Probus

The latest meeting of Galashiels and District Probus Club was held in the Kingsknowes Hotel and attended by 58 members. John Clithero – one-time GPO engineer turned sports journalist and broadcaster, and now guest speaker on cruise ships – talked on “Treading the Boards and Sailing the Seas”. This was largely reminiscing on his times at sea. This was the last gathering of this session and the next meeting is not until September 10 in the Kingsknowes Hotel when Henry Borthwick addresses members on “Soutra Revisited”.

Trinity church

On Sunday, Dorothy Howden was back leading the music and minister Elspeth Harley conducted the service. The Bible reading was delivered by Ed Martin. Session clerk Bill Cheyne announced that the collection for Nepal taken at the end of the previous week’s service had amounted to £305 and the coffee morning on Saturday raised £210.

hawick

Bridge club

June 2 – 1, John and Marian Miller; 2, Bob Witherington and Mike Tuson; 3, Helen Ouldcott and Marion Miller.

Hownam

Towford SWI

The summer outing on Tuesday, June 2, was to Teviot Smokery. The committee meets on Tuesday, August 25, at 7.30pm. Results of the Hownam Hall whist – ladies – 1, Joan Kyle; 2, Robert Ellwood; 3, Christine Gibson; 4, Anne Redpath; booby, Margaret Jeffrey; longest sitter, Evelyn Taylor; gents – 1, Gil Telfer; 2, Brian Wilson; 3, Keith Wilson; 4, Selby Wilson; booby, Kenny Tait; longest sitter, Alistair Hogarth.

Innerleithen

Parish church

Sunday’s service (June 14) will be held in the hall of friendship at 9am.

Games committee

The next meeting of St Ronan’s Border Games committee will take place on June 24 at 7pm in the council chamber, Memorial Hall.

Football fives

Entries for the Games Week Football Fives (July 11) are now being accepted – contact Steven Notman on 07792 092118.

Overseas guests

St Ronan’s Border Games committee tries to accommodate visitors from overseas who are staying in the town during Games Week as guests at the Cleikum Ceremonies. This year’s ceremonies will take place on July 17 and applications for overseas guest invitations are now being accepted by email – stronansgames@googlemail.com

Patrons

Anyone who has not already done so and wishes to contribute to the 2015 St Ronan’s Border Games and Cleikum Ceremonies Patrons’ Scheme should contact Ted McKie on 01896 830703, or email caerlee@yahoo.co.uk

Treasure hunt

St Ronan’s Border Games Week car treasure hunt is on July 13. Competitors are invited to report to the entrance foyer of the Memorial Hall, Leithen Road, between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on that day to collect their clue sheets. The entry fee is £5 per vehicle.

jedburgh

Disco party

Tomorrow (June 12), Jedburgh Youth Project (JYP) hosts a disco party night in the Town Hall, 6.45-8.45pm. It is open to primary schoolchildren over the age of nine. For further information and to be put on the JYP mailing list, email Ian at ianrendallreid@cheviotyouth.co.uk

kelso

Bridge club

June 3 – match-pointed pairs – N/S – 1, Ian Watson and Stuart Graham; 2, Mary and Jim Stone; 3, Richard Oates and Sheena West; E/W – 1, Gerry Eglington and Jon Bridger; 2 (equal), Beth Stark and John Urquhart, Annie Mitchell and Bob Stevenson. June 4 – aggregate pairs – N/S – 1, Bob Stevenson and Lee Leeson; 2, John and Marian Miller; 3, Jean Henry and Myra Thomson; E/W – 1, Jean McLaren and Ken Ross; 2, Shirley Armstrong and Moira Ayton; 3, Miles Browne and Brian Saywood.

Quiz night

Scottish Borders Africa Aids Group enjoyed an entertaining quiz night at the White Swan which raised more than £130. Quizmaster was Gavin Horsburgh.

langholm

Concert

The Town Band welcomed Whitburn Band as part of the former’s bicentenary commemorations. Whitburn members were invited to lead a workshop day, rehearsing with the youth and town bands. The youngsters were put through their paces by Caroline Farren, musical director of the current Scottish youth development section champions, Whitburn Youth Band. Afterwards, the Town Band rehearsed items for the second half of the year directed by guest conductor Charlie Farren. The day came to a close with a concert, held in the Buccleuch Centre, by the Scottish and Scottish open champions, Whitburn, directed by John Boax. The local youth band also performed as part of the event. During the evening, Councillor Ted Thompson, civic head of Dumfries and Galloway Council, presented band president David Calvert with a gift to mark the bicentenary, and Charlie Farren, from Whitburn, presented David with an engraved quaich and banner.

Accordion club

There was a good turnout for the accordion and fiddle club open afternoon in the Royal British Legion clubrooms. Around 20 musicians from both sides of the border were introduced by compere Adam Grant.

Common Riding

At the outset of the Common Riding committee meeting in the Crown Hotel, chairman Roger Maxwell congratulated Jamie Fletcher on being elected Cornet and assured him of the committee’s full support. A letter was read out from cricket secretary Graham Park confirming there were no objections to a bench with an inscribed plaque being erected at the side of the pitch in memory of former secretary Dick Hill – the instalment will take place on July 12. The public meeting night had gone well with no complaints about the way the Common Riding was being run. It was brought up at the meeting that 2016 would be the bicentenary of the first riding of the marches on horseback, and the committee will discuss about having some sort of commemoration. The cost of the marquee was up £20 to £798, and this was accepted. It was agreed that the allowances for the Cornet and Right and Left-Hand Men would remain at £850 and £425 respectively. Following the retirement of David Pool, Billy Young will again be Fair Crier this year. There had been two applicants for concert organiser and following a vote David Pool was appointed. A letter of resignation was read out from Marion Pool, the Lady Investor, and it was agreed the chairman would would approach his daughter, Michaela, to see if she was willing to to take over. Andrew Johnstone and Alan Currie

Turn to page 32

From page 31

have resigned from the

committee, but Andrew Elliot and Robert Elliot were accepted as new members. It was agreed that the collection at the Castleholm dance will be divided equally between the town and pipe bands.

melrose

Parish church

Tomorrow (June 12) – Trinity Centre, Melrose Primary School Fairtrade Cafe (9.45-10.30am); foodbank contributions welcome, including tins and tea; Saturday (June 14) – services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (10.45am, wreath laying; 11am, kirkin’ of the Melrosian); June 16 – SBAAG, The Ormiston, 7pm, Dr Logie.

Border Flower Club

Border Flower Club, which meets in the Corn Exchange, is celebrating the news that two members – Alison Aitken and Yvonne Young – won a silver medal at Gardening Scotland’s floral art competition in the world of entertainment class. Their chosen title was “Pyrotechnics”. They were also medal winners last year.

Trimontium

Ten people took advantage of Ian Skinner’s first-Monday-in-the-month Old Melrose walk. The Trimontium walk on the Thursday had a good number and on the previous evening, at the first trustees’ meeting of the season, tribute was paid to the popular and deeply-missed treasurer, Bill Whittaker. Fundraising efforts towards the museum extension were reported – never an easy task. It was agreed to press on with the arrangements to hold the Antonine Wall (central section) trip on August 8. Thanks were expressed to the corps of walk guides at this testing time; to Geraldine Rowley, likewise, for her organising of the museum supervisors; and to the dresser of the Roman soldier at the Trimontium Stone on the Saturday morning of the forthcoming Melrose Festival tour of ceremonies.

morebattle

Coffee morning

The institute coffee morning will be held this Sunday (June 13) at 10.30am in aid of institute funds.

Guild

Morebattle Guild hosted the Jedburgh East Presbyterial Council Summer Guild Rally in Morebattle Church on Wednesday night. Guest speaker was the Reverend Ian Clark. After hymns, prayers, readings and the church choir entertaining, refreshments and a sales table was held in the institute.

Selkirk

Samaritans

Borders Samaritans are holding a volunteering information event on June 18 (7-9pm) at 21 West Port, Selkirk. Call or text 07857 09 81 86, or email borders@samaritans.org to register an interest, or simply turn up on the night.

STICHILL

SWI

The AGM was held with reports from the president, treasurer and secretary. A new committee was elected. Competitions – small vase of flowers – 1, June Brown; 2, Yvonne Wood; 3, Frances Rogers; miniature animal ornament – 1, Margaret Mitchell; 2, Kathy Wilkie; 3, Anne Stoker. The raffle was won by Anne Stoker. Results for competitions held throughout the year – Rosebowl for Making Competitions, June Brown; Cup for Pick-up Competitions, Kathy Wilkie.

Traquair

Service

There will be a service at 10.30am this Sunday (June 14) in Traquair Kirk.

Walkerburn

Service

The Walkerburn Festival service will be held in the Public Hall at 10.30am on June 21.

westruther

Hog roast

The annual hog roast, in aid of the village hall, will be held at the hall this Saturday (June 13) at 7pm. Contact Angela (01578 740633) or Grace (07779 908159) for more information.

YETHOLM

Festival Week

The Le Boule competition will be held on June 13 from 1pm at The Plough. The principals visit the school tomorrow (June 12) and will be inviting pupils to come along to the many events taking place throughout the week. The kirkin’ is on June 14 at 10am, followed by a children’s disco at 2pm. Beetle drive in the Youth Hall on June 15 at 7pm. The quiz will be in the Border Hotel at 8pm on June 16 and one of the highlights of the week – the Stobstanes Ride – takes place on June 17, leaving Town Yetholm at 5.30pm.

Coffee mornings

Yetholm Church restarts its weekly coffee mornings downstairs in the newly-refurbished church from June 17 (10.30am-noon).

Lunch

The village lunch will take place on June 18 from noon in the Wauchope Hall – proceeds to Festival Week.

Donations

Yetholm groups were present in the Cross Keys, Kelso, on Sunday to receive donations from local fundraising group Charity Begins At Home. They included the church, film group, primary school, dry bar and playgroup.

Bunting

New bunting has been purchased this year and will be on display during Festival Week, the organisers of which are grateful to those who put it up and the householders who allow bunting to be attached to their properties.

Eighteen years ago I began my career in journalism when Southern Reporter editor John Smail offered me the opportunity to become his trainee sports reporter.

The opportunity came at the end of a two-week work experience stint in Selkirk. I was lucky. When the senior sports 
reporter handed in his notice, I was right under the editor’s nose. I happened to be in the right place at the right time.

This is my first full week as the new editor of The Southern. 
It many ways it feels like a homecoming. I lived the first three months of my life in a flat on Forest Road in Selkirk and now find myself driving past it on my way to the office each morning. 
The office itself has since moved, of course, from Selkirk High Street to the town’s Tweed Mill Business Park. But some of the staff who I worked alongside from 1998 to 2000 are still here. They are as enormously proud of The Southern Reporter. Rightly so.

The Southern Reporter has a long and proud history and tradition. It is the voice of the Scottish Borders.

It is an honour and a privilege to be taking over as editor at such an exciting time for the region. The opening of the Borders Railway in a few months is one of the biggest events to happen here for 
decades. Both in print and online, The Southern will be providing unrivalled coverage. I will welcome your feedback along the way and hope you enjoy the ride.

For the next four days, Melrose welcomes some of the biggest names in books, as well as stars from public life and entertainment.

The town’s Harmony Garden is the picturesque setting for the 12th Brewin Dolphin Borders Book Festival, and with more than 100 events, it kicks off its biggest programme today.

Broadcasters Peter Snow and Andrew Marr join one of Scotland’s most successful entrepreneurs, Ultimo bra tycoon Michelle Mone, for the opening night line-up of the four-day event. As well as the usual range of literary and stage stars, the packed programme also includes a new Eat Your Words venue dedicated to food, drink and live music, celebrating the Year of Food and Drink Scotland 2015.

Highlights over the weekend include political giants Alex Salmond and Gordon Brown; stars of stage and screen Patricia Hodge, Alex Norton, Dom Joly and Jonathan Miller; best-selling writers Alexander McCall Smith, Jenny Colgan and Hamish Macbeth author M. C. Beaton, as well as James Naughtie and Rory Bremner giving their own personal reflections on the recent general election.

And to mark the 150th anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll’s classic book, Alice in Wonderland, there will be several special tributes, including an exclusive one-off performance featuring Jonathan Miller, Rory Bremner, John Sessions, John Bird and Patricia Hodge; and a host of events for children, including treasure hunts, story-telling and the notorious White Rabbit appearing in costume to meet children over the weekend.

Eat Your Words is a food and drink-themed tented village in the orchard opposite Harmony Gardens, and there is a bustling outdoor Born in the Borders street market in St Mary’s Road.

Eat Your Words will host household names from the world of food and drink, including Sue Lawrence, Shirley Spear and Prue Leith, and wine guru Nikki Welch; while audiences can taste all manner of mouth-watering world foods from Scotland’s finest street vendors.

Live music runs throughout the weekend, with pop-up opera performances from Scottish Opera and jazz, Americana and swing.

Following sell-out concerts in London and New York, The Really Terrible Orchestra provides another hot ticket at the festival. The orchestra, founded by festival regular Alexander McCall Smith, has become an overnight sensation.

Further highlights include the announcement of the winner of the sixth £30,000 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, while for the younger audience, there is the ever-popular Family Book Festival.

This year includes best-selling children’s writer David Almond; illustrator Nick Sharratt, and firm favourites Vivian French, David Melling and Gill Arbuthnott.

In addition, today will see primary schools from across the Borders attending the Schools Gala Day, sponsored by Knight Frank.

Festival director Alistair Moffat said: “The marquees are up and Harmony Garden is set to welcome our authors and visitors. Whether it’s opera, politics, adventure, history or simply superb story-telling, there really is something for everyone.”

John Sessions INTERVIEW

walter scott prize Q&A

– PAGE 40

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) scrutiny committee has rejected a call to review a failed waste treatment project in Galashiels and the subsequent decision to write-off nearly £2million in procurement costs.

The probe had been requested by retired Borders journalist Bill Chisholm who has been pressing for an independent inquiry since February when SBC cancelled a contract with New Earth Solutions (NES) to deliver an integrated, energy-producing plant at Easter Langlee.

During the procurement process, SBC spent £1.968million, the bulk going on lawyers and consultants.

In April, Mr Chisholm wrote to Audit Scotland asking for an investigation, focusing on a private SBC meeting in October 2012 when a revised contract was agreed and the scrapping of the deal because the technology was untried and NES had failed to attract the necessary private investment. He was advised that the matter had been referred to SBC’s external auditor as part of the statutory audit process of the council’s books for 2014/15.

On May 4, Mr Chisholm wrote to Jenny Wilkinson, clerk to the council, requesting that the nine-member scrutiny committee, re-established in January, should examine all the circumstances surrounding the award of the contract, its cancellation and the write-off of public money.

In a reply received on Monday, he was told by Ms Wilkinson that his request had, in fact, been considered in private at the May 28 meeting of the scrutiny committee which had “decided not to undertake a review at this time”.

Ms Wilkinson cited Audit Scotland’s decision to refer the matter to KPMG, adding: “Their report [the council’s annual audit report] will be published on September 30, 2015. Any issues arising from that review will be made public and reported back to Audit Scotland as well as the council.

“A further inquiry into the council’s actions, in effect duplicating the auditors’ work, is therefore considered inappropriate at this time.”

Mr Chisholm said: “It suggests to me that the system recently devised at Newtown to examine council decisions is worthless. Another door may have been slammed against me, but my efforts to uncover the full story will continue.”

Aged just 18, West Linton Whipman Ryan Stuart, was entrusted with continuing the traditions of village festival that goes back 212 years.

And since he was installed, alongside his Lass Rebecca Murrison, he has proven worthy of the trust that organisers place in the teenager.

Unfortunately Rebecca hasn’t been able to join Ryan and his supporters after breaking a wrist in a fall f rom her horse while preparing for the week-long festival.

The 18-year-old said she was devastated and is following the riders in car and still fulfilling her duties as Whipman’s Lass.

The honour of proclaiming Ryan as Whipman went to 12-year-old Cameron Willacy before Ryan received the flag from Whipman President Raymond Nicol who had accepted it back from 2014 Whipman Calum Murray who had been supported by Lass, Alison Hardie.

At the installation, Presenting Lady Sheila Black gave gifts to anniversary principals while she received a bouquet from Flower Girl Holly Thompson.

Ryan – proudly carrying the banner - led his cavalcade through streets, fields and the river, to much acclaim from enthusiastic crowds who have supported the many events.

John Sessions pauses for a second before saying why he thinks Lewis Carroll’s fantasy, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, remains so popular:

“It’s just such wonderful stuff, isn’t it?” he says down the phone line from his home in London.

Sessions is scheduled to take part in a special event at this week’s Brewin Dolphin Borders Book Festival which will mark the 150th anniversary of Carroll’s classic novel for children.

He will be joined for readings and talk by Rory Bremner, Patricia Hodge, John Bird and Jonathan Miller – the latter directed the remarkable BBC film of the book shown in 1966.

“It’s a wonderful mixture of fantasy and logic that sticks in your head. It’s an array of mental games and ludic form, very playful. And it appeals to kids of all ages.

“When it was published in 1865 it was the first of the real great children’s classics and it remains so to this day,” explains Sessions.

Carroll first dreamed up the idea for his book on what he recalled was a “golden afternoon” on July 4, 1862, when he was in the midst of trying to entertain the three young daughters of his Oxford University colleague, Dean Liddell.

The tale of how Carroll first thought of the story is now almost as famous as the story itself.

Since its first publication Carroll’s playful and curious work has spawned an entire industry, from films to amusement park rides and a new musical by Blur front man, Damon Albarn. Sessions says the book is for children and then again it isn’t: “There is a somewhat darker side to Carroll and while there is joy in ‘Alice’, there’s also a touch of cruelty, a little edge of darkness in the mix.

“But it’s difficult to think of any other wee girl who has played such a central part in fiction,” he adds.

Sessions says he is not 100 per cent certain exactly which character parts he will be taking at the event on Sunday afternoon: “I think it might be the Mad Hatter and the Caterpillar. Jonathan Miller will be there, Rory Bremner and a few other folk, so it should be fun.”

Sessions is something of a regular at the annual Melrose literary festival. “Yeah, I’m an old turn now, a festival old lag,” he laughs.

“Jim Naughtie and I have become pretty much regular turns. But I really enjoy Melrose, Alistair [festival founder Moffat] always pulls together a great show.

“Sadly we didn’t get to do the festival at Lennoxlove last year as it had come to an end, but Melrose blatters on and it’s always a lovely visit.”

l Alice in Wonderland. Sunday, June 14, at 3.30pm in The Times Marquee. Tickets £14 & £12.

Scottish Borders Council changed school bus checking procedures following a complaint about a “missing” pupil, it has emerged.

The incident was investigated by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) which did not uphold the complaint, but advised the authority to apologise to parents for the failure of a decision letter to be “more empathetic”.

The complaint came from a man named Mr C in the SPSO report about a child feared to have gone missing while using the school bus service. It emerged that the child had stayed longer on the bus than they were meant to.

Mr C claimed the pupil had been put at risk because the driver did not know which children were travelling on the bus and had not checked to see if the child was on board.

Mr C complained to the council that the driver had not followed procedures, but the authority found he had followed the guidance in place at the time, back in 2013.

An SPSO investigation found no evidence the probe had not followed council procedure and did not uphold Mr C’s complaint.

It also concluded that changes to procedures had been made and no further problems had been reported.

However, it did find that SBC had not given parents “sufficient advice” about the changes it was making.

An SBC spokesperson said: “While the SPSO have not upheld this complaint, we have, through our investigation into the complaint and our work with the SPSO, identified a number of improvement actions that we believe will prevent a reoccurrence of this incident.

“We have also taken on board and actioned the recommendations made by the SPSO in their decision report.”

St Boswells residents enjoyed a mixed bag weather-wise for their annual Village Week, but there were still plenty of smiles on faces.

The fun started off with a Coffee Morning, Tennis Family Fun Day and in the evening there was a night of classical music at St Boswells Live!

On Monday, Jango Star succeeded in keeping a hall full of children and adults entertained with his juggling, magic and crazy antics.

One particular highlight of the week was Boswells’ Got Talent. Back by popular demand, the village was entertained by some superbly talented individuals.

From coffee mornings and car treasure hunt, and guided walk to golf fun day, tennis, creative fancy dress, rounders, football, potted traditional sports and the Village Race, the list of entertainment went on.

Village Week chairperson, Suzan Bell said the week had been superb fun once again: “It was packed with entertainment with something for everyone. Whether singing and dancing in Boswells Got Talent, dressing up or playing sport, helping to organise events or simply as a spectator, everyone came together again to demonstrate what a great village St Boswells is.

“The Committee would like to thank all the groups and organisations for the events and activities and to everyone who supported those events.”

St Boswells Village Week Results

Tennis Family Fun Day:

Boys winner, Harry Dalgleish; girls winner, Orla Folan; overall winner, Hazel Scott.

Fancy Dress winners (Theme was ‘Something Sweet’):

Pre-School Singles, Sandra Turnbull as Pick ‘n’ Mix; Primary 1-3 Singles, Harris Fox-Robertson as Sweet Dreams; Primary 4-7 Singles, Lucy Clark as Sweet Popcorn; Pairs, Phoebe & Charlotte Hope as Little Hope’s Bakery; Groups, Ruth Drane, Lauren & Rachel Purves, Ellie Sorrie, Ellie Wood & Ruby Dickson as Sweet Trolley.

Overall Winner for the Shield: Sweet Trolley.

Pet Show Winners:

Large Dogs, William with Ivy; Medium Dogs, Rachael with Badger; Small Dogs, Sarah with Daisy; Fur Group, Anna Low with Poppy; Feather Group, Toby Fiddle with William & Catherine; Other Group, Fabian Murray with Feby; Obedience/Agility, Isla & Amelia Ross with Stroma; Overall Winner, Molly Hawthorne with Tess.

Boswells’ Got Talent:

People’s Choice Winner, Ella & Kate McCrae, Millie Payne and Daisy Cunningham; Judges’ Choice Winner, Francesco Caterino.

Car Treasure Hunt:

Winners, The Brown family.

Sunday Potted Sports:

Under 8s, Darcy Hawthorne; 8-11 years, Kate MacRae; 12-15 years, 1st equal, Melissa Taylor & Ruth Drane; Over 16s, Donald Francis.

St Boswells Village Race:

Boys under 8, Harris McDonald; girls under 8, Kirsty Rankine; boys 8-11, Gregor Collins; girls 8-11, Orla Foran; boys 12-15, William Taylor; girls 12-15, Jessica Taylor; men 16-40, Ruaridh Campbell; ladies 16-40, Becky Farnish; men 40+, Keith Farnish; ladies 40+, Claire Townsend; Men’s Champion, William Taylor; Ladies Champion, Orla Foran.

Melrose Historical and Archaeological Association hosted a guided walk around Old Melrose for members of the Old Gala Club on Sunday.

Walking in brilliant sunshine, they enjoyed viewing the probable location of the 7th century AD Anglo-Saxon monastery, associated with St Cuthbert as the place where he began his monastic life, and the later medieval pilgrimage chapel built in his honour by the Archbishopric of Durham.

The association hopes to conduct an archaeological investigation of the monastic site at Old Melrose next year.

Members also visited the walled garden, 19th century summerhouse and Second World War bunker.

Whether or not an item of expenditure incurred in respect of a let property is allowable for tax purposes and the method of tax relief available is an area that many landlords find confusing.

Generally, business expenses are allowable provided they are incurred wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the property business and are not of a capital nature.

Pre-trading expenditure may also be claimed as a deduction on the commencement of letting, providing it is incurred within the seven-year period before letting commences and would qualify as business expenditure.

Restrictions apply where the property has any private usage during the period concerned, is unavailable for letting or is not let on a commercial basis.

It may be possible to obtain relief for capital expenditure by claiming capital allowances. Making the distinction between what constitutes revenue expenditure and what should instead be treated as capital expenditure can be particularly challenging where work carried out to a property is concerned and, in some circumstannces, it may be necessary to apportion costs between revenue and capital expenditure where there are elements of both repair and improvement.

Scrutiny of capital expenditure may also be required in order to identify those elements that qualify as plant and equipment or integral features for capital allowances purposes and those that don’t.

The availability of capital allowances depends on the terms under which the property is let. For unfurnished and furnished residential lettings, capital allowances are only available in respect of plant and equipment used for the purposes of the rental business. but not provided for use by the tenants.

Items such as furniture, furnishings and white goods provided for use by the tenant are therefore excluded. A 10% wear-and-tear allowance is however available for qualifying furnished residential lettings to compensate for this. For qualifying furnished holiday lettings, the 10% wear-and-tear allowance does not apply, but the tax reliefs are more generous with capital allowances available on plant and equipment provided for use by the tenants such as furniture, furnishings, white goods and integral features.

z Rennie Welch LLP accepts no liability on the basis of this article and detailed advice, taking into account individual circumstances, should be obtained. If you require assistance or advice in connection with any tax matter, please contact Lynn Miller at Rennie Welch on 01573 224391 or by email at lynn.miller@renniewelch.co.uk

Peebles Beltane Festival Week begins next Sunday, June 14, celebrating the town’s local legend, history and tradition until Saturday June 20.

After nominations opened early this year, the 2015 Beltane Festival Principals were announced on Friday April 24 in Peebles’ Burgh Hall: Cornet-Elect Kieran Scott and his Lass Beth Williamson, Warden of Neidpath Eric Gilmour, Warden of Cross Kirk Ian Gray, Crowning Lady Elizabeth White, and Reader of the Boundaries Morris Anderson.

The Court of the Beltane Queen, a P7 girl chosen from one of the town’s three primary schools, was announced on Wednesday May 13 in the Drill Hall, before being led out by the Cornet-Elect and his supporters along the High Street.

This year’s Court are: Beltane Queen Emma Latto (Priorsford), Chief Maid Amy Brown (Halyrude), First Courtier Paul Armitage (Kingsland), and Second Courtier Callum Thornley (Halyrude). After five years as Chairman of the Beltane Committee, Ex-Cornet (1979) Alastair Dodds passed the Chairman’s role on to last years Vice-Chairman Keith Brunton.

The week’s events begin on Sunday June 14 with the Procession to the Inaugural Service at the Cross Kirk at 5.45pm, when the Warden of the Cross Kirk is installed. The Primary School Disco follows on Monday in the Drill Hall at 6.30pm, before the Children’s Sports Day at Whitestone Park on Tuesday.

On Wednesday at 6.10pm, the Cornet and Lass will process from the Quadrangle to the Parish Church steps, where they will be installed. The cavalcade then go Riding the Marches, Fording the Tweed at 8.30pm. There will be Horse Races on the Gold Course Race Track at 9pm, and the Cornet’s Reel at 10.15pm.

A new event for Thursday is the Beltane Junior Rideout, led by the Cornet and the Lass, leaving Kingsmeadows car park at 6pm. Afterwards, the Beltane Concert begins in the Burgh Hall at 7.30pm, followed by the Cornet’s Walk at 9.30pm.

On Friday, judging for the Fancy Dress Parade starts at 7pm on Tweed Green, followed by the procession at 7.30pm. On Beltane Saturday, the Beltane Fair Proclamation begins at 9.10am, followed by the Beltane Queen’s Crowning Ceremony at the Parish Church at 10am, the Grand Procession at 11.30am, and Service of Remembrance at the County War Memorial. Finally, the Open Sports begin in Whitestone Park at 1.30pm on Sunday June 21.

Stow Sports Week, which runs from Sunday June 14 until Saturday June 20, kicks off this weekend with the annual football tournament.

As ever, there will be a wide variety of entertainment on offer, from sheaf tossing and boules to the much-anticipated fancy dress parade, with the Sports Week Ceilidh Dance to round off the festivities.

Sunday’s Family Football Day, featuring a boys’ five-a-side football tournament, begins at noon, with a barbecue and refreshments thrown in.

Monday June 15 sees basketball matches for school children (P5-P7 and S1-S6), meeting at 6pm at the multicourt. Then the Men’s Football follows at 7.30pm, when Stow faces Killochyett. The big match’s big question will be: can Killochyett make amends for last year’s thrashing?

Then, starting on the playing fields on Tuesday at 6.15pm, there will be the Superstars competition and Treasure Hunt (remember to bring your own pencil). Wednesday, June 17, sees the annual Hillheid Race, which is open to children from P4 and adults. Racegoers will meet at 7pm on the playing fields, when the Adults’ Sheaf Tossing begins too. After the race comes the Welly Throw and Children’s Tug-o-War in the Park. Everyone is also invited to come along to try petanque (French boules) on Thursday June 18 in Stow Primary School at 7.30pm.

The Fancy Dress Parade then follows on Friday June 19 on the playing fields, where people should start gathering at 6.30pm for 7pm. Judging classes include: Best Dressed Girl under 8, Best Dressed Boy under 8, Best Dressed Girl 8-10, Best Dressed Boy 8-10, Best Dressed Girl 11-14, Best Dressed Boy 11-14, Best Dressed Couple, Best Dressed Group (Children), Best Dressed Group (Mixed), Best Dressed Rider (Cycle or Horse), Most Humorous, and Best Dressed Float. The overall winner will receive The Keddie Cup, and the best dressed group The Pate Cup.

Friday night’s Fancy Dress is followed by a Family Fancy Dress Disco and Cheese and Wine Evening in the Village Hall from 8pm until 11pm.

Sports in the Park follows on Saturday June 20, with participants first meeting at the Town Hall at 12.30pm to follow the Pipe Band to the park. The races, which include the linked arms race, the three-legged race, skipping, the sack race and egg and spoon, will then start at 1pm prompt. All track and field events are only open to children and adults who have, or have had a permanent place of residence in the Parishes of Stow or Heriot. The novelty, cycle and relay events are open to all.

Finally the Ceilidh Dance closes Stow Sports Week on Saturday June 20, from 8.30pm till late in the Town Hall, with pre-dance cocktails from 7.30pm-8.30pm, music and a licensed bar. The £7 tickets are available from the post office.

Fourteen Galashiels residents on Saturday took part in the monthly Gala Waterways Group work party to clear a 35-metre section of the mill lade behind the High Street car park at the back of Iceland.

One of the volunteers saw several small fish, evidence to show it is worth trying to keep local waterways and environment clean. Seven bags of rubbish, which included a fish bowl, were collected, weighing nearly 40 kilos.

Anyone wishing to join the group at the next two-hour session should meet at the High Street car park toilets a 10am on July 4. The group can be followed on Facebook.

For more information about the group, contact Alastair Lings on 07763 850087.