It has been revealed that there are 6,284 Borderers living with diabetes, as the number of people in Scotland with the condition has soared.

New figures shared by Diabetes Scotland, published at the start of Diabetes Week, show that there were 276,430 people registered with diabetes in 2014, including over 17,200 people newly diagnosed.

This is an increase of more than 8,200 compared to the previous year – equivalent to the population of Peebles. Around 10 per cent (29,802) are living with Type 1 diabetes, while 88 per cent (244,050) have Type 2. Additionally, an estimated 45,500 people in Scotland are living with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes.

Jane-Claire Judson, national director of Diabetes Scotland, said: “Since 2008 there has been a 25 per cent increase in the number of people living with diabetes in Scotland. While this trend itself is of great concern, a major issue facing people living with diabetes is the lack of provision and access to good diabetes education.

“Managing diabetes without this education is like asking someone to drive a high performance car without any instruction. We acknowledge there have been improvements in patient education in recent years and the issue was highlighted in the Scottish Government’s recent Diabetes Improvement Plan 2014.

“However, more needs to be done to ensure that every person diagnosed with diabetes is given the opportunity for structured education to help them learn how to manage the condition well.”

Diabetes Scotland is urging everyone with diabetes to seek out support.

Find out more at diabetes.org.uk/diabetesweek or search #DiabetesandMe on Twitter.

Police in the Borders have urged anyone with information to contact them following a number of suspicious fires in the Galashiels area.

The first fire occurred on Thursday night, June 11, into Friday morning, between 11.30pm and 1am, when a hedgerow in Manse Place was set alight.

A second fire was ignited at around midnight on Saturday, June 13, in a hedgerow in Manse Street.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) attended both incidents and the fires were extinguished successfully, although extensive damage was caused.

The last incident occurred on Sunday, June 14, at around 1.30am at Victoria Park, when a swing was set alight.

Given the proximity of the incidents and the short space of time they have occurred in, officers believe the incidents may be linked and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Police Sergeant Gavin Liddle said: “Thankfully, these fires were extinguished safely, however, they could have had much more serious consequences.

“We are eager to trace those involved as soon as possible. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Firefighters in Scottish Borders will be working to protect vulnerable people as part of a nationwide ‘week of action’ aimed at preventing accidental house fires and the tragedies they cause.

The move follows a recent appeal from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) for the public to help it reach those most likely to be killed or injured as a result of fire in the home.

Area manager Alasdair Perry – SFRS local senior officer for Mid and East Lothian and Scottish Borders – said: “Between January and May, 28 people lost their lives as a result of fires in Scotland and June has so far seen two more fatalities.

“We know many fires where someone is killed or injured could be prevented and our crews are reaching out to anyone who could use our advice or support.

“Many people have contacted us for a free home fire safety visit and these have been hugely popular, but the people who are at highest risk are often the most reluctant to contact us.”

People over the age of 60 accounted for almost two-thirds of those killed by fire in 2015 and, as well as age, the common factors contributing to many of the deaths were smoking, ill-health, living alone and limited mobility.

By sending operational crews and community firefighters to households, SFRS hopes residents will benefit from the advice and support available to keep their homes and everyone in them safe.

Perry added: “Firefighters can help residents understand the risks and take very minor actions known to dramatically reduce the chance of a fire starting.

“If someone is over the age of 60, lives alone or has difficulty moving around then it can take more time for them to escape in an emergency.

“Our crews can help make sure smoke alarms are positioned where they will give people very effective early warning and that everyone knows how to get out if a fire does start.

“We can help people understand the risk of smoking in bed or if they’re tired and sitting in a chair, but even if someone just can’t avoid doing this then we can work with partners to find solutions and lower their risk.

A huge amount of support is available but we need our partner agencies and the public to help us make sure it gets to those who need it.”

With an aging population – 23 per cent of the UK will be aged 65 and over by 2035 – helping older people prevent fires and stay safe is certain to remain an issue for every community.

Free home fire safety visits take around 20 minutes to complete and are conducted by local SFRS crews or Community Action Teams at a time convenient for the householder.

A popular feature of the Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire campaign, they are available by calling the freephone number 0800 073 1999, by texting ‘FIRE’ to 80800 or by filling in an online form at {www.firescotland.gov.uk|www.firescotland.gov.uk|click to enter}

Perry said: “We all need to do what we can to protect not only ourselves but also those around us.

“When responsible citizens put vulnerable people in touch with us it can make all the difference and I’d appeal for everyone to consider if they know someone who is potentially vulnerable and could benefit from our support.

“We also want to remind everyone in Scottish Borders that if they hear a smoke alarm activating then they need to call 999 and report it right away.

“Many people can be reluctant to make an emergency call and assume an alarm has gone off due to something innocuous like burnt toast, but the fact is waiting to see if the alarm stops could cost someone their life.”

Elected members of Scottish Borders Council will be asked to approve a revised business and operating plan for the Galashiels Transport Interchange when they meet next Thursday.

Up to now, details of who will occupy the giant three-storey building, which cost £5.2 million to construct and is due for completion in the next few weeks, have been deemed “commercially sensitive” and have remained confidential.

And a spokesman for SBC, which has invested £3.4m in the facility across a busy road from the railway station, confirmed that next week’s discussion will take place in private.

A clue to the issues surrounding the building’s viability was given in a public report – subsequently withdrawn – which was due to go before the council on April 2.

The report, from project manager Euan Doyle, asked councillors to approve a subsidy of 93p for every single outgoing bus journey from the interchange.

That, he said, would allow the charge levied on bus operators for each departure to be pegged at £1.75 – five times higher that the 35p per journey fee imposed at the town’s former bus station in Stirling Street.

The council was also asked to consider an annual service charge of £60 per square metre for tenants of the building which will be run and staffed around the clock by the council.

A spokesperson for the region’s largest bus operator First said last month: “We’re aware of ongoing discussions regarding departure charges and await the outcome with interest.”

Eyemouth Harbour Trust is hoping that the sight of a massive cruise ship off the Berwickshire coast is a glimpse of the future.

The MS Hanseatic sat outside Eyemouth harbour last week, putting the coastal town on the same footing as traditional touring ports like Falmouth, Lisbon and Hamburg. The Hanseatic, which was carrying 158 passengers, is the world’s only five-star-rated expedition ship.

NatWest parent Royal Bank of Scotland today said account payments were missing for some customers across its banking brands after being hit by a technical glitch.

The group said an issue with its “overnight process” meant some customers of NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank and private bank Coutts had not seen credits or direct debits applied to their accounts.

It said the problem was ongoing, but stressed it was working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

New figures show employment in the Scottish Borders continues its upwards trend and is now at 57,200 or 78.3% of the adult population.

This means 6,200 more Borderers are in work compared to 2010.

The new figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) also shows Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) claimants in the Scottish Borders continue to fall and currently stand at 1,064. This is less than half the number of JSA claimants there were in February 2012.

John Lamont MSP said: “While these figures are all moving in the right direction, there is still work to be done.”

Jedburgh councillors are scathing over the town’s residents being barred from accessing inpatient care at Hawick Community Hospital.

Those attending the recent meeting of Scottish Borders Council Cheviot Area Committee, which was held in Jedburgh, heard of the growing anger about the town’s residents being prevented from accessing inpatient beds at Hawick Community Hospital due to contractual agreements with GPs.

All three of Jedburgh’s Scottish Borders councillors are also furious and demanding action.

Councillor Jim Brown fumed: “There is a serious equality issue here which has resulted in the citizens of my town being treated as second class – this must be resolved quickly and permanently.

“It must result in contracts issued between NHS Borders and GPs ensuring that all citizens are treated equally.”

Asked to explain, Sheena MacDonald, NHS Borders medical director, told The Southern this week that inpatient medical cover is not part of core GP services.

“GPs provide medical cover to community hospitals on a supplementary, opt-in contracted basis, and are under no long-term obligation to provide the service beyond their stated limitations,” she explained.

“Since early 2014 only patients registered with a Hawick or Newcastleton GP have been admitted to inpatient beds in Hawick.

“This agreement was reached necessarily in order to retain medical cover for inpatient services at Hawick Community Hospital.”

Dr MacDonald added that agreement was reached with Kelso GPs to provide care for Jedburgh residents (including all patients registered with a Jedburgh GP) at Kelso Community Hospital.

Jedburgh residents with ongoing inpatient care needs can also be treated within Borders General Hospital, at Knoll Community Hospital in Duns or Haylodge Community Hospital in Peebles. NHS Borders says it has now has commenced an appraisal process to identify the preferred model for the future provision of inpatient care in community hospitals.

But Councillor Brown says prior to the decision in 2006 to close Jedburgh Community Hospital, the town’s residents were told they had no reason to worry because local in-care facilities would be nearby, in a new facility being built in Hawick, only 10 miles away.

“I would like to make it clear I feel the GPs and staff at Jedburgh Health Centre do a fantastic job and those facilities are a big improvement on what we had before.

“But since then, gradually, the promised health care facilities for Jedburgh have been eroded and now we have reached the stage when GPs, who have their salaries paid by the NHS and work in another town, are telling our health service they are only prepared to treat people of a certain ilk within those NHS-owned facilities.”

Calling the situation absolutely unacceptable, Mr Brown has now written to local MSPs and the Scottish Government.

His fellow Jedburgh councillor, Rory Stewart, told us: “It’s a disgrace that the people of Jedburgh are being treated with this contempt.”

Calling the situation a “disgrace” and “morally wrong”, Councillor Sandy Scott told The Southern: “Doctors are held in high esteem in the community, and should not be acting in this way.

“I appreciate it’s probably not quite as simple as this, but to myself, not to treat a sick Jedburgh patient in the Hawick hospital is simply not on and goes against everything I believe in, and should be sorted as soon as possible.”

Kelso’s Springwood Park has been transformed into dog city this week, as almost 5,700 canines are readied for the annual championship show.

And organisers of this weekend’s Border Union Agricultural Society (BUAS) Championship Dog Show are delighted with this year’s entry, which sees an increase of almost 500 entries on 2014.

And, as introduced last year, members of the public visiting the show will be able to bring along their own dogs to attend the show.

“This was a very popular innovation last year with the many local visitors who come to the show,” Brian Stevenson, secretary of the BUAS dog section, told us. “Dogs need to be over six months, and all the owner needs to do is to confirm the pet has been vaccinated. There is no charge for spectator dogs attending.”

Exhibitors from all over the UK and Ireland, and even Europe, are spending the next few days getting ready for the class events over the weekend.

A record entry of almost 1,400 gundogs, 600 terriers, and almost every other breed you can think of, will be competing for the chance to win the top award of Best in Show.

‘Border’ breeds are well represented too – 116 Border Collies will be competing on Sunday, while 141 Border Terriers will be judged on Saturday.

The Kelso show is one of only three general championship dog shows in Scotland, and a win in certain classes awards the proud owner and dog with a chance to compete at the world-famous Crufts event the following year.

More than 100 different breeds of dog will be competing, starting at 9am on Saturday with dogs representing the hound, terrier and gundog groups, with the toy, pastoral, utility and working groups being judged on Sunday, from 9am.

The grand finale of Best in Show will be staged around 5.30pm on Sunday afternoon.

The show is tremendously popular with all exhibitors, many of whom make the trip to Kelso with their caravans, to enjoy a holiday week in the town.

In addition to watching the competitions, visitors will have the chance to browse round more than 50 trade stands with a wide range of dog foods, books, coats, grooming products, as well as special dog baths and even herbal remedies for their canines.

And as well as household name breeds, such as Labradors, pugs, and Irish setters, there is also a chance to see some of the rarest breeds in the country.

BUAS show manager Marjory Macgregor says organisers are delighted with the number of entries: “With 5,658 dogs entered, Kelso is bucking the trend compared to other championship shows in the UK.

“The Border Union event is one of the farthest championship shows for exhibitors from the likes of London, Dorset, Kent and Ireland to travel to, so we are really gratified so many people are making the effort to come all this way.”

Car parking is free and admission is only £5 for adults, £3 for children and OAPs.

Police in the Borders have urged anyone with information to contact them following a number of suspicious fires in the Galashiels area, writes Kevin Janiak.

The first fire occurred on Thursday night, June 11, into Friday morning, between 11.30pm and 1am, when a hedgerow in Manse Place was set alight.

A second fire was ignited at around midnight on Saturday, June 13, in a hedgerow in Manse Street.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) attended both incidents and the fires were extinguished successfully, although extensive damage was caused.

The last incident occurred on Sunday, June 14, at around 1.30am at Victoria Park, when a swing was set alight.

Given the proximity of the incidents and the short space of time in which they have occurred, officers believe the incidents may be linked and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Police Sergeant Gavin Liddle said: “Thankfully, these fires were extinguished safely. However, they could have had much more serious consequences.

“We are eager to trace those involved as soon as possible. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

caddonfoot

Parish church

The weekly service was conducted by the Reverend Elspeth Harley, who again welcomed two female visitors on holiday from the Bridgenorth area and who had spent much of their week at Selkirk Common Riding and around the Borders. The Bible reading was delivered by session clerk Anne Grieve, and music was supplied by Andy and Catriona Bird and Anne Grieve. Georgie Bird is holding a sponsored silence this week to raise money for Riding for the Disabled. Anyone who can help patients at the BGH attend chaplaincy centre services is asked to contact Jo Lawson. There will be a meeting of the congregational board on June 25 at 7pm in the church. It was also announced that the Kirkin’ of the Braw Lad and Lass will take place in Trinity Church on Sunday at 11.15am.

cappercleuch

Hall roof

The village hall has at last been successful in getting help to replace the roof. Langhope Rig wind farm community fund has awarded a grant of £5,000 towards the project, with the hall providing more than £2,000 more from its own fundraising efforts and St Mary’s SRI making a donation of £236 . The sale and teas event scheduled for June 27 has been postponed to a later date, to be decided once the work on the roof is completed.

earlston

Cafe

Earlston community cafe is open for coffee, tea and biscuits every Wednesday (10.30am-noon) in the church hall. No charge, but donations accepted.

Parish church

The communion service on Sunday at 10.15am will be conducted by the Reverend Bruce Lawrie. All elders should meet in the vestry at 9.45am to conduct important session business which has to be dealt with before the next scheduled meeting. June 27 is Messy Church in the church hall from 10.30am to

1pm. On June 28, the civic week service will be held in the marquee at 10.15am. There will be an evening service at 6.30pm in the church on the same day.

Eddleston

School exhibition

Eddleston Primary School’s World War One and farming exhibition is on display at the Royal Highland Show, within the eco-garden and cottage, located in the countryside area of the showground. Staff and pupils have teamed up with the Royal Highland Agricultural Show Society to mark the centenary of World War One and pay tribute to how it changed rural Scotland forever. The school will display a contemporary project within the cottage to show how life in a rural parish like Eddleston changed for the adults and children left at home during the conflict, in particular focusing on farming, horticulture and food production. In addition, the pupils have examined the differences that exist in agriculture between 1915 and 2015 using local farms. The children have visited properties within Eddleston parish, interviewing local farmers, and collecting other information from newspaper archives, old records such as valuation rolls and photographs. Some pupils will personally present their work to The Princess Royal when she attends the show on June 19. The Royal Highland Show runs from today (Thursday) until June 22.

Edgerston

Callant

The community are looking forward to welcoming Callant Raeburn and his Henchmen at Redewsire on July 4.

Clay shoot

The clay shoot held on Saturday, June 13, at Edgerston Tofts was won by Team Eildon (Sue and Ian Braithwaite, Kim Cooper) and Top Gun Andy Dunsuir.

galashiels

Trinity church

Minister Elspeth Harley conducted the service on Sunday. Alistair Wilson read Bible passages, while Dorothy Howden played music for the hymns. The Braw Lad will be kirked at the June 21 service, which starts at 11.15am. Sunday morning will also see the last of the Kidz Klub meetings until after the summer holidays. Some of the children are participating in the Braw Lads’ sports in the afternoon.

Rotary

As the Rotary year comes to an end on June 30, incoming president Lynda Stoddart and her committee chairs have announced plans for the coming year. The first event will be the summer fun day in August, followed by pre-Christmas events at the end of November and the Christmas Eve carol service. The senior citizens’ lunch will be held in the spring. Internationally, the club will continue to support victims of disasters such as the recent earthquake in Nepal and, to support these causes, will hold a collection at Tesco in December. Youth activities will include the primary school quiz and a greater range of work with the Academy. As usual, students will be sent to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp and Challenge Enterprise. In sport, Rotarians will send players to the Young Golfer competition and hold its own fundraising event in June. There are also plans to visit Virtual Golf again, as well as days at Kelso Races and a rugby match between Gala and Melrose. Meanwhile, club secretary Rae Hastings revisited his climb of Kilimanjaro with former Rotarian Duncan McCosh. This trip was 10 years ago and raised funds in excess of £6,000 through sponsorship for Jaipur Limb and the Macmillan MRI scanner appeal. Rae recalled the numbers of people climbing, passing through six climate zones, the effort required and the emotion felt when reaching the summit.

Charity appeal

A charity shop in Galashiels is urging locals to clear their closets of unwanted clothes and donate them to help treat sick and injured pets. PDSA at 64 Channel Street is on the hunt for ladies’, men’s and children’s clothing to sell. For more information, contact Linzi Liddle on 01896 759881.

Zumbathon

On June 20 (10am-noon) at Langlee Community Centre, Fit Borders is hosting a Zumbathon in aid of Arthurshiel Rescue Centre, St Boswells. This event is the swansong fundraising event for Arthurshiel volunteer Sheena Chappell, who is retiring from active service in the fundraising field for the charity after having been involved with them in various categories for the last 15 years. Tickets are available from the Fit Borders website and instructors.

glendouglas

Whist

Winners of the whist drive held on June 8 – ladies – 1, Betty Fleming; 2, Evelyn Taylor; 3, Joan Kyle; booby, Greta Middlemas; gents – 1, Alistair Patterson; 2, Peter Hedley; 3, Izzy Brodie; booby, Alistair Cameron.

Lunch club

Last Wednesday’s gathering was well attended, with lots

of new faces from far and wide.

SRI

The new date for the SRI’s “Evening with the Callant” is June 24. Tickets are still valid and one can pay at the door.

hawick

Bridge club

June 9 – N/S – 1, John and Marian Miller; 2, Ken Auckland and Dave King; E/W – 1, Rob Goldie and Margaret MacLeod; 2, Helen and Malcolm Ouldcott.

Rotary

At the post-common riding meeting, the club broke up into its different committees and discussed future plans and activities to be presented at the club assembly. The coffee morning realised £1,000 and this is being disbursed as £750 to the Rotary Napal Earthquake Appeal and £250 to Mr Sherpa, Selkirk, a Nepalese who lives and works there. He is raising funds to assist him in helping to rebuild his native village.

Innerleithen

Service

The service on June 21 will take the form of a breakfast story and song at 8.30am in the Hall of Friendship. There is also a service at St Ronan’s House at 4pm.

Games Week

Local entries for the American Cup (800 metres handicap) and the New Zealand trophy (200 metres handicap) must be made to sports secretary Sarah Lindsay (01869 833590) no later than July 12. No entries for these events will be accepted on the field on Games Saturday (July 18). Both races are for youths – 9 years to under-18s – and are confined to Innerleithen, Walkerburn and Traquair. Anyone who would like to buy Games Week bunting should contact treasurer Norman Scott (01896) 830621. Last orders – June 26. Volunteers should blankets for the collections during the fancy dress parade on July 16 and flower parade two days later. Those willing to help are asked to contact Games committee treasurer Norman Scott (01896) 830621. The senior citizens’ social evening will be held in the Memorial Hall on July 9, with doors opening at 7pm. Tickets are available at the Thrift Shop, free of charge. It is hoped that as many people as possible will decorate their homes to help brighten the town for its most important week of the year. Anyone who wishes to have their house judged for the fancy dress parade must give their name to Games secretary Stewart Wilson (07912 848009) no later than 8pm on July 15. Shops and businesses will also be judged, with prizes on offer. The final committee meetings will take place on Wednesdays June 24, and July 1 and 8. All meetings will be held in the council chamber, Memorial Hall, at 7pm .

jedburgh

Rotary

At the club business meeting last Thursday, it was agreed that £75 would be given to Jedburgh Grammar School to help pay for end-of-term prizes. The club will also give £100 to Jedburgh Karate Club towards a jerkin which competitors wear when taking part in karate exams, and £85 for crocus bulbs to be planted around the town, illustrating the club’s efforts to eliminate polio throughout the world. The Rotary Ladies plant sale raised £200 for the club charity account. All officers for the next Rotary year have been appointed and the club will meet on July 2 in assembly to confirm Tony Rae as new president, taking over from Gordon Stuart.

Holocaust survivor

Pupils from Jedburgh Grammar School assembled in the town hall to hear one of the last Holocaust survivors, Zigi Schipper, speak about his experiences in the Lodz ghetto in Poland, of Auschwitz-Birkenau and his subsequent new life in the UK. The event was organised jointly by the school and Jedburgh Rotary Club.

Kelso

Book sale

Kelso Youth Project’s DVD/CD/book sale is on June 20 (9.30am-4pm) in Kelso Square. Volunteers to help run the event are needed – contact ianrendallreid@cheviotyouth.co.uk or ring 07958 277766. Donations of old DVDs, CDs and books can be dropped off at The Planet (next door to Border Ice Rink) today (Thursday) from 3-9pm and tomorrow, 4-6.30pm.

Stitchers

Kelso Stitchers’ last meeting for this session is on June 23 – a visit to Moy Mackay’s studio in Peebles. For further information, contact Rineke Sangster (01573 229414).

Bridge club

June 7 – Kelso Bridge Congress – pairs – 1, Diana Drysdale and Ros French; 2, Maureen Weightman and Helen Long; 3, Brian Saywood and Ken Ross; 4, Helen MacNeil and Liz Henderson; 5, Kate Mole and Margaret Patterson; 6, Maureen McMillan and Jennifer Marshall. Swiss teams – 1, Margaret Alder, Nigel Booth, Ritchie Thompson, Liz Barr; 2, John Anderson, Tom Allison, Lesley Kydd, Alex Crawford; 3, Robin Sharp, Jan Sharp, Alastair Small, Sheila Small; 4 (equal), Alister Rae, Maurice Franceschi, Catriona Gardiner, Elizabeth Peckham and Norman Morrison, Bett Morrison, Iain Morton, Margaret Morton; 6, Bob Stevenson, Annie Mitchell. Jon Bridger, Gerry Eglinton. Club nights – June 10 – Howell movement – 1, Dominic Alkin and Diana Alkin; 2, David Harris Burland and Sheila Urquhart; 3, Jean McLaren and Alison Ireland. June 11 – N/S – 1, Michael Horwood and Alison Ireland; 2, Archie Stewart and Billy Potts; E/W – 1, Gerry Eglington and Jon Bridger; 2, John and Marian Miller.

Amateur drama

Kelso Amateur Dramatic Society has chosen “Cash On Delivery”, a farce by Michael Cooney, for its November production. The company will be directed by Susan Stewart, a stalwart member, with a wealth of experience on stage and behind scenes. A play reading will be held on June

Turn to page 34

From page 33

22 at 7.30pm in Abbey Row Centre. Anyone interested in being considered for a part should just turn up.

langholm

Colours

Each year, Langholm residents wait in anticipation on the outcome of the Derby – the Common Riding colours are taken from the winning owner. Golden Horn was a comfortable three-and-a-half-lengths victor with Frankie Dettori in the saddle as 13-8 favourite for trainer John Gosden, and in the black, white and red colours of owner Anthony Oppenheimer.

Town Band

The Town Band bicentenary celebrations continued as members performed at a prestigious engagement to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. The band was invited by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to take part in the Eve of Waterloo extravaganza in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh. Under the baton of musical director Chris Shanks, the Town Band performed on its own, and in a massed band consisting of more than 300 performers, including the bands of the Royal Marines Scotland and the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Royal Regiment of Scotland, in company with Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools Choir. The Town Band has its own close ties with the Battle of Waterloo – the first significant recorded appearance was on the return of the Scots Greys from the conflict when a recently formed band of musicians paraded the returning soldiers through the town. The officer commanding the soldiers was so impressed with the band’s performance he presented them with part of the brass from the harness of his horse, now known as the band buckle.

Probus club

President Irving Stuart welcomed 18 members to a meeting in the Eskdale Hotel. There are still seats available for the trip to Dumfries House on Wednesday, August 19. Club member Bill Jamison gave a talk on the history of Eskdalemuir seismological recording station, which opened in 1962. Its purpose was to monitor the Limited Atomic Test Ban Treaty of 1963, heralding a slight warming of Cold War politics. Eskdalemuir was chosen because of its remoteness and quietness, so continuous 24-hour monitoring there would show up any underground anomalies.

Westerhall Gardens

The gardens at Westerhall, a few miles from the town, are now open to the public. The open day was run in conjunction with Scotland’s Gardens, a registered charity created in 1931. It raises funds for other deserving causes by facilitating the opening of gardens throughout Scotland to the public. Head gardener Grant Moir was on hand to give advice and there was a plant sale. Westerkirk Parish Trust received 40% of the takings, with the remainder going to Scotland’s Gardens.

LAUDER

Historical society

Michael Middlemiss will give a presentation on the Lauder Burgesses and Burgess Acres on June 24 at 7.30pm in Lauder Youth Trust Hall. Further details from Joan Stevens on 01578 722559.

Maxton

Duck race

A duck race will take place on June 20 at 3pm. Meet at the church car park before walking down to the burn. Ducks cost £2 and there will be cash prizes. A barbecue will follow at the village hall – bring your own food and drink. Proceeds to Borders Search and Rescue Unit.

melrose

Parish church

At the Kirkin’ of the Melrosian, the lessons were read by festival chairman James Marjoribanks and Melrosian Donald Crawford. Activities: foodbank ongoing; June 21 services, Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (11am).

Trimontium

“Discovery and Excavation”, the just-published 240-page annual report of Archaeology Scotland, highlights two Borders discoveries. Not far from Galashiels there appeared a denarius of the Emperor Domitian (dated to 92-95AD) and a diamond-shaped Roman plate brooch. They were allocated, under treasure trove, to National Museums in Edinburgh. Not far from Hawick a Roman copper-bronze vessel was found, upside down and almost intact – that find went to Borders museums. Today (Thursday) at 1.30pm, there is a Trimontium walk.

Morebattle

Fishing club

Club competition results – 1, Stuart McNulty; 2, Jeannie McNulty; 3, Jim McNulty; heavy trout, Jeannie McNulty; heavy 3, Dave Gray; heavy 6, Stuart McNulty. A pairs competition will be held on June 20, 3.30-6.30pm – draw in Templehall today (Thursday) at 9pm. Caverton Mill fishing competition is on June 27, 7-11am – draw in Templehall on June 25 at 9pm.

SWI

Members had their summer outing on June 10 to Minto Golf Club for supper. A quiz was presented by Grace Cessford and Morag Thomson, and won by Lizzie Thomson. A vote of thanks was extended by Catherine Mabon.

Coffee morning

The institute coffee morning was held on Saturday when chairman Gilbert Elliot opened the event and paid tribute to Eileen Woodward, secretary for many years, who died suddenly last October. Catherine Mabon has taken over as secretary. The coffee morning raised £500 for institute funds. Competition winners – cushions, Margaret Pederson; treasure hunt, Matilda Hall; jar of sweeties, Anne Brown; plant, Helen Herkes; basket of vegetables, Catherine Mabon.

Trysting Tree

The Kelso Laddie and Jethart Callant meet at the Trysting Tree at 2.30pm on June 21.

Open meeting

A Morebattle Games Festival Week open meeting will be held on June 23 at 7.30pm in the village hall.

Book sale

See Kelso section.

Newcastleton

Shop

A new Spar shop which was once the Royal British Legion premises has been officially opened by Tub Jock Elliot. Irene Bell and Dave Stockell are running the business, and the first 100 shoppers were given a free bag of Spar products. The Legion building was bought at auction by Sean Turnbull and Darren Armstrong who then had renovation work carried out. They are soon to start converting the upstairs section to make it into a function room.

Fun day

Liddesdale Parish Church held a fun day with a variety of games and competitions in and outside the village hall, and despite the wet weather there was a good turnout and more than £800 was raised.

Stichill

Fun day

Local residents should have an action-packed day on June 27. The activities begin at midday with a 10-kilometre run following a route through local lanes and farms. The children’s sports are at 3pm on the playpitch beside the village hall. Fun events for the adults include welly-throwing and a tug-o-war. In the evening a barbecue and hog roast will take place at the village hall from 6pm. There will be live music from the Peter Fry Group, Gale Force and Kelso High School students.

Traquair

Service

The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on June 28 at 10.30am.

yetholm

Book sale

See Kelso section.

Lunch

A village lunch will be held today (Thursday) in the Wauchope Hall at noon, with the proceeds going to Festival Week.

Festival events

Family bingo in the Wauchope Hall tonight (Thursday) from 7pm. Tomorrow (Friday) it’s ladies’ darts in Plough Hotel and fun bowling event in the Wauchope Hall. Saturday – duck race on the River Bowmont at noon, followed by a family afternoon on Kirk Yetholm Green.

Dance

There are still tickets left for the dance on June 20 in the Wauchope Hall, available from the village shop.

Sports

School sports are due to be held at 1.30pm on June 22 in the Playing Field.

AGM

The Youth Hall AGM is in hall at 7.30pm on June 25.

Shepherds’ show

Shepherds’ show organisers will hold an extraordinary general meeting on June 25 at 8pm in the Wauchope Hall.

A Galashiels man who turned up in court wearing shorts as temperatures outside were in the sizzling seventies has been reprimanded by a sheriff.

Darren Dixon had just admitted being involved in a bust-up with his partner over a George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine when he received his dressing down.

The 27-year-old entered the dock at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday wearing a blue T-shirt and long blue shorts to plead guilty to breaking girlfriend Toni Boone’s Samsung Tablet.

Sheriff Peter Paterson warned the accused: “If you turn up to court in shorts again you will be held in contempt of court. It is completely unacceptable.”

Dixon, who lives at Woodstock Avenue, apologised for his attire.

The court was told Dixon grabbed hold of the portable computer and broke it against his knee before throwing it out of the window of their house on April 20.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said: “They had been together for four years and their relationship can be described as up and down.

“They had an argument of sorts and he said she had broken a Lean Mean Grilling Machine, so he broke her Samsung Tablet. There is no excuse for this behaviour.”

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said the couple were no longer in a relationship, admitting: “It was an unsavoury incident.”

Dixon was fined £125 and ordered to pay Ms Boone £100 in compensation.

A professional chef has unveiled plans to launch a gourmet cookery school in Galashiels.

The last piece of the jigsaw of Peter Gruber’s dream is due to be slotted into place tomorrow (Friday) when his new venture – the Maplehurst Cooking Academy & Fine Dining Club Ltd – bids for a drinks permit from Scottish Borders Licensing Board.

Incorporated as a limited company earlier this year, the business will be based at Maplehurst, the handsome Edwardian property in Abbotsford Road which Mr Gruber and his wife Silke purchased last year.

The couple are looking to build on the reputation they have already forged at the boutique guest house – evidenced by a wealth of glowing Trip Advisor testimontials.

Built in 1906 for a local mill-owner, Maplehurst boasts many of its original internal features – including tapestries, oak paneling and a stained glass window – all considered fine examples of the Scottish Arts and Crafts style.

“As the new owners, we are bringing our own unique foodie twist, thanks to Peter’s love of cooking and fine dining,” proclaims the Maplehurst website.

To accommodate the academy, their special fine dining evenings and their ambition to hold private functions, Mr and Mrs Gruber have applied for a licence to sell alcohol on the premises from 11am till midnight on weekdays and till 1am on Friday and Saturday.

Their operating plan includes a large area of the adjacent garden grounds, suitable for the erection of a marquee, for “external alcohol consumption”.

And although this has elicited no neighbour objections, both the police and licensing standards officer Ian Tunnah have expressed reservations about this aspect of the application.

“Given the proposed hours for consumption on the premises and the proximity of neighbouring properties, we request that the outside area could be best managed by the use of occasional licences,” states a letter from the police.

Mr Tunnah writes: “It would appear the larger lawn area is intended to accommodate such events as weddings. I have serious concerns that a marquee, with live or recorded music, could give cause for complaint from residents in neighbouring properties.”

In their application, Mr and Mrs Gruber have given an assurance that the sale of alcohol will be restricted to Maplehurst residents, those attending the academy and guests at pre-arranged functions.

The late arrival of a shipment of stone and paving from China is delaying work at the revamped Walled Garden, part of Hawick’s Wilton Lodge Park regeneration.

After a meeting with project manager Scott Castle, landscape architect Mark Elliott revealed that this was the reason for the lack of progress at the site.

But it is not as bizarre as at first appears as there is a lower carbon footprint when buying from the Far East.

Explaining the several weeks’ delay, Mr Elliott, said: “It has been common practice for years now for certain types of stone to be sourced from China and India for British projects, and because of the amount to be delivered to the site, all work had to cease.

“Once the shipment does arrive on site a suitable and safe access has to be there, rather than vehicles running on previous groundwork,” added the landscape architect who has designed 500 projects and eight parks.

“This is a great development – very few other public parks will have such a resource to enjoy.”

Many locals have expressed concern because they have seen little change for several weeks, given that an official opening date of June 28 has been publicised, including an admission-by-ticket concert in the evening.

The plan now is to have an open day that Sunday so that the public can see the work so far and given an explanation of how the completed new garden will look. The concert will still go ahead on the evening of the 28th, but at the recently-completed new bandstand and it will be a free event.

It is now envisaged that the official opening will be in late July.

Hawick student Katie Stephen has been awarded the title of Scotland’s 2015 VQ Learner of the Year in recognition of her outstanding vocational achievement in horse care at Borders College.

Katie, 2o, successfully applied her knowledge and skills to her career and has already secured remarkable achievements. She has produced award-winning horses in dressage and eventing, as well as successfully retraining ex-racehorses, making a name for herself in the equine industry.

She was also named Equine Learner and Land-Based Learner of the Year by Lantra.

Katie said: “I’m thrilled.Completing a vocational qualification has given me the skills and drive to pursue my chosen career and I am delighted that my hard work has been recognised.”

The owner of Mayfield Garden Centre in Kelso, which underwent a major expansion last year, has incurred the wrath of neighbours by applying for a permit to sell alcohol.

Carlisle-based William Strike Ltd is seeking a licence to sell drink from a small display area at the Glebe Lane site, close to the River Tweed, between 10am and 10pm daily.

The firm has also applied for an on-sales licence for its new 200-seater coffee bar/restaurant.

But it is the off-sales bid which has elicited objections from nine elderly residents living in nearby Mayfield Gardens.

“There is no call for off-sales within the garden centre,” writes neighbour John Wightman in a letter to Scottish Borders Licensing Board which will consider the Strike bid tomorrow (Friday).

“It could affect the amenity of the area, especially if young adults choose to have late evening drinking sessions beside a highly dangerous stretch of the Tweed.”

Mr and Mrs P. Rhodes claim the off-sales hours are “quite out of order in this peaceful area of Kelso” while Mrs J. Bastion states: “However small the outlet is, take-away drink should not be allowed on this site.”

Another Mayfield Gardens resident, Mrs M. Gliksten, says the setting of the garden centre, a former market garden, is of “great environmental and amenity value”.

She says last year’s expansion of the business, including the provision of 100 car parking spaces, had already put traffic pressure on narrow roads, like The Butts and Glebe Lane, which have survived intact since the days of horse-drawn vehicles.

“Our concerns lie with the hours requested for off-sales which, we contend, would be an over-commercialisation of the site,” writes Mrs Gliksten.

“If the application is granted, it will greatly increase the scope of the business and the premises could, in very short order, emerge as a supermarket.”

She says that “after years of trouble”, late night hooliganism and vandalism in the river area was under control.

“But residents remain fearful that night-time alcohol sales could lead to a resurgence of the problem,” she adds.

Neither the police nor licensing standards officer Ian Tunnah have offered any objections to the firm’s application.

A shoplifter who assaulted two members of staff at an agricultural merchants after he was accused of theft was jailed for eight months at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday.

Krzysztof Lyszko, 42, was found guilty of committing four offences at Agricparts Ltd in Kelso’s Spylaw Road on April 30. He stole tools from the shop floor and after being detained in an office, pushed a female employee against a door. Lyszko then struggled violently with staff members before striking a male worker on the head with an impact driver to his injury.

Sheriff Peter Paterson imposed four jail sentences, all to run concurrently, and back-dated the eight-month term to May 1 when Lyszko, of Maxmill Park, Kels0, was first remanded in custody.

DRIVER DROVE THROUGH FENCE

A motorist who was more than double the legal alcohol limit when his vehicle crashed through a fence and into a private garden in St Boswells was been banned from the road for 15 months.

Stuart Gallagher, 24, who lives at Sprouston Cottages, Newtown St Boswells, was also fined £150 for the drink-drive offence which happened on May 2.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told on Thursday that a householder saw headlights in her garden at around 10pm and when she went to investigate two men came out of the vehicle and offered to pay for the damage to the fence.

However, when she went inside her home to get a pen, they and the vehicle disappeared.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the police were called and Gallagher traced. The accused had a breath/alcohol reading of 53 microgrammes – the legal limit being 22.

Gallagher was fined another £200 after admitting a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour in Overhaugh Street, Galashiels, on November 9.

SWORE AT HIS WIFE

A drunk Eyemouth accused who had a bust-up with his wife has been told to be of good behaviour for the next six months.

Arthur Collin, 45, of Sanderson’s Way, pleaded guilty to a charge of acting in a threatening or abusive manner at their home on May 3.

Graham Fraser, prosecuting, told Jedburgh Sheriff Court that the accused had gone out to the shops in the afternoon and returned at 9pm in a drunken state.

He added: “He was going on about the house being his and saying to his wife they were no good together.”

Mr Fraser said he directed swear words to her and because of his behaviour she eventually dialled 999.

The court was told that Collin was given a breath test to see how much alcohol he had drank and it recorded a reading of 117 microgrammes – more than five times the drink-drive limit.

Ross Dow, defending, said the couple had since reconciled and had been out to celebrate their anniversary, adding: “He has apologised to her.”

Sheriff Lindsay Wood said: “You now know that society does not tolerate domestic abuse.”

As it was the first incident of this type on Collin’s record, he deferred sentence until December 14.

NOT-GUILTY PLEA TO ASSAULT

A Hawick woman appeared from custody and denied assaulting a man at the town’s Morrison’s supermarket on Friday.

Jennifer Sherlow, 33, of Weensland Park, pleaded not guilty to punching Robert Jackson repeatedly to the face and head to his injury.

The case was due to recall today (Thursday) when Sherlow has other matters calling at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

FACEBOOK FALL-OUT

A Hawick man who caused a disturbance at his brother’s home after a fall-out on social networking site Facebook was fined £200.

Steven Millburn, 38, of Teviot Road, pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, and causing fear and alarm by attending at a house in Hawick uninvited, shouting and swearing and repeatedly striking a door.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said: “The address is the accused’s brother. There had been a falling out between the two brothers which started off, as it often does these days, on Facebook.

“He went round to his brother’s house at 11.15pm and was striking the door, trying to get entry. It was in a block of flats and would have been heard by neighbours.”

Stephanie Clinkscale, defending, said: “There had been a death in the family and that was behind the fall-out. There has been no contact between the accused and the complainer.”

CHEEKY KELSO THIEF

A shoplifter took items back to the superstore from where she had stolen them and demanded a refund, claiming they were unwanted goods.

Louise Hogarth, 32, admitted defrauding Sainsbury’s out of £500 with her scam which she operated between December 30 and January 19.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told how she would steal goods that were on display at Sainsbury’s store in Kelso, and then returned to the shop and explained to employees they were unwanted gifts. She would then get a refund for the cost of the goods which she had stolen in the first place.

First offender Hogarth, of Barony Park, Kelso, was sentenced to 80 hours’ unpaid work and ordered to pay £500 compensation to Sainsbury’s.

Sheriff Lindsay Wood said: “This is a serious offence.”

RELEASED ON BAIL

A Hawick man made a private court appearance, accused of theft by housebreaking in the town last week.

Thirty-three-year-old Jamie Collins made no plea or declaration and his case was continued for further examination at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Collins was bailed.

INDECENT PHOTOGRAPHS

A Hawick man who had indecent photographs of children in his possession had his name put on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Thirty-five-year-old Gary Montgomery pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to the offence which happened at his home in Stonefield Place over a period of almost four years.

The court was told that the photos and a video were at level one – the least serious which involves images depicting erotic posing with no sexual activity.

Sheriff Lindsay Wood deferred sentence until July 13 for a psychiatric report to be prepared.

BOUGHT STOLEN TELEVISION

A teenager who bought a television for £300 claimed he hid it in a black bag in woodland when he was told it had been stolen during a house break-in.

The bag was found by a dog walker and the television, worth £1,000, was returned to its owner.

Seventeen-year-old Hughie Hutchison, now living at Woodstock Avenue in Galashiels, pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to a charge of reset on August 27.

Sentence was deferred to July 27 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court where Hutchison has other matters calling.

ACCUSED ‘LOST IT’

When Stephen Norman fell out with his former partner and her new boyfriend, he returned home and “lost it”, Selkirk Sheriff Court was told.

He pleaded guilty to shouting and swearing, throwing furniture around, breaking a window and behaving in an aggressive manner at Wellington Court, Hawick.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said: “In his own words he said he ‘lost it’ after he had consumed alcohol.”

Norman, 50, was fined £100 and ordered to pay £100 in compensation to the Scottish Borders Housing Association.

UNPAID WORK ORDER

Struggling violently with his partner during a domestic row at a house in Magdala Terrace, Galashiels, resulted in Barry Chisholm being ordered to carry out 60 hours’ unpaid work.

The 31-year-old, of Old Station House, Gordon, had pleaded guilty to the offence which happened on March 20.

Gordon’s Samantha Kinghorn, one of the UK’s most successful wheelchair racers, has become the first person in the country to be supplied with a new ‘everyday’ carbon fibre wheelchair from mobility specialists Ottobock.

Samantha said: “I have used a number of wheelchairs – I have a farm chair for the mud! I look forward to travelling the world with my new Voyager Evo.”

Selkirk fundraiser Joyce Wright has been awarded a British Empire Medal, for Services to Cancer Research in the local community, in the Queen’s 2015 Birthday Honours List.

The 50-year-old mum-of-two’s walks have raised £120,000 over 26 years, since her father died of cancer in 1987.

Embarrassingly just a few months from its much-trumpeted opening and the ‘train’ is not so much taking the strain as showing it after a ticketing glitch left the first customers shocked when they read that a single fare on the new line to Edinburgh would cost around £30.

It turned out that because the new line is not yet operational, ScotRail’s whizzy computer system was not recognising the new stations and was going on the cost of an existing fare taking passengers from Galashiels to Berwick by bus and then on by train to Edinburgh.

ScotRail moved quickly to clarify that a single ticket to Edinburgh from Galashiels will still be £9.30, with an adult anytime day return ticket £14.90 and a weekly season ticket under £60.

Described as a “fiasco” by local MSP Christine Grahame, it has certainly left rail bosses with egg on their faces.

So yes, it‘s a bit of a PR own goal but let’s keep this in perspective. We’ve waited nearly 50 years for our railway link to be returned to us and considering the mammoth scale of the project with £300million being spent, there have been remarkably few problems.

With a scheme of this size there’s bound to be plenty of other teething difficulties until things bed in. Afterall this is without precedent - the longest stretch of reopened rail line in British history.